Pro Pundits

Brentford, £4.0m defenders and Leicester: The FPL surprises of 2021/22 so far

 1

I’ve been a bit slack with my Pro Pundit articles this year, but after seeing Neale, Tom and Marc pick up the “Best in Editorial” accolade at the Fantasy Content Awards, I’m keen to ride on their coattails.

With that said, I’ll be back to doing my regular pieces on here, looking at some of the key issues and deliberations facing Fantasy managers, and major talking points.

Before that though, with eight Gameweeks now behind our belts, I want to do a bit of a stock check for what started out as quite a predictable season but quickly flipped on its head as only Fantasy Premier League (FPL) can, with some surprise options and teams emerging.

Brentford

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Every year, we seem to get at least one promoted team that everyone falls in love with. This year, it is unquestionably Brentford, who have lit up the Premier League with some slick, attacking performances. Priced up at 5/4 to get relegated before the start of the season, these odds have been pushed up to 10/1 after a strong start in which they sit in ninth place with 12 points – that’s more than the likes of Leicester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa have got.

What’s been so impressive about Brentford however is their performances both in attack and defence. Their expected goals conceded (xGC) this season is up there with the best in the division (with only Manchester City’s freakishly imperious backline substantially better than them). The Bees have only conceded more than one goal on one occasion so far this season, and even that was against arguably the Premier League’s best attack right now.

David Raya (£4.6m) is looking a solid pick between the sticks with good fixtures to come, and Ethan Pinnock (£4.6m) and Pontus Jansson (£4.7m) already chipping in with five attacking returns between them.

But Brentford’s success isn’t solely based on good defensive numbers; they are more than holding their own against more established Premier League teams in attacking terms, too. An expected goals (xG) tally from open play of 7.71 puts them eighth, with Ivan Toney (£6.4m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£5.5m) offering cut-price options for our FPL teams. In case you missed it, Mbeumo has hit the woodwork six times already this season! With Burnley, Norwich and Newcastle on the horizon, however, many will be turning to the Frenchman, hoping that his luck will change – and that we don’t have another Adama Traore (£6.0m) on our hands…

The rise of Tino Livramento and Shane Duffy

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

293 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alright. What do you prefer, lads?

    A: Whiskey
    B: Vodka
    C: Gin
    D: Beer
    E: Wine

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A, E, D, C, B

      Vodka is best for pie dough.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Baileys

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A nice glass of water

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Water

    5. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Depends on the occasion, surely

    6. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hmmm … Rum not even an option …

      Of those … D E C B A …. Which as a Scot might sacrilege…

    7. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      D, A, C, E, B

      Vodka... you may as well inject alcohol into your bloodstream haha

    8. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Each has a time and place for me, except maybe vodka, but then espresso martinis are unreal.

      I guess all of them, maybe wine behind the rest!

    9. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A nice Bourbon for me such as Woodford Reserve or just one of the JD branded bottles. I also like flavoured whiskies such as Fireball, JD honey and JD cinamon

    10. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      As I'm getting older (and a bit more health conscious), my midweek evenings are usually a small whisky or wine over a couple of cans. Can't beat a beer though, so overall I'm probs:

      D
      E
      A
      C
      B

    11. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lots of espresso

    12. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers lads. Ofcourse everything is situation dependent, but this poll was for what you'd choose in your natural habitat 🙂
      Whiskey for me.
      And I humbly apologize to the rum lovers. Missed it, though may be because rum is not my thing.

      If I had to order:
      ADEBC

  2. Offs!de
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Huge benching dilemma? Who to bench?
    Rams
    TAA, Cancello, Dias, Chilwell
    Salah, Raph, Foden, Mbeumo
    Lukaku, Armstrong

    Antonio, Livra, Brown

    Totally confused

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That's a sexy backline.

    2. Champione
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Switch Armonstrong and Antonio imo

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        This

      2. Jumpernot
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thrice

  3. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start 3 players:

    A. Cancelo (BHA)
    B. TAA (MAN)
    C. Christensen (NOR)
    D. Livra (BUR)
    E. White (AVL)

    1. Champione
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A, B, C

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 5 months ago

        5 at the back or bench boost time!

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 5 months ago

            But abc

        2. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          ACD

        3. BIGREDDOG
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A B C (D E)

        4. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          ABC

        5. yeahbuddy
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          ABC

      • Champione
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        A) Foden + Werner
        B) Son + Toney

        1. Malinwa
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        2. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        3. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Not A

        4. Boly Would
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        5. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        6. BIGREDDOG
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          So hard... I think B if I was you. But I'm looking at getting both options on A in this week because I have Son already. I'm also considering Kane. My brains exploding this week

        7. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B by a country mile. Its a choice between a rotation risk and a player who is yet to convince and two nailed on players of whom one is on pens.

        8. Champione
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B it is! Thanks all

      • Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Bench three please? Currently Dias, Benny and Livro?

        Foster Ramsdale
        Azpi Cancelo Rudiger Dias Livro
        Salah Raphinha Mbeumo Benny Townsend
        Jiminez Lukaku Antonio

        Thank you in advance.

        1. BIGREDDOG
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I could never have a team like that. So hard to decide... I'd go with the team you have though.

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Thank you.

      • Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        We can all talk at length about the mistakes we've made but what bullets have you dodged this season? I have a couple:

        - Iheanacho at the start of the season was certainly one for me, was one of the first players I chose in my first draft but with his minutes a bit all over the place in preseason it didn't seem worth the risk.
        - Having Son for his first 3 games (26pts) but moving him on after that on WC (9pts in next 3)
        - Going with Benrahma over Mahrez fairly late on before the season started. I had had Mahrez in my draft for a good few weeks but in the last week felt a punt on Benrahma was worth it and I just left the money itb to be able to get Lukaku with less hassle (this also meant I didn't have to waste FTs or take hits trying to rejig my team either)

        1. We Go Again
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Play Tierney (AVL) or Livra (BUR)?

          1. We Go Again
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            sorry fail

        2. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Glad I've avoided Wolves so far

        3. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          - Not having Toney for the first 4 weeks worked out really well for me
          - Avoided Iheanacho and Barnes
          - Went Sanchez over Bachmann
          - Went Tsimikas over Amartey and flipped him for profit for Livra

          It's been a fairly good start overall. Wish I had taken more risks on premium defenders. Going Alonso and/or Cancelo early would have been huge for rank gain.

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Oh and Traore. If I had the slot and the free transfer, I'd have probably brought Traore in GW4. That was a big bullet dodged.

          2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Forgot about Toney, I avoided him like I did Werner last season despite high ownership but it paid off again, although I have him now

        4. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Why was having Benrahma a mistake?

          1. Tony Moon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            He means Mahrez was the bullet dodged, so having Benrahma was a good thing.

      • Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Will Armstrong start against Burnley?

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Doucour DCL > Raphinha Edouard (-8)

        Not sold on Raphinha with Leeds form and injury woes but he is the best Leeds asset you can own.

      • Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Shame about Bruce, what are your thoughts Newcastle fans?…

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Will be interesting to see his replacement.

        2. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Why is it a shame? Would you trust him to overhaul your club?

          1. Gazwaz80
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Just that he was a die hard Newcastle fan trying to get the best out of a crap team….

            1. Drexl Spivey
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              I should apply for the job then.

          2. jason_ni
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            As a Man Utd fan, at this point id probably take him over OGS.

      • Lord of Ings
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Bench one of:-
        A)mahrez
        B)Sarr
        C)Armstrong.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          C

      • citizenkane
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Took a 1-week punt on Mahrez on WC. Left exact cash to do Mahrez > Son this week if needed. Any reason to not follow through with the plan? Or hold and hope Mahrez starts? Or replace with Foden (who was taken off early last night and has less competition for a starting spot than Mahrez)?

        A. Hold
        B. Mahrez > Son
        C. Mahrez > Foden

        1. Water_Pink
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Son

      • Lord of Ings
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Will Armstrong start vs Burnley?

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The Chelsea defensive lineup is probably going to have many ooohhhs and aaahhhs for GW9.

        I want Chilwell but that defence is a rotation hell hole.

      • puhd
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Best City defender? Currently on cancelo but he's due a rest I reckon.

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Wont get rest every week, let your bench do the job

        2. We Go Again
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Cancelo output worth the risk.

      • We Go Again
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Play Tierney (AVL) or Livra (BUR)?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          tough, probably Tierney

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Apparently the shortlist for Newcastle has been narrowed down to

        Howe, Fonseca and Favre.

        Bound to go tits up.

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Mike Bassett?

        2. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Because of an 'apparent' shortlist drummed up by some anonymous bloke on a fantasy footy website?

          Yeah, bound for failure.

        3. Konstaapeli
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Howe with a good DoF could be just what they need. Hope they don't get him.

      • Ginola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        On wildcard an I find it difficult to choose my GK, max 4.5 to spend. Can’t find 0.1 for Raya or Sanchez unfortunately. Who would you pick out of these 2:

        A. Guaita
        B. McCarthy

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A

        2. puhd
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Raya?

        3. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        4. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A - mostly because I have fond memories of him stringing together some 8-10 points over a short period a while ago

      • puhd
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Here's my WC Team:

        Raya (Foster)
        TAA Cancelo White Livramento Duffy
        Salah Foden Raph MacArthur Hojberg
        Vardy Lukaku Toney

        Rip it apart. Thanks lads!

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Why McArthur?

          Otheriwse yeah its a decent squad.

          1. puhd
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Cause he's 4.5

        2. Cheeky Onion
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          That frontline could be dangerous, but hurts the balance a bit. Could do Luk/Vardy > Jimenez and upgrade both defense and midfield. Solid squad tho

        3. space mercenary
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Not sure about the White pick. I would prefer a Brentford double. Lots of talk about a Chelsea double up but the Bees defence has a better XGA stat. Brownhill has a better ICT index than McArthur and can save you 0.1. Can't fault the other pics at the mo.

          1. puhd
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Thank mate

      • Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        If Eddie Howe or Frank Lampard get the Newcastle job I'd be surprised if they didn't go down. Neither manager can organise a defence, which is what they need to stay up.

        The much deried crew of Big Sam, Tony Pulis etc. would be better short term appointments but obviously the fans would go insane if an appointment like that was made.

        1. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Not sure about Pulis, was shocking in his last role.

          Whoever they bring in it is still going to take a lot to stay up tbh. Burnley/Southampton/Leeds no mugs

      • PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Anyone reckon Toney could outscore Vardy this week?

        I really like Toney from GW10 but wondering if I should sell Ronaldo for him or Vardy this week…

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Of course he could. Brentford have been really tought to beat at home. I don't see many goals in that one although perhaps Leicester in a 3-5-2 will start to put a run together now.

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Cool, cheers

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Probably 2pts each

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Fair chance the way Brentford games have gone recently! Cheers

        3. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Vardy is due a jammy pen

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Could well be!

        4. jackruet
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Brentford is not a free scoring team

        5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Loving a punt on Toney for the next few months

          Has a lot going for him

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks. Having already used my wildcard (badly) he has the added appeal of redistributing funds too. Good stats, great fixtures to come.

      • Erez Avni
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Play Sar or Liv?

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Liverpool

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        GW8 aggressive -12 resulted in green arrows.

        For GW9 I may do another -12.

        Matip Doucoure DCL > Chilwell Raphinha Edouard.

        Doucoure and DCL worth nothing sitting on my bench and by the look of things, they will not be returning soon. Some Russian roulette could pay off. Improves my team as well for up and coming fixtures.

        1. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Past performance is not indicative of future results

        2. space mercenary
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A feint heart never won a lady.

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Team would be

            Raya
            Chilwell Trent Cancelo
            (S)alah Raphinha Gray Son
            Edouard Vardy Antonio

            Foster Livramento Hojbjerg Duffy

          2. Joey Tribbiani
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I felt that

        3. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Keep in mind that just because it has worked once, it will always work.

          Not against the idea of taking hits but you cant justify taking huge hits just because it worked in GW8.

          Those moves are fine if you dont have any backup.

        4. jackruet
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Why did you bring dcl and now why are you even selling him. He was nowhere near fit

          1. FOO FIGHTER
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Because he was back in training and rolled the dice for GW8.

            Rafa did mention upon his injury weeks back that it would be 2 to 3 weeks. After Rafa's update this week, we are already at 6 weeks and still not close.

      • Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        NEWCASTLE HQ: We need you to park the bus to stay up this season, then you're squids in for the window.

        PROSPECTIVE LONG TERM APPOINTMENT: Yes but, 'parking the bus', I do not understand. I play more the whole bing, bang, thank you ma...'

        NEWCASTLE HQ: Stuff ya, then. Pulis it is.

      • Malinwa
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        A or B ?

        A) Sanchez+Steele
        B) Raya+Foster

        1. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

      • Tinmen
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Who’s more likely to win this weekend folks?

        Palace at home to Newcastle
        Or
        Southampton at home to Burnley

        1. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Palace

        2. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          If this is just measuring wins then Sou .
          Cpa may well win but i think that's more likely a score draw than the other

      • niaz1982
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Do i need to tinker this week?

        Sanchez
        TAA Rudiger Livra Cancelo
        Foden Salah Mbeumo Raph
        Lukaku Antonio

        Subs: Foster, Duffy, Hwang, Douglas Luiz 1FT £1.8ITB

      • dhamphiir
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ronaldo to ?
        A. Vardy
        B. Son (He is striker in Sky Sport Fantasy)

        Already have Lukaku.

      • Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        ASM's message to Bruce:

        "You are, without a doubt, one of the most gentle people that I have ever met in the world of football. You have been a man of your word, a caring man and a fair man who never hesitated to protect us. I will never forget how you treated me, for that I will be forever grateful"

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          It was a nice and undoubtedly genuine touch there.

      • dshv
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        To play:

        1. Saka
        2. Livra
        3. Hwang

      • FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Have not pulled the trigger yet but how does this look?

        Raya
        Chilwell Trent Cancelo
        (S)alah Raphinha Gray Son
        Edouard Vardy Antonio

        Foster Livramento Hojbjerg Duffy