Last updated on August 23rd, 2024
Let’s take a look at how the season is unfolding so far.
Written by – Mohon
GW1 was full of excitement. A great start to the season for many managers and a horrendous start for some, well that’s how FPL works but first things first – let’s take a quick review of GW1 point-wise
- Salah is still the FPL king, became the highest first-week scorer of all time by scoring his 9th goal, and gave us 14 points in the first week which could have been 16 if he had chosen to shoot himself(just being wishful here as he was my captain) and not pass to Jota but then I realised that Salah himself is playing FPL and he has Jota in his team(source – FPLFOCAL) so he had to pass. The important thing for managers to understand is that Jota can’t cover Salah. He is good, but Salah is proving to us once again why he still is the best Liverpool asset and why his price is 12.5m.
- Haaland scored his first goal in his first match of the season(not surprising), but yes, he only got 7 points. Although he played Ipswich next, which might be the match for him to hit a hat-trick. Still, one thing is for sure: a player of his ability is always going to be a threat to the non-owners. He, just like Salah, cannot be covered by any other asset of the team.
- Arsenal’s assets are great; Saka and Havertz both had a goal and an assist, and the defenders also looked in great shape.
- Quensah was subbed at half-time. A popular pick became unpopular in a matter of seconds but for me, it was not surprising as he was always going to be a risk when Konate was on the team. The same with Barco who is now a part of Sevilla. Both of these players were risky and eventually resulted in the side of the other variation that no one liked. But Faes, Bednarek, Bellis, etc. were the better 4.0m defenders anyway, as they were nailed on to start.
- Son was awful, Maddison was fantastic, Porro was exceptional, and Vardy is back.
- There are no comments on Manchester United except their expected goals are still expecting goals but expectations are not resulting in actual goals.
- Murphy was unlucky as his minutes were sacrificed due to the Schar red card. Newcastle were lucky that they got all the 3 points.
- All the promoted teams looked good.
- Nkunku and Palmer were invisible. Sanchez was a risk, too, but he started the match, so in the next few weeks, the managers who have him are going to be feeling good looking at the fixture run.
Perhaps most of you have already made your transfer and decided on your future navigation but in case you have some dilemma, I am going to point out some GW2 Preview notes to make you think before making any hasty decision.
- Do you need Chelsea players for their brilliant fixture run?! Maybe the first game against City was always going to be difficult, but I am not impressed by their attack. If I had Nkunku, I would hold him and play him in the next match; if I don’t have Nkunku, then I would be avoiding him until the Chelsea team is settled.
- Quensah is a definite sell for now; even if you have waited and suffered his price drop, he never looked like a long-term pick, but if the wildcard in GW3/4 is the plan, then hold him(unless you saved yourself and transferred him out early).
- Arsenal players owners are very happy after Saka, Havertz, and all the defenders provided returns. But they were expected to score in the first match anyway; the only thing was their midterm fixture, which will see them playing Villa, Spurs, and City in the next four. Though I strongly believe that form is better than fixtures, I would still want to see how they perform during this period.
- Livramento started in place of Tripper for Newcastle, which hints at how they are going to line up this season, which makes Newcastle a very exciting prospect for future fixture runs. Once established it will not be a bad thing to go double up on their defence. If you also have Murphy, then stick with him, as he is not going to be dropped(looks like), at least before the international break.
- Pedro Porro limped off in the last match, so all the manager’s eyes are on him, but there’s no official announcement by the Spurs management, also, he was spotted at training earlier on Thursday, so he looks fine. Also, Keep Son this week even after his awful showing in GW1; no player is so bad that you can’t wait for another week.
- Wood scored in GW1 and looks like a good and cheap option who can provide enough returns but the arrival of Nketiah might change it.
- Eze looked lively but unlucky as his brilliant free-kick goal was disallowed. Still, he will need other players to support him on the pitch, which I didn’t see as other than Eze, no other players were impactful, which makes me think twice before going for him now.
- Southampton play Forest in GW2, and those who have Harwood Bellis or another defender from their team can take a risk playing him, as they looked really good defensively. If you can play Henderson against Brentford expecting returns, then there’s no issue in doing the same with Southampton players, particularly if you have starting xi issues.
As for this week’s differential choice, I would only choose Maddison(6.5m) this week. With an xGI of 1.00 and 12 corners in the match, he created 3 chances in the match. He was everywhere on the pitch and on his way to 2 bonus points until Vardy decided to ruin the party. Spurs play Everton up next at home, and Sean Dyche confirmed that Tarkowski is a doubt for GW2, which makes him very attractive. Although Tottenham plays Newcastle and Arsenal in GW2 and 3 respectively, he might look like a one-week punt but as I said before that I have more faith in form rather than showing more importance to fixtures so in case he looks the same against Everton as he was against Leicester then there’s no doubt that he is going to be a good option regardless of who is the opposition.
As for my planned transfer this week, I have no idea yet as I am waiting for the press conferences and will decide only at the last moment but I am willing to roll the transfer than make one as of now.
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Note: These are all personal views. FPL is subject to varied opinions and mental stress; make sure to follow your way and play accordingly.
