Last updated on September 9th, 2021
By Fantasy Football Experts – Twitter ID: @FFExperts_
During an International Break, FPL managers get a lot of time to review their teams and make some big changes to their squad. After 3 gameweeks and a lot of big moves in the transfer window, FPL managers are spoilt for choices with their transfer strategy. A lot of managers are playing or thinking of playing the wildcard to accommodate top performers so far or returning stars like Ronaldo. While there is some merit as well as risk to playing the wildcard so early in the season, let us look at some potential difference makers you can consider for GW4. We have considered the fixture swing after the break and underlying stats to pick these 4 players.
Kieran Tierney (Arsenal – Defender – £4.9m) vs NOR (H)
The Gunners have had a terrible start to their campaign with 3 straight losses. However, they have a decent run of games in the upcoming weeks and we expect them to find some form. The next six games are NOR (H), BUR (A), TOT (H), BHA (A), CRY (H), & AVL (H). Tierney has been Arsenal’s most creative player and he can deliver returns at both ends of the pitch.
In 3 games so far he has created 7 chances, more than double of any of his teammates. He has also recorded 3 shots on goal (joint second highest in the team). He has the highest xA (Expected Assists) for the Gunners of 0.51. Arsenal will host fellow strugglers Norwich who have conceded the most goals so far (10). With an ownership of 5.4%, the Scot can be a solid pick for GW4.
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea – Defender – £5.7m) vs AVL (H)
Chelsea have one of the meanest defense in the league and have conceded just 1 goal so far, that too from a penalty against Liverpool. The Blues have a relatively comfortable home fixture against Aston Villa this week followed by 2 tough games in GW5 (TOT-A) & GW6 (MCI-H). However, post-GW6 Chelsea have a massive fixture swing for the good between GW7 & GW11, where they face SOU (H), BRE (A), NOR (H), NEW (A), & BUR (H). We believe they are capable of getting a solid result in the tough games as well.
Alonso has the capability to provide explosive returns. So far he has scored 1 goal in 3 games. He has managed to create 8 chances for his teammates (3rd highest from defenders). He has made 3 attempts on goal, 1 from inside the box, and 2 on target. His ability from set-pieces adds to his FPL value. With an ownership of 13.1%, we believe he is a very good option to consider.
Ferran Torres (Man City – Midfielder – £7.1m) vs LEI (A)
Torres who is classified as a midfielder is regularly deployed as a No 9. In 3 games so far, he has 2 goals and provided 1 assist with a total points tally of 23 points. So far he has made 9 attempts on goal, 6 from inside the box, and 3 on target. The standout stat is his xG (Expected Goals) of 1.62, which is 2nd highest from midfield.
City faces Leicester City this week. The Foxes haven’t looked solid at the back. They have conceded 5 goals in 3 games. They have conceded 50 shots on goal (4th highest in the league) and an xGC (Expected Goals Conceded) of 5.23 (4th highest in the league). The only risk for picking Torres is the fact that he started all 3 games for Spain during the International break and possible that he could get benched this week or midweek in their Champions League game. We still back him to star and put on a solid performance if he starts. Current ownership is 11.4%.
Raul Jimenez (Wolves – Forward – £7.4m) vs WAT (A)
Wolves is one team that we believe has been really unlucky so far. They have played very good attacking football but sadly have lost all 3 games. Their attacking stats have been very good and one of the key players has been their front-man – Jimenez. So far he has had 12 shots on goal (joint 2nd highest in the league), of which 11 were from inside the box (joint 2nd highest). He has also created 10 chances for his team (1st in forwards).
Wolves have a fairly easy run of games and we back Jimenez to shine in these games. The next few games are WAT (A), BRE (H), SOU (A), NEW (H), & AVL (A). Current ownership is 3.1%.
*Ownership percentage is as on September 09, 2021 at the time of writing the article.
Let us know what you think?
By Fantasy Football Experts – Twitter ID: @FFExperts_
