Fantasy Premier League GW2 Preview

The second game week can’t come quick enough for many coaches. I have seen a lot of people already use their first wildcard. For the first time this season I will not be transferring anyone in and saving my free transfer for Gameweek 3 when I’ll swap Aubameyang for Bruno Fernandes or KDB. We finally have both Manchester clubs starting their season along with Aston Villa and Burnley. 

Here are the fixtures for the next game week: 

Saturday

Everton vs West Brom @ Goodison Park

Leeds vs Fulham @ Elland Road

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace @ Old Trafford

Arsenal vs West Ham @ Emirates Stadium

Sunday 

Southampton vs Spurs @ St. Mary’s

Newcastle vs Brighton @ St. James Park

Chelsea vs Liverpool @ Stamford Bridge

Leicester vs Burnley @ King Power Stadium

Monday 

Aston Villa vs Sheffield @ Villa Park

Wolves vs Manchester City @ Molineux Stadium

 

Hold:

There are a number of players that I reckon you should hold and will bounce back this week:

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.5): You picked this guy for a reason. Did we expect Leeds to put three past Liverpool? NO! Do we expect him to bounce back yes. Chelsea will be wary of conceding edge of the box free kicks against Liverpool, TAA has scored in his last two outings against Chelsea and I do expect him to get you more than 2 points this week. 

He currently has been transferred out by 294,000 coaches. I suggest that it is too reactionary and there is no need to do that. 

Sadio Mane (12.0): if you’re like me and picked this guy over Salah you’d be kicking yourself after last weekend, but never fear Mane will always bounce back. He does come up against Chelsea this week but Lampard could ring in the changes across the back line and have players who haven’t played together before which makes Mane a tasty option to hold. It would be a waste of a transfer to go Mane to Salah after just one game week, back in Sadio!

Aleksandar Mitrovic (6.0): You would be mad to transfer this guy out. Like I mentioned in the review article I wrote, Scott Parker didn’t start him but he should definitely start this week and will possibly repay the faith of his coaches. He is a golden boot winner has proved himself before. He is the best 6.0m Forward in the game. Fulham come up against Leeds this weekend. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (12.0): Arsenal come up against West Ham who lost 2-0 to Newcastle and everything looks quite bleak for them, If Arsenal is on song then this could be a blood bath for West Ham. Aubameyang has been transferred out by 187000 coaches  who might live to regret that decision. The obvious transfer has been to KDB or Bruno Fernandes. Hold Aubameyang for this week then offload him to one of the forementioned Manchester players.  

Consider 

The following players are ones to consider holding going forward due to the upcoming Gameweeks:

Timo Werner (9.5): I do totally understand why 442000 people have transferred this guy out. He only returned 5 points against Brighton and he does come up against Liverpool which will be a tough assignment for him up against Van Dijk and Matip or Gomez, I know Van Dijk is coming off making a mistake and Bamford pouncing but apart from that Van Dijk will bounce back and Werner might find it tough. Apart from this fixture he has 3 games where he should bounce back. I would hold him and back him in.

Heung-Min Son (9.0): and Harry Kane (10.5): Tottenham come up against Southampton who both teams really need a win, and these two will be central to everything and if they perform then Spurs win. There is some news around that Bale will be joining on loan for two years which might help these two. I would definitely hold them and I do see them getting on the scoresheet this weekend. The game will be very good and Southampton will need to bounce back too so expect an attacking game.

Transfer OUT:

Ruben Vinagre (4.5): lots of people chose this guy over the likes of Mitchell from Palace and Justin from Leicester. Saiss got the Jonny position and repaid those who gambled with Saiss got repaid, definitely transfer this guy out as he won’t be scoring you points and might even transfer to another league. Go Vinagre -> Mitchell and save yourself 0.5m 

Michail Antonio (6.5): The Newcastle game was one I expected West Ham to score in but unfortunately they found it difficult. Antonio should be transferred out even if he might grab a goal here and there but the first 10 games for West Ham are very difficult and things are possibly going to be bleak for the Hammers unfortunately this season.  

Bukayo Saka (5.5): this one will be short and sweet, didn’t make the starting XI and possibly will be used as a sub off the bench, too much to be on your bench, save yourself some money and go to a 4.5m player. 

Tomas Soucek (5.0): As mentioned before West Ham do have a very difficult start to the season. This guy will be a good steal later on in the season. Steer clear of any West Ham players at the moment. Either choose Lundstram or another 4.5m or 5.0m player. 

Christian Pulisic (8.5): didn’t play against Brighton and has not been named in the Chelsea Squad to face Liverpool. Must transfer, we don’t know how long he will be out.

Transfer IN:

Bruno Fernandes (10.5): As mentioned in my team preview this guy will be good this season and if United get as many penalties as they did last season then this guy could win the golden boot. Nah jokes aside he should dominate against Palace and provide you with at least 5 points this week. Saves you about 1.0m instead of going 11.5 for De Bruyne, as Fernandes has the potential to provide his coaches with as many points as KDB. 

Marcus Rashford (9.5): A former striker now a midfielder due to being a winger will provide his owners with an extra point per goal. Has a good fixture run to start the season.

Kevin De Bruyne (11.5): Highest scoring player from last season and I can guarantee he will be odds on favourite to be the highest scoring player again this season. Comes up against Wolves who have beaten City on the last couple of outings but it has been a high scoring game. Going Aubameyang -> KDB is a good transfer but wait till after game week 3 to get this guy in after they play Leicester.

James Rodriguez (7.5):  He came Real Madrid and from everything I heard from lots of people that he was everywhere and involved in all the attacking play. Keep a watch on this guy as he will be on my radar. 

Timothe Castagne (5.5): I did not expect this guy to gel so well with the whole team so quickly. Didn’t expect him to have an attacking return either in his first premier league game. He is definitely on the radar even if Leicester have Manchester City next weekend after they play Burnley. 

James Justin (4.5): I don’t know why I went KWP over Justin, Justin sat in my team on plenty of occasions throughout the preseason. He produced 9 points thanks to an assist and a clean sheet. Can easily be rotated through your bench when Leicester come up against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. 

Lucas Digne (6.0): As he did last season, he started really well again scoring 12 points against Tottenham which I didn’t believe would happen. Everton are looking good all over the pitch and Ancelotti is a good coach, don’t be afraid to go Digne as Everton are a changed team. He’s probably your best option for the defenders. Don’t be afraid of choosing a Everton defender if he has the potential to score lots of points. 

Tyrick Mitchell (4.0): Nice cheap option for your bench and can be seated at 1 in case one of your players don’t play he will come in for them. Palace started the season well and even though Mitchell didn’t have any attacking returns he did get 6 points for a player  worth 4.0m