POWER RANKINGS 2016/17: FPL Gameweek's 8-9
Over the course of the season The Hype Train is taking a look into the standards and expectations of each team in the form of a Power Rankings system. The following is based on the research, opinion, and form of players and teams in the Premier league. This respective look at a game played by over three million players isn't perfect, and is a perfect avenue for further discussion on our Social Media accounts. Without further delay let’s take a look from the high flyers to the cesspoolers after Gameweek 8 and prior to Gameweek 9. All aboard.
POWER RANKINGS PARAMETERS
Goal Threat: High - Medium - Low
Clean Sheet Potential: High - Medium - Low
FPL Points Returns: Reliable - Semi-consistent - Inconsistent
FPL Form: High - Medium - Low
Any in-form players?: Player Names
Next 5 Fixtures: Great - Good - Questionable - Very Questionable - Terrible
1) ARSENAL
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: High
Any in-form players?: Koscielny, Bellerin, Walcott, Sanchez, Ozil
Next 5 Fixtures: Good
Middlesbrough (h), Sunderland (a), Spurs (h), Man United (a), Bournemouth (h)
Arsenal take top spot by providing both reliable attacking and defensive FPL returns. They're lacking in Forward points but are providing substantial points in midfield and at the back. Their fixture list for the next 2 games is also mouthwatering.
2) SPURS
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: Medium to High
Any in-form players?: Son, Walker, Alli
Next 5 Fixtures: Questionable
Bournemouth (a), Leicester (h), Arsenal (a), West Ham (h), Chelsea (a)
We still think Spurs are flying under the radar. Lower ownership of their assets in midfield shouldn't overlook the recent output by Son and Alli. Also offer good defensive returns across the entire back five. Have more Defensive points than any team in the league. Some tough fixtures on the horizon but we believe that only Spurs and Liverpool are capable of getting a result in any game due to the way they set up.
3) LIVERPOOL
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: High
Any in-form players?: Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Mane, Milner
Next 5 Fixtures: Great
West Brom (h), Crystal Palace (a), Watford (h), Southampton (a), Sunderland (h)
Just as we write that the Anfield club have a 'low' defensive potential, they go and draw 0-0 with Man United. On the whole, the club isn't leaning on clean sheets and in the FPL are now famed with having the most potent midfield by a long distance. Proving reliable points and have a great set of fixtures, with the next true test away at Man City for GW19.
4) SOUTHAMPTON
Goal Threat: Medium to High
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: High
Any in-form players?: Austin, Fonte, Van Dijk, Forster
Next 5 Fixtures: Terrible
Man City (a), Chelsea (h), Hull (a), Liverpool (h), Everton (h)
Highly doubted at the start of the season, even when we attended their opening game against Watford at St Mary's, we thought it might be a long season. Even in the Europa League there are points across the pitch, with reliable defenders, an out of position midfielder playing up front (Redmond), an assist king (Tadic), and a lethal inform forward in Charlie Austin. They rise into the top 4 ahead of Man City due to their defensive returns, something Man City have been struggling with this season.
5) MANCHESTER CITY
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Reliable
FPL Form: Medium to High
Any in-form players?: Sterling, De Bruyne, Aguero
Next 5 Fixtures: Great
Southampton (h), West Brom (a), Middlesbrough (h), Crystal Palace (a), Burnley (a)
Man City have faced a couple of decent teams in the league - Spurs and Everton - picking up just one point. They've had a momentary dip in form, but it wasn't so long ago, and it won't be long, until Aguero, Sterling, and KDB are back on the front pages of the FPL, and rising in the table. John Stones heavy selection and ultimately poor FPL returns, highlights the problems Man City have at the back.
6) EVERTON
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Semi-consistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Lukaku, Stekelenburg
Next 5 Fixtures: Good
Burnley (a), West Ham (h), Chelsea (a), Swansea (h), Southampton (a)
Everton started the season as a wildcard team, with most not knowing what to expect with Koeman. Players are coming in and out of form - Baines and Barkley notorious here - but have one FPL outlet that is currently an essential in Lukaku. The Toffees have some attractive player options should they rise into some great form in the form of Bolasie, Stekelenburg, and Williams.
7) WEST BROM
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: High
FPL Points Returns: Semi-consistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Foster, Rondon, Chadli
Next 5 Fixtures: Very Questionable
Liverpool (a), Man City (h), Leicester (a), Burnley (h), Hull (a)
West Brom have been prolific and dangerous in recent weeks at the right end of the pitch, actually scoring goals. Chadli's been a revelation at the club, and Rondon's been on a good streak. Defensively it's been the same old - the Baggies can pick up a clean sheet in any fixture and manage to eek out around 18 clean sheets every season. Still high on the FPL radar as far as their player options go, but they face 3 of the hardest games imaginable in a row which might put your faith in their players under question.
8) WATFORD
Goal Threat: Medium to High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Semi-consistent
FPL Form: Medium to High
Any in-form players?: Holebas, Deeney, Capoue (coming off form)
Next 5 Fixtures: Good
Swansea (a), Hull (h), Liverpool (a), Leicester (h), Stoke (h)
Watford have made the most of a good run of fixtures, providing returns up and down the pitch. The trio of Holebas, Capoue, and Deeney, are worthy of a place in any FPL team, with the Greek defender stealing the show against Middlesbrough for a brilliant goal from range. Play 3 of their next 5 games at home, and will be dangerous. It's only a matter of time before our wildcard king, Troy Deeney, reaches 100 goals for his club. There is the potential to rise even further due to the fixture list against West Brom.
9) CHELSEA
Goal Threat: High
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Diego Costa
Next 5 Fixtures: Questionable
Man United (h), Southampton (a), Everton (h), Middlesbrough (a), Spurs (h)
The Blues are a one man club, with a strong supporting cast. Diego Costa has been on fire, but the players around him are putting points on the table at an inconsistent rate. Chelsea are similar to Everton in this respect, but their players cost a lot more, so Chelsea are down in mid table due to the value aspect of the rest of their team, and a harder fixture list that'll really test Conte.
10) MANCHESTER UNITED
Goal Threat: Medium to High
Clean Sheet Potential: Low to Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Low to Medium
Any in-form players?: Rashford, Blind
Next 5 Fixtures: Very Questionable
Chelsea (a), Burnley (h), Swansea (a), Arsenal (h), West Ham (h)
Considering the price inflation of their midfield and forwards, and their recent form in the FPL, United could arguably be lower in our Power Rankings table. After a string of comfortable 3 games to start the season, United have struggled, much like they did last season, against clubs in the top half of the table (and even lower). Zlatan is cheaper than Aguero, but the City forward is the top premium option, whilst United have struggled to deliver any midfield points, and are heavily inconsistent defensively. A tough few games will raise more question marks no doubt.
A proper Jose Mourinho defensive performance highlights the troubles the FPL are having pinning United. All 3 members of The Hype Team got rid of Antonio Valencia, and guess what? Clean sheet and bonus points, obviously.
11) BOURNEMOUTH
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low to Medium
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent (home form trumps away)
FPL Form: Medium
Any in-form players?: Adam Smith, Stanislas, Wilson
Next 5 Fixtures: Good
Spurs (h), Middlesbrough (a), Sunderland (h), Stoke (a), Arsenal (a)
The Cherries have begun to find their feet again this season, and in the form of Wilson and Stanislas, there are real differentials, cheap ones at that, to be had at Bournemouth. There are still question marks over their consistency, but players are now considering Stanislas ahead of the likes of Snodgrass and Capoue, which is a big win for the FPL as it opens up another team in the league to consider.
12) SWANSEA CITY
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Low to Medium
Any in-form players?: Fer, Sigurdsson, Fabianski
Next 5 Fixtures: Good
Watford (h), Stoke (a), Man United (h), Everton (a), Crystal Palace (h)
It's been hard to pick between Swansea, West Ham, and Crystal Palace, because all 3 offer FPL points, but are highly erratic in their delivery. Swansea have Leroy Fer, and an upcoming Gylfi Sigurdsson on their books, with a fixture list that is finally clearing up after a run of awful fixtures.
13) WEST HAM
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Low to Medium
Any in-form players?: Antonio, Payet
Next 5 Fixtures: Questionable
Sunderland (h), Everton (a), Stoke (h), Spurs (a), Man United (a)
Dimitri Payet is on the rise, and Antonio is still playing in every position. Our gut feeling is telling us to trust West Ham against Sunderland, but then run for the hills with their FPL players. We don't want to be gloom and doom with the club, especially as they just beat Palace away from home, but there's a lot of making up to do, but their fixtures suggest they'll probably be writing more apologies than they will headlines about their conquests.
They have 2 solid midfield options which is what bolsters them above the relegation places in our Power Rankings, but offer very little defensively and nothing up front in the FPL.
14) CRYSTAL PALACE
Goal Threat: Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Inconsistent
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: Christian Benteke
Next 5 Fixtures: Questionable
Leicester (a), Liverpool (h), Burnley (a), Man City (h), Swansea (a)
Aside from Christian Benteke, who still isn't Palace's highest points scorer, there are not a lot of real options to consider in the FPL for Crystal Palace. Bentekkers is a legitimate option (just look at their points returns), but without him, and perhaps Scott Dann, Palace would probably be fighting Boro for bottom spot in our Power Rankings.
15) BURNLEY
Goal Threat: Low
Clean Sheet Potential: Low to Medium
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low to Medium
Any in-form players?: Defour, Heaton
Next 5 Fixtures: Questionable
Everton (h), Man United (a), Crystal Palace (h), West Brom (a), Man City (h)
For us, Burnley are in an awkward position in the Power Rankings, and that's down to the fact the sides below them just aren't picking up the basic appearance points with any options, even though Burnley's points output has been minimal. If not for Heaton in goal, the second best keeper so far this season in the game, they'd be fighting relegation in our picks. After a run of home games, they've still got 3/5 next up at home, but against difficult opposition in Everton and Man City.
16) LEICESTER
Goal Threat: Low
Clean Sheet Potential: Medium (home = good, away = bad)
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: No
Next 5 Fixtures: Great
Crystal Palace (h), Spurs (a), West Brom (h), Watford (a), Middlesbrough (h)
Leicester began the season in our first Power Rakings in 3rd place. They're the biggest losers in terms of dropping in places and don't have a player over 30 points. Vardy's their top points scorer, who on the most part has been anonymous. The upside is a good run of fixtures in the league. Kasper Schmeichel looks like a good alternative to Ben Foster if you're unsold on West Brom's 3 hard games, which includes a visit to the King Power.
Another upside is the players at Leicester could be big differentials in the weeks to come, particularly at the back, with Palace, West Brom, and Boro visiting.
17) STOKE CITY
Goal Threat: Low to Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low to Medium
Any in-form players?: Joe Allen
Next 5 Fixtures: Great
Hull (a), Swansea (h), West Ham (a), Bournemouth (h), Watford (a)
Take Joe Allen out of the Stoke team and you've a team who'll be rock bottom of every stat in the FPL. Stoke might have just turned the corner, and have a run of games in their favour. Allen is indeed playing behind Bony in the Stoke attack (who would have thought that would be their strike force in early August?), which has seen the Potters rise to just above the relegation zone. They've more potential to get reliable FPL points compared to Hull, who also have a decent run of games.
18) HULL CITY
Goal Threat: Low to Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: Snodgrass
Next 5 Fixtures: Great
Stoke (h), Watford (a), Southampton (h), Sunderland (a), West Brom (h)
In Robert Snodgrass Hull have a potentially brilliant FPL option. On every set piece and penalties, Snodders is already the number one, and potentially only Hull option. A run of good fixtures might be enough to keep Snodgrass in some FPL teams, but Hull are on such a bad run of form, they look like they'll be beaten in every game they play. They're only above Boro, like Sunderland, because they have at least one player capable of scoring points in the FPL.
19) SUNDERLAND
Goal Threat: Low to Medium
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: Defoe
Next 5 Fixtures: Questionable
West Ham (a), Arsenal (h), Bournemouth (a), Hull (h), Liverpool (a)
What has kept Sunderland from being bottom of our Power Rankings? With 40 points, Defoe is the 3rd best FPL forward going into GW9, but sometimes one man can't keep away the negativity. Sunderland options bar Defoe and van Aanolt (on occasion), Sunderland are a mess that look destined for relegation. We'd be lucky to see Moyes still in charge in January if nothing changes... Big Sam back at the helm? Wouldn't that just sum up the season.
20) MIDDLESBROUGH
Goal Threat: Low
Clean Sheet Potential: Low
FPL Points Returns: Unreliable
FPL Form: Low
Any in-form players?: No
Next 5 Fixtures: Terrible
Arsenal (a), Bournemouth (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (h), Leicester (a)
Boro aren't scoring, they're conceding, and they're losing most games. It is very worrying that their only victory came away at Sunderland. The two weeks of Negredo seems like an absolute age ago, and to top it off, Boro potentially have the toughest fixture list over the next 5 games.
FPL Gameweek 8-9: Power Rankings 1-20
Arsenal
Spurs
Liverpool
Southampton
Man City
Everton
West Brom
Watford
Chelsea
Man United
Bournemouth
Swansea
West Ham
Crystal Palace
Burnley
Leicester
Stoke
Hull
Sunderland
Middlesbrough
For a slice of comparison, here's the Power Rankings table that @TheHypeTrainPJ had compiled before the first day of the season. In brackets indicates how many places each team has risen or fallen in our Power Rankings since then.
FPL Gameweek 1: Power Rankings 1-20
Man United (-9)
Man City (-3)
Leicester (-13)
Spurs (+2)
Chelsea (-4)
Liverpool (+3)
Arsenal (+6)
West Ham (-5)
Southampton (+5)
Everton (+4)
Swansea (-1)
Stoke (-5)
Crystal Palace (-1)
West Brom (+7)
Sunderland (-4)
Burnley (+1)
Bournemouth (+6)
Middlesbrough (-2)
Watford (+11)
Hull (+2)
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The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015 specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, television, live music, festivals, and any relevant topic in the public eye.
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For all FPL Gameweek build up, check out the Weekly Hype page now.
All aboard.
