POSITIONAL RANKINGS 2018/19: FPL Gameweek 2
With so many transfer trends and varying levels of form impacting the strategies of FPL players around the world, ahead of each Gameweek we will be providing our top ten selections in each position (GK, DEF, MID, FOR) for standalone rounds of games. Our player selections will be based purely on our opinion of those players on our watchlist any given week, with may positively sway FPL or Draft players with their own thoughts and decisions heading in to a Gameweek. All aboard.
Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek 2 Deadline
For the 2016/17 Premier League season, the FPL deadline will be one hour before the commencement of the week's first game. The Premier League website lists each FPL deadline, you can always ask on social media, and you can also view a real time countdown on our Weekly Hype page.
FPL Gameweek 2: Goalkeeper Selections
The second round of games for FPL players opens another door of opportunity for points, with Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson the leading contender to be stood at said door and leaving with a clean sheet. Man City are heavy favourites to scoop up masses of Fantasy points this weekend due to their favourable home fixture against Huddersfield, with safe points seemingly in their defensive line this weekend.
1) Ederson (MCI) - £5.5m - vs. Huddersfield (H)
Ederson started the season strongly against Arsenal with 8 points on the board in a comfortable 2-0 away win at Arsenal, a game in which he made 3 saves and earnt a bonus point. A quiet afternoon looks like it is on the cards for City as Huddersfield visit The Etihad. The Brazilian is a no-brainer this week.
2) Hugo Lloris (TOT) - £5.5m - vs. Fulham (H)
Spurs jammed a victory over Newcastle next week and face squatting across different stadiums until their new stadium is finally fit for purpose. Fulham get another day out at Wembley after winning the play-off final against Villa, but even with Mitrovic they look like they’ll struggle for goals. Lloris is back in the team and is set for a comfortable afternoon.
3) Jordan Pickford (EVE) - £5.0m - vs. Southampton (H)
Everton and Wolves put on a highly entertaining 2-2 draw last week, with Pickford managed just the one FPL point. Southampton, who continually look goal-shy under Mark Hughes, visit Goodison Park, so we envision that this is the perfect time for Marco Silva to announce himself at home. Everton are good value for a clean sheet, especially with Phil Jagielka out of the team this week.
4) David de Gea (MUN) - £6.0m - vs. Brighton (a)
Jamie Vardy ruined the clean sheet party at Old Trafford last week, scoring past David de Gea in added time in the second-half from close range. Jose Mourinho’s side visit a Brighton side who lacked confidence and finesse in their 2-0 defeat at Watford, so it could be a fruitful visit for de Gea’s 29.8% ownership.
5) Joe Hart (BUR) - £4.5m - vs. Watford (H)
6) Ben Foster (WAT) - £4.5m - vs. Burnley (a)
In the middle of the pack for keeper contention this week is the duo of English shot-stoppers in Joe Hart and Ben Foster. Hart has kept 3 consecutive clean sheets for Burnley, whilst Watford looked compact and fired up in their win over Brighton. This all adds up to a defensively minded affair at Turf Moor, which could see both add to their early points tally.
7) Alisson (LIV) - £5.5m - vs. Crystal Palace (a)
Liverpool were rock solid at the back against West Ham, with the additions of Alisson and Keita adding a new dimension to the side. The Brazilian number one picked up a bonus point in Gameweek 1 due to his passing stats, adding to his early season appeal. If Liverpool dominate Palace like they did West Ham, we’re looking at Alisson’s stock on the rise.
8) Martin Dubravka (NEW) - £5.0m - vs. Cardiff (a)
Newcastle were unlucky not to pick up a point against Spurs, though FPL players never had Dubravka on their minds in that loss to Spurs. Speaking as a Newcastle fan here, this Cardiff match is one that Rafa Benitez did on a regular basis in the Championship. Cardiff won’t score many, and we envision Newcastle’s attacking players given a lot of license on the counter. It could be a big weekend for Dubravka making save points as his team soak up pressure on the road.
9) Lukasz Fabianski (WHU) - £4.5m - vs. Bournemouth (H)
The 18.1% of FPL players who own Fabianski will most likely be rotating the Polish keeper in to their squads this week. Bournemouth won’t be the simplest of encounters, but we’re stumped at how Manuel Pellegrini might get on against a side that isn’t Liverpool. Fab might be a gem this weekend.
10) Kepa Arrizagalaba (CHE) - £5.5m - vs. Arsenal (H)
Kepa started off life at Chelsea in quiet fashion, registering a clean sheet on his debut in a 3-0 win at Huddersfield. Arsenal have hated visits to Stamford Bridge, with Kepa best placed to round off our selections. Arsenal looked off the pace against Man City last week, so it could be more of the same at the Bridge on Saturday evening.
FPL Gameweek 2: Defender Selections
The best things always come in pairs or more, and that is evident this week as we have coupled up defensive assets from Spurs and Liverpool, as well as placing three Man City players at the summit of our thoughts on the eve of Gameweek 2. Elsewhere, Everton, Man United and Chelsea, are among our favourites for clean sheet points or attacking returns, whilst we have chosen to overlook a tempting fixture between Burnley and Watford.
1) Benjamin Mendy (MCI) - £6.1m + - vs. Huddersfield (H)
2) Kyle Walker (MCI) - £6.5m - vs. Huddersfield (H)
3) John Stones (MCI) - £5.5m - vs. Huddersfield (H)
There’s no point debating the top defensive units this week, with a trifecta of Man City defenders earning their plaudits this week. City look assured defensively, and with Pep Guardiola potentially lining up with three central defenders against Huddersfield, Mendy and Walker could be used as wing-backs, which could add significant weight to their FPL potential this weekend. Like Ederson in goal, these picks are no-brainers.
4) Ben Davies (TOT) - £6.0m - vs. Fulham (H)
5) Jan Vertonghen (TOT) - £6.0m - vs. Fulham (H)
Spurs enter this weekend as heavy favourites to beat Fulham, with both Davies and Vertonghen coming through as legitimate FPL options. Defensive assets were the key for Spurs in their victory over Newcastle, and with Fulham not yet clicking in to gear, it is the perfect time to register a first clean sheet of the season.
6) Andrew Robertson (LIV) - £6.0m - vs. Crystal Palace (a)
7) Virgil van Dijk (LIV) - £6.0m - vs. Crystal Palace (a)
Andrew Robertson started the season superbly against West Ham. Always an option in attack, and occasionally exposed due to his advances up the pitch, Virgil van Dijk was always there to steady the ship, enabling Robertson extended time in advanced areas. Robertson’s attacking potential puts him above VVD, but as a pair they both make the Positional Rankings for a second consecutive week, even with a potentially tricky away tie to Crystal Palace.
8) Luke Shaw (MUN) - £5.1m - vs. Brighton (a)
If there’s one player living off the hype of a successful Gameweek 1 right now, it’s Luke Shaw. The left-back scored his first Premier League goal for Man United in their 2-1 home win over Leicester, and with confidence sky high his 9.9% of FPL owners will be sitting pretty knowing that an away day at Brighton is just around the corner.
9) Seamus Coleman (EVE) - £5.5m – vs. Southampton (H)
Southampton will set out to sting a surprise against Everton in Marco Silva’s home derby, but the FPL masses will be looking on confidently at the prospect of an Everton clean sheet. If not, Seamus Coleman is also an attacking threat and alongside Gylfi Sigurdsson, could be the key supplier to Cenk Tosun this weekend.
10) Cesar Azpilicueta (CHE) - £6.5m – vs. Arsenal (H)
The defensive bonus points king is not one to be ruled out. Chelsea started the season strongly away at Huddersfield, though a home tie against Arsenal falls the game in to ‘wildcard’ territory, with Sarri and Emery managing just their second matches in the Premier League. Arsenal do not have fond memories of the Bridge in recent years, and with Azpi playing right-back he could line-up against Nacho Monreal and an out-of-form Mesut Ozil on Arsenal’s left flank, with much success.
FPL Gameweek 3: Midfielder Selections
Despite outshining The Egyptian King, Sadio Mane sits behind Mohamed Salah in our midfield picks this week, with Liverpool heading up our picks ahead of a heavily favoured Man City side. Elsewhere, form with Richarlison and Pereyra shines brightly, whilst Eden Hazard is back to cause Arsenal a world of hurt.
1) Mohamad Salah (LIV) - £13.0mil vs. Crystal Palace (A)
2) Sadio Mane (LIV) - £9.6mil vs. Crystal Palace (A)
There are not better options in the land than the Liverpool wingers, so much that you just want to change everything about your team, life, beliefs, either of يمكن أن يكون مادة الكابتن ، والمسلمين المقيمين في صفوف ليفربول سوف يعيثون الفوضى في فريق روي هودجسون.
3) Raheem Sterling (MCI) £11.0mil vs. Huddersfield (H)
4) Bernardo Silva (MCI) - £7.6mil vs. Huddersfield (H)
Second up to Liverpool’s forwards are Man City’s, the only reason hampering their chances of the top spot are the guaranteed rotation within Pep Guardiola’s mind, constantly keeping him up at night. The Spaniard has too many attackers and Raheem Sterling has opened the floodgates, with ‘Bilva’ only a few yards behind him.
5) Christian Eriksen (TOT) - £9.5mil vs. Fulham (H)
6) Dele Alli (TOT) - £9.0mil vs. Fulham (H)
Spurs squeaked past Newcastle, all they did was punish poor possession to get the space for Alli to score, and were weak in defending corners, and it was two isolated incidents that cost the Toon. Spurs need all the luck they can get after they refused to even open their wallets in the summer, fortunately they do have two midfielders capable of carrying Kane’s slack as he grinds through another goalless August.
7) Richarlison (EVE) - £6.5mil vs. Southampton (H)
Marco Silva confirmed the Brazilian was fit, and after two goals versus Wolves the midfielder has the chance to make a successful home debut against a Southampton team with less quality than Wolves.
8) Eden Hazard (CHE) - £10.5 vs. Arsenal (H)
Arsenal hate him, they hate his sight, they hate seeing his name on the team sheet, they just down right want him to disappear off the face of the planet. This week’s top ten must include Hazard as he continues his marauding venture through the open fields of Arsenal’s defence.
9) Roberto Pereyra (WAT) - £6.1mil vs. Burnley (A)
After two perfect goals against Brighton, the Argentine midfielder finally looks like the player that once played for Juventus. With reinforcements on the wing, Pereyra has the middle all to himself. Burnley are now amid a Europa League schedule and could be left vulnerable to a Hornet sting.
10) Alexis Sanchez (MUN) - £10.5mil vs. Brighton (A)
We need Man United midfielder coverage as they travel to shaky Brighton, and Alexis scrapes into the top ten after picking up an assist against Leicester. The Chilean loves scoring against bottom half clubs and Brighton are no exception to the rule.
FPL Gameweek 4: Forward Selections
Despite concerns about rotation, Sergio Aguero is the hot favourite Forward heading in to Gameweek 2, and a realistic captaincy option. Man United's Romelu Lukaku is back in the frame, whilst Merseyside figureheads Firmino and Tosun are backed.
1) Sergio Aguero (MCI) - £11.0mil vs. Huddersfield (H)
We could say anything that the FPL community has already told us about Aguero, so it isn’t worth our time repeating the fact that it is a savoury fixture against Huddersfield, prime real estate for attacking potential.
2) Roberto Firmino (LIV) - £9.5mil vs. Crystal Palace (A)
Salah, Mane, Firmino. Scenes of Firmino celebrating with his shirt off were the main images during this fixture last season, and with the Reds on fire against West Ham the Brazilian’s inclusion is a mere formality.
3) Cenk Tosun (EVE) - £7.0mil vs. Southampton (H)
The Everton forward was a focal point next to Richarlison for their draw against Wolves, and they should have an easier test ahead of themselves against Southampton on home soil.
4) Romelu Lukaku (MUN) - £11.0mil vs. Brighton (A)
The Big Belgian is back in contention for his first start this season, and Mourinho all but confirmed that Lukaku is going to start. Brighton were woeful against Watford and we can’t see their luck improving against a disciplined Manchester United.
5) Jamie Vardy (LEI) - £9.0mil vs. Wolves (H)
The Englishman struck his first goal of the season when he fortunately headed in home a wavy cross from the right field of play. Vardy is still a class act and with his first start of the season lined up he could be a major differential for the week.
6) Marko Arnautovic (WHU) - £7.0mil vs. Bournemouth (H)
We don’t know how good Arnautovic was against Liverpool because he barely got any service from the players around him, but against Bournemouth that could change.
7) Calum Wilson (BOU) - £6.0mil vs. West Ham (A)
A goal, assist, and penalty miss were the highlights for Wilson against Cardiff. The man of the moment for the Cherries is in good form, and with the bruises still raw after the Hammers thrashing at Liverpool, it could be another torrid afternoon at the London Stadium for the home supporters.
8) Salomon Rondón (NEW) - £6.0mil vs. Cardiff (A)
A total wildcard pick, but with Joselu’s potential knock the Venezuelan should get his first start of the season. After hitting the bar against Spurs, there should be brighter days ahead for the forward. Cardiff look like they are going to be instantly relegated and Rafa Benitez will be a happy man to travel to South Wales in search of the Toons first points of the season.
9) Raúl Jiménez (WOL) - £5.5mil vs. Leicester (A)
There will be goals in this fixture, Wolves could be one of the better entertainers this year with the likes of Ruben Neves and Moutinho in midfield. Jiménez took his goal against Everton really well, and with the kind of service he will receive from behind him we can’t rule out the Mexican’s inclusion this week.
10) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS) - £11.0 vs. Chelsea (A)
If anyone could break the duck for Unai Emery, it is the Gabon international. Chelsea are yet to be untested against better opposition, so he makes the inclusion, barely, as we still aren’t convinced ourselves of Arsenal’s potential.
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