The FPL season kicked off with a bang for many managers. Huge hauls from the highly-owned Bruno Fernandes and Mo Salah helped push the average points total to 69. With GW2 just round the corner, here’s a look at some teams to target with your first FPL transfers of the season.
These tips and projections are based on our popular FPL Fixture Tracker!
FPL GW 2 Tips – Attacking Potential
Manchester City
Having failed to score against Tottenham in the opening GW, things should improve quite rapidly for the defending champions. Manchester City host Norwich next with a further two home fixtures in the next four to come. Pep Guardiola’s side has a projected 12.35 xG between GW2 and GW6.
Record signing Jack Grealish (8.0m) started GW1 in a midfield three and could be a relatively inexpensive route to City’s expected goals. Kevin de Bruyne (12.0m) started on the bench last time out but could be an incredible differential with under 3% ownership at the time of writing.
Riyad Mahrez (9.0m) is currently backed by under 8% of FPL managers but like Raheem Sterling (11.0m), his place in the starting XI is far from assured. Perhaps the most intriguing attacking option for City at this moment in time is Ferran Torres (7.0m) who played the full 90 in GW1, primarily operating as Guardiola’s most advanced central attacker. However, like most Manchester City players, Torres’ minutes are constantly under threat.
Leicester
Unlike Manchester City, Leicester did get off the mark in a 1-0 GW1 victory over Wolves. The Foxes rank second for xG over the next five fixtures with a total of 9.44 goals forecast. Of those upcoming fixtures, Norwich in GW2, and Burnley in GW6 are expected to be the most fruitful from an attacking perspective.
Jamie Vardy (10.5m) opened his account in GW1 with the type of predatory finish we’ve come to expect from him. The premium forward started ahead of both Kelechi Iheanacho (7.5m) and new signing Patson Daka (7.5m), affirming his position as Leicester’s most reliable attacking pick at this moment.
In midfield, the more affordable Harvey Barnes (7.0m) has been a reasonably popular selection, as has James Maddison (7.0m) with each selected by over 10% of FPL managers. Barnes is perhaps the safer choice given Maddison has picked up a knock and continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal.
FPL GW 2 Tips – Defensive Potential
Everton
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet against Southampton in GW1, Everton remain an interesting consideration for defensive assets. Over the next five GWs, the Toffees are projected to keep 2.37 clean sheets with fixtures against Brighton (GW3), Burnley (GW4), and Norwich (GW6) particularly appealing.
Lucas Digne (5.5m) is the standout pick in the Everton defence given his assist potential. Elsewhere, the less costly Michael Keane (5.0m) may not rack up the assist but provides a decent goal threat after scoring three times last season. Lastly, Mason Holgate (4.5m) is worth monitoring as a viable cheap option.
Liverpool
Merseyside rivals Liverpool follow Everton in terms of clean sheet potential over the upcoming fixtures. The Reds are predicted to keep 2.23 clean sheets over the next five thanks to matchups with Burnley (GW2), Crystal Palace (GW5), and Brentford (GW6).
Premium defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.5m) is the obvious starting point with his well-known attacking potential furthering his appeal. With Andrew Robertson (7.0m) still unavailable through injury, Kostas Tsimikas (4.0m) remains an unignorable asset in Jurgen Klopp’s defence.
It’s hard to make a case for Virgil van Dijk (6.5m) and Joel Matip (5.0m) given the abundance of superior Liverpool picks, however, they remain viable assets in their own right.
Be the first to comment