Gameweek 2 Preview: Fantasy Premier League #FPL

Written by @FantasyGaffer

Last week I gave you Ryan Bertrand (8pts) while forgetting to get him into my own side. Rolled with KDB (3pts)- so close to a beautiful opening assist, apparently handballs are against the rules this season. Roberto Fimino (2pts) was every inch as good as advertised and tabbed Alexandre Lacazette (6pts) to captain over Harry Kane. You’re all welcome, and welcome to shut up about Outsider pick Jason Puncheon and draft pick Jay Rodriguez nipping into the column over Steve Mounie. That last one is difficult to accept. Onward.

Defender: Danilo, Manchester City

You’ll do well having Ryan Bertrand in your side from last week as the Saints march out against a West Ham side that were systematically stifled by Manchester United last weekend. But it’s the blue part of Manchester who looked the most imposing at the back in GW1. Kompany/Otamendi have value but are tied to a cleansheet (though one is certainly possible against Everton) but it’s the Citizens’ wingbacks who have the most value this weekend. Ben Dinnery doesn’t have Mendy back until the 28th and Danilo is  £5.5; that’s enough to merit a quick shift from Gary Cahill – he’s suspended you know – while banking an early  extra £1m for that inevitable post-window wild card.

Midfielder: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City

The Foxes may have lost to a beautiful man scoring a beautiful goal to open the EPL campaign, but it was the superb play of Mahrez that captured my attention. He created two chances, with one resulting in an assist and generally showed the type of form which saw him steal N’Golo Kante’s Player of the Year in 2015/16. Brighton may have been outclassed by Manchester City last week, but their real welcome to the EPL will be this weekend when they get outworked by a Leicester City side showing renewed life under Craig Shakespeare. There’s probably a pun there we’re not making.

Forward: Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United

Picking forwards away from home isn’t an issue – picked Firmino last week and will probably have a City forward here next week for their trip to Bournemouth. Lukaku did exactly what he was supposed to in his debut, scoring two, wearing down the Hammers to nubs. It’s not every side that Anthony Martial can boss so completely, and much of his late success is owed to the exemplary work put in by United in the opening 70′. Lukaku may not hit another brace, but he’s clearly the tip of the spear and will have a handful of chances, or more, to add to his early-season tally.

Captain: Sadio Mane, Liverpool

Mane is owned in 24% of all FPL sides at writing making him a likely candidate to get the armband in GW2. In GW1 it was Salah and Firmino who took the most points, most BPS and drew many of the plaudits, but it was Mane who played all 90′. Klopp showed trust in running Mane out at every opportunity last season and will likely do so in Liverpool’s early fixtures as they chase Champions League group stages and vital points against projected bottom-half sides.  Crystal Palace got hammered by Huddersfield at home last week. Expect Liverpool to avenge the two points they dropped at Watford, run out a comfortable lead, and bring on the second team for the final 30′. If it all goes to play, Mane will have already secured enough return to merit the captain’s C.

Outsider: Andre Gray, Watford

Gray was a substitute in the Hornets home draw with Liverpool last week. It was goals from Britos, Doucoure and Okaka in that one, but if Watford are to pick up three points at Bournemouth it will be the new tandem of Richarlison and Gray that lead the way.  The former Burnley player is 2.2% selected, £6.5M and scored 9g, 3a last year. Capable? Check. Motivated? Check? Cheap? Check. That makes Gray a triple-threat in the same way Arsenal claimed a pre-season treble: it doesn’t count to anyone outside the clique. GrayFanTV will be lit on Monday.

Draft: Aaron Mooy, Huddersfield

Mooy was as advertised in his EPL debut. With four chances created (3 key passes + 1 assist), a tackle won and three interceptions, he showed attacking prowess and defensive resolve. He scored 17 points in Togga FPL Draft last week – the same return as Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah. Huddersfield get fellow promotees Newcastle United after Rafa’s side were outclassed by Spurs. Huddersfield beat the Toon 1-2 last August (before losing the home leg 1-3 in March) and will almost certainly get a goal. When they do, expect Mooy to be involved.

John (aka FantasyGaffer) has been playing fantasy sports for more than a decade.

An avid supporter of Liverpool since the days of the Spice Boys, he has earnestly worn a white suit on multiple occasions. You’ll find his work on fantasy draft site PlayTogga.

Prior to joining Togga, he wrote for EPLIndex, MLB.com/fantasy, BackPageFootball and his own site, FantasyGaffer.