Harry's FPL Tips: Gameweek 4
Each week I will suggest three dos and don’ts to give you, our audience, the best chance of success in your respective leagues.
(although if you do badly, don’t blame me).
My first piece of advice is don’t take anything I say in brackets seriously.
The reason for this series is to highlight players who I’ve been impressed within recent weeks and who I think could well go on a good run of form.
Having finished in the top 25,000 players in the world last season, I am not a complete novice of the game and hopefully I can give some useful advice regarding transfers and when to use your chips.
THE THREE DO’S FOR GAMEWEEK 4
1. Back Everton stars for more success
Via Everton/Getty Images
It has been a fantastic start to the new Premier League season for both Merseyside side clubs but whilst Liverpool’s flying start is to be expected, Everton’s has been surprising.
Last season Everton were extremely inconsistent even when Ancelotti came in midway through the season and so their unbeaten start to the new season is a surprise.
A large reason for this upturn in form can be given to summer signing James Rodriguez who has had a truly majestic start to life in the Premier League.
His time at Real Madrid didn’t go to plan but it wasn’t as big a failure as people made it out to be, as he did have some great moments there and scored some unforgettable goals.
It has been his vision and perfect ball control that has stood out in his time so far at Goodison Park, he has lit up the Premier League with his seemingly effortless performances and he has brought that x-factor to Everton that has been missing for so long.
Furthermore, with his one goal and one assist already this season, I would say at 7.7m he is a must buy for your fantasy team.
He also has 1.67 expected goals created per match according to infogol which suggests that there is a strong chance he will continue bagging you vital fantasy points.
James has also got a reputation for scoring free-kicks and will often be the man crossing free-kicks in, as well as being the clubs main corner taker.
Another Everton player who needs to be in your team is the on-fire Calvert-Lewin, having scored 5 goals already in the Premier League, as well as a hattrick in the Carabao Cup.
He has just been called up by Gareth Southgate for the first time and it appears to be the ideal moment to have him in your team.
2. Bruno Fernandes is a long-term option for your midfield
Via Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Bruno took the Premier League by storm last season and there is no reason to expect any different this campaign, in his first full season at Manchester United.
As the club’s penalty taker, Bruno has already scored 5 penalties for Manchester United in the Premier League alone and a free-kick on top of that.
He has also recorded 9 Premier League assists since his move in January and with his impressive record at Sporting before that, you can be sure that will continue this season.
I made the mistake of taking him out of my team last week and he punished me by getting an assist and a 100th minute goal from the penalty spot.
Don’t make the same mistake as me, back Bruno Fernades and you won’t be disappointed.
3. Castagne for Leicester will be a steal
Via Tim Keeton/EPA
For someone who has been up against it from the start as many people saw him as an inferior replacement for fan favourite Ben Chilwell, he has quickly put a marker down and showed everyone what he brings to the club.
So far this season, he looks like a more exciting prospect than Chilwell was, particularly in fantasy football terms.
With a goal and three assists, at just £5.7m he is a great option for your defence.
Leicester also have a favourable run in, with West Ham and Aston Villa in their next two games.
THE THREE DON’TS FOR GAMEWEEK 4
1. Have as few centre backs as possible due to a lack of clean sheets
Via The Times/Kevin Quigley
Now of course you need 5 defenders but within that you can have at least one £4m defender on your bench and then I would try to prioritise fullbacks.
That is because in the Premier League this season there has been so few clean sheets from any side, with games being extremely high scoring.
There have been over 100 goals scored already, a record amount for this early in the season, just three weeks in.
Therefore, centre backs are generally getting few points with no clean sheet and far less likely to get assists than fullbacks.
So, I would advise you bring in players like Castagne, Alexander-Arnold, Digne, Robertson and James who are all attacking minded full backs, with the ability to get assists and goals.
2. Don’t keep Aubameyang in your team as both De Bruyne and Fernandes have better run ins
Via Getty Images
Now Aubameyang is a good option for fantasy football this season since his move to a midfielder and I recommended him in gameweek 1.
However, he hasn’t contributed any goals since gameweek 1, and Arsenal have a much more challenging run of games than Manchester City.
They arguably have a tougher run in than Manchester United too but United’s fixture list is starting to get more challenging.
So, I would say fit in both De Bruyne and Fernandes if you can as a nice alternative to Arsenal’s talisman, with the prospect of bringing him back in when Arsenal’s fixtures look a bit easier.
3. Forget bringing in Fulham defenders even if they are cheap
Via Getty Images
Fulham have looked so vulnerable defensively that I really wouldn’t take a gamble on a cheap defender so that you have more money elsewhere.
For example, Joe Bryan who managed an assist on gameweek 2 against Leeds, only got three points because of the 4 goals Fulham conceded.
He is the highest scoring Fulham defender and has just 4 points in total from 3 gameweeks, so it’s clear to see that taking a gamble is just not worth it.
A better option might be a player like Konsa (£4.5m) from Aston Villa who is a regular starter for a Villa side who look much improved defensively and have a reliable goalkeeper in Martinez.
