So you have made it to gameweek two in the Fantasy Premier League without smashing your phone / tablet / laptop in frustration. Congratulations.
If you’re one of the many FPL bosses who got off to a frustrating start to the campaign – one of my friends had Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes but left the captain’s bracelet on Nick Pope – do not worry, it’s a long season.
If you smashed it out of the park, well done. However, remember that the same thing applies – it’s a long season.
Whether you want to take back the ground on your challengers or extend the lead at the top, 90min has some players that you should write / avoid for the coming game week.
Sign this man now / Alex Morton / Getty Images
This one is pretty self explanatory. If you’re one of the 43.2% of Fantasy Premier League players without Bruno Fernandes on your team, stop being weird and bring him in.
It was as usual for Fernandes in Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Leeds, with the midfielder getting a hat trick. United have a different kind of match this time when they travel down to Southampton, which they beat 9-0 last season.
It’s always a good time for Captain Fernandes, but this week it looks particularly appealing.
Mahrez is worth a risk to take / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Choosing a Manchester City player is always risky as Pep Guardiola has a fast and loose rotation policy.
But the citizens are preparing for a trip to the leaking Norwich City on Saturday, it is well worth the risk at this time. Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling can all be good shouts, but we lean towards Riyad Mahrez.
Algeria should have a field day against Canary Islands left-back Dimitris Giannoulis and after failing to impress against Tottenham, he will be desperate to open his points account for the season.
Tsimikas attempted six crosses against Norwich / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
Konstantinos ‘Kostas’ Tsimikas is the happiest of the FPL goods – a £ 4 million defender who is actually starting. At the moment anyway.
Although Andy Robertson has made a remarkable recovery and should be back in action in early September, Liverpool’s meeting with Southampton is too early for the Scots.
Tsimikas got six points in gameweek one and has great assistance potential. He came to fantastic areas in the last third last time and his latest assist in a friendly match before the season against Osasuna reminded us of how sweet his left foot can be.
Son’s winner had an xG of just 0.03 on Sunday / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Son Heung-min took his place where he finished last season in Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Manchester City, bowled in a fantastic winner and looked like a constant threat in the transfer window.
There will not be as much room behind when Spurs travel to Wolves on Sunday, but with Harry Kane still a big doubt, his side’s attack should continue to flow through him.
Tottenham should do well against Nuno Espirito Santos’ previous side as well. You do not spend four years in a club without picking up a thing or two about their players’ weaknesses.
Aubameyangs has endured a disrupted start to the campaign / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed Arsenal’s meeting with Brentford in game week two with an illness, which has since been confirmed to be Covid-19.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that he is not sure if Aubameyang will return in time for his trip to Chelsea. Even if he is, his chances of taking many points against one of the worst defenses in the division are slim.
There are much better ways to spend the nearly £ 10 million Aubameyang cost this season.
Chilwell Will Compete With Marcos Alonso In Minutes This Season / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
Marcos Alonso was preferred at left-back in gameweek one and while Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel can favor Ben Chilwell’s superior defense against Arsenal this time around, Alonso seems likely to keep his place.
The Spaniard made a fantastic free kick against Palace, won 75% of his duels and also whipped in a number of fantastic crosses.
Chilwell will get his chances as the season progresses. At present, he is simply not justifying his £ 6m price tag.
Iheanacho will be used off the bench at the start of the season / Michael Regan / Getty Images
Leicester have three fantastic strikers in Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka to call this season.
But after Vardy opened his scoring account in gameweek one, the latter pair will likely need to be patient with this promotion.
Iheanacho has a goal in him from the bench but while Brendan Rodgers continues to play a lone striker, it’s best you’re done.
Dennis has not been productive before / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
We all love a squat, especially early in the FPL season. That’s why the value of Emmanuel Dennis’ £ 5 million – which is 12 points after just one match – is so appealing.
We think it’s best to avoid the Watford striker, unless you’re desperate to save some money. Dennis has not registered double figures for goals since the 2017/18 season, so we should not expect fireworks just because he has made an electric start.
