With all 20 Premier League teams now back in action, blocking and fine-tuning fantasy football bosses around the world as they seem to find the perfect balance between solid but deadly.
It is fair to say that we have already had a few surprises (at least for the fantasy football world) this season, with Manchester United players barely jumping home to Crystal Palace (looking at you, Bruno Fernandes), Liverpool shipment three to promoted Leeds United on the first day and Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the scoring list.
Everything has been everywhere – you need as much help as you can get, and hopefully this is where we can help.
Using Opta data, here are a few tips that can enable you to get back on track, or even – for those of you lucky enough – build on an emphatic start …
RUI PATRICIO
Despite the disappointing 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, it looks like the Wolves are ready for another encouraging season, having apparently recruited well and retained most of their key players.
Among them is Rui Patricio, who is second biggest after Ederson (0.45) in terms of goals scored per game (0.82), since the Premier League resumed in June, while the Portuguese national team’s six clean sheets at that time also is the second best in division.
Next for the Wolves is a trip to West Ham, who have lost both of their first two games of the season and only scored one goal in the process.
MICHAEL KEANE
Goal cutting may not be a key factor for many when considering which defenders to choose in their fantasy team, but choosing one that has a habit of finding the net can give you the advantage.
Michael Keane enters the weekend after scoring twice since resuming in June, a record broken by no other defender, while also boasting the best shot conversion rate (40 percent) among defenders who have attempted at least five in that period.
Everton look impressive at the moment, and with quality deliveries from James Rodriguez and Lucas Digne flowing in regularly, who’s going to say that Keane will not find the net again at Crystal Palace?
SADIO MANE
This one is quite simple – Sadio Mane loves to play against Arsenal.
In 12 games against the Gunners, he has scored six times. He has only managed more in meetings with Palace (nine in 11) and he enters the game at the back of a match-winning brace at Chelsea last time.
Matches between two of the big guns can prove to be a bit risky in terms of choosing a captain, and Mane is certainly not cheap – but few have his record in such games.
MATHEUS PEREIRA
It has been a difficult rematch of the Premier League for West Brom, who host Chelsea, who have next conceded eight times in two games and scored only twice.
But these two goals should pique the interests of fantasy fans as Matheus Pereira was involved in both (a goal, an assist) and did not break the bank.
The Brazilian will definitely be the key if the Baggies are to avoid relegation this term, having had a hand in 11 more goals (nine scored, 17 set up) than any other player for the club since the start of 2019-20.
RAUL JIMENEZ
Two games, two goals – Jimenez has opted right where he left off last season and the Mexican continued to be the go-to man in attack for the Wolves.
There is also every chance of continuing at West Ham given his penchant for scoring against the Hammers.
Jimenez has three goals in his last three Premier League clashes with West Ham, including a brace in January.
He also has four out of six domestic, though a word of caution – Jimenez has not netted in three consecutive games since November last year.
GABRIEL JESUS
With Sergio Aguero currently out, Gabriel Jesus has the chance to find a form and enjoy a run of regular starts – he will probably also be encouraged by what comes next.
Leicester City are visitors at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and in five previous league excursions against the fox, Jesus has four goals.
Only against Everton (seven) has Jesus netted more often, and given City’s impressive 3-1 win over Wolves, they will be favorites when Brendan Rodgers’ table tops (on goal difference) come to town.
Despite that, Jesus sees a strong election for captain this week.
DANNY INGS
Under Ralph Hasenhuttl, Danny Ings is truly in the shape of his life.
Since the start of last season, his 24-goal move is different from Jamie Vardy’s in the Premier League, while at the time he has scored 45 percent of the Saints’ league goals.
Upstairs is the former club Burnley, and although they are notoriously difficult to play against, the four admitted to Leicester last time.
