It was a solid performance on the opening weekend with our best squad selection getting 64 points, and now it’s time to preview FPL Gameweek 2 and the best players to pick. In Gameweek 1, Josko Gvardiol, Joao Pedro, Martin Odegaard, Ricardo Calafiori, Morgan Rogers and Kai Havertz all picked up attacking returns, so we’ve got to be happy as we assess the best options for this weekend’s fixtures, which begins on Friday night at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace take on Manchester City.
This article also acts as a guide for those who missed the Gameweek 1 deadline and are looking at their options for an FPL Gameweek 2 start.
FPL Gameweek 1 Team
GK: Lammens – 1pt
DEF: Calafiori – 9pts, Colwill – 0pts, Robertson – 3pts, Gvardiol – 9pts
MID: Odegaard – 11pts, Fernandes – 2pts, Rogers – 8pts
FWD: Haaland (C) – 4pts, Havertz – 6pts, Joao Pedro – 11pts
TOTAL: 64pts
FPL Gameweek 2 Target Fixtures & Players
Manchester United (vs Ipswich, home)
United may have let a lot of people down last week but it’s worth keeping the faith as they play newly promoted Ipswich in their first home game of the season. The Red Devils did create a few chances, and it was mainly set pieces that caused them problems against Hull, and they’ve had a week to work on things and know a win is essential to get their campaign up and running here.
Top picks:
- Ayden Heaven (4.5m) – Heaven was a surprise pick to play at centre half but with doubts over the future of Lisandro Martinez, he could be a good budget option for the short-to-medium term, and an alternative to Luke Shaw.
- Luke Shaw (4.5m) – Shaw remains a popular pick and is a fair price and affordable route into United’s defence, if you’re not willing to take a punt on Heaven.
- Bryan Mbeumo (8.0m) – Mbeumo had two cracking chances against Hull and on another day could have come away with a massive haul.
- Bruno Fernandes (12.0m) – A disappointing outing for Fernandes owners in gameweek 1 but he remains one of the best assets in the game and has an attactive home fixture this weekend.
Liverpool (vs Nottingham Forest, home)
Liverpool came back twice against Newcastle in a tough away fixture on the opening weekend, and host a Forest side defeated by Leeds at home and still adjusting to life under Oliver Glasner. There are a few dissenting voices around Anfield, so they know victory is essential here.
Top picks:
- Jeremy Jacquet (5.0m) – Jacquet looked assured on his Premier League debut at a hostile venue and looks the best defensive option for Liverpool currently given his price.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (7.0m) – Probably the most reliable Liverpool pick, and encouraging to see the Hungarian take the penalty on Sunday.
- Cody Gakpo (7.0m) – Linked with a move away from Anfield but it’s hard to fathom why Liverpool would sell him after his superb goal and all-round contribution at Newcastle.
Arsenal (vs Aston Villa, away)
Arsenal outclassed Coventry in the Premier League curtain raiser and face Aston Villa at a good time after their drubbing against Brighton on Sunday. With so many players leaving Villa Park, it may take Unai Emery’s team some time to gel this campaign, so they won’t fancy facing the Champions this weekend.
Top picks:
- David Raya (6.0m) – Didn’t have much to do against Coventry, but with Villa’s main attacking talents heading for the exit in the off-season, he can be trusted to take the gloves again.
- Ricardo Calafiori (5.6m) – Didn’t escape a price rise after his assist and clean sheet in Gameweek 1, but is now owned by over 40% of managers, so hold him if you have him, for sure.
- Martin Odegaard (6.5m) – The Arsenal skipper is up to 11.1% ownership after his goal and player of the match display on the opening night of the season. He looks set to play an important part of his side again at Villa Park.
Chelsea (vs Brighton, home)
Chelsea may just have the best attacking trio in the Premier League since Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, and while their defence is nothing to write home about, the triple up on their front three could be a smart play moving forward, especially once they get their trip to Arsenal out of the way.
Top picks:
- Morgan Rogers (7.5m) – Rogers opened his account for Chelsea and looks to have built an instant chemistry with Palmer and Joao Pedro, ominous signs for the rest of the league and FPL managers without him.
- Cole Palmer (9.5m) – Palmer looked sensational against Fulham and that’s ominous if he’s not in your FPL Gameweek 2 squad and beyond.
- Joao Pedro (7.6m) – Joao Pedro has already risen by 0.1 so may be out of reach for managers looking to draft him in with one transfer, but if you can do it, you absolutely should.
Manchester City (vs Crystal Palace, away)
City scraped to three points against Bournemouth on the opening weekend and head to the capital to face a Crystal Palace, who lost to Everton on the opening weekend. City know they need to win these games in order to mount a title challenge.
Top picks:
- Josko Gvardiol (5.5m) – Scored against Bournemouth with a last minute winner and looked sharp in pre-season, a strong hold if you have him.
- Rayan Cherki (7.5m) – Might be something of a minutes risk, but it was hard not to be impressed with his two-assist cameo against Bournemouth.
- Erling Haaland (15.5m) – Had his chances at the Etihad on Sunday, but it didn’t quite go his way, however, he’s bound to haul sooner or later and Palace had a poor result against Everton on the opening weekend.
FPL Gameweek 2 Captain Picks
Erling Haaland (C) – Keeping the faith with the goal machine. He has a good record at Selhurst Park and you can’t keep the Norwegian off the scoresheet for too long in this game.
Cole Palmer (VC) – May not be long before Palmer takes the armband if he performs like he did on the Monday Night Football last time out.
Worth a Punt
Each week we pick out four FPL differentials that are worth a punt for the gameweek ahead.
Top picks:
Jaka Bijol (5.0m) – Was a defensive contribution machine last season and picked up where he left off against Nottingham Forest, hosts Brentford who will post a threat, but a good option for the medium term in the side.
Marcus Tavernier (5.5m) – Got 10 points last time out and is just 2.2% owned ahead of the visit of Everton, the Englishman looks a handy differential and budget enabler.
Savio (6.5m) – Scored two goals on debut for Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and could be an interesting differential at just 6.5m and a lowly 0.4% ownership.
Ellis Simms (5.0m) – Simms started Coventry’s opener against Arsenal, and while he didn’t get much of a sniff, looks a compelling budget forward option for the visit of fellow newcomers Hull.
FPL Gameweek 2 Team
GK: Raya (6.0m)
DEF: Shaw (4.5m), Calafiori (5.6m), Jacquet (5.0m), Bijol (5.0m)
MID: Mbeumo (8.0m), Palmer (9.5m) (VC), Rogers (7.5m), Gakpo (7.0m)
FWD: Haaland (15.5m) (C), Joao Pedro (7.6m)
SUBS: Palmer (4.0m), Mendy (4.0m), Tavernier (5.5m), Simms (5.0m)
TOTAL: 99.7m
Check out more at For Foot Sake’s FPL hub here.