FPL: Ten observations from GW8.

Another week has passed in this season’s Fantasy Premier League. This time I am here with this article about what we learned from it. This will be regular occurrence now so I hope you like it.

This week was a bit different most of the big hitters failed including Kane, Lukaku and even Vardy. Man City are scoring for fun and this week we see a very low average score of just 41 points.

Let’s look at the various talking points.

1. Man Utd know how “not to” concede

After sitting in the garage for a long time Jose Mourinho took his famous bus out for a spin at Liverpool. Whatever you make of the result and tactics, a solid defensive display and a world class save from David De Gea ensured that United kept their seventh clean sheet in eight Premier League games this season.

This is astoundingly brilliant and with no other side coming close to United in this department it would be wise to invest in their defence. While most of us already have one United defender in our teams it may be an option to double up or even triple up on United’s defence being their forward line may struggle in some of the matches on the horizon with Pogba injured and Mkhitaryan out of form.

2. Joe Hart got an assist

Burnley drew 1-1 at home to West Ham United, and whilst this game may not be one of the biggest games it certainly wasn’t short of talking points.

Andy Carroll got two yellow cards in matter of minutes but from an FPL perspective it was that Joe Hart actually got an assist (I didn’t believe it at first either). A long kick just evaded every Burnley defender and Michael Antonio ran through and slotted it home leading to ecstasy for Joe Hart owners.

3. Crystal Palace “Win” against Chelsea no less

Seven games, seven defeats and no goals made bleak reading for Crystal Palace before this match. Things were already looking poor for Palace and it wasn’t going to get any better with the champions coming to town.

Returning as well was Ivorian winger Wilfried Zaha – an inspired performance from him and Andros Townsend lead to a shock win for Palace and sent Selhurst Park into dreamland.

With confidence flying high and fixtures now easing up this just might be the time for investing in Palace players particularly Wilfried Zaha available at just £6.7m.

4. Manchester City are on “FIRE”

5 goals against Liverpool, 6 against Watford, 5 against Palace and this week they put 7 yes 7 past Stoke City. David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are all getting bunch of returns each game.

With Sergio Aguero returning it could only get better. So it is a must to own 3 Man City attacking players to take advantage of the form that is being shown by the league leaders.

5. Wembley Curse on Harry Kane

After destroying Huddersfield in GW7 Harry Kane was the most captained player in GW8. He hadn’t scored a goal at Wembley but it just looked like a matter of when rather than if as the striker was in fine form but the so called “Wembley Curse” struck again as he failed to score again at Wembley. Being the most expensive player he is expected to perform almost every week, so this may mean Kane’s place in many people’s team (including mine) may come in jeopardy if he doesn’t improve soon.

6. Arsenal are “flattering to deceive”

Arsenal suffered another defeat away from home at Watford losing 2-1 after leading at half time due to a goal from Per Mertesacker (see the problem). Their attacking players aren’t doing the business, Alexis Sanchez didn’t even play and Alexandre Lacazette is looking like a flop as days pass by. Their defence isn’t keeping clean sheets it’s just a matter of time before #WengerOut brigade comes again. These results are making Arsenal assets a liability for our FPL teams.

7. Tammy Abraham is a big part of Swansea’s attacking output

Swansea city have scored five goals in the Premier League this season, four of which have been scored by Tammy Abraham.

The Chelsea loanee has been a crucial piece of the Swansea City attacking jigsaw. It is possible that when you hear about a Swansea goal that Tammy will be involved. This also makes him nailed on. At just £5.7m he could be a great option if you want to upgrade your midfield or defence.

8. Everton are not doing the job.

Another game Everton were expected to win and another one in which they failed to do so. In fact, some would say they were lucky to get even a draw against Brighton, though Everton’s defence isn’t keeping clean sheets and their attacking players aren’t doing the job either.

Gylfi Siggurdsson hasn’t been able to make the impact that was expected of him yet, and the only player who is getting some points is Wayne Rooney, a penalty against Brighton marking his third PL goal of the season. At the moment, no Everton player is worth considering for your team even though fixtures are great which.

9. Southampton’s defensive points is a “myth”

Another game where Southampton failed to keep a clean sheet. A 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle where they were on a verge of another defeat if not for a penalty.

They aren’t scoring many goals even at home, before last match they only scored in 1 of their last 9 home matches. So, not scoring means no attacking returns from their defence either. It may change in the future but right now Southampton’s players are ceasing to be an option for our FPL teams.

10. Leicester are better than what the table shows

Leicester sit 18^th in the table after that 1-1 draw with West Brom. They have played Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea in that time. They have played brilliant attacking football with Jamie Vardy being the main attacking threat (5 goals).

Though he didn’t score yesterday he is in great form and fixtures easing up he could be a great option and not just that he is captain material. In defence Harry Maguire (£5.1m) is a great option with attacking threat and and defensive potential.

These are the various talking points from all PL matches. This week wasn’t a very good week from a personal team wise for myself and many others. This is the beauty of the PL you never know what happens as Palace fans would point out. So keep going and may all your arrows be green

I am OUT.

Written by @Varun_esque