Club football is back, baby
I’m sure you all enjoyed the international break, watching Gareth’s boys trounce Spain in their own backyard. But be honest, you were yearning for the return of the Premier League the whole time. There are matches to be played, and scores to be settled.
The return of club football means the return of Fantasy Premier League – and our tips. There are some genuinely exciting fixtures to get excited about this weekend, with Chelsea vs Manchester United the standout…which brings me to my first suggestion.
1. Eden Hazard – Chelsea, £11.3m
Hardly a hidden gem, but Hazard has amassed more FPL points than any other player this season. The right side of Manchester United’s defence has looked particularly frail in recent weeks, and Hazard will be licking his lips in excitement at the thought of how much space he’ll have to exploit behind Antonio Valencia. The Belgian only played 45 minutes against Netherlands last weekend too, so will be well rested for this fixture. He’s expensive, but there’s no better big money signing to have in your team right now.
2. Jonny – Wolves, £4.5m
Jonny’s recent form earned him a first call-up to the Spain squad for the international break. Admittedly, he struggled against England, but any full-back would have suffered with Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling in such good form. While a lot of FPL managers have taken notice of his teammate Matt Doherty on the other flank, Jonny has gone somewhat under the radar so far. Only 2.6% of FPL managers have selected him, despite his incredibly reasonable price tag of just £4.5m. He bagged his first goal for Wolves in Gameweek 7 and poses a big threat in attack, taking eight shots and creating eight chances so far this season.
3. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City, £9.7m
De Bruyne has been sidelined since Gameweek 1 after picking up a knee injury but could make a return to Manchester City’s starting XI this weekend. City have just about managed without him, dropping only four points in his absence, but the Belgian will almost certainly go straight back into the team for their home game against Burnley. Get De Bruyne now is my advice, while only 3.7% of managers have selected him (presumably those who made a team before the first round of matches and have neglected it ever since).
4. Gylfi Sigurdsson – Everton, £7.4m
Marco Silva’s Everton appear to finally be kicking into gear, winning their last two matches convincingly after suffering an unlucky defeat to Arsenal. The Toffees’ attack is centred around Sigurdsson, who is thriving after being given a run of games in his favoured No.10 position. With three goals in his last two matches, he has been given an 8.7 form rating, yet only features in 5% of FPL teams.
Everton welcome an out-of-form Crystal Palace to Goodison Park on Sunday and Sigurdsson will be hoping to put yet another free-kick past Wayne Hennessey, having scored from a dead ball situation against Palace twice before.
5. Josh King – Bournemouth, £6.4m
This was a tough call between King and his partner in crime, Callum Wilson. Eddie Howe’s dynamic duo have caused havoc among opposition defences this season, and both rank among the top 20 FPL players right now. They also both cost just £6.4m. While Wilson has earned seven more points than King thus far, the Norwegian’s responsibility of taking penalties and lesser popularity among FPL coaches could make him the savvier signing.
The Cherries host 16th placed Southampton this weekend, and will be confident of securing all three points if King and Wilson are firing.
