Players To Pick
Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Kai Havertz (8.0m) started the season with an impressive twelve-point haul, equalling the score of Bukayo Saka (10.0m). The German has proved that he is more than capable of leading the forward line for Arsenal, despite competition from Gabriel Jesus (6.9m).
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah (12.5m) extended his strong opening day goalscoring record and added an assist to his performance against Ipswich. The Egyptian is looking as sharp as he did in his previous seasons and is looking like a captaincy contender for Liverpool’s home encounter with Brentford.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Despite failing to register a goal or assist, Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.0m) was involved in most of Liverpool’s attacks, especially when he played a incisive through ball for Mohamed Salah (12.5m) to set up Diogo Jota (7.0m). Alexander-Arnold still scored two bonus points from the game, suggesting his potential for attacking and defensive returns in Liverpool’s next fixtures.
Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
Nick Pope (5.0m) displayed his shot-stopping ability to earn a clean-sheet and two bonus points against Southampton in a game that Newcastle played with 10-men for the majority of the game. Pope will be looking to continue his form as Newcastle face Bournemouth on Sunday.
Differential Picks
Bernd Leno (Fulham)
Bernd Leno (5.0m) was unfortunate to concede late against Manchester United after making two impressive saves to deny Bruno Fernandes (8.5m). Fulham now have a run of more favourable fixtures, where the German has potential to accumulate clean sheets.
Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
With Kieran Trippier (6.0m) looking likely to leave Newcastle this transfer window, this means that Tino Livramento (4.5m) will be starting at right-back regularly for Newcastle, unless the club signs a right-back to replace Trippier. Livramento kept an impressive clean-sheet against Southampton and has attacking potential. The right-back only has a 2.3% ownership, making him a great differential.
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
Antoine Semenyo (5.5m) scored against Nottingham Forest to start the season. Bournemouth face Newcastle at home this Sunday, with the Magpies lacking defensive reinforcements due to the suspension of Fabian Schär (5.5m) and Sven Botman (4.5m) being out with injury. This problem for Newcastle could provide Semenyo the opportunity to register attacking returns in this fixture.
Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
Chris Wood (6.0m) continued his good form from pre-season by scoring against Bournemouth and registering three bonus points. Nottingham Forest face newly-promoted Southampton this Saturday, where Wood can continue his good form.
Captaincy Options
The favourite for captaincy this week will surely be Erling Haaland (15.0m). The Norwegian faces a newly-promoted Ipswich at the Etihad after scoring against Chelsea on opening day. Ipswich conceded many chances to Liverpool in their opening game, so Haaland has the potential to score big if Ipswich concede a similar amount of chances.
Mohamed Salah (12.5m) and Diogo Jota (7.5m) are great alternative picks for Liverpool’s home encounter with Brentford. The Liverpool pair looked strong and cohesive in their victory against Ipswich and FPL managers should expect to see more of the same this Sunday at Anfield.
Cole Palmer (10.5m) now enjoys a nice run of fixtures starting this week. Palmer scored numerous double point-hauls last season, so do not overlook one blank against the Champions, Manchester City.
If you are looking for any more differential captaincy options for Haaland, Bukayo Saka (10.0m), Phil Foden (9.0m), Kevin De Bruyne (9.5m) and Heung-min Son (10.0m) are good options.
