The Premier League's curtain has risen on a season brimming with anticipation as teams clash on the pitch and engage in high-stakes transfer battles. Five clubs have ushered in new managerial eras this season, with Liverpool and Brighton showing early promise under Arne Slot and Fabian Hurzeler, respectively. Unlike last season, the newly promoted teams have better showing this time with Ipswich Town making a strong impression, despite a narrow loss to Liverpool and Leicester City securing a draw against Tottenham. As the league enters its second week, this weekend's results will be pivotal as teams race against the clock to bolster their squads before the transfer window closes. Fantasy managers, too, will be closely analyzing these early-season performances to refine their strategies and capitalize on potential opportunities.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 1
Manchester United kicked off the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham. The top three teams from last season, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, maintained their dominance with comfortable 2-0 wins against Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ipswich Town, respectively. Brighton emerged as the standout performers of the week, securing a resounding 3-0 victory over Everton.
Newcastle United demonstrated resilience, securing a 1-0 victory over promoted Southampton despite playing with ten men for a significant portion of the match. Aston Villa narrowly edged out West Ham United in a tightly contested affair, winning 2-1. Brentford's Mbeumo and Wissa inspired their team to a 2-1 comeback win against Crystal Palace. Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester City, while Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth also played out a 1-1 stalemate.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 2
With the transfer window still on, Fantasy managers would be looking to balance their squad to ensure they pick maximum points in the final matches of the season. Let's look into notable absences before going through players which can help you to top the leaderboard:
Notable Absences
Newcastle United will be without their star defender, Fabian Schär, for their upcoming match due to a red card received in their previous encounter against Southampton. Everton's Ashley Young is also facing a suspension after being sent off in their opening-week defeat to Brighton. Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a double blow, with both Dominic Solanke and Rodrigo Bentancur ruled out for their next match due to injuries. Manchester City will continue to be without Rodri, who is still recovering from his Euro-winning campaign with Spain.
Forwards
a. Diogo Jota (Liverpool), despite limited appearances last season, proved to be a highly efficient goal-scorer for Liverpool. Starting only 14 matches, he contributed 10 goals in 21 games, boasting the best minutes-per-goal ratio among the Reds' forwards. The Portuguese forward's impressive start to this season, including a goal in the opening week, has bolstered Liverpool's hopes of him maintaining his form and contributing significantly to their quest for the Premier League title.
b. Dany Welbeck (Brighton), a seasoned Premier League forward known for his tireless work ethic, may not be a prolific scorer, but he consistently delivers valuable contributions to his team. Having found the net in his recent match, Welbeck faces a reunion with his former club, Manchester United, in the upcoming encounter. Brighton fans are eagerly anticipating a repeat performance from the forward, who has a history of scoring against his old side.
Tip: For 11.6 credits, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto could be a smart transfer choice for fantasy managers. Facing his former teammates in the upcoming match, Neto will undoubtedly be motivated to prove his worth to his new club and potentially deliver a strong performance.
Midfielders
a. Mateo Kovačić‘s (Manchester City) standout performance against his former club, Chelsea, in Manchester City's opening-day victory showcased his impressive form. With Rodri's potential absence in the upcoming match, the Croatian midfielder is poised to secure another starting berth for the talented Manchester City squad, who are determined to clinch their fifth consecutive league title.
b. Amadou Onana‘s (Aston Villa) immediate impact at Aston Villa, scoring within four minutes of his debut against West Ham United, has set high expectations for the Belgian midfielder. Signed from Everton to replace Douglas Luiz, who departed for Juventus, Onana's technical prowess positions him well to seamlessly fill the void left by his predecessor.
Tip: For 7.2 credits, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães looks a promising choice for fantasy managers. Newcastle United would expect their captain to help them dominate the midfield battle as they face Bournemouth in the next match.
Defenders
a. Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspurs) scored the goal for Spurs in the 1-1 against Leicester City in the opening game of the season. He was impressive last season, contributing 3 goals and 7 assists as Spurs expect him to continue helping the attackers.
b.Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), a cornerstone of Crystal Palace's defense, has become even more indispensable following Joachim Andersen's departure to Fulham. The promising young defender, who garnered attention at the European Championships with England, is crucial to Palace's hopes of rebounding from their opening-week loss to Brentford.
Tip: Kyle Walker-Peters, a former Tottenham Hotspur defender now playing for Southampton, could be a steal at just 4 credits for fantasy managers. He was instrumental in Southampton's promotion to the Premier League last season, earning a place in the EFL Championship Team of the Season. Saints fans are eager to see him replicate his impressive form and contribute significantly to their team's success this year.
Goalkeepers
a. André Onana (Manchester United) started this season brightly with an impressive clean sheet against Fulham. With United facing Brighton, who looked impressive in the opening week, they expect Onana to be at his best as the defense settles with new additions.
b. Bernd Leno (Fulham) made several impressive saves against Manchester United in the opening week but ultimately couldn't prevent Zirkzee's decisive goal. As a key component of Fulham's revamped squad, which has made significant investments following the departure of João Palhinha to Bayern Munich, Leno's experience and shot-stopping abilities will be crucial to the team's success.
Tip: For 5.5 credits, Arsenal’s David Raya is a reliable transfer option for fantasy managers. After being on loan at Arsenal last season, Raya completed his permanent move to Emirates Stadium this season and would be looking to help Arsenal achieve their goal of winning the League title after narrowly missing for the last two seasons.
What Next?
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