As another thrilling month of Premier League action draws to a close in the upcoming round, we find ourselves rapidly approaching the one-third mark of the season. Manchester City appears to be on course for a remarkable fourth successive title, though Liverpool looms as their most formidable challenger. However, Liverpool faces a stern test this week in the form of Tottenham Hotspur, who staged a remarkable comeback against derby rivals Arsenal last week, bouncing back from deficits twice. Everton secured a significant win last week, leaving Bournemouth as the sole team, apart from the three newly promoted sides, yet to secure a victory this season. With so much at stake for these teams, fantasy managers are also in the thick of the action, striving to make their mark on the leaderboard in this crucial week.
Key Takeaways from the Gameweek 6
Manchester City continued their dominant form, notching their sixth consecutive win, even when down to 10 men for most of the second half, in a victory against Nottingham Forest. Everton finally secured their first win of the season, triumphing 3-1 against Brentford. Manchester United made a successful return to the win column, courtesy of a sublime volley from Bruno Fernandes in their victory over Burnley. Meanwhile, Chelsea's ongoing struggles persisted with yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Aston Villa.
Liverpool and Brighton maintained their impressive start to the season, securing 3-1 victories over West Ham United and Bournemouth, respectively. In a remarkable display of firepower, Newcastle United had eight different goalscorers as they emphatically defeated Sheffield United 8-0. The North London Derby lived up to its reputation, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur preserving their undefeated streaks.
Players to watch out for Gameweek 7
This week’s fixture list includes an additional game: Luton Town vs. Burnley, a rescheduled game from Gameweek 2. Before we dive into identifying potential game-changers for your fantasy team, it's essential to remain vigilant about any prominent absences from the starting lineups. These exclusions can have a substantial impact on your team's performance on the leaderboard, making it crucial to stay informed and adaptable:
Notable Absences
Manchester City will have to manage without Rodri in their next three domestic games, including the upcoming round of the Premier League, due to suspension. Chelsea, on the other hand, will face Burnley without Nicolas Jackson and Malo Gusto, with Jackson suspended due to accumulating 5 yellow cards and Gusto serving a suspension following a red card in their last game against Aston Villa. Crystal Palace will be without their top goalscorer, Odsonne Edouard, who is sidelined due to injury.
Forwards
a. Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) is undeniably living up to the expectations as Liverpool's focal point in the attack, fulfilling the promise he held since his signing last year. In just six games played this season, he has already achieved one-third of his goal contributions compared to last season, showcasing his growing impact and influence within the team's offensive setup.
b. Heung-min Son (Tottenham Hotspurs) has stepped into the role of Tottenham Hotspur's primary protagonist this season, particularly evident in his brace against rivals Arsenal. As the Spurs captain, he is determined to lead his team to the summit of the Premier League, exemplifying his decisiveness in front of the goal and taking on the responsibility left by the departure of Harry Kane.
Tip: For 8.2 credits (235.8 points), Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon is demonstrating the abilities that made Newcastle sign him from Everton last season. The young forward will likely be featured more prominently due to Harvey Barnes’ injury.
Midfielders
a. James Ward-Prowse (West Ham United) has made an exceptional start to his journey with his new club West Ham United, already tallying 2 goals and 3 assists. Renowned as one of the league's premier free-kick specialists, the midfielder's prowess will be pivotal for West Ham United as they seek to rebound from their recent defeat against Liverpool, relying on his playmaking abilities to lead the way.
b. Josh Brownhill (Burnley) stands as one of the rare goal scorers for Vincent Kompany's side, which has shown positive play in most of their games but has struggled to find the back of the net. The midfielder brings valuable Premier League experience to this young Burnley team, who are eager to secure their first win of the season as they prepare to face Newcastle United and Luton Town this week, hoping his contributions can help them achieve that goal.
Tip: For 9.6 credits (106.8 points), Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes could be a calculated risk for a fantasy team. The midfielder could play a crucial role for City for the next few matches as they miss several midfield options due to injury or suspension.
Defenders
a. Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) has emerged as one of Ten Hag's trusted players, showing notable improvement under the Dutch manager's guidance. The Portuguese international, primarily a right back, is likely to be thrilled by the presence of a target man like Rasmus Højlund in the squad, offering him a valuable option for his crosses and potentially enhancing his effectiveness in the team's offensive plays.
b. Tim Ream (Fulham) continues to anchor Fulham's defense, and his role will be pivotal as they prepare to face a struggling Chelsea in their upcoming match. The defender's contributions will be crucial in their pursuit of keeping a clean sheet and securing a positive result against their Premier League opponents.
Tip: For 6.4 credits (166 points), Everton’s James Tarkowski remains the face of Everton's resistance for the second successive season. The all-action defender scored a crucial goal for his side in the last game and promises more such impactful moments.
Goalkeepers
a. David Raya's (Arsenal) crucial saves were instrumental in preserving Arsenal's unbeaten record this season as they battled to a 2-2 draw against rivals Spurs. The Spanish goalkeeper faces fierce competition for the starting role from Aaron Ramsdale, a challenge that he hopes will inspire him to play a pivotal role in Arsenal's pursuit of lifting the title this season.
b. Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa) made several key saves to keep hold of his clean sheet and help Aston Villa beat Chelsea 1-0. With Aston Villa facing another tough assignment in Brighton, they would rely heavily on Martínez to continue his form to stop the likes of Mitoma and March.
Tip: For 4.9 credits (109.6 points), Luton Town’s Thomas Kaminski could be an interesting option for a squad looking for a change in the goalkeeping position. Luton might be struggling at the moment but they have a great chance this week as they face another two teams from the bottom 5 in Everton and Burnley, and Kaminski would be eager for his first clean sheet in the premier league.
What Next?
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