RADIO
Welcome to the Gameweek 4 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! The EPL returns after the international break. FPL managers will be looking at their Wildcard to recover from a slow start or kick on after bagging a huge points haul to begin the season.
Erling Haaland (£15.2m) headlined Gameweek 3 with yet another hat trick. Mo Salah (£12.7m) wasn't to be outdone as he helped himself to a goal and two assists. Liverpool was also the only side to keep a clean sheet with goals flowing freely a fortnight ago. We'll see if that trend continues into Gameweek 4.
The Gameweek 4 deadline of the 2024-2025 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, September 14, at 6:00 a.m. EDT, when Southampton welcomes Manchester United to St Mary's Stadium. Also, check out the rest of our excellent soccer coverage as the squad gets you all set for every EPL and UCL slate with our DFS lineup picks and betting picks.
Fantasy Premier League Staff Roundtable - Gameweek 4 Preview
The Staff Roundtable is an attempt to get you inside the minds of our FPL writers. Our top soccer writers will answer questions each gameweek to give you an idea of how they view the games. So, without further ado, let’s kick off Gameweek 4!
Erling Haaland did it again with another hat trick, but Mohamed Salah matched him. Are those two players the best assets in the game?
Euan Leith: The 41 points for both players through three weeks will do nicely. FPL managers who went with both are flying as the next tier of players; Cole Palmer (£10.6m), Bukayo Saka (£10.1m), Phil Foden (£9.4m), and Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) haven’t fired on all cylinders yet.
Jamie Steed: Absolutely, which is why they are priced as they are. They have both had two price increases already, highlighting how potent they are in FPL. Haaland having nearly double the points of the second-highest-scoring forward shows how big of a difference-maker he can be.
The FPL Manual (Wale): Absolutely, they are amazing players indeed. I was in awe knowing I had both assets in my fantasy team right from Gameweek 1 steadily getting those big returns. I am looking forward to more of these performances in the future.
They cannot be separated 🤝
Mo Salah and Erling Haaland lead the way in 2024/25, who will be on top by the end of Gameweek 4? 🔝#FPL pic.twitter.com/0z9AzekORy
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 10, 2024
Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer had assists in Gameweek 3. Could a combination of them cover one of Haaland or Salah?
Euan: In the long term, probably. However, it feels pretty awful right now to watch Haaland and Salah grab three returns every weekend. There are enough cheap enablers in the game to roster both premium players.
Jamie: They could certainly offset not having Salah. The problem with not having Haaland is there isn't another forward who can come close to matching his points. I would go as far as saying you have to roster two of that quartet to stand a chance this season.
Wale: The experience from the previous gameweek has solidified Haaland and Salah as essential FPL must-have assets. No other player or combination can match their consistent output. Ignore them at your own risk.
The transfer window has come and gone. What signing will have the biggest impact on FPL?
Euan: It’s a slight zag, but Michael Olise leaving Crystal Palace for Bayern Munich is having a huge knock-on effect on the Eagles. Jean-Philipe Mateta (£7.4m) and Daniel Munoz (£5.0m) aren’t the same assets as they were at the back of last season.
Jamie: Emile Smith Rowe (£5.6m) joining Fulham means he can establish himself as a top attacking midfielder. Injuries derailed his Arsenal career, but at his price, it allows FPL managers to go with some of the aforementioned bigger names while still starting a talented attacking midfielder.
Wale: Following the eye test, players like Amadou Onana (£5.1m) have already made an immediate impact for Aston Villa. Another new signing to watch is West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville (£5.9m), who scored 19 goals and provided nine assists for Leeds in last season’s championship campaign. His integration into the Hammers' first team could be crucial for securing solid FPL returns as the season progresses.
Amadou Onana has the best ground duel win rate (61.9%) of any midfielder in the Premier League since the start of last season (200+ contested). ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/brz42J5rVK
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 10, 2024
What was your biggest takeaway from the first three gameweeks of the season?
Euan: Arne Slot is having a positive influence on Liverpool’s defense. Andy Robertson (£6.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m), and Ibrahima Konate (£5.0m) are cheaper alternatives to Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) along the Anfield back line.
Jamie: Despite another summer of massive incoming at Chelsea, Cole Palmer remains the only player worth rostering. Of Noni Madueke's (£6.6m) 22 points, 20 came in one game. They are yet to keep a clean sheet and even after scoring two goals, Nicolas Jackson (£7.6m) continues to frustrate with missed chances.
Wale: Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal have shown their title-contending potential early this season. The key takeaway from these initial matches is clear: target assets from these top three clubs, as their players are likely to deliver explosive returns consistently throughout the season.
Did you learn anything during the international break?
Euan: Bruno Fernandes (£8.4m) grabbed a goal and an assist for Portugal during the international games. Hopefully, that opens the FPL floodgates for the Man United talisman.
Jamie: Matthijs de Ligt (£5.0m) isn't going to sort out Manchester United's defensive woes. After a tough first EPL start, he struggled against Bosnia and it may take a while for him to settle. And this international break continues to be ridiculous so soon into the season with the inevitable injuries hitting key players before big club games.
Wale: Not exactly. Instead of focusing on anything FPL over the international break, I decided to focus on getting ready for the upcoming Champions League season. I'm very much excited for more European football to come (make sure to check out RotoBaller.com for our UCL coverage).
Worrying news for @Arsenal fans 😳 pic.twitter.com/IbCQ2HhNlC
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 10, 2024
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 4?
Euan: Liverpool is 3-for-3 in clean sheets this season and welcomes Nottingham Forest to Anfield in Gameweek 4. The Reds will make it 4-for-4 with Alisson Becker (£5.5m) manning the net.
Jamie: Manchester City's only clean sheet came on the opening weekend of the season. It has the fewest xG (expected goals) conceded through the first three games of the season. It hosts a Brentford side that blanked at Liverpool in its only game against a top-7 opponent so far.
Wale: The bookmakers may favor Manchester City for a clean sheet this week, but Brighton has shown strong defensive form recently. It held both Arsenal and Manchester United at bay. Given this solid display, I’m backing the Seagulls to keep a clean sheet against Ipswich this week.
Fewest xG conceded in the Premier League so far this season:
◎ 2.22 - Manchester City
◎ 2.80 - Liverpool
◎ 3.02 - Nottingham Forest
◎ 3.38 - Tottenham
◎ 3.58 - Fulham pic.twitter.com/zDW0LYXBJ2— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 9, 2024
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
Euan: Leicester has been leaky toward wingbacks so far this season and Crystal Palace has been quiet in that area. Tyrick Mitchell (£4.9m) comes through for the Eagles as they grab their first win of the season.
Jamie: Rico Lewis (£4.7m) has established himself as Manchester City's starting right-back. He's adept at playing the advanced-inverted role that Pep Guardiola covets and picked up his first assist of the season last time out. Lewis will likely provide an attacking threat this weekend, too.
Wale: Wolves have not been the best team defensively in its opening three matches. Nevertheless, Rayan Aït-Nouri (£4.5m) managed an assist in Gameweek 2 against Chelsea. The next matchup against Newcastle could be a tough clash. However, I anticipate a player like Aït-Nouri contributing to the attack.
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
Euan: Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m) is in 8.5% of FPL teams, and grabbed two returns in the first two weeks before a blank versus Arsenal. Ipswich is a far easier opponent than the Gunners, so the Japanese winger will get back on the scoresheet this weekend.
Jamie: Kaoru Mitoma started the season with a goal and an assist in his first two games. He blanked against Arsenal but was Brighton's most creative outlet. He faces an Ipswich team with the highest xG against (6.8) and we saw Manchester City's attacking players have plenty of joy against the Tractor Boys.
Wale: Excellent in progressive carries into the final third and quickly breaking through the opposition's defense. Amad Diallo (£5.0m) has been asking the right questions whenever he is involved in Manchester United’s attack. This won’t be a popular differential this week (4.2% rostered). However, coming up next against Southampton, I see the youngster doing well for Manchester United provided he started this weekend.
Most successful dribbles in the Premier League this season:
◎ 12 - Jérémy Doku
◎ 11 - Mohammed Kudus
◎ 11 - Adama Traoré
◎ 9 - Kaoru Mitoma
◎ 8 - Kobbie Mainoo
◎ 7 - Mogan Rogers pic.twitter.com/yxLkE21dFG— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 1, 2024
Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 4 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
Euan: I’m on Wildcard, so I can have anyone I would like. However, I don’t think Son Heung-min (£10.0m) is making the cut with some difficult fixtures on the horizon for Spurs.
Jamie: I've been holding off using my Wildcard while tweaking my squad and can't bring in Luis Díaz (£7.6m) without taking a hit. With Liverpool's upcoming schedule, I want to bring in another Anfield asset and fear Díaz will make me regret not bringing him in this week.
Wale: I’m currently struggling to find a spot for Aston Villa’s most promising asset, Morgan Rogers (£5.1m), due to my already packed midfield. He could have provided some useful cover with Villa's upcoming fixtures. It looks like I’ll have to hold off for now until I'm forced to make room for him.
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
Euan: It’s a toss-up right now between Haaland and Salah. Both are in sparkling form. I’m leaning toward the Egyptian as of this writing.
Jamie: As difficult as it is not captaining Haaland, especially at home, I'm going with Mitoma. After building him up as a low-rostered differential, captaining Mitoma may prove to be a big difference-maker. If Haaland fails to score a third consecutive hat trick, even better.
Wale: With seven goals scored in his opening three matches this season, Erling Haaland has proven to be a lethal striker in Manchester City's attack, especially at the Etihad Stadium. Without a doubt, the 24-year-old Norwegian forward will be my captain for Gameweek 4.
Finally, what’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 4?
Euan: The Manchester clubs combine for eight goals this weekend against Southampton and Brentford. Meanwhile, Spurs grab a surprise win over Arsenal and some alarm bells begin to ring for the red side of North London.
Jamie: Antoine Semenyo (£5.6m) will make it four goal involvements in four games to start the season as Bournemouth will add to Chelsea's woes. The Cherries will take at least a point from the game, leaving Chelsea with just one win from its opening four games.
Wale: Simple prediction for me this week. Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) ends his goal drought for Aston Villa and gets on the scoresheet against a leaky Everton defense.
Ollie Watkins has missed more big chances than any other player in the Premier League so far this season (4).
Struggling to get up and running... 😤 pic.twitter.com/rh83lVKkqj
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 4, 2024
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