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Welcome to the Gameweek 7 FPL Staff Roundtable, RotoBallers! Cole Palmer destroyed many Wildcarder's dreams with a four-return outing against Brighton on Saturday afternoon. However, it's a long season, and FPL managers should try not to react too harshly to the Englishman's prolific output.
Elsewhere, Man United is under fire for a dismal afternoon against Spurs. Managers should know that Bruno Fernandes' red card has been overturned, and the Portuguese midfielder is eligible to play again in Gameweek 7.
The Gameweek 7 deadline of the 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League season is Saturday, October 5, at 6:00 a.m. EDT, when Crystal Palace welcomes Liverpool to London clash. 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 7 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 7!
Cole Palmer was unstoppable this weekend. Is he a top-three FPL option moving forward?
Euan Leith: Cole Palmer (£10.7m) will finish as a top-five scoring option this year, but the fixture ticker isn't kind over the next month. After this week's game against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea plays Liverpool, Newcastle, Man United, and Arsenal in the next four matches.
Jamie Steed: I would say so. He was borderline coming into the season, and my only concern was Chelsea as a whole. His ability to thrive in the team should alleviate those concerns moving forward.
The FPL Manual (Wale): I agree that Cole Palmer is quickly becoming one of the top FPL must-haves. His recent displays for Chelsea, where he's both creating and scoring goals, make him a formidable pick for fantasy managers.
Will Cole Palmer manage to better his Gameweek 6 haul for @ChelseaFC this season? 👀#FPL
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 2, 2024
After countless weeks of scoring points, popular Wildcard picks Gabriel and Luis Diaz blanked. Should managers hold firm or twist to other picks?
Euan: I would hold with Gabriel (£6.2m) because Arsenal will rack up plenty of clean sheets this season. However, Luis Diaz (£8.0m) is a rotation risk. Liverpool has plenty of attackers to play each week, and only Mohamed Salah (£12.6m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.1m), and Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) are assured of starting every game.
Jamie: Relying on center-halves to score goals isn’t a tactic that will pay off, even with Arsenal’s set-piece abilities. Gabriel wasn’t someone I’d have transferred in for goals anyway. Diaz blanking in one game isn’t a worry. Liverpool’s upcoming schedule should be, though, so temper expectations if you do hold.
Wale: It can be really disheartening when you've sacrificed a few key players to bring in new assets and don't see immediate results. However, staying patient and trusting your Gameweek 6 wildcard choices will likely pay off in the long run. I advise managers to hold firm.
Everton has been on the rise in recent weeks. Is Dwight McNeil a long-term pick in FPL?
Euan: While Dwight McNeil's (£5.6m) goal was a cracking effort, it only produced 0.18 xG (expected Goals). FPL managers shouldn't rely on a midfielder from a relegation-battling team to keep that up. It's okay if he's your eight-attacker, but I wouldn't depend on him on a week-in, week-out basis.
Jamie: I still can’t trust Everton or any of their players. McNeil has a history of providing decent returns, and at his price, it is a viable option. He’s had back-to-back 120+ point seasons and double-digit goal involvements in each. McNeil should have been under consideration at the start of the campaign and especially now.
Wale: It was nice to see Everton supporters enjoy their first league victory, with Dwight McNeil (£5.6m) netting twice last weekend. But from an FPL perspective, McNeil is more of a short- to medium-term option, especially considering the favorable upcoming fixtures.
Four attacking returns for Dwight McNeil in his last three Gameweeks ⚽️🅰️⚽️⚽️
A favourable run of fixtures lies ahead for McNeil and the Toffees 🍬#FPL pic.twitter.com/O5Ip88jML3
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 30, 2024
With Son Heung-min on the sidelines, Brennan Johnson shined. Is the Welshman a better pick than his South Korean teammate?
Euan: Brennad Johnson (£6.4m) isn't a better pick than Son Heung-min (£9.9m), but Dominic Solanke (£7.6m) could become an option. Spurs has plenty of offensive firepower, but Solanke is the tip of the spear. The Englishman is £2.3m cheaper than his midfield teammate and will likely vacuum up more of Spurs' strikes this season.
Jamie: No. Spurs fans may point out that Johnson has scored in four consecutive games. However, two of those games were again Qarabag and Coventry City. Son has still scored more FPL points than Johnson despite missing their weekend game at Manchester United. Johnson is a solid, cheaper option, but, in a vacuum, Son is the one you want.
Wale: No. Son Heung-Min (£9.9m) remains Spurs’ most influential player, but with Brennan Johnson (£6.4m) on form and helping Tottenham to fight for a top-four finish. Johnson puts himself on a podium to shine over his other Spurs’ teammates.
Bryan Mbeumo scored his fifth goal of the season. Where does he rank among the sub £9.0m midfielders?
Euan: Right at the top of the list. Brentford has scored in the first minute of three consecutive Premier League games and isn't missing a beat without Ivan Toney or Yoanne Wissa. Bryan Mbeumo (£7.4m) is the Bee's talisman and should be in many more FPL squads.
Jamie: He was atop my list coming into the season and is staying there. Regular readers will know how much of a fan I am, and the number of times I’ve captained him will highlight that. Mbeumo is the focal point of Brentford’s attack and will remain a solid contributor.
Wale: Apart from Luis Diaz (£8.0m) and Morgan Rogers (£5.2m), Bryan Mbeumo is a popular choice among FPL managers due to his outstanding form and crucial role for Brentford. Why do I rate the Cameroonians highly? He’s easily among the top three options in his price bracket.
Who is keeping a clean sheet in Gameweek 7?
Euan: I'm backing Brentford to keep a clean sheet against Wolves this weekend. It took an Ibrahima Konate disaster class to get Wolves on the scoresheet last weekend, and that won't happen in back-to-back weekends. The Bees tame the Wolves in Gameweek 7.
Jamie: As you will know, I like to pick a team outside of the obvious (which is Manchester City and Arsenal this week). Brentford is my under-the-radar pick this week. Wolves have scored twice in their three away games, and their 2.16 xG (expected goals) away from home is the lowest in the league.
Wale: Manchester City has been unlucky in keeping things tight at the back, conceding in five of their last six games. However, with their next encounter against Fulham, I expect the Cityzens to keep a clean sheet this weekend.
What defensive player is providing attacking returns?
Euan: Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.5m) needs to buy Andy Robertson (£6.0m) a lunch to apologize for his point-blank miss on Saturday. The Scotsman flashed a dangerous cross in to the Wolves box, but his Hungarian teammate couldn't convert. That will be remedied this weekend as Robertson bags his first attacking return of the campaign.
Jamie: Leif Davis (£4.5m) was one of my favorite defensive options coming into this season, and he’s been an attacking threat recently. The left-back has had a shot in each of the last four games and his 22 shot-creating actions leads the team. It also leads all defenders. West Ham United’s 8.06 xGA (expected goals against) is a league-high. Davis is in a great spot to return a second goal involvement this season.
Wale: Rico Lewis (£4.7m) was brilliant in the midweek Champions League match, contributing an assist to Manchester City's 4-0 victory. Playing in an advanced midfield role, the Englishman has excellent potential to be explosive, and I’m backing him for attacking returns in Gameweek 7.
Erling Haaland ⚽️
Rico Lewis 🅰️Is that a combination you're hoping to see in @ManCity's Gameweek 7 fixture against Fulham? The pair just linked up in @ManCity's UEFA Champions League matchup...#FPL pic.twitter.com/GkwRHgW7ib
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 1, 2024
Who's a midfielder or forward rostered on less than 10 percent of teams that will grab us those FPL points?
Euan: Liam Delap (£5.6m) scored his second and third goals of the season against Aston Villa on Sunday. The Tractor Boys' frontman has produced at least 0.21 xG in three of his last four games. He faces a West Ham side that's conceded the fifth-most goals (10) this season.
Jamie: Gabriel Martinelli (£6.9m) scored his first goal of the season against Leicester, and you could see his relief at the celebration. In truth, he could have had a hat-trick in the first half. He’s also had an assist in each of the last two games. On only 3.3% of teams, Martinelli makes an excellent case for being one of the most transferred in players this week.
Wale: The Hammers have struggled to find a rhythm under new manager Julen Lopetegui and will need another victory to put an end to talks of his dismissal. West Ham's captain, Jarrod Bowen (£7.4m), might be a difference-maker when the London club hosts Ipswich Town this weekend. Bowen is my differential of the week.
Liam Delap is on the rise 📈
Are you considering the @IpswichTown forward following his brace in #FPL Gameweek 6?
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 2, 2024
Who is one player you want to have but can’t for the Gameweek 7 fixtures in Fantasy Premier League?
Euan: I'm becoming quite attached to getting Emile Smith Rowe (£5.8m) back in my side after I got rid of him on my Gameweek 4 Wildcard. The Fulham midfielder has three returns this season, but they all came at home. So it feels like I can skip him for one more week with a road contest versus Man City on the horizon.
Jamie: Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) has three goals and an assist this season. His only blanks came against Chelsea and Liverpool. We just saw Arsenal create umpteen chances against Leicester City, with Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) causing endless troubles down the Leicester left.
Semenyo is in a great spot to provide a solid return this week. Sadly for me, I need to jiggle around my defense this week due to injuries, and Bournemouth’s next three games are of no appeal.
Wale: Manchester United's 3-0 defeat last weekend highlighted major vulnerabilities in their defense. Aston Villa's striker, Ollie Watkins (£9.1m), who has scored four goals in his previous three Premier League games, looks set to take advantage of this. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough funds to bring the Englishman into my team.
Will Ollie Watkins make your team for Gameweek 7? 🤔
The @AVFCOfficial forward has attacking returns in his last three Gameweeks 🔥#FPL
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) October 1, 2024
Who’s getting the Captain’s armband?
Euan: Bukayo Saka (£10.1m) gets the armband for Gameweek 7. Southampton has looked all over the place since rejoining the top flight. Arsenal handled PSG easily on Tuesday evening, and a game versus Southampton should bring about four or five goals for the Gunners.
Jamie: I’m hoping that after a blank, many managers will look elsewhere, and captaining Erling Haaland (£15.3m) has a slight edge. Saka has a good chance of providing a nice points haul, so he’s also under consideration. But I’m likely going with Haaland.
Wale: It’s a tough decision with Saka, Palmer, and Salah, who are all in-form options to consider. However, with the next matchup against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, I’m giving the captain’s armband to Braut Erling Haaland (£15.3m) this week.
What’s your bold prediction for Gameweek 7?
Euan: Aston Villa beats Manchester United and is looking for a new manager over the international break. Five teams (Ipswich Town, Leicester, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Wolves) still haven't got in the win column this season, and that list remains at four after Gameweek 7.
Jamie: Whenever Erik ten Hag has needed a result, Manchester United seem to find a way to do it. With that in mind, I’m backing Rasmus Højlund (£6.9m) to fire United to a result, although it may still only be a draw.
Wale: Bukayo Saka delivers a brace for Arsenal against Southampton and becomes the new bandwagon. Cole Palmer (£10.7m) falls short of new fantasy managers’ expectations, contributing only an assist while West Ham secure their second Premier League win of the season.
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