By Caroly Kipkoech
There’s a mouthwatering set of fixtures for Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 2, as Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs have their first home games of the season and hence Manchester City assets should feature prominently on your shopping list ahead of the champions’ meeting with Ipswich Town.
Additionally, a Gameweek two squad should look to take advantage of Liverpool and Crystal Palace’s kind upcoming schedules.
Both clubs have three home matches in the next four Gameweeks, raising their potential for returns at both ends of the pitch in Fantasy.
BEST FPL TEAM AHEAD OF GAMEWEEK ONE
FORMATION: 3:4:3
GOAL KEEPER: Nick Pope
Pope spent a lot of last season out with a serious shoulder injury, that also ruled him out of the Euros. But he is back to fitness and is likely to keep plenty of clean sheets, especially with Newcastle almost back to full strength as well after their extensive injury woes last campaign. They also have a good run in in the next few weeks, with a trip to Bournemouth and Wolves either side of hosting Tottenham.
DEF: Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
Pedro Porro was the only defender to register an attacking return in Gameweek 1 after scoring against Leicester. Alexander-Arnold created two big chances in Liverpool’s first game under Arne Slot and popped up in advanced areas throughout the game. He’s expensive at £7m but could become indispensable before long. Ange Postecoglu’s men will be out to make an impression on Saturday against an Everton defence that looked shaky in Gameweek 1.
DEF: Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
Having opened his account with a clean sheet and a bonus point against Chelsea on Sunday, he has the pedigree to be one of the most attacking defenders in the game. Although when Rico Lewis starts on the opposite flank, it does mean a less advanced role for the Croatian. The fixture couldn’t be better, facing promoted Ipswich, who failed to register a big chance on Liverpool’s goal in Gameweek 1.
DEF: Antonee Robson (Fulham)
Antonee Robinson presents an intriguing differential option in defense for Gameweek 2. The Fulham left-back has caught the eye of many FPL managers. His high transfers in could be due to him being an ideal replacement for Quansah. Robinson’s attacking potential combined with Fulham’s solid home record makes him an attractive prospect.
MID: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was the top-performing fantasy asset last season but has yet to open his account for the 2024/25 campaign after a blank against champions Manchester City on Sunday. A trip to Wolves could be more fruitful for the penalty taker, with one goal in two appearances against them last season.
MID: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah has started the season well under new manager Arne Slot with a goal and assist in Gameweek 1. Despite being only third for goals scored (18) amongst midfielders, Salah posted impressive underlying numbers in 2023/24. No midfielder took more shots (114), landed more shots on target (56), or registered a higher xG (21.38) than the Egyptian international.
MID: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Diogo Jota impressed on the opening weekend, playing out of position as Liverpool’s number nine. He got on the scoresheet against Ipswich, having had three shots on goal, including two big chances. It was encouraging to see him play significant minutes in that game.
MID: Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)
Eze owners could count themselves hugely unfortunate to only get two points out of him in Gameweek 1. On another day he could have easily earned a double-digit haul given the quality of his performance. The England international attempted more shots (with seven) than any other player in the division on the opening weekend and that total doesn’t even include the sensational free-kick goal that was cruelly taken away from him. Oliver Glasner’s men take on West Ham at Selhurst Park on Saturday and now is probably a decent time to play the Hammers given they are in a period of transition after a busy summer.
FWD: Rodrigo Muniz
For managers looking for a less expensive forward option, Rodrigo Muniz is a solid option. His price is good and he scored nine goals and recorded two assists last year, bringing in 97 points. But he only started 18 times, and is expected to feature more this season. Fulham also have matches to come against Leicester, Ipswich and West Ham.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Man City) –
The Norwegian opened his account for the 2024/25 season with a well taken goal against Chelsea, the Golden Boot winner will be looking to add to his goal totals against newly promoted Ipswich at the Etihad. Only Palmer (16) scored more goals than Haaland (15) in home matches last season season, while only Isak (25) was afforded more ‘big chances’ in home matches than his 24.
FWD: Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Alexander Isak’s owners couldn’t properly scout his potential in Gameweek 1, with Fabian Schär’s red card in the 1-0 win against Southampton completely changing the momentum of play in that game. A trip to the South Coast could prove fruitful for Isak, though, as he scored 21 goals last season with penalties in his locker. Bournemouth conceded 14 shots on their goal in Gameweek 1 in the draw against Nottingham Forest.
