By Caroly Kipkoech
The English Premier League is back after a busy international break, this offers FPL managers a chance to continue competing in their mini leagues.
One of the most awaited fixtures is the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs whereas Saturday’s early kick-off match will see Manchester United travel to the South Coast to square it out with The Saints.
Reigning champions Manchester City will host Thomas Frank’s Brentford as high-flying Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
The Scout and Fantasy Premier League experts are providing managers with everything they need to know ahead of the Gameweek 4 deadline at 13:00 EAT on Saturday 14 September.
GOALKEEPER: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
The Brighton shot stopper made six saves and earned four points against the Gunners in Gameweek three. Verbruggen faces an Ipswich Town side whose 19 shots, 11 shots in the box and two big chances all rank bottom over the opening three Gameweeks.
DEF: Andy Robertson (Liverpool)
With Liverpool hosting Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Liverpool are a key defence to target having not conceded a single goal so far this season.
Robertson has the edge over fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, given that he has had two shots on target this season including one big chance. It’s perfectly viable to go for a FPL throwback with both of these players in your team given their current form.
DEF: Rico Lewis (Man City)
The budget defender has played 90 minutes in all three of Manchester City’s matches to date. An assist, a clean sheet and one bonus point highlight Lewis’ many routes to returns at home to the Bees on Saturday.
DEF: Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
Alexander-Arnold has been unlucky not to register any FPL attacking returns so far, no defender has created more chances (seven) or ‘big chances’ (three) than the right-back who is also top for ‘expected assists’
MID: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah has matched Haaland for FPL points (41) over the opening three Gameweeks, no midfielder has been afforded more ‘big chances’ (five) than the Egyptian international while only Saka (seven) has landed more shots on target than his six. He is also joint-top for ‘big chances’ created (four).
MID: Eberiche Eze (Crystal Palace)
Eze found the back of the net against Chelsea with a well placed strike from outside the box, over the opening three Gameweeks only Bournemouth’s Semenyo (17) has attempted more shots amongst midfielders than Eze’s (15).
Their visitors Leicester have conceded five goals so far with only Ipswich (seven), Wolves (nine) and Everton (10) faring worse.
MID: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)
After a truncated 2023/24 campaign due to injury, Mitoma has started the season strong under new manager Hurzler with a goal and assist over the opening three fixtures. Their opponents Ipswich have conceded seven goals with only Wolves (nine) and Everton (10) more porous. The newly promoted side trail only Everton (7.15) for xGC (6.93).
MID: Son Heung Min
The North London Derby looks to be a difficult fixture for Tottenham to manage on paper but they do have the home advantage in this game. Arsenal also have Declan Rice unavailable through suspension and Martin Odegaard sustained an ankle injury on international duty with Norway.
Son Heung-min has already scored a brace in his only home appearance this season which ended in a 4-0 win against Everton. He is the captain and talisman of this Tottenham side, with penalties in his locker.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Man City) – CAPTAIN
Haaland continued his good form with a goal over the international break for Norway, the 24-year-old is top amongst all players over the opening three Gameweeks for goals (seven), shots on target (10) and ‘Expected Goals’ (xG) (3.74).
Their visitors Brentford have conceded four goals and are yet to keep a clean sheet. The Bees are ranked 18th for shots conceded (51) with only West Ham (52) and Newcastle (55) faring worse.
FWD: Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
The Sweden International is the most-sold player ahead of Gameweek four. But with only one forward predicted to score more than him going into the weekend’s game, those fire sales look a little rash.
A goal and all three bonus points in the 2-1 win against Tottenham hasn’t slowed down the mass exodus, with his ownership potentially dropping under 40% before the deadline. Opponents Wolves have conceded nine goals from eight big chances on their goal – only Everton have a worse defensive record.
FWD: Danny Welbeck (Brighton)
The forward has blanked only once in his three outings under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, producing two goals, an assist and a team-high 21 points. Brighton’s visitors Ipswich have conceded 13 big chances, the joint-most over the first three Gameweeks of the new campaign.
