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The 2019/20 Premier League season is well and truly underway and the transfer market has already gone into overdrive with many managers activating their wildcards. Price rises and falls have been aplenty and it is important to recognize the early season standout performers to get an early lead in your mini leagues.
With that in mind, I have focused this week’s picks primarily on attackers, and all of these are good long-term selections for your squad as well as potentially explosive picks for GW 3.
1) Raheem Sterling (Bou)
Sterling has started the season on fire and looks to be Manchester City’s main goal threat as Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero both battle for game time in the striker position. The Englishman is arguably the only ‘essential’ player in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and a visit to the South coast is all the invitation you need to jump on if you haven’t already.
No player has scored more goals than Sterling’s four and no midfielder has taken more shots than his 10, all of which were in the box. He also leads the way for ‘big chances’ (five) and shots on target (SoT) (6). City’s early dominance is exhibited in their attacking stats.
The champions top the table for goals scored (7), shots (44), shots in the box (SiB) (32), SoT (19) and ‘big chances’ (9). Although Bournemouth have conceded only two goals thus far, the fact they are ranked third worst for goal attempts allowed (30) indicates they have been fortunate thus far.
Only West Ham (10) have allowed opponents more ‘big chances’ than their six. One of the best captaincy options this week, Sterling deserves to be in your squad.
2) Harry Kane (NEW)
Kane had a difficult game against Man City, mustering only one shot. Despite this, he is still ranked second for shots amongst forwards with nine, trailing only Teemu Pukki (10). His tally of two goals is only beaten by Ashley Barnes (three) and Pukki (four).
He also created two chances, and ranks fourth amongst forwards for creativity. Spurs have scored five goals so far, with only Liverpool (6) and Man City (7) faring better and only the defending champions have managed more shots (44) than their 34. Newcastle appear to be in disarray and shipped three goals to Norwich in their last game.
The Magpies have conceded four goals so far and are ranked fifth bottom for SoT conceded (10). Only West Ham (10), Bournemouth (6) and Villa (6) have allowed opponents more ‘big chances’ than their five. Possibly the standout captain option this week, Kane can be backed to deliver.
3) Mason Mount (NOR)
One of the first names on the team sheet for Derby under Frank Lampard last season, Mount has emerged as the frontrunner for the No 10 role in Lampard’s Chelsea, seeing out competition from Ross Barkley. He got on the scoresheet against Leicester in gameweek two and his total of seven shots is third highest amongst midfielders and only Sterling (10) has landed more SoT than his five.
He also has a creative aspect to his game and has created five chances, with only seven midfielders bettering that number. Although Chelsea have disappointed defensively, their attacking numbers are impressive. Their total of 32 shots can only be beaten by Spurs (34) and Man City (44) and only three teams (Norwich 13, Liverpool 13 and Man. City 19) have landed more Shots on Target than their 12.
Their opponents, Norwich, have conceded five goals, the same number as the Blues and only West Ham (6) have conceded more. They allowed opponents 27 shots, the fifth worst in the league and have conceded five ‘big chances’ with only Bournemouth, Villa and West Ham faring worse. Their total of 21 SiB conceded is the fourth worst In the league, with only West Ham (22), Villa (25) and Spurs (26) more obliging. The stats indicate that the encounter at Carrow Road will be a goalfest and Mount should be involved.
4) Anthony Martial (CRY)
Martial made it two goals in two games with his strike against Wolves and the Frenchman seems to be relishing the role up front this season. An ‘out of position’ FPL asset is always a tempting prospect and the Frenchman trails only Sterling for goals amongst midfielders.
His five SIB is ranked sixth amongst midfielders and only three have landed more SoT (Sterling, Mount and John McGinn). The Red Devils are back at Old Trafford this gameweek and the atmosphere is likely to be electric given their strong start to the season and last home performance against Chelsea. Only Liverpool (6) and Man City (7) have scored more goals than the Red Devils’ five and they have created a chance every 9.5 minutes.
They have landed four SoT thus far and fashioned four ‘big chances’. Palace have had a woeful start to the season, and are the only Premier League team yet to score. Although they have conceded just one goal, they have allowed opponents 25 shots which indicates that they have been very fortunate. Their total of 17 SiB conceded is the seventh worst in the league, and some regression can be expected. One of the most transferred in players this week, the Frenchman is a great long term pick for your squad.
5) Teemu Pukki (CHE)
The first bandwagon of the 2019/20 season, Pukki is the most transferred in player this week after his hattrick against Newcastle. The Championship player of the year has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, scoring all four of Norwich’s goals thus far.
His seven SiB, six of which were on target, was top across all players in gameweek two. He also tops the table for shots, tied with Sterling on 10. Only David McGoldrick, Agüero (three each) and Sterling (five) have been afforded more than Pukki’s two ‘big chances’ amongst forwards this season.
Norwich’s underlying numbers indicate that their goal scoring exploits are no fluke. They are ranked third for SiB with 20, a number beaten only by Burnley (21) and Man City (32). Chelsea’s defensive frailities have already been touched upon and the Finn will surely be relishing the prospect of going up against the unsettled Blues’ backline.
