Fantasy Premier League

FPL long view: Plan ahead for Chelsea and Spurs' dream fixtures

17 Aug 2023

The Scout explains why Fantasy managers should consider saving a transfer in Gameweeek 2

While Fantasy Premier League managers can make immediate improvements to their squad ahead of Gameweek 2 and target this weekend's fixtures, it is also important to look beyond the next round of matches and plan ahead.

Saving the free transfer in Gameweek 2 would give managers two free transfers for Gameweek 3, enabling them to capitalise on the very favourable fixture runs for both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

The Scout picks out the key players to consider from each club.

Tottenham Hotspur

A home encounter with Manchester United in Gameweek 2 allows managers the chance to assess Spurs' players before investing.

But after that, according to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), each of Spurs' subsequent three matches scores only two.

Spurs’ schedule GW3-GW5

GW	Opponent	FDR
3	BOU (A)	2
4	BUR (A)	2
5	SHU (H)	2

James Maddison (£7.5m) has quickly emerged as the go-to target from Spurs in the first season of their post-Harry Kane era.

The playmaker supplied both assists in their 2-2 draw at Brentford in Gameweek 1 and looks set to be a key figure for new head coach Ange Postecoglou.

Maddison's first assist v Brentford

Cuti getting our first @premierleague goal of 23/24! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Piy3qJaEHw
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 13, 2023

Maddison created six chances against the Bees, whereas no other Spurs player managed more than one.

The summer signing also dominated set-piece duties, taking all six of his side’s corners.

Kane’s departure has also boosted the appeal of Richarlison (£7.0m) as an “out of position” prospect in Fantasy.

Listed as a midfielder in FPL, the Brazilian played as a centre-forward last weekend.

While Maddison looks the likeliest attacker to profit from the run of fixtures against AFC Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheffield United, Richarlison can also thrive as the focal point of Postecoglou’s attack-minded side.

In defence, Destiny Udogie (£4.5m) appears to be the more secure of the two full-backs.

Although Emerson Royal (£4.5m) started and scored in Gameweek 1, he has tough competition from Pedro Porro (£5.0m) for the right-back berth.

Porro certainly has more attacking potential if he can secure a regular role, but Udogie could be the smart pick at a cost of just £4.5m.

See: FPL experts: Who are the best defenders to target?

Chelsea

Ben Chilwell’s (£5.6m) assist and seven points against Liverpool last weekend has already made a major impact in the Fantasy transfer market.

The England international is the most-bought defender in the Gameweek, collecting over 380,000 new owners for the Blues’ trip to West Ham United.

See: Chilwell can fix FPL managers' defensive issues

Chelsea’s subsequent schedule suggests a double-up or even triple-up on their key players can pay off.

According to the FDR, five of their six matches from Gameweek 3 score only two.

Chelsea’s GW3-GW8 schedule

GW	Opponent	FDR	GW	Opponent	FDR
3	LUT (H)	2	6	AVL (H)	3
4	NFO (H)	2	7	FUL (A)	2
5	BOU (A)	2	8	BUR (A)	2

Doubling up at the back with Chilwell and Reece James (£5.5m) could be the most productive tactic, with both capable of huge hauls.

Managers could get a better idea of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-choice defence if they monitor Sunday's match against West Ham and then make their move in Gameweek 3.

The Argentinian used a wing-back set-up against Liverpool but is expected to mainly operate with the 4-2-3-1 formation he favoured while in charge of Spurs.

See: The advantages of starting FPL in Gameweek 2

If Levi Colwill can retain a starting spot, his cost of £4.5m could offer a significant saving for those managers who are perhaps deterred by James’ injury history.

Should Colwill drop out and Pochettino opts for Thiago Silva and Axel Disasi (both £5.0m) as his centre-backs in a four-man defence, new goalkeeper Robert Sanchez (£4.5m) may be the value target instead.

In attack, summer signing Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) will be a popular pick if he can settle quickly.

The forward’s four shots and four shots in the box were both twice the total of any team-mate against Liverpool.

Furthermore, Jackson’s three big chances were joint-top among all players in the opening round of matches, highlighting his appeal at a cost of just £7.0m.