Disclaimer:- This watchlist is not exhaustive, and is based on the players I am considering for my own FPL team only. It contains stats that I find useful from both FPL, and from the Sky Fantasy Football game, as I find achieving the bonus tier targets in Sky is indicitive of potential bonus point accumulation in FPL.
Goalkeepers
De Gea – The top scoring GK for GW1 with 10 points, but had very little to do in GW2 with only the single save to add to his previous weeks 7. A top drawer strike from Neves cost Utd what looked to be a relatively comfortable clean sheet on the night, so it remains to be seen if he can keep picking up the saves and bonus points that looked such a certainty after the first week. However, with the defence in front of him already looking much more solid this season, De Gea has the fixtures to pull in a few more all important clean sheets.
Next 4 fixtures: CRY, sou, LEI, whu
Ryan – Like De Gea, Ryan was more or less a bystander in GW2 as Brighton were unlucky not to pick up the win against W Ham. Will continue to monitor whether he’s in the running for bonus points whenever Brighton manage to pick up a clean sheet. Decent fixtures either side of Man City in the next four.
Next 4 fixtures: SOU, mci, BUR, new
Defenders
Wan-Bissaka – No clean sheet this week, but ‘Spidey’ continues to rack up those defensive stats. Another 7 successful tackles for a second consecutive Tier 2 tackle bonus, plus a Tier 2 passing bonus, already puts him out in front for having earned the most bonus points of anyone in the Sky game. This seems to translate well to the BPS system in FPL too. Had it not been for a late booking, he probably would have found himself in the bonus points yet again, despite Utd conceding. If United keep a clean sheet, bonuses are almost a certainty for AWB.
Next 4 fixtures: CRY, sou, LEI, whu
Emerson – An eye test add to the watchlist last week, and remains on the list courtesy of his attacking stats. Chelsea look far from solid at the back, but no defender has more shots on goal (4), SoT (3), or shots in the box (3) than the Chelsea left-back. Also picked up 3 successful tackles for a Tier 1 bonus in GW2, so isn’t shirking on defensive duties either.
Next 4 fixtures: nor, SHU, wol, LIV
(New) Lundstram – There’s nothing better in FPL than finding a regularly playing 4.0m defender, until you find one thats been seriously mis-classified! John Lundstram is, and always has been a central midfielder, so his defender classification is an absolute gift to FPL managers (Sky managers weren’t so lucky). And not only that, he’s already amassed a goal, clean sheet, 4 bonus points, and Tier 1 tackle bonus. Could be this years ultimate value pick.
Next 4 fixtures: LEI, Che, SOU, eve
Midfielders
Pedro – After 4 goal attempts and 5 chances created for the Spaniard In GW1, he was far less effective against Leicester in GW2. Still seems to be the main creative force at Chelsea, so will continue to monitor him during the next two fixtures. However, he is in danger of losing his spot on the watchlist to teammate Mason Mount, who picked up a goal, Tier 2 SoT bonus, and comes in at 0.9m cheaper.
Next 4 fixtures: nor, SHU, wol, LIV
Martial – United’s new no.9 has been listed out of position as a midfielder, so gets an extra point for a clean sheet and each goal scored. So with 2 goals in 2 games this season, it’s no surprise to see that he’s already risen 0.2 in price to 7.7m. Over the first two GWs, Rashford slightly has the edge on him for goal attempts (6 to 5), but the Frenchman leads the way in terms of SoT (3), and SiB (3). Once again proved how clinical he can be in front of goal, scoring from the single chance afforded to him by a deep lying Wolves defense.
Next 4 fixtures: CRY, sou, LEI, whu
McGinn – Well & truly passed the eye-test with an all action display against Spurs, picking a goal and Tier 2 tackle bonus with 5 successful tackles. Constantly breaking forward to join the attack, his shoot on sight policy means he was 2nd only to Teemu Pukki for goal atempts (6) in GW2, picking up a Tier 2 SoT bonus in the process. With a reasonable fixture run between GW3-9, he could be an interesting option at just 5.6m.
Next 4 fixtures: EVE, cry, WHU, ars
(New) Mane – I realise that I already have three Liverpool players in my team, but what a return to the starting lineup for Sadio Mane! A goal, an assist, and 3 bonus points, contributed to a total of 13 points in the GW for the Liverpool midfielder. His underlying stats weren’t bad either, posting 5 key passes and Tier 1 bonus for both SoT and tackles, earning him the Sky MoM. Not an immediate consideration while owning Salah, but will definitely have a decision to make between the two when playing the wildcard in a few weeks time.
Next 4 fixtures: ARS, bur, NEW, che
Forwards
Kane – Had the most touches in the box & fired off twice as many shots than any other forward in GW1, with both his SoT resulting in goals. As expected, City at the Etihad in GW2 provided a much sterner test. Despite Spurs scoring 2 and escaping with a draw, Kane was barely involved. It’s not very often he’ll finish a game with zero SoT and only a single touch in the box, but no harm done as I can see City restricting more than a few top strikers this season. Has the perfect home fixture against a dreadful Newcastle side up next to get his underlying numbers back on track.
Next 4 fixtures: NEW, ars, CRY, lei
Jota – Not a single shot on target in two games. Couldn’t escape the shackles of AWB on Monday night, and left his shooting boots at home with a few missed opportunities in GW1. Should have done better with his 3 attempts then, but I’ve seen enough to back him to get goals this season if he continues to be provided with similar chances. However, I will replace him on the watchlist if the Europa League continues to be a drain on his output, as there’s a few strikers around that price point that will be of interest in the coming weeks (e.g. Ashley Barnes from GW5).
Next 4 fixtures: BUR, eve, CHE, cry
(New) Pukki – Despite having my doubts, I can’t not add Teemu Pukki to the watchlist following his hat-trick this week. In his first two games in the Premier League, he’s already jumped straight to the top of the rankings after scoring 4 goals and 4 bonus points. Nobody has taken more than his 10 goal attempts (all from inside the box), 7 SoT, and his 3 key passes is 2nd for all forwards. At only 6.7m, he’s being touted as this season’s Jimenez, but I feel the next few fixtures will show us whether he can actually live up to that mantle. I like to take a wait and see approach on players from promoted sides, so with Chelsea and City to play in the next three games, GW6 seems a far better entry point than rushing in now.
Next 4 fixtures: CHE, whu, MCI, bur
(New) Rashford – He’s practically matching Martial stat for stat, picking up 2 goals and an assist, despite playing off the left. Martial is certainly the preferred pick between the two given his cheaper price and the extra points gained from his OOP classification. However, it seems Rashford is countering that through his ability to pick up bonus points. He’s already picked up 4 compared to Martial’s zero, and currently sits 4th overall in the BPS system (level with explosive Raheem Sterling). This may not warrant the extra 1.0m in outlay long-term, but my current team structure means he’s more of a consideration than the Frenchman at this stage, especially after Pogba’s miss means he may now also be on penalties full-time.
Next 4 fixtures: CRY, sou, LEI, whu
