FPL GW2 Watchlist – Stand Out Players Who Impressed in GW1

Welcome to our new blog series – FPL Eye-Catchers/watchlist, where we’ll be discussing about some players that caught our eye during the last gameweek (GW) & who we believe should be a good bet going forwards as well. Rather than dive in on the players that everyone is targeting (bandwagon syndrome) based only on returns, we’ll try to identify players based on the past GW(s) performance(s) as well as their upcoming fixtures & opposition’s weaknesses. Some might already have had huge hauls & some might have been unlucky. Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah are obvious picks after their GW1 form, so we’ll try to focus on other players who are capable of having hauls going forward. Only the next 2 fixtures are considered owing to the international break after GW3.

After a long wait for the 2021/22 season to get started, the opening GW didn’t disappoint. Hope you all had a flying start to the season. An average score of 69 signifies just how good GW1 went for most FPL managers. Many crossed the 100-point barrier as well. But do not get disheartened if you scored below 100 points or less than the average. Remember that this is just the 1^st GW of the season. 37 more GWs remain & massive rank rises are still possible if you remain composed. The most interesting aspect was that most of the template players scored well in the same GW, which is rare. So, use your ‘valuable’ free transfers sensibly.

FPL GW2 Player Watchlist based on their GW1 Performance

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) – 5.5m mid, 1.2% owned

GW1 performance : 3 points

We might already have our best out-of-position (OOP) player in the 1^st GW of the season. Mbeumo played alongside Ivan Toney as part of a front 2. Toney dropped deep to hold up play & Mbeumo played the attacking striker role. He was unlucky not to score twice in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal, as he had two brilliant chances to score – one effort clipped the right post & then after going past 2 defenders hit the shot wide of the post. They might change to a 4-3-3 formation from 3-5-2 against lesser teams, but he is definitely worth a punt.

• Penalty area touches – 9 (highest in the match alongside Pepe, 5^th most in GW1)
• Goal attempts in box – 2
• Hit woodwork – 1
• Chances created – 1

Next 2 fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Aston Villa (A)

Brentford play with an attacking mentality & Mbeumo will definitely fancy his chance of getting involved in the goals. The next 2 fixtures could be similar to the one against Arsenal. Crystal Palace (new manager) & Aston Villa (new players), in GW2 & GW3 respectively, are sides that could take time to gel & adjust tactically, as evident from their GW1 performances. Both opponents will try to play attacking football at home, which enables Brentford to press & counter-attack.

Further Read: FPL GW2 Transfer Trends Analysis | Popular Transfer Combinations

Saïd Benrahma (West Ham United) – 6m mid, 9.4% owned

GW1 performance: 12 points (1 goal, 1 assist)

West Ham started the new season in style with a thumping 4-2 win over Newcastle. They picked up from where they left off last season as one of the best-attacking teams. Michail Antonio (7.5m) is the third most selected forward in the game. Against Newcastle United Benrahma played the Lingard role playing behind Antonio, but he ended up being the most advanced West Ham player. His positioning was excellent & played more centrally as well compared to the West Ham no. 9.

Antonio might have been the most influential player in the match & he is close to being a must-own pick, but at 1.5m less & 9% ownership, Benrahma might be the punt that everyone should keep an eye on if we need to shift money from the midfield to the forward line to target the likes of Kane or Lukaku. Benrahma could very well match Antonio’s points as well. If Lingard arrives at West Ham this might change, but until then he is definitely a good prospect.

• Penalty area touches – 6
• Goal attempts – 3
• Shots on Target – 1
• Big chances created – 1

Next 2 fixtures: Leicester City (H), Crystal Palace (H)

Based on the GW1 performance, West Ham players should be confident enough to repeat the same against Leicester (GW2) & Palace (GW3) at home. In front of the fans, Benrahma & Antonio could trouble the foxes defence & should find spaces behind Amartey or Vestergaard easily. Also, Crystal Palace are still yet to settle on a defensive CB partnership.

Further Read: FPL Gameweek 2 Analysis- Players to Buy | Hold | Sell Ahead of FPL GW2

Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) – 7.5m mid, 8.9% owned

GW1 performance: 8 points (1 goal)

Manchester was red this Saturday and what a performance it was by Manchester United to thrash Leeds United 5-1, even though United scored 5 goals with an xG of only 1.47! Pogba with 4 assists & Bruno Fernandes with his hattrick ran the show. However, Greenwood was the real menace for the defenders who struggled to catch up with his positional play. He played OOP as a striker & enabled Bruno & Pogba to find the spaces. He was also the 2^nd most advanced player (after Daniel James). Interestingly, he took 2 corners as well!

Pogba’s performance on the left-wing might keep Anthony Martial on the bench again. But even if Martial plays, Pogba would most probably drop into deep midfield instead of Fred or McTominay. With Jadon Sancho primed to start the next match on the right, Greenwood could remain as the striker interchanging positions with Martial during the match.

• Penalty area touches – 2
• Goal attempts – 3
• Shots on target – 2
• Big Chances created – 1

Even though the stats are not too enticing, he definitely passed the eye test.

Next 2 fixtures: Southampton (A), Wolves (A)

Greenwood at 7.5m is a brilliant attacking option & is possibly the best asset to own in the 7m – 8.5m category. Southampton (GW2) might try to play attacking in their 1^st game at home, which bodes well for Greenwood & Co. to utilize their counter-attacking abilities (remember what Spurs did to them last season!). Wolves (GW3) defended well in their first game, but at home, they could try to play expansively as well.

Further Read: Gameweek 1: Fantasy Premier League Detailed Review

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) – 8m forward, 12.5% owned

Everton clinched a 3-1 victory over Southampton, after some inspired 2^nd half display. Richarlison was key to unlocking the Saints defence and DCL sealed the win with a predatory finish. DCL played like a real fox in the box & was unlucky not to get double figures. Everton crossed the ball into the box at will & this will surely be a tactic that Rafa Benitez carries forward to complement the strengths of DCL. He is the perfect target man for the crossing abilities of Digne, Richarlison & Coleman.

• Penalty area touches – 6
• Goal attempts in box – 5
• Headed goal attempts – 3
• Shots on target – 2

Next 2 fixtures: Leeds (A), Brighton (A)

DCL will face Leeds (GW2) next, most probably again without the influential Diego Llorente as CB. Leeds conceded 3 big chances & the most chances through the centre (8) in GW1. Brighton (GW3) conceded the most headed goal attempts in GW1, which is what DCL thrives on.

All stats & heatmaps are courtesy of Fantasy Football Hub & SofaScore respectively.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL GW2:

Gameweek 1: Fantasy Premier League Detailed Review
FPL Gameweek 2 Analysis- Players to Buy | Hold | Sell Ahead of FPL GW2
FPL GW2 Transfer Trends Analysis | Popular Transfer Combinations
FPL GW1 Scout Notes: Southampton, Barnes, Norwich Under the Lens
FPL Gameweek 2: Three Fixtures to target for FPL Points

Also check out our Rules and Basics Guide, FPL Chip Strategy, FPL Chips, FPL Team reveals, FPL History, team reveals, FPL Tools here.

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What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL Gameweek 2?

We’ll be covering Gameweek one eye test analysis and review, fixture analysis, players to watch out for in FPL Gameweek 2, differential picks, captaincy metrics, transfer trend analysis, expected line up, press conference summaries, Buy, hold, sell analysis for FPL gameweek two, our expert panel team reveals and more. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs and subscribe to our free newsletter through the link below. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts so follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook keep our notification ON.

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