Welcome to FPL PAZ’s(Twitter) Best Matchups series, where I highlight the three best fixtures in each gameweek and the players to target in each fixture. The goal is to help managers look at the best matchups to exploit and the best players to target each gameweek. Let’s get into our FPL GW2 players to target and matchups blog!
Link to all our FPL GW2 blogs including fixtures to target, predicted 11, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer trends, and more. Completely free to access as well!
All chances created and conceded heatmap from FFScout
FPL GW2 Fixtures to Target
Manchester City vs. Bournemouth
Bookie Odds Total Goals: 3 ½
Manchester City Team Analysis
Manchester City got off to a flying start with a 2-0 win against West Ham in GW1. Offensively, what was interesting to note was the usage of fullbacks Joao Cancelo (£7.0) and Kyle Walker (£5.0), who tucked in ahead of the center backs to make a 2-3-5 formation. If this continues, we can see a different attacking dimension for these fullbacks, making them better fantasy assets. Defensively, Manchester City conceded changes out on the wings, given that is where their tucked-in fullbacks vacated the space.
Their GW2 fixture against Bournemouth is one of the best to target despite the Cherries shutting down Aston Villa in GW1. The Cherries hold the best defense out of the promoted sides, but as we have seen with Watford, Norwich, and others in the past good defensive output in the Championship does not translate to good defense output in the PL. With KDB, Haaland, Foden, Grealish, and Co. looking to get in on the fun, these attacking City players are the best to target in GW2.
Bournemouth Team Analysis
Bournemouth perhaps delivered the biggest upset in GW1 as they comfortably beat Aston Villa 2-0. Midfielder Marcus Tavernier (£5.0) was the main source of creativity for the Cherries as he finished the game with three chances created. Defensively, Bournemouth was compact inviting Aston Villa’s pressure as the heatmap of their Chances Conceded is pretty balanced. This could spell trouble against Manchester City in GW2 as they will be on the front foot all game if Bournemouth invites the pressure. I expect this to be the case, making it hard to trust any Cherries’ fantasy assets.
Players to Target in FPL GW2 from the Man City vs Bournemouth Fixture(Ranked)
- Erling Haaland (£11.6): He could not have started his Manchester City career any better with two goals and a 13-point haul. Now, he faces a newly promoted side that he figures to be one of the top captain options.
- Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0): He started the season strong with 1 amazing assist to Haaland. Could have had more, but looking ahead, I see no signs of slowing down. Expect the KDB t to Haaland connection to be in full swing against Bournemouth.
- Joao Cancelo (£7.0): It could be just against West Ham, but he played in a tucked-in position in a bit of a 2 3 5 formation. BPS magnet as he received a yellow card but still came back with two bonus points. He should be more involved in the attack against weaker teams.
- Phil Foden (£8.0): As nailed as you can be under Pep Guardiola. Can play on the left, right, and middle. Role when playing on the wings is about feeding balls to Haaland, which Foden almost connected in the first half. Manchester City could go wild against Bournemouth, so having another cheaper attacker like Foden gives managers massive upside.
- Jack Grealish (£7.0): Finished the game with the second most xG showing his improvement under the Pep System. Pep signings usually flourish in their second season, and Grealish can take a step in that direction with a Haul against Bournemouth.
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Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
Bookie Odds Total Goals: 3
Liverpool Team Analysis
Liverpool uncharacteristically came out flat against Fulham in GW1, leading to an opening day tie. On attack, it was the same old for Liverpool as their chances were mostly generated from the Right Flank by Alexander-Arnold and Salah. Defensively, Liverpool was exposed down the middle with Mitrovic using his physicality to create chances. Liverpool will now regroup and face a Crystal Palace team that just got shut out at home against Arsenal. Arsenal created chances down the middle against Crystal Palace, making it more likely that new signing Darwin Nuñez will get his first Liverpool league start. With Liverpool wanting to put on a bounce-back performance in their home opener, this match against Crystal Palace is one of the best fixtures to target in GW2.
Crystal Palace Team Analysis
Crystal Palace was a bit unlucky not to score against Arsenal as they finished the game with an xG of 1.21. On Attack, Crystal Palace relied heavily on the creativity of Eze and Zaha, who looked lively and made the Arsenal defense suffer until the end. On the defensive end, Palace was good at being compact, and Arsenal was just able to convert by attacking down the middle. Against Liverpool, Crystal Palace will have to time their runs in behind Liverpool’s backline to have a chance of scoring truly. Defensively, Palace will have to avoid conceding silly set pieces as last season and GW1 this season showed that Palace could not defend a set piece. Overall, I expect a dominating bounce-back Liverpool win, making their assets key to target in GW2.
Players to Target in FPL GW2 from the Liverpool vs Palace Game(Ranked)
- Mohamed Salah (£13.0): The King of FPL showed what he could do in GW1 with 1 goal, 1 assist, and a 12-point haul. Faces a stingy Palace defense, but Salah is still one of the best captain options despite the quick emergence of Erling Haaland.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5): Disappointing start of the season for TAA as he was at fault for the first goal. He also lacked his attacking prowess finishing the game with a disappointing 0.09 xGI. He should bounce back against Crystal Palace and show why he is the most expensive defender in the game.
- Andrew Robertson (£7.0): A disappointing start for Robertson as his overlapping runs did not result in FPL points. There were a few instances in which he had a license to roam around the opposition box, leaving spaces behind him. Still backing the Liverpool fullbacks to get back into the attacking threat they are known to be.
- Darwin Nuñez (£9.0): The new kid on the block, Nuñez, has been sensational for Liverpool to start the season. Grabbed a goal and an assist both in GW1 and the Community Shield. Hard to fit him into most team structures, but he should start in GW2, giving managers a risky decision whether to go for him.
- Luis Diaz (£8.0): He looked lively, had a goal ruled out, and hit the post on another occasion. The emergence of Nuñez pushes Diaz down the pecking order, but he is still an explosive option worth having in this fixture.
Arsenal vs. Leicester City
Bookie Odds Total Goals: 3
Arsenal Team Analysis
Arsenal started the season with a massive win away at Crystal Palace. Offensively, the new additions of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus made an immediate impact linking up with Left Wing Gabriel Martinelli and creating chances down the left flank. Defensively, Arsenal conceded the chances down the middle for most of their xGC of 1.21 against Crystal Palace. Against Leicester City, Arsenal should be able to create more clear-cut chances, and their attack led by Saka, Martinelli, and Jesus should be players to target in GW2.
Leicester City Team Analysis
Leicester played a game of two halves against Brentford with goals in the first half and the first minute of the second half. However, after scoring the second goal, the Leicester defense fell apart, conceding multiple chances and two goals. The Chances they conceded were mainly on the right flank, which bodes well for Saka owners in GW2. Offensively, Leicester attacked Brentford via a steady dose of Maddison long shot and Tielemans pulling the strings. Against Arsenal, Leicester will play a more counterattacking game, making their assets such as Jamie Vardy interesting options in GW2.
Players to Target in FPL GW2 from the Arsenal vs Leicester Fixture(Ranked)
- Gabriel Martinelli (£6.1): A bright spot in the Arsenal attack. He should have had two goals against Crystal Palace. One of the best value players in the game is an excellent buy ahead of GW2.
- Gabriel Jesus (£8.0): Unlucky not to come away with at least an assist against Crystal Palace after Martinelli missed from close range. A bit underwhelming underlying stat with an xGI of 0.23. He still passed the eye test and should be heavily involved in leading the lines for Arsenal in GW2.
- Bukayo Saka (£8.0): Delivered an attacking return creating Crystal Palace’s own goal. He is emerging as the most trustworthy £8.0 option given his good fixtures, nailedness, and most likely being on penalties.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.1): Easily one of the best players against Crystal Palace. Brought a different dimension to the Arsenal attack and defense. He should continue to start and could move to midfield once Tierney has better fitness.
- Jamie Vardy (£9.5): One of the many forwards with attacking returns in GW1. He loves scoring against Arsenal, with 11 goals against the Gunners. Leicester will rely on counterattacks against Arsenal playing into Vardy’s strength.
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