Spurs out, Arsenal in, 3-4-3 + Mbeumo replacements

Our team of celebrated writers and esteemed guest contributors are delving into the world of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in the 2023/24 season. This time, we have the privilege of presenting the weekly Q&A session with none other than Zophar, a seven-time top 10k finisher. Throughout the season, our writers will be supplying a plethora of articles, exclusively available to Premium Members. To secure your spot, you can register by clicking here. Remember, once you become a member, the price is locked in for good, as long as you maintain your subscription.

Q: Should I replace James Maddison or Son Heung-min with Bukayo Saka? (via pon_vs)

A: Arsenal is causing quite the stir, as they embark on a favorable run of fixtures over the next eight Gameweeks. However, we must not overlook the Newcastle United away fixture nestled between two enticing home matches against Sheffield United and Burnley. Before we delve into the Arsenal assets, it’s important to discuss Tottenham Hotspur, a team many are considering parting ways with. James Maddison (£8.1m) has proven to be a consistent and trustworthy asset since Gameweek 1, while Son Heung-min (£9.5m) has emerged as a genuine Golden Boot contender now that he operates as a forward in an attacking Spurs side. Spurs have no midweek cup ties for at least the next four months and currently sit at the top of the league. Although their fixtures toughen up a bit, the positive buzz surrounding the Lilywhites leads me to believe they will continue to find the back of the net. And whenever they score, you can expect Son, Maddison, or both to be involved in gaining points. So, let the fixtures not sway you; Spurs’ attacking assets are excellent choices for FPL.

If you are on a Wildcard, I understand the inclination to explore teams with better fixtures and potentially higher ceilings. However, I would still advise against getting rid of Son. In my opinion, the South Korean is the third-best attacking asset in the game, only surpassed by Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.8m). I would even rate Son as a superior FPL choice compared to Bukayo Saka (£8.5m). I comprehend the desire to offload Maddison, as he might not be as explosive as Son, but he will still yield returns, albeit fewer double-digit scores. If you’re not on a Wildcard, I wouldn’t take a hit to acquire Saka for Maddison, or even trade Son for Saka with a free transfer, primarily due to the Newcastle fixture in Gameweek 11. Arsenal’s run from Gameweek 12 onwards is much more promising, and by that point, we would have witnessed how Spurs perform against slightly tougher opponents such as Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Q: Should I opt for a double Arsenal defense or midfield? (via @General_Zod_PE1)

A: Arsenal ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of expected goals (xG), but they are among the top three in terms of expected goals conceded (xGC). This suggests that Mikel Arteta has adjusted their style to establish control in games. In terms of attack, Saka is the obvious choice, while the other option would be either Gabriel Martinelli (£7.7m) or Gabriel Jesus (£7.9m). Jesus sustained a minor injury in the midweek game against Sevilla, and the severity of it remains uncertain, although the striker himself believes it’s not too serious. Jesus’ availability greatly impacts Martinelli, as the latter doesn’t perform as effectively when Eddie Nketiah (£5.5m) leads the line. If Jesus is sidelined for an extended period, Martinelli loses his appeal for me. Personally, I lean towards opting for a double defense, but there’s a catch. While Gabriel Magalhaes (£4.7m) offers great value, William Saliba (£5.2m) doesn’t possess much upside, and I find it hard to trust Oleksandr Zinchenko (£4.9m) to consistently start with Arsenal playing three games a week. Ben White (£5.6m) is also a stretch, considering the need for funds in attack.

Q: Which player would intimidate you the most as a non-owner in Gameweek 10? (via @Abbad99)

A: Given that Chris Wood (£4.9m) had seven shots against Luton Town last Saturday, Ollie Watkins (£8.3m) would be the player that concerns me. While he hasn’t historically been a terrifying asset, delivering one return per match, something has changed in recent Gameweeks. Watkins has become more central, taking far more shots and displaying a more self-centered side to his game. With Aston Villa consistently scoring three or more goals at home, his potential for a high ceiling has significantly increased. He’s a legitimate option for captaincy this week, and I’m currently devising a plan to bring him into my squad.

Q: Who are the best replacements for Bryan Mbeumo under £6.7m? (via VALAR(KEITH))

A: In that price range, the top options are Moussa Diaby (£6.7m), Kaoru Mitoma (£6.5m), Pedro Neto (£5.8m), Anthony Gordon (£5.6m), James Ward-Prowse (£6.3m), Tomas Soucek (£4.9m), and Cole Palmer (£5.0m). Simon Adingra (£5.0m) has also been mentioned, but I struggle to trust Roberto De Zerbi, even considering his limited options. Diaby is a good pick with favorable fixtures in the short term, although the schedule toughens up a bit from Gameweek 14 onwards. He was deployed in a more central role a few Gameweeks ago but played slightly wider against West Ham United, focusing on a creative position rather than a goal-scoring one. Nevertheless, he remains a solid investment given the fixtures and minimal risk of rotation.

Mitoma would likely be my choice among the aforementioned players. He was rested during the international break, and Brighton and Hove Albion have a free midweek between Gameweeks 10 and 11 due to their Carabao Cup elimination. Therefore, we should expect him to start in all games until the next international break. However, from Gameweek 13 onwards, Brighton faces a tough schedule, with no midweek breaks between Gameweeks 13 and 17. Gameweek 15 even features a midweek league fixture. Despite limited options, De Zerbi isn’t afraid to experiment, and we might see some rotation around that time. Nonetheless, I still prefer Mitoma over Diaby, as he serves as more of a talisman for his team.

Ward-Prowse/Soucek: Ward-Prowse has been playing deeper in recent matches, with Soucek granted more freedom to move forward. As it stands, it seems that set-pieces will be the primary source of points for Ward-Prowse, which is somewhat off-putting. Soucek’s starting position might be under threat, as there have been calls to have Lucas Paqueta (£6.0m) take up the no.10 position that Soucek currently occupies, with Mohammed Kudus (£6.5m) playing on the left. With easier fixtures on the horizon, it’s possible that David Moyes might experiment with this setup.

Neto/Gordon: Both of these options are excellent picks and significantly cheaper than Diaby and Mitoma. Neto is more of a talisman and offers greater assurance of starts but plays in a team that is less attacking and scores fewer goals. Gordon should start more games than not and features in a team that currently sits atop the xG table. However, Newcastle’s fixtures toughen up, as they face Arsenal and Chelsea. It’s worth noting that they also have a challenging Champions League group. Last week, I was leaning 55-45 towards Neto, but after speaking with several Newcastle fans since, I have reversed my stance and now lean 60-40 in favor of Gordon.

Palmer: Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures are tough, with matches against Spurs, Man City, Newcastle, and Brighton in the next six Gameweeks. I still don’t believe this Chelsea side will score many goals. While the appeal of penalty-taking duties cannot be ignored, Palmer doesn’t take any other set pieces, so I would only consider him if budget restrictions prevent you from fitting in other top-performing players. If possible, I would recommend finding an additional £0.6m to acquire Gordon instead.

Q: Is it worthwhile sacrificing Kieran Trippier to acquire Ollie Watkins, or is Trippier a must-have based on current form? (via FOURLOKOLEIPZIG)

A: I don’t believe any player is a must-have for the entire season, not even Haaland. Many FPL managers opted to exclude the Norwegian international from their Wildcard squads in Gameweek 8, and it has proven to be a wise decision thus far. This season’s theme is investing in explosive assets ahead of their favorable fixture runs, much like the situation with Kieran Trippier…

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Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson is your soccer guru, providing extensive coverage of soccer. With a global perspective, he delivers match reports, player interviews, and insights into the beautiful game, ensuring readers stay connected to the world of soccer.