Community Submission: GW7 Preview for OFPL Scoring Draft

Here at The Draft Society we're an inclusive bunch. We love the incredible community of Draft Premier League Fantasy Managers that is building week by week. And this is why we offer members of The Inner Circle the exclusive benefit of submitting their very own Fantasy EPL articles for publishing! You send it, we publish it! Have you got something to say? Try your hand as a fantasy football writer.

Thank you to @SnakeDraftFPL for submitting the below Community Submission. This article has been subject to minor edits to the formatting, but the written content remains almost untouched.

Click here for full details on how to join The Inner Circle so that you can publish your own articles too! There are also heaps of other exclusive benefits for members!

GW7 Preview for OFPL Scoring Draft

This article is based on the OFPL Scoring System made famous by the Official Fantasy Premier League game. Bonus points and Kante Points (1 point for every two tackles or interceptions) are also included as per Draft Fantasy Football. Much of this insight will be applicable to OFPL Draft and Fantrax/Togga style too.

Another week, another Salah haul - anyone that owns him this season is absolutely laughing. If not, well, you may need to look lower down the EPL table to find fantasy points to make up for it, and hope the owners of the big hitters get complacent. Let me see if I can help you with that. Let’s get stuck in.

Fixture Swings

The following teams have a good run of fixtures coming up and should be targeted for trades or free agent pick-ups.

Burnley

Next Four Fixtures: Norwich (H), City (A), Southampton (A), Brentford (H)

I think it’s pretty clear to see my tactic this season is “who’s playing Norwich?” - and with good reason. They are ranked worst in basically every defensive metric, and don’t look like improving any time soon. Burnley follow up this game with probably the hardest fixture in the league (City away), but then round off the next four with two decent opportunities. All things considered they have a good run.

By far and away the best pick for Burnley is main man Chris Wood, but he is likely picked unless you’re in a very small league. Now could be a great time to trade him in for a similar striker with worse fixtures, especially if you have a bench to cope with the City fixture next week. My next favourite pick is easily Dwight McNeil. With no attacking returns so far this season he remains unpicked in most leagues. I absolutely love him for the Norwich fixture as he plays predominantly on Burnley’s right, and Norwich have a particular weakness down their left-hand side. Opposing right wingers have averaged an astonishing eleven points in the first six fixtures vs Norwich, and I can see McNeil continuing the trend. Elsewhere the stoic centre back duo of Mee and Tarkowski are my favourite defensive picks, as they have attacking threat at set pieces.

Leeds

Next Four Fixtures: Watford (H), Southampton (A), Wolves (H), Norwich (A)

I won’t spend too long on Leeds as I did feature them only a couple of weeks ago, but it’s safe to say their great fixture run continues over the next four.

With Bamford out for an undetermined amount of time (likely not too long) you may get a fixture or two out of Rodrigo up top. Hopefully even when Bamford returns, he’ll start at number 10 so should still be a decent pick. Dan James has put his hand up for consideration as well, the only concern with him is his inconsistent end product and being hooked at half-time at the weekend. The defence is a bit all over the place at the moment, but my favourite picks are attacking full-back Firpo and save magnet Meslier.

One Week Pickups

Goalkeeper or defenders with a bad fixture? Attacker with a potential short-term injury? No worries, I’ve got a smattering of players that could serve as good one-week punts to fill a void.

Goalkeepers

Guaita - Good chance of a clean at home to a misfiring Leicester, and always good for save points and bonus.

Pope - At home to Norwich, historical save bonus magnet, easy pick.

Defenders

Taylor - Probably the least likely Burnley defender to be rostered, if he’s gone then look for Lowton.

Firpo - Good fixture for Leeds this week at home to Watford, who are very conservative away from home.

Ogbonna - If Ogbonna is free you’re lucky. He looks like a very good pick this week at home to Brentford.

Midfielders

McNeil - I’ve mentioned above Norwich’s weakness down their left, and its McNeil’s turn to exploit it this week. First attacking returns of the season should come soon.

Canos - Surprisingly good player with high final third involvement. Could Brentford exploit West Ham’s potential tiredness from the Europa League?

Smith Rowe - Would’ve been a great under the radar pick this week had he not just netted a goal and assist in the North London Derby. If you’re top of the waivers you should still be able to pick him up.

Forwards

Ayew - Looks to have the spot alongside Edouard locked down. His hard work often goes unrewarded, but I do fancy him to find some joy vs Leicester this week.

Joao Pedro – Watford’s second best attacker has returned to training and is being eased back into the side. Now is the time to invest and beat your league-mates to him.

That concludes my picks to look out for in the free agent pool, as well as players to try to trade for. I hope you found this helpful, if so a follow over on Twitter would be much appreciated @SnakeDraftFPL

For all the latest from The Draft Society, follow @Draft_Society on Twitter!