Every new Gameweek brings to light new information about teams and players that can influence our Fantasy decisions. Injuries, new signings, tactical shifts, new roles, young players emerging are all essential parts of the decision making process when a fantasy manager evaluates trades, waiver wire pickups or drops. In this new article, we aim to list everything that happened during the weekend and our takeaways through fantasy tinted glasses.
Fantrax Takeaways Gameweek 5
Here we outline our Fantasy EPL Takeaways from the previous gameweek and how to interpret them for draft fantasy.
Key Injuries and Suspensions
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (MUN, DEF)
Prospects: AWB is reportedly out for 2 months with a hamstring injury. Expect to see Reguilon & Dalot continue as fullbacks with Shaw still out. Lindelof could provide cover/rotation at LB. This additional injury further sinks Man United defensive assets as a whole - their clean sheet prospects will diminish and they weren't that great to begin with (they have yet to keep one all season).
Replacement: This likely means a sustained run for Reguilon & Dalot, and their value increases (if you believe in the Man United defense, which is a shambles at the moment).
Verdict: If you want some potential defensive upside, try to get in Reguilon or Dalot (both have shown they can ghost but did not score well this last time out v Brighton).
Gabriel Martinelli (ARS, MID)
Prospects: Martinelli suffered a hamstring knock whilst scoring a goal that was chalked off by VAR. Early reports indicate a Grade 1 Hamstring injury, which usually entails a 2 week layoff. This is unconfirmed so it could be worse; stay tuned.
Replacement: Leandro Trossard came in for Martinelli over the weekend and is the plug and play alternative. This could also see some time for Reiss Nelson if Arteta needs rotation during congested fixtures.
Verdict: Hold or buy low. And see if you can get Trossard in (especially if it is a more serious injury for Martinelli).
Solly March (BHA, MID)
Prospects: The English winger was surprisingly left out of the squad v Man United, with De Zerbi flagging a muscular injury that he didn't want to risk aggravating (I mean, it's only Man United, right?). They did just fine without him but it doesn't sound serious and I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature against AEK Athens on Thursday.
Replacement: Adingra came into the side as part of a larger shakeup with Europe in mind. He may be worth keeping for March and/or Joao Pedro managers as rotation will be the name of the game as these mid-week fixtures start piling up.
Verdict: Buy low (ish) after he leveled off a bit and now with this minor injury. He is still a lethal fantasy asset, the injury doesn't seem serious, and this might be the best time to get him. And Adingra is a hold (for now at least).
Trent Alexander Arnold (LIV, DEF)
Prospects: Klopp flagged that Trent would not make it back before the Wolves game this past GW. It is looking like a few more weeks until his return.
Replacement: Gomez slotted in at Right Back and tried to invert like TAA, with little effect. His fantasy numbers were pretty mediocre (4.25 with one goal conceded) in his stead.
Verdict: Hold or buy low. Konate scored better in his brief cameo, so he might be the best Liverpool DEF alternative, but Gomez is a decent streamer in good matchups while Trent is out.
Lyle Foster (BUR, FWD)
Prospects: After a fortunate assist and an unfortunate goal chalked off, Foster's frustrations got the better of him and he jabbed an elbow into Ryan Yates' sternum. He'll miss the next three games through suspension for violent conduct, ruling him out of GW6 and both matches of Burnley's DGW in GW7.
Replacement: Goalscorer Zeki Amdouni can be deployed as a striker, with Sander Berge perhaps the most likely player to step back into the starting lineup. Jay Rodriguez would be a more like-for-like change, but hasn't been called upon this season.
Verdict: Given his poor ghost point displays, he's most likely a drop. Amdouni or Koleosho may be worth bringing into your lineup in his stead if you're targeting a forward for the DGW. The roster spot is more valuable over the next few and you can likely pick him back up for fairly cheap once he's available again.
Tactical Discussions
Kai v Fabio
Observation: Finally. After four frustrating weeks of Kai starting in the LCM role to little effect, and certainly zero fantasy effect, Arteta pulled the trigger and fielded Fabio Vieira, who has impressed in his cameos off the bench, in his place v Everton. The clock was ticking on Kai but giving the young Portuguese his first start this season away at Goodison Park, a cursed ground for Arsenal, was an even bigger surprise. But at the same time, Kai was coming off a busy international break with Germany and the Champions League is also upon us. So this is likely a temporary fix.
Verdict: Fabio has become a viable option at LCM (he was too light-weight and tepid with the ball last season) and will get some looks, especially during congested fixtures. Either way, for Kai owners especially, you should have seen the writing on the wall and brought in Fabio as cover before the weekend. Now it may cost you a bit more (he's worth a few bucks for those who roster Kai; for others, the rotation is likely not worthwhile).
Chelsea: Buy Low or Fade?
Observation: The Blues started with one of the easiest schedules in the league but have ended that run with just one win - versus lowly Luton Town at home. The fixtures get a bit more difficult now and injuries seem to occur on the daily. It's hard to know who to drop, trust, or take a punt on. Thiago Silva and Sanchez are solid at the back, the high-upside fullbacks (Reece & Chilly) are unreliable, the midfield is a mess, and Jackson can't score against anyone but Luton Town (and he doesn't really ghost enough to offset that fact). Sterling looked dangerous v Bournemouth and could be a buy low. Pochettino indicated that Mudryk will now be favored in the left wing role over Chilwell - but does that mean Chilly will revert back to a Left Back or Left Wing Back? The #10 role is up for grabs, at least until Nkunku comes back to reclaim it, but neither Enzo nor Palmer have taken it with both hands (although Palmer is the more tantalizing option). In short, it continues to be a bloody mess in West London.
Verdict: Test the waters for Sterling and pick up Palmer off the wire if he's there. Otherwise, only option is to ditch them on a low or hold and hope.
Bournemouth Attack Gets Even Messier
Observation: Speaking of a bloody mess, the Cherries now have even more options at LW & RW. In fact, Iraola currently can choose among Antoine Semenyo, Jaidon Anthony, Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, Dango Outtara, David Brooks, Luis Sinisterra for those two spots. It boggles the mind having this many attackers at one's disposal. And with Outtara & Tavernier finally back fit, they're all poised for selection. The two who got the nod over the weekend were Tavernier on the right and Dango on the left. While Outarra had one of the best chances of the match, which he fluffed, he was largely toothless (and dropped a decent 6 fantasy points). Tavernier was very lively and got back to his old ways, ghosting to the tune of 9.5 points.
Verdict: This is a minefield but my guess is that Tavernier & Sinisterra, if fit and firing, will be the preferred wingers (with Dango coming in every now and again). It might be prudent to wait another week for Tavernier as his stock is pretty high after walking straight back in and nearly bagging double digit ghosts. Trying to snag Sinisterra might be an easier task.
Is Mac Allister Droppable?
Observation: Alexis Mac Allister, the silky fantasy scorer from Brighton, no longer exists. The new and not improved (at least fantasy-wise) version on Merseyside is a drop. Anyone with these scores (5, -3, 6.5, 5, & 0) would be promptly dropped like a proverbial bad habit. His name, previous scoring reputation, and current club cause folks to refrain from doing so. As the Nike advert commands: Just Do It!
Verdict: Mac's role at Liverpool clearly isn't conducive to scoring real fantasy points. Try dealing Mac to a Liverpool fan in your league - take anything. If not, feel free to drop. His name recognition alone is not worth burning a hole in your roster.
Cut Bait with Everton Assets?
Observation: Dyche ball is truly in the mud. Peak Dyche would have dispatched with soft, technical Arsenal at home; yet the current version got outplayed, outhustled, and posed zero threat in a one nil loss. Is this a death knell to Everton's chances of staying up again? No, but it ain't lookin' good. Fantasy-wise, this was always going to be a very difficult match for Toffee assets who would see very little of the ball against the dominant Gunners. Nothing really has changed. If you were bullish on some Blues before this game, this result shouldn't alter that thinking. Regarding Dwight McNeil, it was his first game back from injury and, again, he had little of the ball. This needed to be priced in coming into this fixture. What is concerning on this front, however, is that Ashley "Forever" Young (h/t Benji) was the one taking the majority of the few set pieces they earned. Otherwise, nothing has really changed. Everton, in fact, have oddly enough played decently and produced a fair amount of xG/chances. Here is a Tifo piece that lays out the case. Do you believe or not?
Verdict: The very few Everton assets that can score decently via Dyche ball are the same: McNeil, Harrison, Doucoure (if he stays up front), and a #9 like Beto. Buy low on these guys and stay away from the rest.
Is Pedro Neto Back?
Observation: One of my favorite players but who has burned me several times - Pedro Neto. Tipped as one of my big upside picks last season, I was a season early. Having said all that, I flagged in my Wolves Draft Kit preview: "The fact that he dropped over 12 points per start just a few seasons ago and that he reportedly is fit and will have a full preseason make for a compelling argument in favoring of drafting ole Pedro Neto." Well, he has finally shown flashes of his old self early doors. He has rattled off mouthwatering scores of 18, 7, 19, 28.5, & 20.5. For those who followed my advice of punting on him in the 9th round, you currently have the steal of the draft. It's been a hell of a start - he's currently 3rd in overall scoring, but can he keep this up? Should we all be clamoring to get him in on a high or should we wait until he inevitably levels off?
Verdict: Neto has been ever-present in new manager Gary O'Neil's set up and has taken set pieces, providing a great floor of ghosts to go with his newfound attacking returns. The issue is that they aren't winning. Granted, they have had a rough run of fixtures. But he is already under pressure to start delivering some results. Will this mean a tweak in formation that could affect Neto's fantasy prospects? Given his history, will Neto succumb to yet another injury? These are valid questions, and it's very tempting to sell high. There are 3 options here. 1) Sell high (I'd do this if I could get someone like a Julian Alvarez or someone of that ilk); 2) hold and ride until the wheels fall off (a good option if you can't get someone worthwhile); 3) or, for those who don't currently roster him, wait until he has a bad run and then try to get him in. Either way, it is heartening to see the talented winger back to his best after a rough, injury-riddled period.
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