£1M Fanteam FPL 2021/22 - Gameweek 7 Preview
I’m desperately looking to push forward now after the success from last week. I’m satisfied with my current team and I’ve got plans for future weeks to come to - ones that probably won’t come to fruition because the international break is on it’s way after this GW which means anything can happen. I’m expecting half of my team to be injured with the other half staying in for quarantine duties.
It’s one of those times again where I’m feeling a different format for these write-ups. This week, I’m planning on going through every match and sharing my thoughts on them - regardless of whether my players are involved. Of course I’ll still mention my players and what I expect from them in the coming GW, but I want to say some bits on other assets too.
In chronological order, we starting out with Manchester United vs Everton. Conflicting game for me having an Everton midfielder and a Man United forward. The Everton squad is still missing their two key attacking pieces, but they have looked alright up front in general regardless. Gray has been the main man for them in the absence of DCL and Richarlison. Along with Townsend, Everton can potentially get on top of the Man United defence and get goals on that fragile defence, the one that has been exposed several times this season already. On the other end, I would have to imagine that United will be on the front foot more than they have been against Villareal midweek. They got away with it then, but they need to do better. Ronaldo will be battling it out in the air for the most part against the Everton defence, which I expect him to do well in. Bruno appears to still be on penalties, and I would also be worried for Greenwood owners as there is a chance that Sancho replaces him. If I was Ole, I would also push Pogba forward into the 3 behind Ronaldo as that is where they got the most of him.
Burnley vs Norwich is a match that thankfully I don’t have any players involved in because I don’t want to be forced to watch this mess. Norwich look to be worst team in the league so any player from Burnley could be a shout. Perhaps this is the week Chris Wood reminds us that he still exists.
Chelsea hosts Southampton this weekend at Stamford Bridge. Awful showings against Juventus and Man City makes me doubt how good Chelsea actually is. Fortunately they don’t have to play those elite teams every week as they start their favourable fixture run that spans all the way to GW13. Obviously avoid anything from Southampton, but I’m a little worried about the Chelsea attack going into this match. The fact that Southampton managed to contain Man City a few weeks ago might be a sign that this won’t be too easy for the already attack struggling Chelsea side. I have the captain’s armband on Lukaku either way because it’s the most obvious choice, but I’m not fully convinced. Mendy along with the other Chelsea defenders should keep a clean sheet in theory - hopefully they turn that into reality this time around.
Leeds vs Watford is the match I’m most afraid of. This game could be a goal-fest potentially, and as a person without any of their players, it truly frightens me. From the Leeds side you have Raphinha; and from the Watford side you have Sarr. I’ve had to opportunity this week to pick either man up but decided to skip over them. Getting Raphinha would have meant I wouldn’t have had enough ITB to get a Chelsea/Man City defender next week. As for Sarr, I simply don’t think Watford are a good team and their fixtures are very bad after this match. With all of that said, both men have a chance to punish me in this 3pm match that I won’t be able to see. Baah won’t feature.
I have huge reliance on Wolves which is not something I want to be saying anytime during a season. They play at home against a Newcastle side that has been finding ways of scoring, even with Callum Wilson being on the sideline with yet another injury. Saint-Maximin has been extraordinary so far this season and I would have normally picked him up this week if only Newcastle didn’t play the team I had 2 defenders from. I didn’t want that conflict of interest going on. Then you have to mention Jimenez. He scored last week but I still think you have to be quite brave to pick him up. He is a solid differential that can keep on ticking points throughout the season for you because realistically Wolves is not scoring any other way than through him.
Saturday is concluded with the match between Brighton and Arsenal. Duffy will sit this one out for me and hopefully he won’t punish me. In fact, he could double punish me because I’ve only potentially got baited in again. Every season there is a moment where I get a few Arsenal players and I almost instantly regret it. I started with Pepe this season and that was worse than awful. Tierney has been alright so far, and now I have Saka alongside him. What can I say? I got gassed up after the Spurs match from last week. Saka is only 6.5M and is pretty nailed in the Arsenal team. He is 3% owned and joins my little collection of cheap MID options. I’m hoping for a good showing from Arsenal against Brighton, although I have a feeling that Brighton might be a tough cookie to crack. Tierney always a shout for an attacking return and clean sheets are more likely with the new defence of Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel and Tierney. Please do me proud boys.
Crystal Palace vs Leicester is going to be a good match to watch, although there are 2 other 2pm kick-offs this Sunday. Vieira’s Palace has been more attacking than I’ve ever seen them before. Gallagher has been crucial linking everything together and it’s no surprise that he has played every minute he could in the league for them. Leicester have looked awful at the back so there is every chance that Palace get a goal or even more. If Burnley can score 2, then any team has a chance. Vardy is the only plausible asset from Leicester that is worth having. I see him as a better Jimenez, but he is also more expensive so it sort of evens out.
Tottenham will have their chance at redemption from last week’s North London Derby as they take on Aston Villa at home this weekend. Spurs destroyed some Slovenian team on Thursday but not many people have changed their mind on Spurs assets. If you are a gambling man then you could go for Son or Kane, but it could be a massive mistake. Spurs defenders are the better assets to have, especially Reguilon who did actually get an assist last week for Son’s goal. From Villa, I wouldn’t really dabble on anyone. I don’t particularly rate them at this time, but if you do then Cash would be my defence choice and Watkins would be my attacking choice. Steer won’t play.
West Ham vs Brentford is also a very interesting match. Both teams have showed some serious threat in the attacking department and willingness to suffer at the back as a result. Antonio and Benrahma for West Ham, with Toney and Mbuemo for Brentford - it’s going to be one hell of a battle. Worth mentioning that West Ham are off the back of another midweek game. Antonio got subbed off early at the 62nd minute, while Benrahma played full 90, scoring right at the end of the game too. I questioned Benrahma’s minutes from the start of the season once the European football starts and I feel like his owners are trembling right now. I’m going to be praying that Antonio comes out on top out of all of those players.
And finally we get to the last match of GW7 which is one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar - Liverpool vs Manchester City. Chelsea caused no problems to City’s defence last week, but I have a feeling that Liverpool might do a little better because they’ll have 3 players up front instead of 2 when it comes to those darting counters. Furthermore, historically this game has goals in it, so I would be benching any defensive options if you have any. I would have played Alexander-Arnold if he was fit for any attacking returns, but he caught an injury that will take him out for a bit. It is being said that he is set to return before GW8 which is the reason I kept him. Jota was the man I transferred out for Saka due to starting uncertainty. I don’t think he is worth the hassle. Salah still in my team but I’ve removed the captain’s armband off him for the first time this season. He has a goal in him for sure. As for Man City, I have no interest trying to predict any of their attacking players. You could argue for starting Cancelo for any potential attacking returns if you have him. Man City are also the best defensive side in the league so there is always a chance of a clean sheet - for my case I hope Salah scores 5 on the day.