Some people watch football because they love the game, some people watch football on the TV because of their lack of social skills in pubs, but we watch football because we want to see our Fantasy Premier League players perform in real life and thus accumulate us our much needed points.
And although it has been just two gameweeks, we are already seeing trends and bandwagons starting to form… with several players now set to be incredible value for their price.
Many have also underperformed, such as the attacking duo of Wayne Rooney and Eden Hazard, both players who were tipped to bag in the points in the opening few games.
However, as they say in many league-type competitions, it is a marathon and not a sprint… so let’s take a look at two players you should consider bringing in, two players to take out, and two players you should hold on to (despite poor performances) for your Fantasy squads!
IN : Riyad Mahrez
It may be cliché to choose the obvious bandwagon performer, but Mahrez is a must have in your team at least for the upcoming weeks. His price (5.7) is enough to persuade the justification.
In the opening two games of the season, Mahrez has already scored three goals to lead the goalscoring charts. Not to mention, he also earned the penalty for one of his strikes, so if it was converted by somebody else he would have also garnered an assist.
Leicester City also have a quite favourable run of fixtures on the horizon, with Tottenham (home), Bournemouth (away), Aston Villa (home) and Stoke City (away) their next four games.
But it’s his value that is such a pull, as his 5.7 price tag will enable you to bring in the big-guns in your squad. And his value is set to rise even further before the weekend. Get him quick!
OUT: Theo Walcott
On the final match-day last season, Theo Walcott shocked the Fantasy Football world and grabbed a hat-trick after a campaign in which he struggled with a long-term injury. And with Arsenal still not signing a world class striker, it was expected that the England international would usurp Olivier Giroud as the Gunners’ lone forward.
But, it didn’t turn out that way… with Walcott being used as a substitute in their 2-0 loss to West Ham and not featuring at all in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
This has seen his price drop from 9.0 down to 8.8, which means a significant amount of teams have already gotten rid of him. If you don’t do so soon, your team value is set to plummet.
HOLD: Wayne Rooney
No goals, a dubious assist, and the fury of the media have made Wayne Rooney look like a shadow of his former self. He was once again uninvolved in Man United’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge during the week, and was seen taking a throw-in 40 yards from the opposition goal, not the characteristic of a striker.
But, this is Rooney we’re talking about. The England international has not failed to score double digit league goals since he joined the Red Devils in 2004, and despite playing in midfield for much of last season still managed 12 strikes and five assists.
Yet the most convincing reason for holding him is his next fixture. Man United face Newcastle United at home this Saturday, a game in which last season Rooney scored twice and provided the assist in a 3-1 victory.
If you don’t have him, his price tag of 10.5 may be too high to bring in. But if he is already in your squad, give him one more week to prove he’s still got it.
IN: Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero is currently the player that everyone should be bringing into their squads right now. However, being the game’s most expensive player with his 13.1 price tag, it could be difficult to find space in your team for the heavy-hitting Argentina international.
Yet his price is already on the rise, and Manchester City’s good form along with their upcoming fixtures make him an almost essential player to have.
After this weekend clash against Everton at Goodison Park (where Watford scored two goals in gameweek one), the Citizens play Watford (home), Crystal Palace (away), West Ham (H), Tottenham (A), Newcastle (home), and Bournemouth (home). And in that period, Aguero will definitely be in and about the goals.
It’s not advisable to take a -4 point hit to facilitate a transfer, but this may be one of the few occasions that it might be worth it.
OUT: Branislav Ivanovic
Well things did not go anywhere as expected for Branislav Ivanovic so far this term. Many Fantasy managers chose the rather pricey (7.0) Serbian international as their Chelsea defender of choice, with the right back expected by many to perform on both ends of the pitch following his 177 points last season.
However, it has been anything but. Ivanovic has struggled in their first two games, with the champions conceding five goals in that period resulting in him just collecting a total of one point.
More importantly, though, Ivanovic may lose his usually guaranteed fist-choice position, with Cesar Azpilicueta potentially moving to the right and summer signing Abdul Baba Rahman deployed in the left-back role.
So if you have a Chelsea defender that’s not Ivanovic, hold. If it is, sell him ASAP!
HOLD: Eden Hazard
Again, another superstar has failed to light up the Premier League despite backing him to continue the form that saw him won the Player of the Year accolade last season. And many Fantasy managers have suffered because of that.
Captained by many in Chelsea’s opening fixture against Swansea City, the Belgium international failed to be amongst the two goals scored and also missed a guilt edge chance against Manchester City the following weekend, making many question his 11.5 price tag.
Although the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure, and Alexis Sanchez are tempting options, it has only been two games and Chelsea are expected to steady their rocky ship sooner rather than later. And with West Bromwich Albion up next, it may be wise to hold onto Hazard until we have a better indication of what’s going on at Stamford Bridge.
