FPL Gameweek 2 – top five bandwagons: jump on or stay clear?
The FPL season is underway and as is usual following Gameweek 1, the early bandwagons are beginning to take effect as FPL managers buy and sell en-mass. The Stats Zone have picked out the top five bandwagoners following Gameweek 1 and advise you as to whether it’s a bandwagon worth staying clear of, or a bandwagon worth jumping on going into Gameweek 2.
1. Teemu Pukki – Norwich City (£6.5m)
Following his 29 Championship goals for Norwich last year, forward Teemu Pukki gave FPL managers something to think about in the opening game of the Premier League season between the Canaries and Liverpool at Anfield. Despite his side being on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat, Pukki looked threatening throughout against a notoriously strong Liverpool defence and deservedly got on the scoresheet with a cool finish after being put through on goal by midfielder Emi Buendia.
At £6.5m, Pukki commands a big price for a striker playing for a newly-promoted side. However, his performance at Anfield suggests that he’s worth the money. Norwich have set their stall out as a side that will put their defensive frailties aside and attack the opposition at all costs. With this style of play, Pukki is bound to get more chances and with an enticing GW2 fixture at home to Newcastle, we recommend that you jump on this bandwagon and pick up Pukki!
Finlander Teemu Pukki is looking one of the better value forwards out there based on the odds data released to date ⚽🇫🇮
— FPL Review (@fplreview) August 13, 2019
Anyone been looking at him? Or planning to wait until after GW5?#FPL #FPLCommunity pic.twitter.com/Z2dsy23gxO
TSZ recommendation – jump on!
2. Adrian – Liverpool (£4.5m)
FPL managers across the world held their breath as Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson went down unprompted clutching his calf midway through the first half against Norwich. The most owned FPL keeper was unable to continue and was replaced by second-choice keeper Adrian, signed in the summer as a replacement for Simon Mignolet. The former West Ham stopper was unable to keep a clean sheet, conceding a second half goal to Pukki. Following the game, it has been confirmed that Alisson will be out for “the next few weeks” according to Jurgen Klopp.
On paper, bringing in a keeper for £4.5m who is guaranteed to play behind a Liverpool defence who kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League last season seems like a no brainer. However, Liverpool showed defensive frailties against Norwich and could have easily conceded more than just the one goal. Their next match sees them face a tricky trip to Southampton, followed by a home game vs Arsenal. You’d imagine Alisson will have an eye on returning in GW5 following the first international break and we don’t believe Adrian is worth the transfer for what could possibly be only three gameweeks.
TSZ recommendation – stay clear!
3. Anthony Martial – Man Utd (£7.6m)
After regaining the number 9 shirt following the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, Anthony Martial is set for a big season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a frustrating year where he failed to play as many games as he’d have hoped. The Frenchman marked what he hopes will be a new start with a goal in United’s 4-0 demolition of Chelsea on Sunday, prompting over 175,000 (and counting!) FPL managers to bring him in ahead of Gameweek 2.
Martial will be expected to lead the line for the Red Devils this season alongside Marcus Rashford and signs early on are that United will play a fast, fluid counter-attacking game that will suit the number 9 down to the ground. A tough fixture away at Wolves awaits Martial in Gameweek 2, but there’s no time to waste. With the Frenchman already the subject of a price rise, the chance to snap up a modestly-priced Man Utd attacker who is classified as a midfielder and looks guaranteed to start every gameweek is surely too tempting to ignore.
TSZ recommendation – jump on!
4. John McGinn – Aston Villa (£5.5m)
Another player from a newly-promoted side who got on the scoresheet this weekend was Aston Villa’s box-to-box midfielder, John McGinn. The Scotsman celebrated the signing of a new five-year contract at Aston Villa by opening the scoring for the Villains away at Spurs. With Hourihane playing more of a defensive role, McGinn was afforded license to roam and got himself into some enticing attacking spots, ultimately allowing him to score.
McGinn has so far been picked up by over 120,000 FPL managers ahead of GW2 where Villa are at home to Bournemouth. His performance against Spurs suggests that he will have opportunities to score more goals and provides assists for the likes of Grealish and Wesley in future gameweeks. At only £5.5m, McGinn represents excellent value for money and a great option for anyone looking for a cheap fourth midfielder.
TSZ recommendation – jump on!
5. Tanguy Ndombele – Spurs (£6.0m)
The new £55.5m signing from Lyon made an immediate impact on his Spurs debut, with the central midfielder curling home an effort from the edge of the box to equalise for his new club against Aston Villa. This goal has led to a flurry of transfer activity, with over 145,000 FPL managers bringing Ndombele into their team ahead of Gameweek 2.
Whilst Ndombele was undoubtably impressive on his debut and showed his ability to shoot from distance, we’re unconvinced on this particular bandwagon. Spurs face a very tricky Gameweek 2 away at Premier League champions Man City and face a North London derby with Arsenal in Gameweek 4, with a home game against Newcastle sandwiched in-between. Not only will the likelihood of Ndombele picking up points decrease, but he’ll also do well to avoid being booked in matches that are notoriously feisty. At £6.0m, we feel better options (such as McGinn) are available instead.
TSZ recommendation – stay clear!
