So last week was another successful week. 66 points and just outside the top 1 million. The Lukaku transfer and captain pick worked a treat but to keep within the rules of the Differentials XI, he has to go after his popularity in fantasy teams has soared.
Here is how the Differentials XI looked at the end of the week:
The likes of Valencia were also over the threshold and forced my hand in playing the wildcard. It wasn’t your standard wildcard; only 3 players remain from last week’s squad despite the green arrow they achieved.
One of the 3 remaining players is Forster of Southampton. He seems a strange one to keep given the fact he hasn’t kept a clean sheet but he only makes the bench this week due to the lack of trust I have with him now. We all know that sod’s law will apply and he’ll keep a clean sheet and save three penalties or something like that. Rooney and De Bruyne also remain but I’ll discuss more about those players later.
Anyway, here is how we look going into gameweek 5:
Starting XI: Stekelenburg (2.6%), Luiz (0.9%), Coleman (1.4%), Mustafi (0.5%), De Bruyne (8.4%), Nolito (5.4%), Bolasie (5.1%), Pereyra (0.6%), Lanzini (0.1%), Benteke (5.4%), Rooney (5.7%)
Bench: Forster (4.2%), Dawson (2.4%), Cathcart (0.4%), Ighalo (5.5%)
In the sticks I’ve gone for Stekelenburg. Everton have started the season well and while many questioned why Koeman was taking Southampton’s number 2 with him to Merseyside, it’s worked a treat. They now have an excellent run of fixtures and I’m looking to take advantage of that.
In defence my most owned starter is Coleman with 1.4%. I’ve been so frustrated at the start of this season as I’ve picked players close to the threshold and after 1 decent game, they have had to make way. All the defenders I’ve picked will probably stay well under the boundary for a good 4 or 5 weeks so it puts my mind at rest. Doubling up on Everton defensive players is a gamble I’m willing to take given their fixtures. The injury to John Terry opens up the spot for David Luiz to make his return to the Premier League on his first Friday Night Football. His opponents have started well but as we know, Luiz is a big game player and I think he’ll have a good night. Completing the defence is Arsenal’s new signing Mustafi. Still owned by only half a percent, it was an opportunity hard to turn down. Cech, Koscielny and Mustafi surely have to make Arsenal a tantalising prospect for a clean sheet. Just a shame Wenger’s their manager!
I’m sticking with the 5 man midfield approach this week although with Ighalo on the bench, it’s easily adaptable week in week out. De Bruyne is the star man in the midfield. Yes, I’m well aware this will be my last week with him but at home to Bournemouth. he’s worth keeping for one more week. He’s also got the captain’s armband. His teammate has also found a place in my team. Nolito has looked the real deal since making the switch from La Liga. His ownership is still relatively low given his performances but I think that’s just due to the competition for places in the Manchester City squad. When De Bruyne makes way in the future, at least I’ll still have some City coverage. Bolasie has also looked impressive since transferring to his new team after nailing down a starting spot. I’m just glad to get rid of the Deulofeu nightmare! Will he start? Will he not? Frankly, I don’t care now. Completing the midfield are 2 uber differentials, both skillful Argentinians I’m excited about introducing to the squad. Lanzini was impressive last year and now just making his comeback from injury, he has a ridiculously low ownership of 0.1%. Pereyra looks as though he’s going to be Watford’s technician in the centre of the park. One of my friends who watches Watford regularly told me he thinks Pereyra can be the focal point of the team, teeing up Deeney and Ighalo. (So blame him if it all goes to pot!)
Up top I’ve gone for Benteke and Rooney. Both proven Premier League goalscorers that have started the season well. Rooney will take the role of providing assists for his team mates while Benteke is the star man at Palace and everything will go through him.
Written by FPL Avids (@FPLAvids)
