Get ahead of the Group Chat thanks to our new regular column from FPL expert Jonas Sand Låbakk.
By FotMob, in conversation with Jonas Sand Låbakk
Introducing our expert
Jonas is a 21 year old student who, like FotMob, hails from Norway, but unlike the frustrated Fantasy Premier League players in the office, he did something we could only dream of last season. He finished first, ahead of 11 million other managers in the 2023/24 season.
Who better then, to provide us with some expert advice each week.
The Eye Test vs. The Stats
Alexander Isak (8.5m) was in many people’s plans and draft teams for GW1, but after a disappointing start to the season, many managers saw fit to get rid of the Swede who had been on fire towards the tail end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Isak has now scored 3 goals in his last three games against three good defences – Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, and Arsenal – racking up an impressive 2.42 Expected Goal Involvements (xGI) across those matches. He also fared well during the international break and with Newcastle having a few favourable fixtures coming up (bar Liverpool in GW14), I would definitely consider bringing Isak ahead of the weekend, especially if you are thinking about playing your wildcard. I think I can safely say that Isak is starting to look like his old self.
Another striker that falls under the same bracket is Brighton’s João Pedro (5.4m). Pedro returned from injury in GW11, and he did so in impressive fashion, scoring and assisting in the Seagulls’ impressive victory over champions Manchester City. And he did all this in just 25 minutes, what an impact! I have been a big fan of the Brazilian forward for a long time, and I will be looking to bring him in to my team as fast as possible. Pedro has brought in four returns (three goals, one assist) in just 306 minutes this season, averaging a return every 76th minutes! He is also Brightons designated spot kick taker, which brings even more value in FPL terms.
Brighton also have a nice looking run of fixtures coming up. And although it’s hard to observe too much from only 25 minutes against one of, if not, the best team in the league João Pedro has previously been playing lining up a little a bit deeper than Danny Welbeck, Brighton’s no. 1 performer this season, but I believe the fact that you are saving 0.6 million makes Pedro the better alternative, should he stay fit.
Long shot
This week’s long shot is a player definitely worth considering due to injuries elsewhere in the Arsenal squad. And at 5.5m you’re getting an Arsenal defender who is owned by just 1.4% FPL managers. I am of course talking about Jurrien Timber.
With Ben White expected to be out from somewhere between 6-8 weeks, Timber should feature in Mikel Arteta’s plans for the upcoming games. Timber is versatile, he can play at full back on both flanks, and with eight starts already under his belt, even before White’ injury, he is bound to get minutes.
Arsenal have one of the best defences in the league and even though they have underperformed recently, I believe they will turn it around. Timber is a good differential if you can’t afford the likes of William Saliba and Gabriel or simply if you just want to save money.
Upcoming games to follow
Saturday’s early kickoff is the first game I want to highlight: Leicester City vs. Chelsea. There are many interesting players to follow in that game; Cole Palmer (10.9m) is, in my opinion, an option for captain with a favourable fixture in GW12. Nicolas Jackson (7.9m) will also be an interesting player to look out for in that fixture.
Ipswich Town vs. Manchester United is my next pick. Two United players I tipped in my last article before the international break; Bruno Fernandes (8.4m), who delivered with 17 FPL points, and Diogo Dalot (5.2), who was unfortunate to be subbed after 60 minutes, are again players I will be looking out for. I believe that both provide some serious value for at least the next two weeks.
My final pick is Southampton vs. Liverpool, bottom vs. top. I’m banking on this game being very, very one sided and Mohamed Salah (12.9m) who was tipped in my GW10 column is one who I am really looking forward to watching play, I definitely expect him to return, in FPL terms. Defensive assets such as Ibrahima Konaté (5.4m) and Virgil van Dijk (6.3m) are other players I expect to do well and I would not be surprised to see Liverpool win by two or three goals.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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