Dec 14

Gameweek 4 Preview - House of Wildcards

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Our @JWoodfield365 discusses the consequences of the summer transfer window and the international break as FPL managers ready themselves for Gameweek 4.  Get ready for action with our Gameweek 4 tips.

House of Wildcards

Wildcard fever is threatening to break out into a full-blown contagion among the FPL Twitter community. Gameweek 3's insipid 43 points average will have turned a stark number of managers to an early season-salvaging Wildcard, and regardless of your reasoning for doing so, it's certainly a mighty tempting option. Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez and Phillipe Coutinho are among the big hitters set to return for GW4 (although Sanchez technically did return in GW3, his anonymity against Liverpool notwithstanding), and owners of the introverted Kevin De Bruyne and ineffective Mesut Ozil, both high-priced, will be licking their lips. However, the more parsimonious managers will have understandable doubts: Hazard scored for Belgium in their World Cup qualifier with Gibraltar, but has not kicked a first-team ball for Chelsea since May, and both Coutinho and Sanchez are reportedly far from happy having been denied summer moves to Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively. Their inclusions in Gameweek 4 are not yet guaranteed, and neither is their immediate return to form. But Hazard in particular is at least re-entering the FPL fold in a seemingly much more jovial frame of mind. Antonio Conte may not throw him straight into the fray against Leicester, which throws up some doubt, but the second-highest scoring midfielder of last season is worth considering for Wildcard-ers. Particularly if he remains on penalty-taking duties. Regardless of whether you have or haven't activated your first Wildcard, there's an important factor to consider for GW4: possible rotation. Our FPLHolly has been studiously following the international break, and is urging caution regarding a number of players, particularly players who will return late from international duty and those making a quick turnaround before Premier League games. "The following popular picks have a game late on Tuesday 5th in South America and then FPL fixtures on Saturday 9th: Aguero, Otamendi, Firmino, Willian, Luiz, Jesus, Valencia. There may also be players returning late from international duty in Africa and Asia: Hegazi, Salah, Bailly, Mahrez, Mane, Yoshida, Okazaki. Expect lots of rotation in GW4," she wrote. Consequently, vigilant team news checking is urged up to the 11:30 deadline on 9 September, as is ensuring your bench is selected accordingly in order to compensate for any possible absences.

GW4 Risk Factors

Roberto Firmino (28.5% ownership), Mohamed Salah (27.8%)and Sergio Aguero (10.9%), as FPLHolly alluded to, are among the late-travelling cohort in GW4 action first as Man City host Liverpool in the early Saturday kick-off, and their potential jet lag is a significant concern, even if both clubs have agreed to fund a private jet to bring them back early. But irrespectively of starting XIs, this is a fixture that's horribly difficult to predict. The Reds have looked imperious going forward, scoring eight goals in three Premier League games, but City have conceded just once and look much more defensively assured following Vincent Kompany's restoration near the end of last season. Both teams are renowned for their expansive, attacking football, with full-backs flying forward and their frontlines freely alternating roles to provide as much fluidity as possible, and this could either result in goals galore or a stalemate. Then, of course, we can't be sure who's certain to play. Both teams have rotated already this season - owners of Salah and Aguero will likely still harbour some PTSD over their recent benchings - and while neither Pep Guardiola nor Jurgen Klopp will want to rest players for such a grand fixture, there will still be some doubt once the international break concludes. Kyle Walker could come back in at right-back for City following suspension, risking Danilo's place, while Guardiola could opt to stick with the 4-4-2 formation he deployed at Bournemouth which led to John Stones being dropped. Klopp, meanwhile, could pick any combination of full-backs, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Alberto Moreno and Andre Robertson vying for two positions. With such an array of talent in both squads, it's likely not worth benching players from either team - although perusing team news may be worthwhile up to the GW4 deadline - but those contemplating bringing in a Reds or City player before GW4 may want to think twice.

Essentials Collection

Swansea's 2-0 win at Crystal Palace was among the more surprising results in GW3, and Paul Clement's superb late transfer business for Renato Sanches and Wilfried Bony provides FPL intrigue. Of course, the big noise is about on-loan Sanches. The Portuguese wonderkid has five career league goals and two assists, but his limited first-team action over the last 12 months and lack of Premier League experience are factors. He'll likely need time to settle, and given that he defends as much as he attacks, patience may be sage in seeing how he adjusts. I'm much more excited about Swansea's defenders. The Swans' back five of Lukas Fabianski (14 points), Kyle Naughton (19), Alfie Mawson (12), Federico Fernandez (15) and Martin Olsson (12) are Swansea's five highest-scoring players. The fivesome have been stoic so far, disregarding Swansea's last 10 minutes against Manchester United, and with Newcastle up next at home, Swansea's defenders are great options for clean sheet bonuses. Another side with a good-looking GW4 fixture is Burnley, who are at home to Crystal Palace. Chris Wood made a perfect debut against Tottenham in GW3, coming off the bench to register his first Clarets goal, and at £6.5m, he's a potentially profitable striker differential. But the real value is with Robbie Brady. The ex-Norwich man's stats, displayed above, are extremely encouraging given his affordable £5.5m price tag, and his superb set piece delivery and creative threat (see his gorgeous assist for Wood's equaliser) make him an exciting asset with some promising upcoming home fixtures. Follow Jack for more FPL insight... 

More FPL Gameweek Tips

Wondering who to pick as as your Gameweek 4 Captain? @FPLHolly discusses the best options in her weekly GW4 Captain tips article. Not sure which one of Tottenham's midfield to choose? FPL_ElStatto looks at the underlying stats of two of the FPL's most consistent scorers in a stats head to head - Dele Alli or Christian Eriksen - who should you choose? Follow Us for more #FPL tips, picks and expert opinion. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_6" layout="1_6" spacing="" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" mer_position="all" padding="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no" element_content=""][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]