Best Of Bets

Tag: FPL

  • Arsenal vs Man City | Back 7/2 Trossard to net

    Arsenal vs Man City | Back 7/2 Trossard to net

    With seven games of the Premier League season in the books, October’s international break looms like an unruly parent removing a child’s plaything.

    However, before domestic hostilities go into hiatus for a fortnight, Arsenal and Manchester City send us off in explosive style.

    Meeting at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Super Sunday is shaping up nicely.

    Not only do Liverpool and Brighton line-up in the matinee presentation, the top dogs from last term then meet.

    One of the marquee fixtures in world football, Arsenal and City clash at a fascinating avenue.

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    Bouncing back

    Like last season – for the moment at least – both Arsenal and City head the standings, separated only by Tottenham in second spot on goals scored.

    The weekend’s mouth-watering offering is delicately poised.

    With just a point between the two sides, both have suffered defeat in the past week.

    Whilst Arsenal lost away in midweek, City bounced back, but arrive on the back of league defeat for first time this term.

    After Wolves inflicted a shock defeat on the Cityzens at Molineux, Sunday is the Gunners’ turn to respond on their own patch.

    Alas, they may have to do so without their star man.

    Saka doubt

    Having carried a slight niggle for the past few weeks, Bukayo Saka‘s midweek withdrawal was a sizeable blow for boss Mikel Arteta.

    Initial fears appear to have been dampened with the news the Arsenal forward could start on Sunday.

    Yet, Saka could be forced into bench role.

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    His absence could see either Gabriel Jesus or Eddie Nketiah shuffled to the right of a front three, with Kai Havertz a potential to start up top.

    However, it is the left wing role that could be vital.

    With Gabriel Martinelli still out, Leandro Trossard is poised.

    Trossard to shine?

    As the clamour grows for the tricky Belgian to be handed a run in the starting XI, the 28-year-old is ready to be unleashed on City.

    A late substitute in netting Arsenal’s leveller in the Community Shield back in August, Trossard’s record against the Sunday’s opposition is impressive.

    Trossard has now netted three times against City in the past, including twice for former club Brighton.

    Indeed, finding the net at the Etihad last October, Trossard was instrumental in the Seagulls’ 3-2 win in May 2021.

    Not many players can boast such a record against formidable opposition and his experiences in front of goal may be crucial.

    A possible match-up with Kyle Walker will be a fascinating pace battle, one Trossard has already come out on top in.

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    In front of Walker, Rodri will be a huge void to fill this weekend after his sending off last weekend.

    Without the Spanish guardian – perhaps the best central midfielder in Europe right now – Arsenal could be in business.

    Aside from their season-opener victory at Wembley, the north Londoners have lost all of their last eight league and cup games.

    At home, Arsenal are winless against City in the league since 2015. This could be the time to change that particular stat.

    Trossard will be central to that and a 7/2 punt with SpreadEx to score anytime.

  • Fantasy Premier League 2023/24: Five bargains for your FPL team

    Fantasy Premier League 2023/24: Five bargains for your FPL team

     

    Time is running out to pick a Fantasy Premier League team ahead of Friday’s deadline.

    But selecting Erling Haaland up front, or Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back is the easy bit. Balancing a budget is trickier.

    So who are the FPL bargains to consider snapping up for the 2023/24 season?

    Allow BestofBets to run through some underrated and underpriced buys for this season’s FPL…

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    FPL bargains – Defenders

    Tariq Lamptey (£4.0) – Lamptey has endured a torrid time with injuries in the past year or so and, as such, he only played 438 minutes in the Premier League last season.

    Roberto De Zerbi has primarily used him as a substitute.

    However, when fit and firing, he’s a flying full-back with immense assist potential in FPL. If he can break back into the Brighton team, his value will soar.

    Amari’i Bell (£4.0) – Those unfamiliar with the Championship may not be aware of the Luton left-back.

    Bell was a regular for the Hatters in a very solid defence last season, making 44 appearances and helping Luton keep 20 clean sheets.

    Only champions Burnley kept more clean sheets and Bell was a major part of that. The Jamaican international is worth a punt.

    Midfielders

    Carney Chukwuemeka (£4.5) – Bargain midfielders on FPL are as rare as hen’s teeth, but this Chelsea youngster may just be worth a shot to supplement any squad. He’s been heavily involved in pre-season and, now approaching his 20th birthday, the winger is ready to burst onto the big stage.

    We know that Mauricio Pochettino likes to put faith in youth, so Chukwuemeka could be a huge beneficiary of the new manager, especially now, with the hammer blow of losing Christopher Nkunku until November.

    Shandon Baptiste (£4.5) – The 25-year-old Grenadian is one of the cheapest midfielders in the game, yet he remains a semi-regular starter for Brentford.

    He appeared 23 times last season and while he’s not hot on goals or assists, the Bees are superb at keeping clean sheets. Baptiste will pick up a few points every gameweek.

    Forwards

    Jean-Philippe Mateta (£5.0) – Finally, there’s virtually no value in going for a bargain striker on FPL but Crystal Palace forward Mateta is cheap as chips. He’s scored eight Premier League goals in 58 appearances and has 24 in 67 in the Bundesliga for Mainz.

    They aren’t stunning stats, but neither are Palace stacked with forward option;.The Frenchman may get plenty of game time.

  • Premier League 2023/24: FPL template team to pick this season

    Premier League 2023/24: FPL template team to pick this season

     

    Dust off the spreadsheets, ready the stats and start telling your mates how much money you’re going to win off them this season.

    That’s right, it’s time to pick your Fantasy Premier League team for 2023/24!

    The start of any season can make or break your FPL hopes, but fear not, BestofBets are here to ease your worries.

    Our resident footie nuts, Dominic Booth and Neil Leverett have put their heads together – laying their necks on the block – and come up with a starter FPL template squad.

    With a transfer fund of 100m, here is what they’ve come up with…

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    Goalkeepers

    Andre Onana – Is the new Man United goalkeeper a risk? Definitely. Is he more suited to Erik ten Hag’s style of play than David de Gea? Absolutely. So, is he worth picking as your No.1 in FPL this season? Another yes. Protected by an improving United defence that should collect numerous clean sheets, Onana is a good buy at £5.0.

    Daniel Bentley – Your reserve ‘keeper should at least have an outside chance of playing. And former Bristol City and Brentford No.1 Bentley finished as Wolves’ main custodian at the end of last season. At £4.0, he’s worth a shot.

    Defenders

    Reece James – Let’s start with an obvious pick. When fully fit and firing, James is arguably the best right-back in the league and he should be emboldened under new boss Mauricio Pochettino. At £5.5 (way cheaper than a certain Liverpool right-back), James could be an assist machine for your FPL side this term. FPL template gold.

    Luke Shaw – Another must-have, especially at £5.5. He’s a guaranteed started under Ten Hag and should be good value for assists and clean sheets. Like James, he needs to remain injury-free, which has been an issue in the past. But Shaw is now 28 and at the peak of his powers.

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    Pervis Estupiñán – The Brighton left-back will be a popular selection this season, given his powerhouse form at the tail end of last term. He’s got an eye for goal and storms into very attacking positions for assists. Still only £5.0, the Ecuadorian is a no-brainer.

    Matty Cash – At £4.5, the Poland international is a steal. He’s another guaranteed starter, occasional set-piece taker, assist-maker and bombs on in attack. He’s got to be in your squad; whether he fits into the XI or sits on the bench, Cash is worth a place.

    Malo Gusto – A bit of a punt, here. While it seems counter-intuitive to select both James and Gusto – realistically competing for the same place in Pochettino’s Chelsea side – the new signing from Lyon has bags of potential. He’s only £4.0 right now and could easily rise in value if he breaks into the Blues’ XI.

     

    Midfielders

    Bruno Fernandes – Still perhaps overlooked by many, since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and now with the competition of Marcus Rashford, the Portuguese could have another stellar campaign. Penalty duties remain his, and scoring against Arsenal in New Jersey showed his class.

    Martin Ødegaard – The Gunners are flush with attacking options, but the most likely to play most minutes is the skipper. Now in his third full season, the Norwegian was in the top 15 last term for xG at just under 10. With 15 goals and 8 assists last season, Odegaard could become gold again; for both Arsenal and FPL managers.

    Bryan Mbeumo – No Ivan Toney for the first half of the campaign means collective worries for Brentford fans, but Mbeumo ought to provide enough goals and assists to keep Thomas Frank’s side competitive. As a midfielder according to FPL, he’s a superb purchase for just £6.5 and will keep your team competitive, too.

    Kaoru Mitoma – By the back-end of 22/23, he was in everyone’s FPL teams and we see no reason to start the new campaign without the Brighton flyer. Manchester City’s recent interest shows just how high his ceiling is. He’ll be central to Roberto De Zerbi’s hopes of building on last season’s immense success at the AMEX.

    Leandro Trossard – There was much FPL template discussion, but eventually, the tricksy Belgian gets the final nod. A second inclusion from Mikel Arteta’s brood, Trossard has been electric in pre-season and the catalyst for the Gunners late, late show in the Community Shield. May have to fight for his place, but at 7.0 could become a bargain.

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    Forwards

    Alexander Isak – With Callum Wilson surprisingly short of minutes in pre-season and the Swede’s blockbuster form towards the end of last season, this is a straightforward selection. Isak should play in the majority of games and improve on his tally of 10 Premier League strikes in 22/23.

    Darwin Núñez – Will this season see the evolution of Darwin at Anfield? The stats nerds liked his output last season, despite a habit of missing big chances. The sense is that Liverpool will get their No.9 to come good sooner rather than later. At an appealing price of £7.5, it’s worth finding out.

    Erling Haaland – We kept you hanging didn’t we? Despite a price tag of £14.0 – making him the most expensive player in the game by a distance – you simply have to pick the City hitman to complete the FPL template. Another Golden Boot-worthy goal haul seems inevitable, with the supply line coming in from De Bruyne, Bernardo and company.

     

    Good luck to all FPL managers, both the long-suffering devotees and the ones fresh off the boat…its going to be a fun season.