After an incredibly high-scoring week in Gameweek 1 with an average of 69 points thanks to big hauls from Bruno Fernandes and Mohammed Salah, the focus now shifts to Gameweek 2.
It is still incredibly early on in this season, but for those managers starting FPL 2021/22 one week late or those looking to play their wildcard, here is the best team for Gameweek 2.
GK: David Raya (BRE) – £4.5m
David Raya was the one of top-scoring goalkeepers in GW1, earning 8 points in Brentford’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal. Raya will collect plenty of saves due for FPL managers due to Brentford’s tendency to concede shots from long range, and the Spaniard could earn another clean-sheet at the weekend as the Bees take on shot-shy Crystal Palace.
DEF: Luke Shaw (BHA) – £5.5m
Luke Shaw is the most owned player in FPL with good reason and offers incredible value at his price with Manchester United’s favourable start to the season. Shaw registered one big chance and two penalty area touches in GW1, and it is only a matter of time before managers get returns from the Manchester United left-back.
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) – £7.5m
Trent Alexander-Arnold started the new season with a clean sheet and could have another monster score at the weekend as Liverpool take on Burnley at home after the Clarets lost to Brighton on the opening day.
DEF: Kostas Tsimikas (LIV) – £4.1m
With Andy Robertson still injured, Kostas Tsimikas remains a godsend for FPL managers at his price and was incredibly impressive offensively against Norwich City in GW1 and even took some corners for the Reds, indicating he could get some attacking returns this week.
MID: Ferran Torres (MCI) – £7.0m
A differential option for GW2 is Manchester City midfielder, Ferran Torres. Torres has played as a striker for Pep Guardiola’s side in the Community Shield and against Tottenham in GW1, and could continue to be used in that role as City face newly promoted side Norwich City this weekend.
MID: Mason Greenwood (MUN) – £7.5m
In the absence of Cavani, Rashford and Martial, Mason Greenwood started up front for Manchester United on the opening day of the season against Leeds United and was unlucky not to score more points in GW1. With Greenwood playing out of position in FPL as a striker and with three nice fixtures on the horizon – Southampton, Wolves and Newcastle – the Englishman is one asset all managers should have their eye on over the coming weeks.
MID: Bruno Fernandes (MUN) – £12.1m
Bruno Fernandes has continued where he left off last season as he started the new campaign as the top scorer in GW1 with his wonderful hat-trick. Fernandes almost played as a second striker at times against Leeds, making runs from deep in behind the defence, which makes him an even bigger goal threat in the new season.
MID: Mohammad Salah (LIV) – £12.5m
Mohammad Salah finished with 17 points in gameweek 1 with a goal and 2 assists against Norwich and is the bookies favourite to get on the scoresheet as Liverpool take on Burnley at home on Matchday 2, making it almost a no-brainer to have him in your team at this stage of the season.
FWD: Ivan Toney (BRE) – £6.5m
Despite not getting on the scoresheet or registering a shot in GW 1 against Arsenal, Ivan Toney is still one of the best forward options in the game. The Bees striker scored 33 goals last season in the Championship and has a favourable fixture in GW2 against a struggling Crystal Palace side.
FWD: Danny Ings (AVL) – £8.0m
Danny Ings got off the mark in Aston Villa colours in Gameweek 1 against Watford and faces Newcastle United in GW 2 after they conceded four goals on the opening day against West Ham, making him one of the best forward options in the game at his price.
FWD: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE) – £8.0m
Rafael Benitez set up in a more direct 4-2-3-1 system in his first outing as Everton manager, and the biggest beneficiary of the new shape is Dominic Calvert Lewin. The two wingers – Townsend and Gray – were focused on crossing the ball in for Calvert Lewin, who finished the game with 5 shots and 1.6 xG.
Captaincy Pick
Mohammed Salah and Bruno Fernandes were the two standout options last week, and remain the two most popular candidates in Gameweek 2 as well. The deciding factor in this decision that gives Salah the edge is the fact that Liverpool are playing at home in front of a capacity crowd at Anfield for the first time in 18 months, giving Salah the extra incentive to score in front of the home fans.
Shivaan Shah