For Fantasy Premier League players, it means the start of a new chapter for at least a month until the next international break rolls around.
There is always so much to consider after an international break, with injuries always a worry and in today’s world, does anyone have Covid-19?
Sadly, it looks like several teams are going to be affected by the latest news that eight players could be stopped from playing.
Raphinha, Fabinho, Roberto Firmino, Alisson, Ederson, Gabriel Jesus, Thiago Silva and Fred are all likely to miss out after failing to travel to Brazil for the international break.
Weirdly that was recommended by the Premier League, but it looks like a messy situation heading into GWK4.
In GWK3, punters following our team will have seen we scored 61 points – not the best, but without Michail Antonio, it would have been so much worse.
This week it looks like it is time to get rid of Harvey Barnes, three games and no returns, so it’s time for a change. We also have a transfer up our sleeves to try and make further inroads, and it looks like Ferran Torres could be a player to target.
With Jesus out and City lacking a striker, Torres appeals as a differential at this stage of the season and at £7.1million, he is miles cheaper than the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.
Goalkeeper – Robert Sanchez
Brighton travel to Brentford this weekend, and Graham Potter’s side will be looking to prove a point after a disappointing defeat last time out.
Which #PL goalkeeper have you been most impressed with since the start of the season?
pic.twitter.com/nMYzZdLwXA
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 6, 2021
Sanchez has collected ten points from three matches so far, and there’s every chance he can rack up some bonus points if Brentford fail to find their groove on home soil.
Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, Ben White, Shane Duffy
TAA and Shaw are likely to be stalwarts of most teams throughout the season, and this week is no different. Trent Alexander-Arnold plays against Leeds United, and if they struggle to settle at home, the Liverpool right-back could find himself on the scoresheet at Elland Road.
Shaw plays against Newcastle, and that’s a no brainer – Newcastle are likely to struggle against a revamped Red Devils backline. We have also decided to try and select an Arsenal defender – yes, you read that correctly.
However, Arsenal’s fixtures improve from GWK4, and they welcome Norwich City to the Emirates Stadium, who have only scored one goal from three matches.
Ben White gets the nod after recovering from Covid-19, while we believe doubling up on Brighton defenders could pay off, with Shane Duffy in our starting XI.
Midfielders – Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah, Ferran Torres, Raphinha
Raphinha is staying in the team, just in case the Premier League can come to an agreement with FIFA, but the other three should do the damage even if he misses out.
Even though Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the Premier League, Bruno Fernandes is still a huge FPL asset, and he could go wild against a fragile Magpies defence.
Mo Salah is Mo Salah, and he is playing Leeds, so that explains that selection, and as we discussed earlier, Torres looks to be a shrewd pick after picking up 23 points so far. If he plays as a makeshift striker, Torres offers good value at 17/10 to score anytime against Leicester City.
Strikers – Michail Antonio and Ivan Toney
After scoring his first Premier League goal last week, Toney retains his place in our team, and he looks a good pick for the next two gameweeks, with Brighton and Wolves next up for the Bees.
Antonio is as close to an automatic pick as you can get at the minute, he has registered double-digit returns every week so far, and against Southampton, there’s no reason that will not continue, with the Jamaica international 8/5 to score anytime.
Here’s your FPL Gameweek 4 team in full:
*All odds correct at time of writing.
