With GW2 done and dusted, we now have exactly double the information that we possessed when looking at bandwagons last week. What a difference that’s made! Plenty to look at this week and time to get into the nitty gritty of it. So who are this weeks’ potential bandwagons?

Pogba (8.1m) – 2 goals / 2 assists– 23 points

The first hype train (HYYYYYYYPPPEEEE) of the week departed before the gameweek had even finished, making patient managers rue their choices and curse the great kneejerkers of our time. Like some suspected, the arrival of Matic has allowed Pogba a greater license to roam, and he is finally showing the performances which caught the eye at Juventus (from an FPL perspective). In just two games, he has had 6 shots (4 inside the box) and created 5 chances for his teammates. Even with a high Expected Goals (xG) score of 1.04, he has made the most of his opportunities during these games. A man clearly in form and enjoying his newfound freedom to attack. He’s likely to increase in price again this week (potentially tonight – sitting at 97.1 on fplstatistics), so if you want him in, get him in soon. HIT.

Mkhitaryan(8.2m) – 4 Assists– 21 Points

Overshadowed in this weeks’ early transfer market by his teammate above, Mkhi looks like he could be another great addition to your team, starting this season in the style many expected from him last season (you know, by playing…). His Expected Assists (xA) are sitting very high after two games at 2.10 (1.08 xA per 90 mins) suggesting that he is likely to continue providing his teammates with great opportunities, adding to the 9 key passes he created in his first two games. His goal potential is much lower than his Utd counterpart (xG = 0.10), which is likely the reason he has less transfers this week (125k less, to be precise). The Champions League being around the corner may be another reason, and whilst Mhki should play most games, his minutes are likely to suffer due to rotation. For these reasons, Pogba is currently the safer choice between the two. MISS– only due to safer option in Pogba. Could realistically choose either and be content, however.

Chicarito (7.1m) – 2 Goals– 15 Points

Playing his first game against Utd was always going to be a tough ask for Hernandez, but the Little Pea more than made up for that game with two goals against Southampton. He could be the third striker we’ve been searching for to partner our two big hitters up front. He had 5 shots on target during these games, scoring 2, with an xG of 1.18. At 0.59 xG per 90 mins(xG90), he looks very dangerous and once Lanzini returns, West Ham’s attack will be more formidable than it has been in years. With 2 games against promoted Newcastle (A) and Huddersfield (H), Chicharito could be in for big hauls either side of the international break. If you can bring him in now, I think he’ll provide the goods: a steal for 7.1m (which he won’t be for long – already at 21.8 after rising last night). HIT.

Alonso (7.0m) – 2 Goals / No CS– 16 Points

Well, well, well… the man who loves to prove the doubters wrong has struck again. And again. When Chelsea shore up their defence (so when Cahill is back… and they have 11 men on the pitch… and they aren’t playing Spurs), Alonso could be a great pick for this season. Basically, the question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you can put 7.0m into your defence?

One way around this is to accept the 7.0m and have another bench fodder midfielder, imagining Alonso to be a 4th mid who can also get CS points. Looking at the 7m midfielders, perhaps taking Alonso ahead of them may be the wisest choice: Willian won’t be nailed when Hazard returns; Ramsey, whilst I think he will do well this season and am a big advocate for, is a liability whilst Arsenal aren’t at full strength; and Zaha hasn’t really played well since returning from AFCON… and is injured. Chelsea will start keeping clean sheets, and whilst your new ‘4th mid’ won’t score every game, he always has that potential for a goal/assist and will often get you added CS points. He’s had 7 shots this year (3 inside the box) and an xG of 0.33 is not terrible for a defender (especially one sharing free-kick duties). It’s tough to put so much money into your defence, but if anyone is worth it, it’s Marcos. HIT.

Richarlison (6.0m) – 1 Goal / 1 Assist– 15 Points

What an awkward price bracket – very few viable options here. Richarlison may be the player to fill that gap. His competition is mainly Ritchie (who may struggle as Newcastle don’t look the best – putting it lightly) and Phillips (who could well be worth the 6m – especially with solid fixtures coming up). With an xG90 (0.72) and xA90 (0.49) totalling 1.21 per 90 mins, the Watford signing has looked quite dangerous over the past two games (120 mins). He may take some time to fully adapt to the league, but a goal and assist already could be a sign of things to come. Watford have a decent run coming up (BRI-soton-M.CITY-swa-wba) and seem to have improved their attacking prowess from last year. With Richarlison feeding Gray and Deeney, this could be the time to go with a 6.0m rather than a 7.0m and use that cash elsewhere. He looks like he could be a good differential option (1.2% ownership). May be advised to wait if other issues are pressing on your team, if not… HIT.

Hegazi (4.7m) – 1 Goal / 2 CS– 17 Points

Looking like good value currently, but with a steadily rising price and uncertainty about his nailed on-ness, Hegazi is a tough one to call. 2 clean sheets is a great start to the year for WBA. With a low expected conceded goals score (1.77 – 6th best in the league) and solid fixtures coming up (next three games each score 2 for Fixture Difficulty Rating), chances of more clean sheets are relatively high. For the short term, Hegazi looks like a solid purchase, but is harder to call as a long-term option. With McAuley likely to return GW4/5, it’s difficult to know whether Hegazi will be completely nailed on after the international break. If you missed the start of the train, it may be too late to get on now. MISS.

Mooy (5.6m) – 1 Goal / 1 Assist– 16 Points

Finally, a player since Tim Cahill that Australians can put in their team and feel satisfied that their fellow countryman is providing the goods. But will he continue? 0.08 xG suggests that he took his chance well, but don’t be expecting goals every week from the deep playing midfielder. His points are likely to come mostly from assists: a good xA of 0.55 suggests that he should continue to serve up quality chancesto his team mates. For a lower priced mid, points can’t be expected every week. A combined goals and assists per 90 mins (xG90 +xA90) score of 0.31suggests that he will produce points every 3rd game, going by current performances, which is somewhat in line with his price, I guess. However, with a good run of fixtures coming up (SOTON – whu – LEI – bur – SPURS) his points potential is likely to be greater than that. Playing deeper than most would have preferred hasn’t deterred his points scoring potential thus far, and he looks like a solid investment currently. HIT.

Jesé (6.0m) – 1 Goal (one game) – 10 Points

Looking at Jesé against Arsenal, he could prove to be a real asset to Stoke this season. Currently, what puts me off him, however, is a look at Stoke’s upcoming fixtures. A run of hard fixtures against sides who are defensively strong (WBA – MAN UTD – New – CHE – SOTON – Man City) is not the time you want to be bringing in an attacking Stoke player, especially one who is new to the league. MISS.

THIS WEEK’S DARK HORSE:

It feels weird putting him in this category, but with a large number of people losing faith (250k transfers out since start of season), I feel like this is the week that Harry Kanecomes good. Leading the no. of shots in the league (14 shots / 10 in penalty box / 4 on target / 2 post) and with an xG of 1.63, he is getting chances in good positions, and it’s only a matter of time before he starts supplying the goods. He’s never scored in August, but voodoos always end – my money is on witnessing the end this week. If you like taking punts then HIT. Though is it really a punt if it’s the 3-season wonder?

Hope this helped at least someone make a decision. If you like this, I’ll try and do it each week if I have the time. I’ll constantly be trying to improve the layout and make it easier for people to read, so any improvements you can think of, let me know!

SSS.

Stats retrieved from understat.com & FPLstatistics.com