Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 4: Mixed Results and Strategic Moves

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers faced a challenging Gameweek 4 as many popular players failed to deliver the expected performances. One of the most notable disappointments was Joao Pedro, who was the most purchased player ahead of the week, with over 1.3 million managers adding him to their teams. Unfortunately, an injury sustained during international duties prevented him from contributing any points.

Among the top transfers for the week, Erling Haaland stood out by scoring two goals against Brentford, accumulating 13 points. Haaland was entrusted with the captaincy by over five million FPL managers and did not disappoint. His performance has made him one of the highest scoring players of the season so far, nearing legendary status with his point tally.

In contrast, other player selections were not as lucrative. Players like Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz also failed to register any significant points. Salah, who was captained by over two million managers, only managed to secure two points. Similar disappointments surrounded players such as Amadou Onana and Cole Palmer, whose performances fell below expectations.

This week’s game results included notable matches such as Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Brentford, where Haaland’s brilliance was evident. Aston Villa overcame Everton with a 3-2 win, with Ollie Watkins scoring his first goals of the season, rewarding managers who showed faith in him as a differential captain pick. Despite this, Watkins was one of the most transferred out players, with over 735,000 managers opting to sell him before his stellar performance.

The gameweek also saw the highest use of Wildcards, with over 940,000 managers exercising this option to overhaul their teams. However, these strategic moves did not yield the desired outcomes for many, as a significant number of top-bought players failed to contribute significantly to their gameweek points.

Looking ahead, managers will be strategizing to avoid repeating the disappointments of this gameweek, possibly focusing more on consistent performers like Haaland. The dynamics of player transfers and captaincy selections continue to be crucial as the FPL season unfolds.