Another weekend of Premier League action has come and gone, and with it comes a new set of dilemmas, opportunities, and headaches for Fantasy Premier League managers.
From new heroes emerging to familiar faces reminding us why they’re essential, the season is taking shape after four games. Here, we will analyse the main talking points from the weekend’s action.
Semenyo is taking even more responsibility at Bournemouth
Few players have impressed more than Antoine Semenyo (£7.5m) in the opening weeks. The Bournemouth forward continued his electric start with a goal and assist in the 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, taking his tally to three goals and two assists in just four matches.
He was already looking lively, but this weekend added a twist that could reshape FPL planning: Semenyo took and converted a penalty.
This is quite a big development for FPL managers. In a season where nailed-on penalty takers are scarce, especially in mid-priced forward brackets, Semenyo’s appeal skyrockets. Add to this that he has been Bournemouth’s most dangerous attacking outlet, and it’s hard to ignore him.
Justin Kluivert (£7.0m) took and scored six penalties in the Premier League last season, and has recently returned from injury — but given how well Bournemouth are playing, it won’t be easy for him to get back into the starting XI.
Their fixtures sweeten the deal as they come up against Newcastle United (H), Leeds United (A), Fulham (H), Crystal Palace (A) and Nottingham Forest (H) — a run of three home games from their next five means he should be high on our shopping list.
Chasing last week’s points can be a dangerous game in FPL, but in Semenyo’s case, there are plenty of compelling reasons to bring him in right away.
Nick Woltemade steps into the spotlight
When one door closes, another opens. With Yoane Wissa (£7.5m) expected to be sidelined for six weeks, Newcastle’s new striker Nick Woltemade (£7.0m) can cement his place. The Germany international made his debut this weekend and scored Newcastle United’s only goal in their 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With virtually no competition for the No 9 role until Wissa returns, Woltemade should get plenty of minutes and chances to score in Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures.
After a tricky double against Bournemouth (A) and Arsenal (H), they then face Nottingham Forest (H), Brighton (A), Fulham (H), West Ham United (A) and Brentford (A).
Woltemade is one to monitor over the next few, especially if he is on penalty duty.
Steady Spurs defenders — and an exciting differential
It might be early days, but Tottenham Hotspur’s appointment of Thomas Frank has helped transform them into one of the most solid sides in the league. Three clean sheets in their first four games is no fluke: they are compact, well-drilled, and hard to break down.
Add in an attack that has scored eight goals in four matches and, suddenly, Spurs’ assets look far more attractive than in pre-season. Their defenders, including Micky van de Ven (£4.6m) and Cristian Romero (£5.0m), are becoming reliable FPL picks for their clean-sheet potential, while the attackers are benefiting from more structure behind them.
It’s early days, but Xavi Simons (£7.0m) is looking like one of our most exciting mid-priced midfield options. Already establishing himself as a first-choice starter, he also took four corners and a free kick in Spurs’ 3-0 win against West Ham.
Regular minutes and the potential for more points from set pieces make him very appealing, especially with Wolves (H), Leeds (A), and Aston Villa (H) coming up in the next four.
His price makes him attainable and his low ownership (two per cent of managers) makes him a significant point of difference.
A premium problem: Haaland or Salah?
For all the excitement around new budget options, Erling Haaland (£14.1m) has been the most reliable premium option. After a somewhat underwhelming campaign by his lofty standards last season, he looks like he is back to his ruthless best. A double in the 3-0 win against Manchester United took his tally to five goals in four matches, underlining his form and reminding us why going without him is always a gamble.
But timing is everything in FPL. Manchester City’s next league game is away at Arsenal, arguably the toughest fixture for Haaland to obtain points. Jumping on him this week feels premature. Gameweek 6, however, could be a turning point. After Arsenal, Manchester City face a very favourable run against Burnley (H), Brentford (A) and Everton (H) — all games where Haaland will be the standout captaincy pick.
That creates a very real dilemma. To fund him, managers may need to sacrifice Mohamed Salah (£14.5m), who converted a 95th-minute penalty in Liverpool’s 1-0 win against Burnley. Losing last season’s highest-scoring player will always feel uncomfortable, but Haaland’s captaincy potential in those fixtures may well outweigh the risk. Using two free transfers to restructure your team and make room for Haaland could be a shrewd play.
I am looking at this double move myself in Gameweek 6 as I don’t own Haaland.
The bigger picture
This weekend gave us a snapshot of the shifting FPL landscape. Semenyo’s emergence as Bournemouth’s talisman, Woltemade’s entry as a very viable forward, and Simons’ appeal as a starter and set-piece taker provide managers with fresh options. Meanwhile, Spurs’ newfound solidity opens the door to defensive picks we might not have trusted before.
But Haaland is the storm on the horizon. Every decision between now and Gameweek 6 is, in reality, a step toward answering one question: how do we fit him in? Whether you plan to use your wildcard or free transfers to do it, it’s something we should be working towards.
(Top photos: Micky van de Ven and Erling Haaland; Justin Setterfield/Michael Regan/Getty Images)