GameDay Squad EPL Gameweek 7 preview

Round seven is here, as we hit the final week before the dreaded international break happens. Let’s make sure everyone finishes this round on a high with a preview of each game and who to potentially select. 

Bournemouth v Fulham: Fulham are coming off of a 3-1 loss and run into what could be seen as a bogey team for them. Bournemouth have won the past three times these teams have met in a Bournemouth home fixture. Semenyo was the sole scorer in the latest of these fixtures, while former striker Solanke performed quite well with two goals in the three games. This may mean Evanilson could become a good pick for the round, while Kluivert and Tavernier have also scored previously against Fulham. Bournemouth have managed to keep a clean sheet in their past two home fixtures against Fulham, which makes Petrovic, Senesi and Truffert all options as well.

Leeds v Tottenham: Spurs have scoring pedigree when it comes to playing Leeds as they have scored 12 goals in the past three games against them. While Porro scored and assisted the last time these teams met, it becomes a question of whether last round was just rotation or a permanent change to the starting XI. While former players Kane and Son Heung-Min did most of the damage in previous fixtures, it’s a matter of picking who’ll be the provider or goal scorer this time with options such as Kudus, Simons and Richarlison all being solid choices. Spurs have only managed one clean sheet in the past five fixtures against Leeds, which may be an indication to avoid their backline this round.

Man Utd v Sunderland: It's hard to gauge historical form in this fixture given there hasn’t been one between the two since 2017. In terms of recent form Sunderland appears to be one of the more capable defensive teams in the league against a United team who have struggled throughout the season. I don’t mind the selection of Sunderland defenders, such as Roefs, Fernandez, Hume or Mulere, however there is a chance of rotation if Ballard comes back into the starting lineup. Mulere being able to play in multiple positions across the defence makes him the most likely to remain. As usual Bruno Fernandes is likely to accumulate stats, particularly against a more defensive opponent, where he can pick up the ball deeper and set up the play.

Arsenal v West Ham: Arsenal’s most recent game (which was at home) against West Ham resulted in a shock 1-0 loss, albeit with a front line of Nwaneri, Merino and Trossard. Previous to that, Arsenal secured 5-2 and 6-0 wins. They’re every chance of producing a similar score line given West Ham’s form this season. Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their past five home games against West Ham, however this is a trend I can see being broken. The tricky thing about picking Arsenal defenders this week is twofold, which is that they played Champions League midweek and Ben White is back from injury. This makes Timber and Calafiori too big of a risk in being subbed out during the game, while there’s potential of the same for their centre backs. Given Gabriel was subbed off in the Champions League, I’d back him in for the full game and would look at selecting Raya alongside him. In those two previous thumpings, Saka has performed sublimely with five goal contributions. Gyokeres is another attacking option who could feast in this fixture.

Chelsea v Liverpool: It’s historically a very tight and low scoring affair when these teams meet and that is likely to continue this round. Liverpool haven’t beaten Chelsea at home in the past seven fixtures there. Of those seven games, five have had two or less goals scored in them, while there have been five clean sheets collectively. With Palmer already ruled out he won’t be an option in this one. The only option I believe there to be for this game is Van Dijk given the likely low scoring affair and the matchup against Joao Pedro, which he’ll have the aerial advantage in (albeit Chelsea are one of the lower teams in the league for conceding aerial duel wins).

Wolves v Brighton: This is potentially a targetable fixture of the Brighton attackers given Wolves struggles so far, and it’s typically been a fixture Brighton score in (with seven in the past three). While in recent times the likely starting Brighton attackers have produced much against Wolves in previous times Mitoma has. He along with Minteh will be potential unique options for the round as Rutter and Welbeck tussle for the striker spot.

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest: If you’re targeting defenders or goalkeepers in this fixture, then think again. Over the past twelve fixtures between these two there has only been one clean sheet collectively. Rather than target the defenders you should be going for the midfielders and attackers as those same twelve games have produced 50 goals at an average of 4.16 per game. Unfortunately, the Newcastle attack has been anything less than settled, but with Gordon back he’s potentially one to target. Ange Postecoglu’s appointment has resulted in a similar fate for the Forest attack as both Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White have been early victims of the change. This does make it hard to justify a Forest pick.

Everton v Crystal Palace: Two of this season's better performing teams meet in what could have been considered a minor clash at the beginning of the season. Crystal Palace have not beaten Everton at home in the past eleven fixtures there and in the past nine fixtures in total. You have to go back 17 Everton home fixtures (1992) for the last time Crystal Palace kept a clean sheet there. If this trend continues it makes for the likes of Grealish, Ndiaye and Garner options. Everton themselves have only kept three clean sheets in their past ten home games against Crystal Palace.

Aston Villa v Burnley: Most coaches may see this as a targetable fixture for clean sheets, however there hasn’t been one in the past five games between these teams. At the opposite end of the field Watkins has a goal contribution in all but one of those games. Given Villa’s struggles to score, it’s a game where Dubravka could be a risky but high scoring pick if they are able to keep a clean sheet here.

Brentford v Man City: Brentford continued their trend of scoring in every game this season as they beat United 3-1, while City failed to keep what looked a certain clean sheet. City have failed to keep a clean sheet at Brentford in the past three games there, which puts a question mark on Donnarumma and any City defenders. Foden has five goals in the past two Brentford home games, while Haaland has three in the past three meetings at either ground. Other options to consider are Doku and Reijnders so long as you’re willing to risk rotation.

Goalkeepers:

●     Roefs ⭐️

●     Raya

●     Pickford

●     Vicario

●     Petrovic

Uniques: Dubravka and Martinez

Defenders:

●     Truffert

●     Gabriel

●     Senesi ⭐️

●     Mulere

●     Van Dijk

●     Porro

●     Hume

●     Dorgu

●     Cash

●     Saliba

Uniques: Hartman and Fernandez

Midfielders:

●     B Fernandes

●     Kudus

●     Garner

●     Grealish ⭐️

●     Simons

●     Mitoma

●     Anderson

●     E Fernandez

●     Foden

●     Reijnders

Uniques: Xhaka and Damsgaard

Forwards:

●     Haaland ⭐️

●     Gyokeres

●     Saka

●     Gordon

●     Ndiaye

●     Doku

●     Watkins

●     Richarlison

●     Minteh

●     Semenyo

Uniques: Evanilson and Woltemade

…And that’s a wrap! Best of luck with round seven.