Liverpool's current struggles, Mohamed Salah's performance and a challenging match at Chelsea make it easy to overlook their assets and stick with red-hot Erling Haaland as captain this week.
Should you not yet acted, this is your signal to select Arsenal players as they have the best schedule of any side over the upcoming six gameweeks.
Here's your Fantasy Premier League team of the week.
The team is chosen according to current FPL values to stay under a £100m spending limit, like you were using a Free Hit chip.
How did the previous gameweek's squad perform?
It was the Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo show, with zero additional player returning. An overall of fifty-three FPL points.
FPL team of the week for gameweek seven
Goalkeeper and defence
Nick Pope, Newcastle, goalkeeper, £5m – Forest (home)
The Magpies boast more clean sheets than any different team (four) while Nottingham Forest have managed just one goal in their last four matches.
FPL managers are losing faith in the previous campaign's surprise team.
Although they recorded the most shots (twenty-two) of any side last week, it is difficult to rely on them on the road to the Magpies' solid backline – only Arsenal (3.9 xGC) have a better xGC than the Newcastle's 4.6 xGC.
Marcos Senesi, the Cherries, £4.9m – the Cottagers (home)
Here are reasons to select Senesi.
- Bournemouth's defensive unit has remained strong even after the departure of several important players in the offseason.
- You've probably noticed he has emerged as the top choice for defensive contribution points, with bonus points in five out of six games.
- The opposition may be without an experienced striker, with Muniz and Raul Jimenez both potentially injured.
Arsenal defender (£6.2 million) and Jurrien Timber (£5.8 million), the Gunners – the Hammers (h)
West Ham (h), Away at Fulham, Home vs Palace, Sunderland (a), Away at Burnley.
This represents a sweet sequence for the Gunners and it makes sense to invest in their defensive assets.
Gabriel brings his clear attacking potential to a high clean sheet chance – he was taken off prior to the hour mark in the cup match but that looks to have been a precaution.
At the same time, the Dutchman – aside from his two-goal haul against Leeds – has delivered 9 key passes and produced two clear opportunities. No Gunners player has a higher tally.
Dan Burn, Newcastle, £5m – Forest (home)
Pick the defender for the identical reasons as keeper Nick Pope.
He's taking on a toothless Forest side and Burn has earned defcon scores in half of his games.
Midfield
Bournemouth midfielder, Bournemouth, £7.8m – Fulham (home)
First name on the lineup at the moment. He has only blanked in one game this season – set and forget.
Manchester United midfielder, United, £8.1 million – Sunderland (home)
Mbeumo is due, that's a fact! A higher number of attempts than any different midfield asset and only Antoine Semenyo has had more efforts in the penalty area.
Combine that with the Red Devils' division-leading expected goals and you feel a haul approaching.
Could that come against Sunderland? They have been superb defensively and kept Forest last week. But you still expect the home side to score a couple at home – their offensive output hasn't really been the problem so far.
Arsenal winger, the Gunners, £9.8m – West Ham (h)
The England international is a somewhat overlooked asset in fantasy after his start-of-campaign injury, but a appealing run of games for the Gunners, starting with struggling the Hammers, means he could soon be a popular pick.
West Ham's defensive display was not that impressive in their opening match under their new manager and certainly won't scare the Arsenal.
Will Saka take penalties back from Viktor Gyokeres now that he's returned to fitness? He is a solid pick even without, an outstanding selection with.
Ismaila Sarr, the Eagles, £6.4 million – the Toffees (away)
On a per-start basis, Sarr has the highest xG among midfielders (he ranked 7th in that metric in the previous campaign).
He has found the net in three of his four starting appearances and takes on an Everton side whose form have declined in the past three fixtures – in contrast to the Eagles who are 18 unbeaten.
Forwards
Erling Haaland (captain), City, £14.4 million – the Bees (away)
It's hard to exclude Haaland out of your side at the moment regardless of the opponent, but this trip to Brentford is a promising one.
The Bees have a among the worst defence this season, for goals conceded and xGC. Only Burnley have conceded more shots.
Aston Villa striker, Aston Villa, £8.7m – the Clarets (home)
The striker is off the mark at last for the season and so too are Villa – they certainly will produce improved performances the rest of the way than in their initial five matches.
Watkins has not been great honestly, with only 9 attempts this season.
However he's up against the worst defence in the division and has the pedigree of three consecutive campaigns with at least 15 goals, so feel confident selecting him.
Subs bench
- Karl Darlow, Leeds, £4m, goalkeeper – Tottenham (h)
- Chelsea midfielder, Chelsea, £5.7 million – the Reds (home)
- Sunderland defender, Sunderland, £4.1m, defender – Manchester United (a)
- Lyle Foster, the Clarets, £5m, forward – Villa (away)
Overall squad value: £96.9m
