FPL Top Picks for Gameweek 7

Another international break beckons, so there is a big possibility that many players will not get full minutes. If you consider the midweek games as well, then you will know that this is a week in which you need to be careful with your selections.

In fact, the run of games from now to December will be treacherous. This is why we keep on hammering on the importance of strategy in this season’s Fantasy Premier League. Luckily, you have us to break down what you need to know every week before making selections.

You can also check out all our previews by clicking here.

Here are our FPL top picks ahead of gameweek 7.

Gameweek Analysis

This is how the 10 fixtures look like this weekend.

Last week met expectations, which is something that all FPL analysts on the internet will be grateful for. As a result, there is an influx of Cole Palmer transfers, wildcard usage and managers taking points hits to bring in a few players who have now shown that they should be on every FPL team.

However, we maintain that the game is best enjoyed when you can maximise the value you can get using a mix of differentials and premiums. With that being said, here are five quick FPL facts ahead of week 7 that you need to know:

● Arsenal’s defence remains the best place to shop for premium defenders.

● Dwight McNeil is the best value pick among differentials regardless of who Everton is facing.

● Arsenal’s set piece near-invincibility means Bukayo Saka remains more valuable than Cole Palmer.

● Jhon Duran (£6.1m) remains a risky asset because Unai Emery is unlikely to hand him a start ahead of Ollie Watkins.

● Liam Delap at £5.5m is the best differential striker pick for the next few weeks.

Now, let us analyse a few mid-table games with useful players for your FPL strategy.

Leicester City vs AFC Bournemouth

Jamie Vardy (£5.7m) is the top pick here but after a run of games without returns, Antoine Semenyo (£5.7m) could find his form once again against Leicester’s leaky defence. The Ghana international enjoys 10.3 percent ownership in the game ahead of week 7, which means that many managers are of the belief that things could happen in this fixture, which the Cherries will be playing away from home.

Everton vs Newcastle United

Alexander Isak (£8.3m) may be on the bench for this game, depending on how his toe injury recovery is progressing, but many can depend on Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) for points when it comes to the Magpies. The Toffees, meanwhile, have Dwight McNeil (£5.6m), whose returns have been amazing despite Everton’s overall form.

Best FPL Players for Week 7

Bryan Mbeumo (£7.4m) – Brentford

Brentford has set a record that will most likely stand for decades to come in the Premier League. The Bees are the only team to score in the first minute of a game in the Premier League for three consecutive gameweeks. Two of these goals were scored by Mbeumo, who is currently joint third in the league for goals (5 goals), which makes having him an absolute necessity for managers.

If this is the week you choose to use your wildcard, bringing in Mbeumo ahead of their game with Wolves will pay off. The transfer will also pay off in the long run as Brentford have only Manchester United from the traditionally big Premier League sides to contend with until November.

Kai Havertz (£8.2m) – Arsenal

Kai Havertz’s five goals for Arsenal this season have all come at the Emirates (three in the league and one in the UEFA Champions League). The Gunners will be at home once again in week 7. The league is already aware of the danger that Arsenal possesses and now that Kai Havertz has been returned to his role as the target man against the leaky defence of newly-promoted Southampton, this is a transfer that makes sense.

The German is the top pick of the week among many analysts, including those from the official FPL scout. However, he is a price riser (£8.1m) which could present a conundrum for managers. The solution? Use your wildcard chip to bring in the German.

Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m) – Arsenal

Gabriel Magalhães (£6.2m) is a better pick than Calafiori from Arsenal’s defence because of his aerial threat, but Riccardo Calafiori’s attacking talents make him a cheaper option to the Brazilian for managers who are not willing to use any chips just yet. This is a risky buy, however, as Ben White may well return for the Southampton game, which will mean Calafiori returns to the bench.

However, if Calafiori does start, it is unlikely that Southampton gets anywhere close to the Gunners’ goal, guaranteeing managers maximum points (plus bonuses, depending on other performance metrics) from the Italian. Also, when you consider that Gabriel blanked last week against Leicester despite many set pieces and also failed to keep a clean sheet, picking an attacking-minded Arsenal defender makes more sense for week 7.