The Stock Check – Gameweek 2 – Saturday

Saturday served up seven fixtures for Fantasy managers to peruse. Sergio Aguero rose to the armband challenge of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Etienne Capoue continued to impress as a budget midfield option, though Vincent Janssen’s first start for Spurs spelled trouble for Dele Alli and Harry Kane’s prospects.

On the Rise

Sergio Aguero
The pressure was on the City frontman after Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagged a brace in United’s win over Southampton on Friday night. Aguero duly delivered. A first-half double at the Bet365 vindicated out decision to vote him top of this week’s captain poll and took the Argentine’s tally to six goals in three competitive fixtures under Pep Guardiola. Ibrahimovic may have convinced he’s worthy of a place in our three-man frontlines, though the Swede still has some way to go before he can barge past Aguero in the race for the weekly armband.

Nolito
Emerging from the bench with 21 minutes remaining, the City summer signing bagged a late brace to seal the 4-1 win at Stoke. Raheem Sterling may be drawing the plaudits but Nolito – now down to 8.9 – done enough to suggest he may yet be the one to emerge as the best route into Pep Guardiola’s midfield if he can cement starts.

Raheem Sterling
But then there is Sterling. The flavour of the week with the media who have quickly latched on to his apparent renaissance under Guardiola. Fantasy managers are unlikely to be convinced just yet but there can be no question that there is an added verve in his game – we saw it in midweek and again at Stoke on Saturday. Back to back assists have provided immediate output and at 8.0 in the FPL, Sterling will become an option if he begins to deliver a goal threat and suggest he can edge back to the form we saw in the red of Liverpool.

Andre Gray
The Burnley forward was sold by over 58,000 FPL managers after blanking at home to Swansea last week. A goal and assist in the home win over Liverpool serves a timely reminder we need to show a little more patience with our transfers. Gameweek 3’s Chelsea trip is tricky but the forthcoming home encounters with Hull and Watford suddenly look profitable for Gray owners.

Tom Heaton
The Burnley stopper turned in another defiant show between the sticks in a 2-0 win over Liverpool. Heaton produced seven stops today and has already racked up 12 saves in the opening two Gameweeks – more than any keeper. Heaton ranked second in the overall keeper rankings in his first top flight season; he is already the top ranked keeper this time around.

Etienne Capoue
It’s two goals in as many matches for the Watford midfielder, who is thriving under the guidance of new manager Walter Mazzarri. Having scored just once in his previous three seasons, Capoue is emerging as the standout budget candidate at a price of 4.5. He did, however, limp off late on after suffering what appeared to be an impact injury in a clash with Diego Costa – we await news on that.

Ross Barkley
After bagging the opener at home to Spurs last week, the Everton midfielder provided the assist for Kevin Mirallas’ strike at the Hawthorns. Now up to 7.6, Barkley has form and fixtures on his side to maintain that early momentum.

Diego Costa
The Chelsea striker has now netted back-to-back winners for Antonio Conte’s side. Teed up by Cesc Fabregas, Costa completed the Blues’ comeback at Watford to maintain their 100% record under the Italian. On the downside, he remains a source of frustration and also collected a caution in both his opening fixtures. With Aguero and Ibrahimovic our priority up top, Costa seems likely to remain under the radar – only 8% of FPL managers have been willing to gamble on the Spain international to this point.

Bojan Krkic
The Spaniard stepped up to slot home a spot-kick while Marko Arnautovic was still on the pitch. Re-classified as a midfielder this year and priced at 6.0 to the Austrian’s 7.5, Bojan could be one to consider.

Curtis Davies
The Hull centre-back sat top for CBI in Gameweek 1 in the shock home win over Leicester. Davies followed that up with an assist and clean sheet today and with maximum bonus also in the bag, is vital to the Tigers’ prospects at both ends of the pitch.

Craig Gardner
The West Brom midfielder was second only to Dusan Tadic for key passes in Gameweek 1, teeing up his team-mates on five occasions. Gardner made good on that early promise by providing the assist for Gareth McAuley’s header – with corner kick duties in his favour, that 5.5 price tag looks encouraging. Tony Pulis’ decision to replace both his wide men just after the hour-mark could deter many from investing, though.

In Decline

Dele Alli
Named as a sub as Mauricio Pochettino opted for new boy Vincent Janssen to lead the line, Alli’s security of starts suddenly looks in question. The Spurs boss stated that Alli was preserved due to an illness that saw him miss training during the week but there’s little doubt that Janssen’s emergence is a threat. At a price of 8.5, we cannot afford a premium priced bench-warmer and Alli’s 11% must now be re-assessing their options. With Christian Eriksen also sacrificed half way through the second half, Erik Lamela’s stock now looks stronger.

Harry Kane
He may have earned the assist for Victor Wanyama’s winner but Kane’s continues to toil without Mousa Dembele behind him. It’s one goal in the last 13 league outings without the Belgian on board, with the Spurs striker shifting into a central support role to allow Janssen the lone forward berth. With Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic racking up the points, Kane looks the likely scapegoat in light of today’s new role.

Jamie Vardy
England’s other striker also continues to shed owners following a second consecutive blank. It’s incredibly harsh to write him off so early following a stubborn defensive display from Arsenal but, with Aguero and Ibrahimovic firing, patience is at a premium. The numbers don’t lie – Vardy has had a shot on goal every 47 minutes so far, compared to 28.6 last season. Like Kane, he’s started slowly and is already being left behind.

Ahmed Musa
The Nigerian dropped to the bench for today’s home clash with the Gunners as Claudio Ranieri turned to last season’s regulars in light of the Gameweek 1 loss to Hull. Owned by 11% of FPL managers, an exodus looks to be on the cards.

Marko Arnautovic
Three of the Austrian’s 11 goals arrived via penalties in 2015/16. If Bojan remains ahead of him for spot-kicks, that difference in price could persuade many owners to look elsewhere.

The Liverpool defence
Shambolic in last week’s win at Arsenal, the Reds’ backline remains unconvincing after a 2-0 loss at Burnley. Jurgen Klopp may have taken the much-maligned Alberto Moreno out of the firing line but Liverpool’s defensive frailties look as pronounced as ever.