There’s many a slip between the lip and the cup and that adage definitely rings true for the rollercoaster ride that is the Premier League and its virtual fellow, Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Just when you think you’ve got your finger on the pulse, a virtual unknown (or maverick) comes and plays party pooper.

With 10 matches kicking off in a span of two-three days, it can get impossible to keep track of the possible permutations and combinations, being well prepared never killed anyone and that’s where The Statesman comes in with an exhaustive piece on who to buy ahead of every Gameweek.

The indicators are:

Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.

Prices (in £ million) marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices (in £ million) marked in Red indicates fall in Base Price.

Goalkeepers

Bernd Leno

Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Fulham (A), Leicester (H), Crystal Palace (A), Liverpool (H) and Wolves (H)
Price: 4.8
Score: 2
Ownership: 1.3%

Why yes: With Petr Cech out of action till the end of October at least, Leno’s time to shine is now. The German registered a shutout on his Premier League debut and one can expect more to follow in the coming weeks. Looks far more at ease with Arsenal’s new style than the Czech veteran.

Why no: Whenever Cech returns, Unai Emery may return to his policy of playing Leno in cup competitions. Arsenal defensive record hasn’t been exemplary for the longest time.

Defenders

Danny Rose

Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Cardiff City (H), West Ham United (A), Manchester City (H), Wolves (A) and Crystal Palace (A)
Price: 5.9
Score: 22
Ownership: 1.2%

Why yes: Rested in midweek (UEFA Champions League), Rose is clearly the first-choice at left back. He’s already got two assists and the powerful fullback will certainly rack them up, especially as Harry Kane starts to get into his stride. Fixtures look pretty decent on paper, barring the one against City obviously. Hugo Lloris’ return should shore up the defence.

Why no: Kieran Trippier (£6.2 m) is arguably a better option as the right back also takes set-pieces. Either way, none of the Spurs defenders are cheap and so far, they haven’t been stingy at the back.

Charlie Taylor

Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), Man City (A), Chelsea (H), West Ham United (A) and Leicester City (A)
Price: 4.4
Score: 13
Ownership: 0.3%

Why yes: The Clarets have started to rack up the wins the moment their European campaign came to an end those looking for budget options in FPL, need go no further. An excellent bargain pick, especially if you’re looking for a fourth/fifth defender. Cheapest pick from the Burnley backline.

Why no: Basically, after Gameweek 7, Sean Dyche’s men will be hard-pressed to register shutouts.

Midfielders

Andriy Yarmolenko

Team: West Ham United
Fixtures: Brighton (A), Tottenham Hotspur (H), Leicester City (A), Burnley (H) and Huddersfield Town (A)
Price: 6.8
Score: 24
Ownership: 1.4%

Why yes: Yarmolenko is arguably the pick of the lot from the Hammers midfield and his rollicking partnership with Felipe Anderson and Marko Arnautovic, coupled with his massive differential, will delight all FPL managers. Barring the Gameweek 8 fixture against Spurs, Manuel Pellergrini’s men have pretty routine matches ahead. Brighton have been poor in general this season and look like relegation-battlers at the moment.

Why no: Yes, the Hammers are in great shape, but it remains to be seen if they’re out of the woods yet. Forward Arnautovic (£7.0 m) is an excellent attacking option and with Brazilian winger Anderson (£6.8 m) in the mix as well, choosing one of the three will be a tough call.

Mesut Ozil

Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Fulham (A), Leicester City (H), Crystal Palace (A), Liverpool (H), Wolves (H)
Price: 8.3
Score: 29
Ownership: 3.7%

Why yes: The wildcard pick of this Gameweek, Arsenal’s No.10 seems to have come into his own of late. Two goals in his last two games suggest that, after a difficult start to the season, Unai Emery’s trust in the mercurial German has been well placed. Could make hay in the coming Gameweeks, especially if one considers the opposition the resurgent Gunners have lined up.

Why no: With Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5 m) in great nick and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8 m) a worthy forward pick as well, how many Arsenal attackers do you want in your FPL squad? Plus, in this price range, there’s a veritable sea of options.

Forwards

Andre Gray

Team: Watford
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Wolves (A), Huddersfield (H), Newcastle United (A) and Southampton (A)
Price: 6.0
Score: 28
Ownership: 1.3%

Why yes: Watford may have cooled off in the past few weeks, but the Hornets remain a dangerous outfit and their clash with Bournemouth promises to be a cracker. The Cherries have the joint-worst defensive record in the top half and the fact that the Hornets will never get more routine fixtures than these to make Gray an even more compelling pick.

Why no: Skipper and forward Troy Deeney (£6.1 m) is on penalty duties while Roberto Pereyra (£6.3 m) is a worthwhile midfield pick as well.

Glenn Murray

Team: Brighton & Hove Albion
Fixtures: West Ham United (H), Newcastle United (A), Wolves (H), Everton (A) and Cardiff City (A)
Price: 6.5
Score: 30
Ownership: 2.1%

Why yes: The Hammers may be on a roll, but their expansive style of play leaves them open at times and the Seagulls will definitely breach their defence at the Amex Stadium. Three of Murray’s four goals this season have come at home and the veteran is odds on to find the back of the net against the capital outfit. A solid option for the next few Gameweeks, considering Chris Hugton’s men have pretty routine fixtures ahead.

Why no: Brighton haven’t made the best of starts, as is evident by their lowly position in the league table. There’s a problem of plenty, even in the bargain forward picks.

PS: The Gameweek deadline is Friday 1900 GMT/1130 IST.

Previous articles in this series:

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 7

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 6

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 5

Fantasy Premier League Pundit Picks: Gameweek 4