Another round of the Premier League has come and gone and a clear picture is already developing. Liverpool look the team to beat as they swept aside 10 men Chelsea in south west London on Sunday, West Brom and Fulham look certain to go straight back down after defeats to Everton and Leeds respectively, and Ole Gunnar Solskjær looks set for another tough season as Man United fell to a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
On the Fantasy front it was a great weekend for managers who loaded their teams with strikers as 43 goals were scored over the 10 matches; not so good if had selected five defenders and a goalkeeper. Let's have a look at how round two's events has affected the Advertiser Tribal League.
Top three
Anthony Davitt - Pique Blinders - 190
Showing that they have substance as well as style, Pique Blunders sit at top after a superb weekend saw them garner 104 points. Manager Anthony Davitt's star men were Spurs duo, captain Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son who amassed 66 points between them. There were also strong performances from Patrick Bamford (14 ), Trent Alexander-Arnold (7 ), and Virgil Van Dijk (7 ). While his team's attacking prowess seems to be in rude health, defensive problems could be an issue for Davitt as the season goes on. Luke Ayling, Rob Holding, and Alex McCarthy conceded nine goals between them and thus only picked up three points. Tighten up at the back and The Blinders could be around come business time in May.
Chris O'Connor - BACK ON THAT PERCH - 182
They might not quite be back on top but Chris O'Connor's charges are only eight points from where they believe they should be. Round two sees The Lofties bring home 91 points thanks to goals from Heung-Min Son, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The defence was solid too with clean sheets for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, and Matt Ryan. BACK ON THAT PERCH are a very well balanced outfit. If O'Connor can kept his team fit and injury free then we could his men back where they want to be.
Brian Regan - MurderOnZidanesFloor - 179
Eight goals at the weekend for Brian Regan and his boys. Heung-Min Son (4 ), Danny Ings (2 ), Harvey Barnes (1 ) and an assist, and Raúl Jiménez (1 ). Captain Richarlison was in fine form chipping with three assists despite not hitting the back of the net himself. But while everything is rosy up top, defence will a concern for Les Dance. Only one clean sheet from four defenders and a goalkeeper is not what any Fantasy manager wants so it looks like Regan will have to splash the cash for a reliable centre-half.
Top picks
The great thing about football, especially in these strange times, is that there is always another game right around the corner and game week three is a big one as it will determine our first Manager of the Month of the new season. So who will be the players to get the job done and secure their Fantasy manager a pair of socks courtesy of SockerClub.com.
Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace - £6 million ) v Everton
It fair to say not many people, myself included, believed Crystal Palace would be two from two from the opening rounds but Roy Hodgson's men have been very impressive in their victories over Southampton and Man United. One man who has been key for The Eagles has been winger Andros Townsend. The 29-year-old England international provided the assist for the winner plus the opening goal in his side's 3-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday evening and I believe he will be key to the Selhurst Park's outfit's chances against Everton on Saturday afternoon. The Toffees have been equally efficient on the results' front with three points secured against Spurs and West Brom. However, what will worry manager Carlo Ancelotti was his openness at the back against West Brom who managed to plunder two goals. Townsend will exploit Everton's weakness at the back and will be the difference. Get him in your team.
Timo Werner (Chelsea - £9.5 million ) v West Brom
OK, so I know the German international has not troubled the score keepers in his first two outings but he has been incredibly sharp and lively in attack for the Blues. Werner will come up against a West Brom side who already has conceded eight in their first two outings and a player with Werner's quality will make The Baggies pay at The Hawthorns on Saturday. Trust me.
Neal Maupay (Brighton - £6.5 million ) v Man United
The Frenchman may have done nothing against Chelsea in the first game of the season but he more than made up for in the second outing as he hit the back of the twice and providing an assist as The Seagulls take home all three points from their trip up north to Newcastle. On Saturday lunchtime, Brighton host Man United at the Amex Stadium. United who were given a week off to recover from their European exploits, commenced their campaign on last Saturday with a shambolic 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and if The Eagles were more clinical it could have been four or five. Ole Gunnar Solskjær's men need a response and while they have good options in attack, they are suspect at the back. I expect Maupay to exploit and get his name on the scoresheet.
Gameweek three fixtures
Saturday:
Brighton v Man United (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
Crystal Palace v Everton (3pm ) Premier Sports.
West Brom v Chelsea (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Burnley v Southampton (8pm ) SKY Sports.
Sunday:
Sheffield United v Leeds (12 noon ) BT Sport.
Spurs v Newcastle (2pm ) SKY Sports.
Man City v Leicester (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
West Ham v Wolves (7pm ) BT Sport.
Monday:
Fulham v Aston Villa (6pm ) SKY Sports.
Liverpool v Arsenal (8.15pm ) SKY Sports.
