Ahead of gameweek 10 the Fantasy Premier League market has shifted in favour of one Liverpool forward and at the expense of another.
The Reds’ early-season form has hinted that Jurgen Klopp’s side will be title challengers – if not favourites – again this season, and one new signing may have a significant hand in any success that comes to Anfield.
Diogo Jota was brought to Liverpool for a not-inconsiderable sum in the summer, but his bargain FPL price means managers all over the world are considering the former Wolves man.
The Portuguese has been brought in by a net total of more than 400,000 managers ahead of GW10, and at £6.7m who could blame them?
Jota has scored three goals in his last four league games, accumulating 28 FPL points as he lays claim to a spot in the Liverpool side. Such has been his form that he already looks set to challenge his FPL best of nine goals and eight assists during the 2018/19 season.
With just Tottenham to come from the traditional big six until mid-January, he may be on course to reach double figures for goals, assists, or both by the new year.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes meanwhile appears to be back in fashion, bouncing back from two blanks with three goals and an assist in his last two games.
Fernandes’ Threat and Creativity scores (261 and 400.6 respectively) suggest he can be the all-rounder managers crave, while his four double-figures points returns this season are impressive.
Mohamed Salah is one of those who appears to be losing out due to Jota’s popularity, the £12.2m man dropped by a net total of 71,094 managers ahead of GW10.
Having missed the Leicester win after testing positive for coronavirus, Salah remains the number one ranked midfielder for Threat – managers appear to have little patience given his hefty price tag however.
Another player who has missed time on the pitch due to a positive coronavirus test is Wilfried Zaha, who has seen a net total of more than 300,000 sales.
The FPL suggests Zaha will miss Crystal Palace’s next game, having been absent for his side’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley, but he still represents a bargain for his price.
At £7.3m the forward has five goals and two assists, but, as with Salah, managers appear to have been spooked by his absence.
Finally, Jamie Vardy appears to be the most sought-after forward going into GW10, brought in by a net total of almost 150,000 bosses.
The Leicester man, who has scored eight goals in eight games, is proving more popular than the in-form Harry Kane this week despite their similar prices (£10.2m and £11m).
While Kane has fewer goals than Vardy, he is far more productive when it comes to assists – so why the popularity difference?
The answer may lie in the fixture list – Vardy’s next three fixtures are against Fulham, Sheffield United and Brighton, while Kane faces Chelsea, Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
