Headliner - Mohamed Salah (BHA)

20 games, zero defeats, 49 goals. Anfield has truly become a fortress. Our headliner scored 20 of these goals, and laid on eight assists in the process, thereby involving himself in more than half of Liverpool’s home goals. The Reds secured a 2-0 away win over Crystal Palace in gameweek two, with Salah providing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) assists for both goals; winning a penalty which Milner expertly converted, before playing Mané through for his late goal. His average of 8.5 points per game across the first two matches is almost identical to the 8.4 points per game he managed throughout last season, after producing 303 FPL points in 36 appearances. As the Custom Stats table shows, the Egyptian magician's six shots inside the box (SIB) this season is joint-top amongst midfielders, alongside Mané; while only Ings, Wilson and Agüero (eight) have taken more across all positions. Alli is the only midfielder to have produced more shots on target (SOT) so far amongst midfielders (five to four), while no player has been involved in more ‘big chances’ than the Liverpool man (four). Brighton lost this same fixture 4-0 last season, and all the signs point towards more Merseyside misery for the Seagulls. They conceded 12 SIB in their first away game of the season to Watford, who are not known for potency in attack themselves (8.3 minutes per chance). Liverpool averaged a chance every five minutes at home, better than any other side in the league, scoring an average of 2.47 goals a game. Salah should find plenty of opportunities to get on the scoresheet, with a projected score of 8.1 via our Fix algorithm.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (WHU)

98 goals in 144 appearances. These are the numbers that had FPL managers salivating when the Gabonese striker signed for Arsenal in the January transfer window this year. Aubameyang made 12 starts between gameweek 26 and 38, returning impressive returns of 10 goals and four assists which amounted to 87 FPL points. As the Custom Stats table shows, during that period, the Arsenal forward’s 19 SOT was level with Kane and only beaten by Salah (22), while his involvement in 13 ‘big chances’ was on par with the Egypt international. The 29-year-old is yet to get off the mark this season after games against Man. City and Chelsea in the opening two weeks, but there is promise in his underlying numbers. Amongst Arsenal players Aubameyang’s five goal attempts (three SIB and two SOT) is joint-first and can only be matched by Mkhitaryan. His involvement in two ‘big chances’ this season puts him on par with Kane and Mané, while only Deeney, Agüero (three), Salah and Wilson (four) have had more. His opponents West Ham have conceded eight ‘big chances’ so far, second only to Huddersfield. The Gunners averaged 2.84 goals per home game in the 2017/18 season, and have the ideal opportunity to rack up their first points under Emery. Our Fix Algorithm projects a score of 6.2 for the Gabonese striker.  

Callum Wilson (EVE)

Two games, six points. The Cherries are off to their best start ever in the top flight. After a frustrating 2017/18, Wilson has flown out of the blocks this season, having produced two goals and one assist from opening fixtures against Cardiff and West Ham; only Agüero and Mendy have provided more FPL involvements so far (four versus his three). No player has taken more than his eight SIB (matched only by Agüero and Ings) or his five shots on target, numbers shared with Agüero, Jesus and Alli. Wilson’s involvement in four ‘big chances’ this season is only matched by Salah and beats Agüero (three) as well as Kane and Mané (both with two). Amongst budget forwards priced at 7.0 or less the Bournemouth forward’s average of 1.6 SIB per game last season could only be beaten by Benteke, Zaha and Arnautovic (1.8). Bournemouth are an attacking team, more so at home, where they averaged 1.37 goals last year. 66% of the Cherries games saw over 2.5 goals, indicating their gung-ho approach. Everton are yet to keep a clean sheet, allowing their opponents 26 shots and eight  ‘big chances’. Our Fix Algorithm expects Wilson to continue his good form, with a point score of 4.4.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (WHU) 

A lot was expected from Mkhitaryan when he joined Arsenal. The Bundesliga maestro would finally have a chance to exhibit his attacking qualities under an offensive manager. After recording just one goal and assist under Wenger, the Armenian has equalled that output in Emery’s first two games. Arsenal’s tough start has seen them face Man. City and Chelsea over the first two matches and despite losing on both occasions Mkhitaryan is one man who has impressed for the Gunners. He has been given the full 90 minutes in his first two matches and directly contributed to both of Arsenal’s goals. As the table below shows, his seven attempted assists from the opening two gameweeks is joint-first in the Premier League, beating Eriksen and Sigurdsson (six). Only Shelvey can match the Armenian. Meanwhile, amongst Arsenal teammates, Mkhitaryan’s five attempts on goal, with three SIB is joint-first on both accounts, matched only by Aubameyang. In 26 appearances last season, the former Man. United midfielder directly contributed to 12 Premier League goals, finding the back of the net three times and assisting nine other goals. Arsenal’s fixtures between gameweek three and gameweek 10 look very appealing on paper. West Ham and Everton are the next two sides to travel to the Emirates and only Huddersfield (nine) have shipped more goals than the Hammers so far (six). Despite their difficulties on their travels, the Gunners have been strong at home. They average 2.47 points per game at the Emirates and 47% of their games have involved both teams scoring, indicating that goals are usually on the cards. Our Fix Algorithm projects a point score of 5.2 for the Armenian.

Andrew Robertson (BHA)

Keeping with the flavour of the season so far, this blog would not be complete without an attacking full-back. In 22 appearances last season Robertson played a hand in 10 clean sheets and chipped in with five assists and one goal. The Scottish left-back's average of 5.0 points per match over that period was on par with Jones and Alonso and no defender could better the trio last season. In 2018 to date, Robertson’s seven ‘big chances created’ is more than what any other defender has produced; beating Davies, Cédric and Bellerin (five). His five attempted assists across the opening two matches this season is on par with Davies and Mendy and only Holebas (six) has produced more amongst defenders. Liverpool have kept clean sheets in both of their opening games and are the only side yet to concede a ‘big chance’, which is extremely impressive. The Reds kept a league-high total of 12 clean sheets at home last season which only one team could match, Man. United. Brighton were last season’s worst away team, averaging just 0.53 goals per game on their travels. This indicates that they would not offer much in terms of threat. Robertson should have plenty of opportunities to profit at both ends of the pitch, with a Fix Algorithm point score of 5.7, the highest of any defender for gameweek three.