Gameweek 2 Last Man Standing Picks

The Strongest Picks

Confidence ratings are editorial judgement, not calibrated win probabilities

1. 1

   

   Liverpool (H)

   vs Forest

   4/5 confidence

   moderate risk

   Forest have been beaten 1-0 and 2-0 by Leeds at the City Ground in three days without scoring, and Gibbs-White is a doubt with an ankle injury. Liverpool needed a stoppage-time penalty at Newcastle and Forest have won their last two league visits to Anfield, so this is the obvious pick rather than a certain one

2. 2

   

   Arsenal (A)

   vs Aston Villa

   4/5 confidence

   moderate risk

   Villa lost 4-0 at Brighton, Gomes is banned for three games, Konsa and Rogers have been sold and Watkins is pushing for a move. Arsenal have won six league games in a row. A Monday night away is the only reason to hesitate, and if you saved them in GW1 this is a fair week to think about spending them

3. 3

   

   Man United (H)

   vs Ipswich

   4/5 confidence

   moderate risk

   Shortest price of the weekend, at home to a promoted side. That was also true at Hull, where two set pieces cleared out everyone who picked United. Ipswich beat Sunderland and Leicester this week, so respect the price without trusting it

4. 4

   

   Chelsea (H)

   vs Brighton

   3/5 confidence

   moderate risk

   Alonso's side won at Fulham with Joao Pedro, Rogers and Palmer all scoring. Brighton have won the last two meetings and just put four past Villa, but they play Tromso in a Conference League play-off on Thursday night with the tie at 0-0, then come to Stamford Bridge three days later. A three because Brighton keep beating them

This Week's Fixtures

• 

  Crystal Palace

  vs

  

  Man City

  28 Aug, 20:00medium difficulty

  Friday night at Selhurst, City needed two late goals to beat Bournemouth

• 

  Liverpool

  vs

  

  Forest

  29 Aug, 12:30easy difficulty

  Forest beaten twice by Leeds in three days, Gibbs-White a doubt

• 

  Bournemouth

  vs

  

  Everton

  29 Aug, 15:00hard difficulty

  Everton kept a clean sheet against Palace, Bournemouth still draw too often

• 

  Coventry

  vs

  

  Hull City

  29 Aug, 15:00differential difficulty

  Hull played 120 minutes and penalties at Stoke on Tuesday

• 

  Spurs

  vs

  

  Newcastle

  29 Aug, 17:30hard difficulty

  Spurs lost 3-0 at Brentford with two ACL injuries in the squad, Newcastle held Liverpool

• 

  Chelsea

  vs

  

  Brighton

  30 Aug, 14:00medium difficulty

  Brighton play Tromso in a Conference League play-off on Thursday, then Stamford Bridge on Sunday

• 

  Leeds

  vs

  

  Brentford

  30 Aug, 14:00hard difficulty

  Leeds have beaten Forest twice this week, Brentford put three past Spurs, stay out

• 

  Sunderland

  vs

  

  Fulham

  30 Aug, 14:00differential difficulty

  Fulham play Wimbledon in the cup on Thursday, Sunderland at home

• 

  Man United

  vs

  

  Ipswich

  30 Aug, 16:30easy difficulty

  Shortest price of the weekend, a week after Hull

• 

  Aston Villa

  vs

  

  Arsenal

  31 Aug, 20:00medium difficulty

  Villa lost 4-0 at Brighton, Gomes banned, Konsa and Rogers sold, but it is a Monday night away

Stay Away From These

• 

  Forest

  Two defeats to Leeds at the City Ground in three days without a goal, Gibbs-White a doubt, and a 12:30 kick-off at Anfield. Their record there is the only argument and it is not enough

• 

  Brighton

  The 4-0 over Villa is the trap. Brighton play Tromso on Thursday night in a play-off that is level at 0-0, then go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday without Mitoma, Minteh and Ferguson. They have won the last two meetings, which is exactly why people will be tempted, and exactly why the draw is live

• 

  Spurs

  Beaten 3-0 at Brentford, Simons and Odobert are out for the season and Kulusevski and Kudus are still missing. Newcastle held Liverpool under Jaissle. Being at home does not fix this

• 

  Hull City

  The heroes of GW1 played 120 minutes and penalties at Stoke on Tuesday, then go to the Championship champions on Saturday. Ajayi and Mendy both came off with cramp against United. Enjoy the memory, do not pick them

If You've Burned Through the Good Teams

• 

  Coventry (H)

  vs Hull City

  3/5 confidence

  moderate risk

  Hull went to penalties at Stoke on Tuesday and travel with seven players already injured. Coventry went up with 95 points, beat Plymouth 4-2 in the cup and are marginal favourites at home. A win here saves every big side for later

• 

  Sunderland (H)

  vs Fulham

  2/5 confidence

  risky risk

  Fulham play Wimbledon in the cup on Thursday and conceded three at home to Chelsea. Sunderland lost late at Ipswich and are missing Adingra, so this is a genuine gamble, but it is the kind of week where a mid-table home win keeps Liverpool and Arsenal in the bank

Form Guide (Last 5 Games)

• 

  Liverpool

  One league win in six, and the point at Newcastle needed a stoppage-time penalty

  LDLDD
• 

  Forest

  Beaten by Leeds twice in three days, no goals yet this season

  WDLDL
• 

  Arsenal

  Six league wins in a row after the 3-0 over Coventry

  WWWWW
• 

  Man United

  Lost 2-0 at Hull, both goals from set pieces

  WDWWL
• 

  Chelsea

  Won 3-2 at Fulham in Alonso's first league game, one win in the last five of last season

  LDWLW
• 

  Coventry

  Lost 3-0 at Arsenal after going up with 95 points

  DWWWL