<p><em>FPL transfer and captain tips from <a href="https://twitter.com/Hibbo_FPL">@Hibbo_FPL</a> who examines premium player combinations for the mid-term to maximise captaincy returns. This article will provide FPL tips to help managers to break the strong starting template and achieve that desired top 10k finish.</em></p>
<p>Don’t forget to check out our <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-ultimate-guide/">Ultimate FPL Gameweek 4 Guide</a> which has everything you could ever need to help you make the best decisions ahead of the deadline.</p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>A strong starting template has seen FPL managers with identikit squads claim personal best starts to their managerial careers. However, the introduction of two of the finest Serie A marksmen has seemingly sounded the death knell on the template in its current form.</p>
<p>In this article, I examine the best premium options to own between now and Gameweek 15. A central tenet of this article is a team structure consisting of two premiums, one premium midfielder and forward as advocated by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fplmatthew">@FPLMatthew</a>, to allow ease of interchange.</p>
<p>This article advocates a two premium team structure given the range of mid-priced options and the stress that a three premium structure places on the greater squad. Below, I examine the fixtures to find an optimal combination of premiums that dovetail to maximise captaincy returns.</p>
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<h2>Manchester United</h2>
<p><strong>Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m)</strong> stole the transfer window headlines cast in the role of returning prodigal son after signing for Manchester United. The consensus is that Ronaldo assumes spot-kick duties through a combination of ego and the submissive nature of <strong>Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m)</strong> who has a history of putting his teammates first.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38249 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ronaldo.jpg" alt="fpl transfer tips gameweek 4" width="1024" height="671" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ronaldo.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ronaldo-300x197.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ronaldo-768x503.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Ronaldo-610x400.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>How Manchester United’s play-style will suit Ronaldo has been the subject of much discussion, specifically the supply of accurate crosses. However, it is noteworthy that <strong>Edinson Cavani (£8.4m)</strong> ranked first amongst all players last season for headed goals per 90 minutes (0.39).</p>
<p>In terms of fixtures, Manchester United have the plum tie of Gameweek 4 when an accommodating Newcastle United visit Old Trafford. The Magpies rank second-worst for big chances conceded (11) and fourth-worst in the division for shots on target conceded (17) so far this season.</p>
<p>The good fixtures for the Red Devils continue over the next three with attractive home ties against both Aston Villa and Everton which look targetable for captaincy. From Gameweek 8 fixtures tighten immensely and an opportunity to break the template could be timing the departure of the Ronaldo bandwagon.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38353 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-610x343.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15-1080x608.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-15.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Chelsea</h2>
<p>The return of <strong>Romelu Lukaku (£11.5m)</strong> to Stamford Bridge puts Chelsea firmly in title mix and provides FPL managers with a bonafide Blues captaincy option. The Belgian powerhouse wasted no time when scoring against an abysmal Arsenal ranking first amongst all players in for shots (8) in Gameweek 2.</p>
<p>Assuming Lukaku recovers from a thigh problem the visit of Aston Villa without the services of <strong>Emiliano Martinez (£5.5m)</strong> holds huge appeal. The next two matches, against Spurs and Man City, will provide a sterner test for both Chelsea and Lukaku before the schedule eases considerably from Gameweek 7.</p>
<p>Many FPL managers will be pre-booking a move from Ronaldo to Lukaku from Gameweek 7 to attack this favourable Chelsea run. However, those targeting the fixture swing for a strategic wildcard could dead-end into a two premium forward side owning both in Gameweek 7 before correcting the team structure in a Gameweek 8 wildcard.</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38352 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-610x343.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16-1080x608.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-16.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></h2>
<h2></h2>
<h2>Liverpool</h2>
<p><strong>Mohamed Salah (£12.5m)</strong> is undoubtedly Liverpool’s go-to premium option and has started the season strongly notching two goals and providing two assists in his first three. Over the period the &#8220;Egyptian King&#8221; ranks second for shots (16) and FPL points (30) bettered by only the imperious <strong>Michail Antonio (£7.9m)</strong>.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-32523 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fpl-salah.jpg" alt="fpl transfer tips gameweek 4" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fpl-salah.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fpl-salah-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fpl-salah-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/fpl-salah-610x407.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>In terms of fixtures, the next three matches hold huge appeal with the home tie against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 5 standing out for captaincy. As the schedule tightens slightly from Gameweek 7 brave managers, with the insurance of a wildcard, might differentiate by moving Salah on in the short term before re-investing ahead of the visit of Brighton to Anfield in Gameweek 10.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38354 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-610x343.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14-1080x608.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-14.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<h2>Man City</h2>
<p>A mixed opening set of fixtures, the absence of their marquee player and the spectre of rotation has seen Manchester City options attract minimal investment. However, the return of <strong>Kevin DeBruyne (£11.9m)</strong> to training provides FPL managers with a captaincy option from the Sky Blues.</p>
<p>The Belgian maestro suffered an injury-hit campaign last term missing a significant portion of minutes however looking at his performance with a per 90-minute lens provides context. When on the pitch last season Kevin DeBruyne delivered &#8211; ranking first amongst all players for xA (0.55) and xGI (1.00).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-38364 aligncenter" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KDB.jpg" alt="fpl transfer tips gameweek 4" width="1024" height="669" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KDB.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KDB-300x196.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KDB-768x502.jpg 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/KDB-610x399.jpg 610w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<p>In terms of fixtures for Man City, a plum home tie with Southampton punctuates a testing run which includes three away trips to sides that finished in the top five last season. However, Man City begin a very appealing run of games from Gameweek 8 with home ties against both Burnley and Crystal Palace providing an opportunity to differentiate on captaincy and attack the game.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38355 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-610x343.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13-1080x608.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-13.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<h2>Spurs</h2>
<p>The unavailability of <strong>Harry Kane (12.3m)</strong> at the start of the season due to his protracted courtship with Man City has seen the England marksman incur two early-season price drops. However, given Kane’s production last term when he ranked first amongst all players for goals (23) and assists (14) it is hard to see him not featuring in the premium equation.</p>
<p><strong>Heung Min-Son (£10.1m)</strong> provides an alternate Spurs captaincy option at a more budget-friendly price point. FPL managers hungrily building team value could set their sights on the South Korean assassin becoming an almost third premium come mid-season.</p>
<p>In terms of fixtures, Spurs visit Crystal Palace in Gameweek 4 and despite just one clean sheet in three, the Eagles don’t quite look like the predicted whipping boys. The three-game run from Gameweek 6 (ars, AVL, new) has some appeal however their run from Gameweek 11 (LEE, bur, BRE, NOR) places a likely differential Kane or Son very much into the captaincy picture.</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38356 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-610x343.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17-1080x608.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-17.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></h2>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Given the plethora of premium heavyweight options the adage “you can’t have them all” has never been so relevant. See below my high-level plan for premium ownership to both maximise fixture strength and ensure the best captaincy options.</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, <strong>Cristiano Ronaldo will become the “set and forget” captaincy option for many FPL managers</strong> however fortune will favour the brave. Such is the demand for one of the greatest players of my generation that very capable premium alternatives have understandably become differentials overnight.</p>
<p>This could be the season when the core base of “glue picks” within our squads remain constant and the high-ceiling upside is chased. Drafting a high-level plan to cherry-pick the best fixtures for under-owned premium players could give you that all important edge that delivers a desirable top 10k finish or mini-league victory.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-38357 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-1024x576.png" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-610x343.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18-1080x608.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Untitled-design-18.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
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FPL Tips – Breaking The Template | Gameweek 4

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