Brighton FPL 2022-23: Unlimited transfers and the season so far
Brighton have had a fantastic start to the 2022-23 season, reflected in the high representation of their players in FPL teams – something which is likely to increase during the winter break when managers are allowed unlimited transfers.
The Albion sit seventh in the Premier League table, just one point behind Liverpool in sixth and ahead of Chelsea and Graham Potter who occupy eighth.
Many people wondered how Brighton would cope when Potter walked out in September, taking his entire coaching team with him.
New manager Roberto De Zerbi faced a daunting first month in charge with matches against the likes of Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester City and Chelsea.
De Zerbi though has taken virtually no time at all to settle in and make his mark at the Amex. If the Albion can maintain the performance levels they have shown so far under the charismatic Italian, then there will be a lot more FPL points to come from Brighton assets in the second half of the season.
Unsurprisingly, midfielder Leandro Trossard (£7.1 million) is the highest owned of all Brighton players, currently sitting in 28.0 percent of FPL teams.
Team-mates Pascal Gross (£5.6 million) and Robert Sanchez (£4.6 million) are also popular, with 13.6 percent and 13.2 percent ownership respectively.
Defenders
With 39 points so far, Lewis Dunk (£4.7 million) and Joel Veltman (£4.6 million) are currently the highest-scoring Brighton defenders.
Dunk’s seven goal attempts are only bettered by the 12 of centre back partner Adam Webster (£4.5 million). Neither have scored yet, but if they continue to have chances after the World Cup then it is surely just a matter of time before one or both find the back of the net.
Out wide, Pervis Estupinan (£4.5 million) has created 13 chances and put in 21 crosses so far this season – both more than any other Brighton defender.
Up to now, only four team-mates have created more big chances than Estupinan. De Zerbi’s recent switch to a back four is likely to see Estupinan starting on a more regular basis, making him a Brighton player very much worth considering for FPL managers during the period of unlimited transfers.
Midfielders
Alongside being the most productive Seagulls midfielder, only three midfielders throughout the whole game have returned more FPL points than Trossard.
So it is no surprise to see him rank first for expected goals (xG) and expected goal involvement (xGI) across the Brighton team.
The Vampire of Genk is also the Albion’s top scorer, thanks largely to the five goals he plundered through October which helped him to be voted WAB Player of the Month.
Gross comes top for expected assists (xA), with seven big chances created also best amongst Brighton players. Der Kaiser is dominant from set pieces, with a team-leading 48 corners and 12 crosses from free kicks giving plenty of potential for attacking returns.
Alexis Mac Allister (£5.4 million) added to his goal tally in Gameweek 16 when scoring inside of 60 seconds against Aston Villa.
The Argentine is a magnet for bonus points due to his high number of successful passes in the opposition half – an area a lot of FPL managers will overlook. That gives Mac Allister differential potential.
Forwards
Danny Welbeck (£6.5 million) is the top-scoring Brighton forward so far with 37 points for his FPL owners, although he is yet to net a Premier League goal so far.
Only Trossard and Gross have had more goal attempts than Welbeck’s 26. With the unproven Deniz Undav the only other out-and-out centre forward option available to De Zerbi, Welbeck looks a guaranteed starter when he is fit and available.
Fixtures
During the unlimited transfers window, Brighton look like a team ripe for FPL investment. The Seagulls rank fifth on the Fantasy Football Scout’s fixture ticker from Gameweek 17 through to Gameweek 26.
That means they have a very promising run across their next nine matches. Assets like Trossard and Gross therefore remain excellent picks for FPL managers, whilst the unheralded Estupinan is also very much one to consider.
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2022-23 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout