Brighton FPL Gameweek 5: Verbruggen easy pick now number one
In a stroke of bad luck that is incredibly familiar to veteran Fantasy Premier League managers, over 1.3 million brought in Joao Pedro for Gameweek 4. Pedro then missed out injured and Brighton failed to score against Ipswich Town, although the Albion did keep a clean sheet at the other end to reward FPL backers of Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton racked up 21 attempts against the Tractor Boys with six on target, so it was not like the Seagulls lacked opportunities.
Aside from not managing to breach the Ipswich defence, there were positives for the Albion. A strong defensive performance was one and remaining unbeaten under Fabian Hurzeler the other.
With the clean sheet in mind, here are a couple of interesting Brighton assets for FPL managers to consider for Gameweek 5 against Nottingham Forest.
Lewis Dunk (£4.6 million)
Only Arsenal and Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than the two shipped by Brighton so far this season. Two clean sheets from the opening four matches represents a huge improvement on last season, when the first shutout did not come until Gameweek 20 in January.
It makes the Seagulls’ backline worth investing in over the long-term – especially when it comes to a defender who also offers an attacking threat.
Someone like captain Lewis Dunk, who has experienced a recent price rise amongst Wildcard users. Dunk scored three goals last season and ended as the joint-third best defender for attempts inside the box (27).
He also ranked joint-fourth for shots on target (12). With Brighton having scored their fare share of goals during pre-season from set pieces, it might be only a matter of time before Dunk opens his 2024-25 account.
Bart Verbruggen (£4.5 million)
Behind Dunk is goalkeeper Verbruggen. Hurzeler said he would pick a clear number one and stick with them this season, unlike Roberto De Zerbi and his controversial rotation policy from 2023-24.
And that number one looks to be Verbruggen, giving confidence to FPL managers that the £4.5 million stopper will be playing every week for the Albion.
Verbruggen came straight back into the starting XI after recovering from a summer injury. In two matches, he has already delivered a total of nine points.
The last two FPL campaigns have ended with a goalkeeper who started out at £4.5 million as the position’s top scorer – David Raya and Jordan Pickford.
It therefore tends to be a price point of great value. By Being part of this season’s cheap selection, Verbruggen is a very reasonable set-and-forget option for FPL managers.
Captaincy
Is there ever a time to go against goal machine Erling Haaland (£15.2 million)? Having been a goalpost away from three consecutive hat-tricks, the prospect of placing an armband on anyone else feels terrifying.
Yet Haaland faces Arsenal next in a clash between the Premier League’s two best teams. The Gunners kept clean sheets in both meetings last season, which might be enough to persuade some FPL managers towards Mohamed Salah (£12.7 million).
Salah blanked at home to Nottingham Forest as Liverpool suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Anfield in Gameweek 4. But he has racked up the most penalty area touches (42) and second-most shots on target (eight) so far this season.
Alternatively, Ollie Watkins (£8.9 million) is at home to Wolves. Those who have kept faith in the Aston Villa forward after a slow start to the season will have been mightily relieved at his Gameweek 4 brace versus Everton.
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