Brighton FPL Gameweek 26: Lamptey loving life on the left
Injury to Pervis Estupinan has given Tariq Lamptey a chance to thrive as Brighton beat Chelsea twice in the space of six days – form which should pique the interest of FPL managers.
The Albion ran out 2-1 victors over Chelsea in the FA Cup two Saturdays ago. They then followed up with an even more impressive 3-0 success in the Premier League, making for a Happy Valentine’s Day for Brighton supporters.
Both of the Seagulls we tipped up in our FPL Gameweek 25 article delivered returns. Yankubu Minteh (£5.0 million) scored twice and Joel Veltman (£4.4 million) claimed a clean sheet. It might have been even better for Veltmand had he added a fourth late on rather than hitting the post from close range.
With Brighton facing a Gameweek 26 trip final placed Southampton, FPL managers will be looking carefully at Albion assets – and Lamptey should be high up that list.
Tariq Lamptey (£4.4 million)
Losing Ferdi Kadioglu (£4.4 million) and Igor Julio (£4.3 million) for the remainder of the season was a big blow to Fabian Hurzeler.
When Pervis Estupinan (£4.9 million) then suffered an injury of his own, it left Lamptey as the only fit and available player to cover left back.
No timeframe has been put on when Estupinan might recover from his injury, meaning Lamptey looks a guaranteed starter for the foreseeable future.
The win over Chelsea also saw him bring in a clean sheet. It is going forward though where Lamptey looks most threatening for Brighton and a potential route to points for FPL managers.
He has registered at least one shot in his three consecutive starts since replacing Estupinan. In addition, he has scored twice in his last six starts.
Lamptey has played an equivalent of seven full matches overall, giving him the second-best rate of minutes per goal amongst all 315 defenders available for FPL selection.
It makes Lamptey an exciting choice. He offers attacking returns. Is part of the backline who have conceded the joint-third fewest shots on target (96) in the Premier League this season. And is about to face a Southampton outfit who are the division’s lowest scorers.
Kaoru Mitoma (£6.3 million)
The glorious Valentine’s Day goal of Mitoma deserves a lot of love. His incredible touch plucked the ball out of thin air from a long Bart Verbruggen (£4.5 million) pass, before maintaining enough composure to place it into the net.
It means Mitoma has three goals in five league matches, as well as that magnificent FA Cup strike. Mitoma might have even added more points late on.
He could have played in Minteh for a possible hat-trick but the opportunity passes as Mitoma instead shot at the goalkeeper.
Mitoma is coming into form at a good time for FPL managers. 2.2 million are looking to replace Amad Diallo (£5.5 million) after the United winger suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
The Japanese international leads Brighton for goals (six), big chances (11), shots on target (18) and chances created (32). He also ranks seventh throughout the league for touches inside the penalty area (135).
Captaincy
For the armband, there is an interesting decision to make. Three of the normal contenders Mohamed Salah (£13.7 million), Cole Palmer (£11.2 million) and Alexander Isak (£9.5 million) all face tough matches.
Liverpool go to Manchester City. Chelsea visit Aston Villa. And Newcastle United face the resolute Nottingham Forest defence.
This may give FPL managers an opportunity to make a maverick captaincy call; one which could fire a team up the rankings if successful.
Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9 million) is in almost four million squads with Brentford facing Leicester. Bournemouth attacker Justin Kluivert (£6.0 million) faces Wolves.
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2024-25 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout
