Brighton FPL Gameweek 36: Mac make up for Solly March injury
Brighton are one of only two teams with a double gameweek 36 and the question most FPL managers need answering before the Seagulls take on Arsenal and Newcastle United is what to do following injury to Solly March?
The midfielder came off the bench for the second half of gameweek 35’s surprise 5-1 defeat against Everton having initially been rested by Roberto De Zerbi.
However, he lasted just 32 minutes before being substituted with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Losing March (£5.3 million) at this stage of what has been an outstanding season for both him personally and the Albion would be a cruel blow.
For FPL managers, injury to Solly March when they are looking to triple-up on Brighton assets ahead of two consecutive doubles (the Seagulls face Southampton and Manchester City in gameweek 37) may mean making a sideways move towards Alexis Mac Allister or Karou Mitoma.
Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5 million)
The World Cup winner and Liverpool target has scored in both of the Albion’s last two matches. Since the winter restart, Mac Allister has registered five goals and an assist alongside a team-high of 55 attempts. Of those, 30 have come inside the box and 10 were classified as big chances.
Mac Allister also tops the Brighton team for expected goals (xG) and expected goal involvement (xGI) in this period. And with his penalty taking responsibilities, he boasts an additional route to points which make him a great investment.
Kaoru Mitoma (£5.6 million)
In Brighton’s last four matches, Mitoma has taken 11 shots on goal – a total bettered across the Albion team only by Mac Allister.
Mitoma has supplied 12 crosses and created six chances for teammates, with one of these being a big chance. In gameweek 35, he registered an assist to take him up to 15 attacking returns from 28 matches – only March has more, with 17.
Other options
FPL managers could also look at differentials such as Julio Enciso (£4.6 million), who despite a breakthrough April is owned by just 1.6 percent of the game.
Enciso only made his full Premier League debut in gameweek 31, since when he has amassed 22 points. Such form was enough to see Enciso voted into second spot in the WAB April 2023 Brighton Player of the Month award behind Pascal Gross.
There will also be the temptation to use the March injury as a way to invest in the Brighton forward line. Evan Fergsuon (£4.6 million) and Danny Welbeck (£6.5 million) are both good options but they come with high rotation risk and will potentially require managers to spend points, as it would be two transfers.
Captain Fantastic
Many FPL managers will look to hand the captain’s armband to a double gameweek 36 participant, meaning choosing between a Brighton asset or one from Newcastle.
Mac Allister and Mitoma look like the best Albion options, with Mac Allister’s penalty duties tipping it in his favour.
As for Newcastle, Callum Wilson (£7.1 million) ticks numerous boxes. He is owned by just 8.7 percent of FPL managers and is in great form, averaging 6.6 points per match across the Magpies’ last three league matches. This is 1.6 points per match more than Alexander Isak (£7.0 million).
Of the single gameweek teams, Mohamed Salah (£13.1 million) appears the best pick. He has returned two successive double-digit scores and has attacking contributions from six of his last seven matches.
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