Brighton FPL Gameweek 4: Numbers show goal threat of Gross
Although Saturday evening’s match against West Ham United ended in defeat for Brighton, there were plenty of positive performances for FPL managers to consider – including the numbers put up by consolation goal scorer Pascal Gross.
The Albion remain one of the most impressive teams in the Premier League going forward. Even after losing to West Ham, they still rank number one throughout the league for attempts (68), big chances (13) and shots on target (30).
This attacking mindset comes up against Newcastle United in Gameweek 4 as the two clubs who gate crashed the top six last season meet at the Amex.
Joy for goal threat Gross
Gross (£6.4 million) grabbed his late goal from his fifth attempt of the game. He and team-mate Evan Ferguson (£5.9 million) actually had the joint-most shots on target in the Premier League across Gameweek 3, both with four.
Gross’ creativity was also showcased by him setting up a joint-highest six chances for his teammates. His 14 over the campaign so far rank ahead of everyone else.
Despite the mass popularity of his midfield colleagues during 2022-23’s final weeks, Gross ended with more FPL points than all other Brighton players.
Whilst his contribution is well-known by Albion fans who voted Gross as WAB Player of the Season, he is in just 2.6 percent of FPL squads in the current campaign.
This despite Gross being a guaranteed started, taker of most corner kicks and thanks to his goal against the Hammers, Brighton’s record scorer in the Premier League.
Midfielder Mitoma is often in the box
Saturday brought a rare blank for the FPL owners of Kaoru Mitoma (£6.6 million) but it was not for a lack of trying. Two shots, the creation of one big chance and a total of 14 penalty area touches that represented the second-most of Gameweek 3.
Overall, he took just one fewer than Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling (£7.1 million) as the England striker ran riot with two goals against Luton Town.
Pervis Estupinan (£5.3 million) plays behind Mitoma on the left flank and he helped himself to 10 penalty area touches. It was more than any other Gameweek 3 defender and Estupinan is also ahead of any of his rivals for the campaign so far, currently on 21.
Now approaching 65 percent ownership, the attack-minded Estupinan has the fourth-most points of all defenders – despite not recording a single clean sheet as part of a Brighton defence which has looked more than a little shaky in the three games played to date.
Captain fantastic
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland (£14.0 million) followed up his Gameweek 2 blank by missing a penalty at Sheffield United. Haaland though later made amends with the opening goal.
With Arsenal and Manchester United facing each other in a fixture where their assets may cancel each other out, Haaland is the outstanding candidate for this week’s captaincy.
He is home to a Fulham side that has conceded the most shots on target (27) and big chances (14) of any team in the Premier League so far.
Beyond Haaland, Chelsea assets like Sterling and Nicolas Jackson (£7.1 million) are backed to succeed against Nottingham Forest.
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