Brighton FPL Gameweek 4: Popular Pedro maverick captain option
In FPL Gameweek 3, Joao Pedro became the first player to score past Arsenal this season as Brighton drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
The result left the Albion third in the Premier League table and undefeated under Fabian Hurzeler so far. Many will be expecting that good form to continue for Brighton with back-to-back home matches against Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest coming up.
Finding goal scorers is proving a good approach in FPL because of the lack of clean sheets being kept. Liverpool were the only side in Gameweek 3 to record a shutout thanks to their 3-0 win over Manchester United.
Everton came within three minutes plus injury time of one, only to throw away a 2-0 lead and lose 3-2 at home to Bournemouth. Brentford meanwhile conceded a 95th minute consolation in their 3-1 home win over Southampton.
Taking all that into account, here are two Brighton players who should be interesting a lot of FPL managers going into Gameweek 4.
Joao Pedro (£5.7 million)
Pedro is the most-bought player since FPL Gameweek 3, the Brighton forward now being owned by over 750,000 managers.
That number could easily reach one million by the Saturday morning deadline as people either activate their Wildcard or downgrade a more expensive name for Pedro in order to afford Mohamed Sala (£12.7 million)
A starter in all three league matches, Pedro has netted in his last two outings. Facing the Tractor Boys and Forest at the Amex offers hope of further big points hauls in the next fortnight.
Pedro has more touches in the final third (75) than any other Brighton player. And his penalty taking record scoring 10 of 11 last season in all competitions inspires confidence.
This extra route to points is great for FPL managers as it adds a fixture-proof element to such an affordable asset.
Yankubu Minteh (£5.5 million)
Pedro scored his equaliser at Arsenal by following up a Yankubu Minteh shot. The young Gambian showed great anticipation to latch onto a delightful Lewis Dunk (£4.5 million) pass and draw a fine save from David Raya, giving Pedro an empty goal into which he steered the loose ball.
10 Eredivisie goals and six assists won Minteh many admirers whilst on loan at Feyenoord from Newcastle United last season.
The Toon Army only sold Minteh to comply with profit and sustainability rules and avoid a possible points deduction.
Already, it looks like Newcastle’s loss has been Brighton’s gain. The subsequent £30 million move had not fazed Minteh at all.
He immediately shone with three pre-season strikes and claimed an assist on his competitive Seagulls debut, setting up Kaoru Mitoma in the Albion’s 3-0 win at Everton on the opening day.
Midfielder Minteh finds himself currently in a cheap, competitive FPL bracket and stands out as one of its leading options.
No Brighton player has created more chances (five) or taken more penalty area touches (19) than Minteh, suggesting he is a good medium-term investment.
Captaincy
Far ahead of everyone else so far are premium duo Erling Haaland (£15.2 million) and Salah. Both recorded 17-point hauls in Gameweek 3, taking them to a huge 41 already.
It is therefore hard to look anywhere else when handing out the latest armband. The Norwegian is on successive hat-tricks and will fancy a third at home to Brentford. Salah has registered double-digit scores in all three matches. Liverpool welcome Forest to Anfield.
For those considering a different approach, Pedro looks a brilliantly maverick alternative for his fine personal form, his formidable penalty taking record and the flying start Brighton have made through three tough matches.
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