Brighton FPL Gameweek 7: Mitoma is magic even from the bench
Three days after Brighton played their first ever game in European competition, the Seagulls ensured there would be no hangover as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1 thanks to two goals from Kaoru Mitoma – much to the relief of many FPL managers.
The victory lifted Roberto De Zerbi‘s side into third spot in the Premier League with five wins and one defeat from six matches so far.
Losing 1-0 at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night was a disappointment, but De Zerbi rested some important players. Brighton should therefore be ready and raring to go in the Saturday lunchtime game at Aston Villa.
Free-scoring Seagulls
A trip to Villa Park admittedly looks tricky for the Seagulls. Brighton have only won once away at Aston Villa in their history, whilst Unai Emery’s team completed a league double in the fixture last season.
That poor record though should be offset in the minds of FPL managers by how good the Albion have been going forward this season.
They have scored at least three times in all but one match so far, so there should be plenty of confidence of some attacking returns.
Consequently, Brighton are the league’s highest scorers on 18 and no team have been involved in more overall goals than the 26 of the Seagulls.
Second for overall attempts (106), they also rank number one for shots on target (48) thanks to the 11 of Evan Ferguson (£6.0 million), seven of Pascal Gross (£6.3 million) and six of Solly March (£6.5 million). It is worth noting that Gross is currently out injured.
No clean sheets have yet arrived but Pervis Estupinan (£5.3 million) is the league’s best defender for penalty area touches (24) and big chances created (four).
Centre back, captain and England international Lewis Dunk (£5.0 million) meanwhile has racked up his position’s second-most goal attempts (nine).
Mitoma brace from the bench
The one setback is that Brighton’s strong squad depth will occasionally see a popular FPL player being rested. Estupinan owners experienced this in Gameweek 5 and on for the Gameweek 6 clash with Bournemouth, it was Mitoma (£6.6 million) named on the bench.
Yet this was not a problem for his 3.99 million owners as Mitoma came on for the second-half restart and scored within 16 seconds. He then added a second goal in the 77th minute to end on 14 points – his highest tally of the season.
This ability to haul even when De Zerbi opts to start Mitoma on the Brighton bench can only please his FPL managers and he is the fourth best midfielder for touches inside the penalty area (46).
Captain fantastic
The league’s top scorer Erling Haaland (£14.1 million) netted once again at the weekend. As always, it is hard to look past him for the armband with Manchester City making the trip to Wolves.
Those looking to go against the grain and name a different captain from Haaland might be tempted by the Double Gameweek of newly promoted duo Luton and Burnley.
Their meeting at Kenilworth Road due to take place in August had to be postponed due to the construction work taking place to bring the Hatters’ home up to Premier League standards.
It now takes place on Tuesday night and so unlike Haaland, Luton forward Carlton Morris (£5.5 million) will be in action twice.
The Hatters’ talisman is a cheap option, on penalty duty and gets to face two struggling opponents in the Clarets and Everton. It is risky to go against Haaland, but this time there is logical thinking behind it.
You can pick up expert advice throughout the 2023-24 Fantasy Premier League season with Fantasy Football Scout
