You vs WhoScored: WhoScored Expert MondoGoal XI - Gameweek 2
In gameweek 2 of the Premier League season, the WhoScored Expert returns to select his team for the upcoming round of fixtures. After a commendable start to the campaign, the expert will be out to improve on his score from last week and the task for you - the user - is to get the better of WhoScored’s fantasy football specialist over at MondoGoal.
Using the delegated £100m budget, the expert has chosen an XI he thinks will gain maximum points this weekend. Think you can do better? Then why not enter a cash league for the chance to win some great prizes.
SIMON MIGNOLET
After keeping a clean sheet at Stoke last week, Simon Mignolet will be confident of making it two from two league games this weekend. Only Joe Hart (15) has kept more Premier League clean sheets since the beginning of last season than the Belgian (14). Bournemouth impressed in the first half against Aston Villa last week but failed to score and on home turf and the Reds should be confident of shutting out the Premier League new boys on Monday night.
JOSE HOLEBAS
The capture of Jose Holebas was quite the coup by Watford, with the Greek the highest rated left-back in Serie A last season. A WhoScored rating of 7.62 on his Premier League debut was the third best of all Hornets players in their 2-2 draw with Everton. At home to a West Brom side that shipped 3 on Monday, Watford have the ability to trouble the Baggies, with Holebas expected to provide an offensive threat from deep for Quique Flores’ side.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD
While the Belgian was on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, the Tottenham centre-back was his side’s stand out performer at Old Trafford, gaining a WhoScored rating of 7.88, which was enough to secure the man of the match award. Toby Alderweireld is Spurs’ most expensive signing of the summer so far and it’s his defensive capability that will be crucial if Mauricio Pochettino’s team are to come away with the spoils and a clean sheet on Saturday.
JOE GOMEZ
Signed from Charlton over the summer, young Joe Gomez was not expected to be a starter when he arrived, but has quickly become a hit with the Reds supporters after starring in pre-season. The 18-year-old provided the assist for Philippe Coutinho’s thundering winner at Stoke on Sunday, while his 3 tackles and 2 interceptions aided the Reds' defensive solidity at the Britannia Stadium. Expect him to be properly tested by wing wizard Matt Ritchie at Anfield on Monday night, a battle of which he has the potential to come out on top.
RIYAD MAHREZ
The first player to gain a perfect WhoScored rating of 10 in the Premier League this season, Riyad Mahrez got his and Leicester’s campaign off to a stunning start last weekend, netting 2 of their 4 goals in a 4-2 win. The Algerian could have had a third, only to cannon an effort off the post, but was a bright spark for the Foxes during his time on the pitch. West Ham may held firm to secure a 2-0 win at Arsenal last time out, but the Hammers will have to work hard to limit Mahrez’s influence on Saturday.
One of the signings of the summer, Yohan Cabaye has already proven to be a hit with the Crystal Palace faithful, with his goal against Norwich late on helping him gain a place in WhoScored’s first Premier League team of the week. Available for just £5m, the Frenchman is a bargain pick for any user and has scored 8 goals and provided a further 2 assists in his last 20 appearances in England’s top tier. Arsenal have an impressive head-to-head record against Palace, but they could come unstuck if Cabaye performs to the standards expected of him.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO
The Brazilian was the bright spark in a dreary Liverpool outing against Stoke as he looks to maintain his good start to the campaign. Coutinho bagged the only goal of the game against the Potters, rifling past Jack Butland from 25 yards. With Liverpool’s game plan adapting to suit the needs of Christian Benteke, once the summer signing hits his stride, those around him should reap the rewards. Coutinho is expected to be the player to profit most from the Belgian’s hold up play.
DIMITRI PAYET
A headline-grabbing signing if ever there was one, Dimitri Payet’s move to West Ham was something of a surprise given his performances for Marseille last season, during which he registered more assists (17) than any other player in Ligue 1. The Frenchman provided the assist for Cheikhou Kouyate’s opener at the Emirates Stadium last weekend and will likely be the creative hub when Leicester City travel to Upton Park.
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Alexis made a swift return to action following his Copa America exploits and while he was not expected to feature so soon, the Chilean looked as bright as ever on his first league appearance of the season. While he could not help Arsenal to victory over West Ham, Alexis looks set to make his first start of the campaign at Selhurst Park. With the Gunners keen to right their wrongs following the loss to the Hammers; the 26-year-old is tipped to play a key role in Arsenal’s quest to maintain their good form over Palace.
After a storming start to the season at Stamford Bridge, Bafetimbi Gomis will be charged with transferring this form onto home turf when Swansea welcome Newcastle to the Liberty Stadium. Only Jefferson Montero (8.00) gained a better WhoScored rating than Gomis (7.72) in the Swans’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea last weekend, with the Frenchman dispatching his penalty to haul Swansea level in the second half with consummate ease. Given Newcastle’s defensive woes, the experienced frontman has what it takes to put the Magpies backline to the sword.
PAPISS DEMBA CISSE
Like Gomis, Papiss Demba Cisse opened his scoring account last weekend in Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Southampton. Not only that, but the Senegalese striker enjoys playing against Swansea. Against no team has Cisse scored more goals (4) than the Swans, all of which have come at the Liberty Stadium. Steve McClaren may be able to call on the feisty Aleksandar Mitrovic, but Cisse looks set to spearhead the Newcastle attack in South Wales on Saturday having hit the ground running this season
Do you think you have what it takes to to get the better of the WhoScored Expert? Then why not enter MondoGoal's weekly contest for a shot at a stake of £10,000!
