Fantasy Premier League managers are targeting Manchester City assets ahead of a favourable home fixture against Coventry City in gameweek three. BBC Sport's FPL expert Gianni Buttice has analysed the key dilemmas.
Buttice suggests the Norwegian striker is the strongest candidate for the Triple Captain chip this weekend. Coventry have shown defensive vulnerabilities, and Haaland has had a clear week of preparation. City also host Ipswich Town in gameweek seven and Hull City in gameweek 16, though those matches coincide with busy Champions League schedules.
Josko Gvardiol is identified as the most secure defensive pick from Pep Guardiola's squad. The £5.6m defender offers a reliable route into a City backline that has kept a clean sheet in their last home outing. In midfield, the recent form of Rayan Cherki, who has risen in price twice already, makes him a popular purchase despite potential rotation risks later in the season. Phil Foden also presents strong underlying statistics for his £7.0m price tag.
The arrival of Enzo Fernández on deadline day could affect minutes for City's attacking midfielders as the season progresses.
Using a Wildcard allows for a rapid restructuring to capitalise on form players and build team value. It enables a significant investment in two top teams with strong short-term fixtures: Manchester City and Chelsea. A Free Hit chip offers a different advantage, letting managers temporarily avoid the Arsenal versus Chelsea match and load up on assets from Brighton, Newcastle United, and Brentford instead.
For managers without Haaland, deploying a chip to acquire the £15.5m forward is simpler than using multiple transfers. His status as the game's most expensive player makes him difficult to incorporate through normal means.
The Manchester United captain remains a near-ideal FPL asset due to his talismanic role, set-piece duty, and reliability. He faces Coventry at Old Trafford in gameweek 14. However, his £12.0m cost is significantly higher than alternatives like Cole Palmer (£9.6m) or Bukayo Saka (£9.5m). Buttice notes that if a manager is unlikely to captain Fernandes in the near future but would give the armband to Palmer or Saka, a switch is worth considering.
Fernandes operates in a league of his own within the United squad, whereas Chelsea and Arsenal offer multiple strong options in similar price brackets.
Buttice advises patience with players who joined clubs at the very end of the transfer window. Most, including City's new midfield addition, are unlikely to start immediately and may be limited to substitute appearances. It is better to wait at least one gameweek to assess their integration and impact on team selection.
Regarding Christos Tzolis, his half-time substitution last weekend concerned owners. He remains a potent threat, as shown in gameweek one, and is expected to be a first-choice option for his club. At a cost of £6.5m, he is not a mandatory sell and can be held comfortably for now. Manchester City's next match is at home to Coventry City on Saturday the 5th of September.
