The Premier League is well into the 2024/25 season, the Premier League table is starting to take shape as are your EPL Fantasy Leagues and most importantly of all the StatrDraft League known as Tloog aka the our in house test model as we pace towards development and bringing you our first edition (good things come to those who wait). Anyways as the leagues shape up we are seeing how the new managers and players have bedded in, how strategies and tactics are playing out and how each team is fairing right about now just about a quarter into the season. Over the course of a 2 article special Statsman Jimi and our resident tactician also known as me decided to take a looksee at the tactical makeup of each team, key stats, and highlight which players are the best and worst picks for fantasy football. Let’s go:
Arsenal
Tactical Setup: Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have maintained there 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 approach, focusing on possession and wing play, while Saka continues to be Saka and Calafiori add new dimensions to their defensive and attacking transitions.
Key Stats:
- Possession: Arsenal currently averages 63% possession per match, ranking among the highest in the league, which reflects Arteta’s philosophy of controlling the tempo of the game.
- Passing Accuracy: Arsenal last season had an 89% passing accuracy, emphasizing their commitment to building up play effectively through short passes.
- Clean Sheets: Arsenal have managed 3 clean sheets so far, thanks to strong defensive coverage from Timber, White, Calafiori, Gabriel and Saliba.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Bukayo Saka (MID) – Remains the creative hub, contributing to goals and assists.
- Declan Rice (MID) – Dominates the midfield with interceptions and occasional assists.
- Avoid: Zinchenko (DEF) – Struggling with injuries and generally staying fit, with Cala and Timber now adept to the Arteta system, Zinc’s day’s in red look numbered.
Aston Villa
Tactical Setup: Villa is under Unai Emery’s 4-2-3-1 setup, with increased pressing intensity and Morgan Rogers acting as a roaming playmaker behind Ollie Watkins.
- Key Stats: Villa has significantly improved their duels won, ranking among the top in tackles per match.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Ollie Watkins (FWD) – Continues to be a reliable goal scorer and provider.
- John McGinn (MID) – Provides stability in midfield and supports attacks with late runs.
- Avoid: Lucas Digne (DEF) – His defensive vulnerabilities limit his clean sheet potential, despite his attacking contributions, yes he has done well this season but surely, surely Maatsen has to take his spot at some stage??
Bournemouth
Tactical Setup: Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth has opted for a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation, often pressing with intensity and using multiple players as temporary strikers.
- Key Stats: Bournemouth ranks high in pressing, with midfielders like Lewis Cook contributing to turnovers in advanced areas.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Antoine Semenyo (MID) – Effective as a “false nine,” contributing shots and goals.
- Alex Scott (MID) – Gains possession in advanced areas and creates attacking chances.
- Avoid: Justin Kluivert (MID) – Rotational risk and inconsistent impact on the field.
Brentford
Tactical Setup: Brentford, under Thomas Frank, mixes between a 4-3-3 and 5-3-2, with Vitaly Janelt and Christian Norgaard forming a strong double pivot in midfield.
- Key Stats: Brentford is highly effective in aerial duels, with a strong emphasis on set-pieces.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Bryan Mbeumo (FWD) – Consistent goal scorer, especially in Ivan Toney’s absence.
- Christian Norgaard (MID) – Defensive contribution and occasional goal involvement.
- Avoid: Vitaly Janelt (MID) – Primarily a defensive player, limiting his fantasy point potential due to Brentfords style he can be docked for tactical fouls.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Tactical Setup: New manager Fabian Hurzeler employs a high-tempo 4-1-4-1, using wide players effectively and placing an emphasis on midfield dynamism.
- Key Stats: Brighton leads in distance covered, reflecting their fitness and pressing game.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Kaoru Mitoma (MID) – Essential to Brighton’s attack, consistently involved in goals.
- Joao Pedro (FWD) – Plays an advanced role, contributing goals and assists. Man has had the potential for a while, now its starting to show.
- Avoid: James Milner (MID) – Primarily off the bench these days, offers little attacking return and how he is still going is beyond me.
Chelsea
Tactical Setup: Chelsea under Enzo Maresca has implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on youth and an aggressive press. The system has seen players like Cole Palmer excel in advanced roles.
- Key Stats: Chelsea’s average age is the second-youngest in the league, with a significant focus on possession-based play.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Noni Madueke (FWD) – Integral to Chelsea’s attack, providing goals and assists.
- Cole Palmer (MID) – Influential in both creating and finishing chances, excelling in his new role.
- Avoid: Mykhailo Mudryk (MID) – Struggles to impact matches consistently, with limited goal involvement.
Crystal Palace
Tactical Setup: Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace continues with a 3-4-2-1, focusing on wide overloads to create chances. Eberechi Eze remains central to their attacking play.
- Key Stats: Palace directs over 40% of their attacks down the left, focusing on Eze’s creativity.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Eberechi Eze (MID) – Central playmaker, involved in most of Palace’s attacking opportunities.
- Mark Guehi (DEF) – Strong aerial presence and a threat from set-pieces.
- Avoid: Odsonne Edouard (FWD) – Inconsistent returns and reduced involvement compared to previous seasons.
Everton
Tactical Setup: Sean Dyche continues as Sean Dyche does with a familiar 4-4-1-1 setup, with a focus on direct play and utilizing Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s aerial ability.
- Key Stats: Everton leads in long passes per match, focusing heavily on getting the ball forward quickly.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (FWD) – Target man with potential for goals from aerial deliveries.
- Dwight McNeil (MID) – Creative from the wings or more recently in the 10 spot, offering consistent crossing and set-piece involvement, really come on leaps and bounds and at the start of the year he wouldn’t have been in anyone’s one to watches.
- Avoid: Jordan Pickford (GK) – Sorry I couldn’t be happier, I am not a Pickford fan and its about time his hype train crashed. Struggles for clean sheets due to Everton’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Fulham
Tactical Setup: Fulham employs a disciplined 4-2-3-1 under Marco Silva, with a focus on tight defensive play and exploiting space on the counter.
- Key Stats: Fulham is effective at counter-attacks, with Muniz being a key figure.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Andreas Pereira (MID) – Creative midfielder, responsible for set-pieces. I Love Andreas and I will not hear any slander of the Pre Season Pirlo
- Emile Smith Rowe (MID) – Consistent defensively and contributes with assists and goals.
- Avoid: Adama Traore (FWD) – Struggled to convert chances into goals, super fun to watch, quick, oily as all hell but end product is still an issue.
Ipswich Town
Tactical Setup: Ipswich Town under Kieran McKenna is utilizing a dynamic 4-3-3, focusing on high pressing and an aggressive transition play. Their strategy emphasizes wing play and quick breaks following turnovers.
Key Stats:
- Possession: Ipswich has managed an average possession of 53%, indicating a balanced approach between controlling play and counter-attacking.
- Goals Scored: Ipswich has been consistent with goal-scoring, with an average of 1.5 goals per game, largely thanks to contributions from Liam Delap.
- Clean Sheets: Ipswich has struggled defensively, with only 1 clean sheet so far, highlighting vulnerabilities at the back.
Jon’s Top Picks
- Top Picks:
- Liam Delap (FWD) – Focal point of the attack and to be honest I am hoping he decides to declare for the Republic of Ireland because he is relentless, He averages 2.1 shots on target per match, making him a reliable goal threat.
- Leif Davis (DEF) – playing as a left-back, has provided 2 assists this season, frequently pushing forward to support attacks.
- Avoid: Arijanet Muric (GK) – He’s actually terrible, that’s really it, has conceded an average of 2 goals per match, and Ipswich’s shaky defense has made it difficult for him to keep clean sheets.
Play the Statr Way
Me I love the tactics of football, while Jimi is all about the data so it makes for an interesting look at Fantasy Football through a different lense. Navigating the tactical complexities of each team can be the key to a successful fantasy football season. With StatrDraft, you will get rewarded for deeper football insights—our draft-style gameplay emphasizes strategic decision-making and detailed player analysis. Whether it’s picking up undervalued defenders or avoiding inconsistent forwards, StatrDraft allows you to leverage real football knowledge, unlike yano the other places where the game is keep Haaland as captain and hope for the best…. but more about that another day.
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