The Scout pinpoints the clubs and players to target for the upcoming period in Fantasy Premier League.
Brighton & Hove Albion
The Seagulls are set for a very favourable schedule from Gameweek 10 that lifts their potential at both ends of the pitch.
While their next match is a tricky one at Manchester City, according to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) five of their subsequent seven matches all score just two.
That begins with a run of back-to-back encounters with Fulham, Everton, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.
Brighton's fixtures GW10-18
| GW | Opp. | FDR | GW | Opp. | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | FUL (H) | 2 | 15 | BRE (H) | 3 |
| 11 | EVE (A) | 2 | 16 | BUR (H) | 2 |
| 12 | SHU (H) | 2 | 17 | ARS (A) | 4 |
| 13 | NFO (A) | 2 | 18 | CRY (A) | 2 |
| 14 | CHE (A) | 3 | |||
Brighton’s style of play under Roberto De Zerbi means their attackers should be the focal point of managers’ plans.
They have scored a league-high 21 goals in the opening eight Gameweeks, with Kaoru Mitoma (£6.6m) their top-scoring player in Fantasy on 42 points.
Three goals and three assists highlight the Japanese’s all-round prospects, while hauls of 12 points against Wolverhampton Wanderers and 14 points against AFC Bournemouth show his ability to deliver huge returns when facing struggling defences.
Mitoma's goal v AFC Bournemouth
15 seconds after coming on... 💫 September's Goal of the Month, scored by Kaoru! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/w6t3EJUhrJ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 14, 2023
It’s worth noting that Solly March (£6.3m) sits just four points behind Mitoma, despite missing two fixtures through injury.
Indeed, March’s average of 6.3 points per match betters the 5.2 of his fellow winger and places him fifth in the overall midfield standings, ahead of the 6.2ppm of in-demand West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen (£7.3m).
The pair are identical for shots, with 14 each. However, Mitoma has a clear advantage for shots in the box, with 13 to to March’s eight.
See: FPL experts' plans for Brighton players
Evan Ferguson’s (£6.0m) statistics also highlight his big potential under De Zerbi.
The Irishman has managed more than 60 minutes on just two occasions due to an ongoing knee problem. Yet his 16 shots, 11 shots on target and four goals are all team-leading totals, including a hat-trick and 17 point-return against Newcastle United in Gameweek 4.
Brighton’s top goal threats compared
| Player | Shots | Shots in box | Big chances | Shots on target | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | 16 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 4 |
| Pedro | 14 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Mitoma | 14 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| March | 14 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Dunk | 12 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Gross | 12 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
Who's most likely to get an assist?
Mitoma’s huge influence on the Brighton attack is further highlighted by the creative statistics.
The left winger ranks among their top two players for both key passes and big chances created, while his three assists are joint-top with Billy Gilmour (£4.9m) and the injured Pervis Estupinan (£5.1m).
Mitoma leads March by 16 key passes to six, although the latter did have to play as a left-back in Gameweek 8 due to the absence of both Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m) through injury.
See: FPL quiz of the season so far
Elsewhere, Pascal Gross (£6.3m) has been unfortunate not to earn any assists, having created a team-leading 17 scoring opportunities.
The German’s set-piece duties boost his potential. He has taken 22 corners, at least double the total of any other Brighton player.
Brighton’s top creators compared
| Player | Key passes | Big chances created | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Mitoma | 16 | 3 | 3 |
| Estupinan | 12 | 4 | 3 |
| Pedro | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| Gilmour | 11 | 2 | 3 |
| March | 6 | 1 | 1 |
In defence, faith in Seagulls players is understandably low. They have yet to keep a clean sheet and have conceded 16 goals, the fourth-worst record in the league.
Despite his strong goal threat, Dunk has managed only 16 points this season and has done little to justify his £5.0m price tag.
Meanwhile, with Estupinan expected back in Gameweek 11, Lamptey - who is a doubt for Gameweek 9 – offers little appeal, with Burnley’s Charlie Taylor (£3.9m) a more secure pick in the same price bracket.
So, what should managers do?
Ultimately, as the top-scoring side in the league, investing in Brighton’s attack looks the most profitable tactic for the coming period.
While Mitoma’s potential for goals and assists make him the best option, there is every reason to consider a double-up in their key attackers over Gameweeks 10-13.
See: Why Gameweek 10 will be a great time to Wildcard in FPL
March and Ferguson are both owned by just six per cent of managers, and their statistics suggest they could easily bring in huge returns, offering big value in Fantasy in that run.
At the back, while Dunk's significant goal threat could reward investors, it's best to wait until Estupinan returns before investing in Brighton's defence.
View all the latest FPL tips ahead of Gameweek 9 in Fantasy Premier League