Premier League Fantrax Waiver Wire — Weekly Picks with Insight
Intro / Who I Am
Alright managers — my name is Craig (or as American’s call me, Creg) and I am the cross of a failed professional footballer and the nerdiest math dork you ever met. My true obsession in life is Premier League Football and an abusive relationship with Man United, so I have leveraged my data skills to create this blog that breaks down all the Fantrax draft league stats you need to know. Welcome to week 2 of The Draft Pick, and welcome to envitable disappointment!
Goalkeepers
When it comes to goalkeepers in fantasy football, there are two main strategies you can adopt: either pick a different one every week based on fixtures, or stick with a single keeper for the whole season.
Given that saves are a significant point accumulator in Fantrax, picking a goalkeeper on a top team like Ederson (Manchester City) or even David Raya (Arsenal) hasn’t always been the best strategy. While they get a lot of clean sheets, their teams’ defensive dominance means they face very few shots, which limits their save points.
For this reason, targeting goalkeepers on teams that face more shots can be a more profitable approach. Below, you will find a breakdown of a few of what I consider to be the best fantasy-wise goalkeepers who might be available on your waiver wire.
Top Pick: James Trafford
| Last Game | vs. Wolves (A) (14 -16 points) |
| Ownership | 67% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Tottenham (H) |
| Interesting Stat | 84.5 save % last season |
City’s defence gave managers nightmares last season, but Trafford’s debut was encouraging: a clean sheet at Wolves and a handful of sharp saves. He remarkably had a save % last year of 84.5%, which is roughly 10% higher than the other goalkeepers listed above. With Stones returning and Rodri back after the international break, City’s solidity should improve. Tottenham at home is next, so expect shots faced, but also a real chance at another clean sheet.
Bit-of-a-gamble: Djordje Petrovic
| Last Game | vs. Liverpool (A) (5-8 points) |
| Ownership | 44% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Wolves (H) |
| Interesting Stat | Claims a 77% Save % across his career so far |
A difficult debut game away at Liverpool was never going to be easy, however, Petrovic performed well, making an impressive 6 saves. Now, he faces a home tie against Wolves. With Bournemouth being unlucky to not get anything out of their first game, Petrovic could be a great pick-up this season as the team looks to continue its form from last year despite having a new defense in front of him. Given his ability to rack up save points and a favorable home fixture, he could be an decent option.
Defenders
It’s a difficult decision to pick between high-dueling center-backs and attacking full-backs or wing-backs. Last year, Daniel Munoz was a standout wing-back who consistently put up 10+ points a game—someone I had in all three of my fantasy teams.
This year, I have opted for Patrick Dorgu and Maxim De Cuyper in all my teams, so let’s see what happens! However, having players like James Tarkowski and Gabriel, who are dominant defenders and a threat at corners, are also excellent strategic options.
Below are two other players who fit these distinct profiles and are worth considering for your squad.
Long Term Investment: Matthijs de Ligt
| Last Game | vs. Arsenal (H) (12-16 points) |
| Ownership | 34% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Fulham (A) |
| Interesting Stat | 94th percentile for npxG (Non-Penalty Expected Goals) |
It only took me until the defenders to get my Manchester United mention in. You’d have probably stopped reading if I had recommended Bayindir, to be fair!
Despite the goalkeeper’s error that cost a clean sheet, de Ligt gave a solid debut in United’s season opener against Arsenal. He looks to be United’s starting center-back if he can stay fit, and his ability to rack up strong defensive points even when conceding a goal will prove his value despite a difficult opening fixture list.
In addition to his defensive work, de Ligt is an aerial threat from set pieces. He’s a great asset to have in your squad, averaging around two to three goals a season throughout his career—a valuable contribution that even non-United fans can appreciate.
High Risk vs High Reward: Kieran Trippier
| Last Game | vs. Aston Villa (A) (13-15 points) |
| Ownership | 54% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Liverpool (H) |
| Interesting Stat | 0.22 npxG +xAG per game avg (last 4 seasons) |
Yes, it’s against Liverpool, and the uncertainty around Alexander Isak’s future still looms, but Newcastle are a formidable force at home. This could be a great opportunity for their right-hand side to take advantage of Liverpool’s defensive fragilities. With their new left-back, Milos Kerkez, still adjusting to the team, Trippier could find plenty of space to get forward.
Could this be the season where Trippier regains the incredible fantasy asset he was two seasons ago? This might be a good risk to take, even if you don’t feel brave enough to play him this week. Holding him on your bench or waiver wire if you have space could pay off handsomely in the long run.
Midfielders
Building a great fantasy midfield is all about finding players who fit a specific role. While some managers chase one-dimensional goal scorers, a more effective strategy is to build a balanced squad.
You need players who can provide consistent points in three key areas. Look for all-around contributors, like Tijani Reijnders, who can create chances and rack up defensive points. You also need a player who specializes in set pieces, such as Declan Rice, who can provide valuable assists and key passes. Finally, include a high-ceiling attacker like Phil Foden for their explosive potential to score goals and deliver big returns.
My midfielder waiver claims this week are:
Hidden Gem: Anton Stach
| Last Game | vs. Everton (A) (20-24 points) |
| Ownership | 10% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Liverpool (H) |
| Interesting Stat | Ranks in top 85th+ percentiles for Interceptions, Blocks, Clearance and Aerials Won |
Anton Stach’s Premier League debut brought four key passes, a slightly fortunate assist, and strong ghost points. With his potential for set-piece deliveries and contributions at both ends of the pitch, he could quietly become a very reliable Fantrax asset this season.
Historically, players from the Bundesliga sometimes see a drop in their output when they move to the Premier League—a trend that has often plagued attacking players. However, Stach’s strong debut suggests he might buck that trend. With his defensive attributes and tall frame, he has the physical and technical tools to be a great fantasy asset, making him a worthwhile risk with plenty of upside for your squad.
Bit-of-a-Risk: Oscar Bobb
| Last Game | vs. Wolves (A) (13-15 points) |
| Ownership | 44% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Tottenam (H) |
| Interesting Stat | 0.78 npXG+xAG per game in debut season (before injury) |
Bobb impressed in City’s opener at Wolves with 13–15 points (1 assist, 2 key passes, sharp link-up with Reijnders and Haaland). Before injury, he managed 1 goal + 1 assist in 14 appearances, but more telling is his 0.78 npXG+xAG per game — clear proof he’ll keep creating chances. Pep roulette makes him risky, but if you’ve got Foden or Savio, Bobb is a smart pickup. Returning from last year’s leg break, he looks ready to claim a bigger role.
Forwards
Choosing a forward in fantasy football can be a difficult decision. Do you go for players who only score big when they find the back of the net, or do you prioritize those who provide a higher floor of points every week?
On one hand, you have pure goal scorers like Erling Haaland. When he scores, he can win you a gameweek single-handedly. On the other hand, a forward like Matheus Cunha offers a safer, more consistent floor. He contributes in a variety of ways—from key passes to tackles—meaning he can still put up a respectable score even without a goal or an assist.
Now, let’s take a look at a few forwards to have on your radar:
Must Get: Richarlison
| Last Game | vs. Burnley (H) (22-26 points) |
| Ownership | 56% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Man City (A) |
| Interesting Stat | 0.67 npxG +xAG per game avg (last 3 seasons) |
After earning the trust of manager Thomas Frank, Richarlison returned with a fantastic two-goal performance against Burnley. He also showed great early link-up play with new signing Mohammed Kudus, which are encouraging signs for his place in the starting lineup. Although their next game is a tough test at an invigorated Manchester City side, Tottenham have a good track record against them. Given that City’s defense still isn’t impenetrable, this might be a good time to hold onto Richarlison, making him a worthwhile risk with plenty of upside.
Depth Pick: Eliezer Mayenda
| Last Game | vs. West Hame (H) (13-15 points) |
| Ownership | 34% of Fantrax squads |
| Next Fixture | vs Burnley (A) |
| Interesting Stat | Ranks in 99th percentile for progressive carries and successful take ons |
After the high’s of last weekend and scoring the opening goal in the Stadium Light for Sunderlands long and awaited return to the Premier League, Mayenda made a brilliant start with a great header. The young Spaniard looks like a promising player and is likely to be the starting man all season. For leauges short of forwards, I think Mayenda would definetly be a good option from week-to-week.
Fixture Spotlight
Sunderland are away to Burnley and then at home to Brentford – two sides considered fellow relegation contenders this season. Dan Ballard is currently top of the Fantrax rankings and is only owned by 6% of teams so is also a great defender pick up across those two games. As mentioned before Mayenda and other Sunderland players might be worth picking up for those games!
One to Watch
James McAtee has just joined Nottingham Forest for approximately £30 million. As he fights for a starting place, it will be interesting to see how he fits into a solid and well-run Forest team.
After mainly making substitute appearances last season, this could be the start of a fantastic campaign for McAtee. Currently owned by just 34% of Fantrax managers, he’s someone you’ll want to stash away, especially given his strong underlying stats. Last season, he had an impressive 0.85 npxG+xAG per game whenever he featured, showcasing his creative and attacking potential.
As a player who can create chances and score goals, McAtee could prove to be a fantastic pick-up with a high ceiling.
Lastly
That’s all for my first Fantasy Draft blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope you found it helpful. Be sure to come back next week to see if I’m still attached to my picks—or frantically trying to find my next big waiver pick up!
One thought on “GW2: The Draft Pick”