FPL Draft Gameweek 7 preview

Everton’s defence hinges on Branthwaite’s late fitness call, while Chelsea arrive without James but with their attacking unit expected to remain settled. Everton’s unbeaten opening and Chelsea’s 15 goals point to chances at both ends; Draft managers should favour the visitors’ established attackers and check Everton’s back line.

• João Pedro, Palmer, Rogers: Expected to lead Chelsea’s settled attack, with the strongest forecast at 4.7.

• Dewsbury-Hall, Barry: Guaranteed starters with Everton’s best attacking forecasts.

• Branthwaite: Leg injury leaves a 75% chance of playing.

• Johnson: George is pressing for the right-sided role after modest recent form.

Unbeaten Brentford host Liverpool with Thiago on penalties and Anthony in form, while Liverpool’s central options are narrowed by absences and fitness doubts, leaving Wirtz among their secure starters. Both projected sides retain late selection questions, so Draft managers should start the secure attackers and monitor fitness calls.

• Thiago, Anthony, Wirtz: All are projected starters, with penalty duties supplying an extra route for one.

• Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Isak: All remain fitness doubts, so wait for confirmed availability.

• Nyoni: Potential opportunity is offset by a 1.4 forecast and no Premier League starts.

Bottom-side Fulham host Hull with the visitors set to defend narrowly and target counters, while Gonzalo’s penalties offer the home side their clearest route. Robinson’s return unsettles the full-back selection and Belloumi faces a fatigue check after international duty. Draft managers should back Hull’s secure defensive starters and monitor the uncertain selections.

• Gonzalo: Guaranteed starter with penalties and Fulham’s best one-game forecast.

• Tzolakis, Egan: 3 clean sheets make Fulham’s winless attack a sensible defensive target.

• Belloumi: Fatigue after international duty leaves his involvement uncertain.

• Castagne, Sessegnon: Robinson’s availability and the open right-back decision cloud both full-back roles.

Manchester City host Ipswich with no fresh injuries, but Enzo Maresca is weighing rests after the midweek schedule and Phil Foden is available again. City’s strongest routes remain through Semenyo and their forward line, while Ipswich must defend deep and rely on transition threat. Draft managers should back secure City starters but check rotation calls.

• Semenyo, Guéhi, Donnarumma: All are predicted starters in a favourable home fixture.

• Haaland: Enzo Maresca will decide whether he starts.

• Cherki, Enzo, Ndiaye: Rotation and competition leave their starting roles uncertain.

• Walton, Fatawu, Maeda: Selection is unresolved, and the trip to the league leaders is unforgiving.

Newcastle’s unbeaten home record meets a Villa side balancing a midweek win with Unai Emery’s warning that players might be tired. Newcastle’s midfield is unsettled and Villa will assess Barkley, but Hall’s delivery and Villa’s in-form attackers offer the clearest routes to chances; Draft managers should back secure starters.

• Manzambi, Buendía: Both are projected to start and are Villa’s strongest current attacking options.

• Barnes: Newcastle’s top outfield forecast, 4.4, comes with a secure starting role.

• Barkley: A late fitness check makes his availability uncertain.

• Cash, Mings: Pau’s open defensive selection call leaves neither guaranteed to start.

With Scott and Kroupi.Jr out for Bournemouth, and Ballard, Meunier and Mundle unavailable for Sunderland, this is a thin-squad meeting shaped by Isidor's doubt. Bournemouth's attack should run through Evanilson and Tavernier, while E.Le Fée supplies Sunderland; Draft managers should favour secure creators and monitor Brobbey.

• Evanilson, Tavernier: Both are predicted to start, with form and set-piece involvement respectively.

• E.Le Fée: Predicted to start, takes corners and has Sunderland's best forecast.

• Brobbey, Isidor: Isidor's fitness assessment leaves Sunderland's centre-forward selection unresolved.

Brighton enter the derby in third after conceding only five goals, while Palace have late calls on Henderson, Mateta and Tomiyasu. Groß’s set pieces and Brighton’s attacking intent offer the clearest routes, with Kamada pushing for a start; Draft managers should lean home assets and wait on Palace fitness calls.

• De Cuyper, Vuskovic: Brighton have conceded only five league goals and both are predicted to start.

• Groß: Corner, free-kick and penalty duties provide multiple routes to a return.

• Henderson, Mateta, Tomiyasu: Their availability remains unresolved ahead of selection.

• Strand Larsen: Brighton’s defence has conceded only five goals.

Leeds’ settled defence, without Rodon, meets a Manchester United side still assessing Mainoo, while James remains a doubt for the hosts. Chances should chiefly run through B.Fernandes’ set pieces and Stach’s deliveries, with Cunha’s form another visiting route; Draft managers should back United’s secure attackers.

• B.Fernandes, Mbeumo: Both are secure starters and lead United’s projected attacking returns.

• Cunha: Recent form of 10 makes him United’s strongest momentum play.

• Mainoo, James: Late fitness assessments leave both too uncertain for starting lineups.

Arsenal arrive second after five wins from six, while Forest must assess Gibbs-White and remain without Savona and Igor Jesus. Arsenal’s attack should control the better openings, with Forest reliant on Ndoye and clinical moments if their playmaker misses out. Draft managers should prioritise Arsenal starters and treat Forest selections cautiously.

• Saka: Penalty duties and the best forecast of 5.6 make him the standout attacking start.

• Calafiori, Raya: Forest have scored five goals, making Arsenal defensive coverage a strong play.

• Gibbs-White: He has not trained this week and faces a late fitness assessment.

• Aina: Only a 67 start chance amid an open right-sided defensive selection.

Tottenham, 19th after six matches without a win, host a Coventry side lifted by recent victories but still uneven. Sávio’s muscular absence and Bentancur’s suspension reshape the home midfield, while Solanke should lead the line and Rudoni carries Coventry’s dead-ball threat. Draft managers should favour the secure starters over Tottenham’s uncertain selection.

• Solanke: Expected to lead the line after receiving three big chances last time out.

• Van Hecke, Kudus: Both are projected to start and lead Tottenham’s forecast options.

• Rudoni: Set pieces offer Coventry’s clearest attacking route against a side with 9 goals conceded.

• Sávio: Muscular problem will keep him out for several weeks.