Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 7: captain picks
Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 7 preview: best buys, captain picks and differentials
Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 7 is the round to set up the next stretch, not just the weekend. Manchester City open the best three-Gameweek program in the game, Chelsea's attackers dominate the projections from Gameweek 7 to 9, and Brighton have one big home fixture before Liverpool and City away. This preview covers who to buy, who to captain, the differentials and who to sell. It ranks every pick on the next three Gameweeks, because that is how long the move has to pay off. All numbers are projected points from our model, and the full pool is on the Sofascore Premier League player picks page.
Last round's analysis is in the Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 6 preview. All 20 clubs play once in each of Gameweeks 7, 8 and 9, so nobody blanks in this window.
Gameweek 7 to 9: which programs are worth owning
Manchester City have the best three-Gameweek run in the game: [H]IPS → [A]AVL → [H]BHA comes to 6.79 expected goals, nearly 1.6 more than anyone else. Ipswich at home is the softest fixture of the round, with a 77% win probability and 2.75 expected goals. Aston Villa away is the game to plan around, not a reason to avoid them.
Arsenal have the best defensive run. [A]NFO → [H]EVE → [A]LIV gives 1.27 expected clean sheets, the highest of any club, and Nottingham Forest are only projected for 0.86 goals at home. Chelsea's [A]EVE → [H]TOT → [H]MUN is third on attack at 5.20 expected goals, and two of the three are at home.
Two clubs have one strong fixture and then a hard run. Tottenham host Coventry with a 65% win probability, then travel to Chelsea. Brighton host Crystal Palace at 61%, then play [A]LIV and [A]MCI. Both are fine for one round, but only a cheap Brighton player is worth buying now.
| Team | Fixture | Win probability | Expected goals | Clean sheet | Program | 3-round xG | 3-round CS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCI | [H]IPS | 77% | 2.75 | 44% | [H]IPS → [A]AVL → [H]BHA | 6.79 | 1.03 |
| ARS | [A]NFO | 60% | 1.86 | 42% | [A]NFO → [H]EVE → [A]LIV | 5.24 | 1.27 |
| CHE | [A]EVE | 44% | 1.66 | 27% | [A]EVE → [H]TOT → [H]MUN | 5.20 | 0.77 |
| BRE | [H]LIV | 35% | 1.52 | 19% | [H]LIV → [A]HUL → [H]NFO | 5.05 | 0.88 |
| TOT | [H]COV | 65% | 2.18 | 38% | [H]COV → [A]CHE → [H]CRY | 4.97 | 0.87 |
| MUN | [A]LEE | 35% | 1.46 | 21% | [A]LEE → [H]BOU → [A]CHE | 4.88 | 0.64 |
| NEW | [H]AVL | 44% | 1.68 | 26% | [H]AVL → [A]CRY → [H]EVE | 4.70 | 0.77 |
| BHA | [H]CRY | 61% | 2.12 | 35% | [H]CRY → [A]LIV → [A]MCI | 4.69 | 0.63 |
| FUL | [H]HUL | 57% | 1.87 | 37% | [H]HUL → [A]COV → [A]AVL | 4.57 | 0.87 |
| BOU | [H]SUN | 47% | 1.64 | 30% | [H]SUN → [A]MUN → [H]LEE | 4.54 | 0.75 |
At the bottom, Ipswich ([A]MCI → [H]NFO → [A]HUL), Coventry ([A]TOT → [H]FUL → [H]SUN), Everton ([H]CHE → [A]ARS → [A]NEW) and Hull ([A]FUL → [H]BRE → [H]IPS) all project under 3.5 expected goals over the three rounds. Avoid their attackers. Check the Sofascore Premier League fixture schedule for the runs beyond Gameweek 9.
Best goalkeepers for Gameweek 7
David Raya (6.7m, ARS) and Emiliano Martinez (5.9m, CHE) both project 14.9 points over the next three Gameweeks, the joint best of any goalkeeper. Raya's [A]NFO → [H]EVE → [A]LIV goes 5.0 → 5.3 → 4.6, backed by the best clean-sheet run in the game. Martinez's [A]EVE → [H]TOT → [H]MUN stays flat at 5.0 → 5.1 → 4.8 and costs 0.8m less, so he is the better value of the two.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (6.5m, MCI) has the highest goalkeeper projection this round at 5.2 against Ipswich, with a 44% clean-sheet chance. After that, [A]AVL → [H]BHA brings him down to 4.6 in both rounds. Only buy him if you want City defensive cover for the full run.
The hidden gem is Walter Benitez (4.5m, CRY), owned by 0.4% of managers. Palace's [A]BHA → [H]NEW → [A]TOT run is not easy, but his projection rises 4.3 → 4.8 → 4.7 to a 13.8-point total, more than several goalkeepers costing a million more. Lukas Hornicek (5.1m, NEW) is the steadier cheap option at 14.1 over [H]AVL → [A]CRY → [H]EVE, and only 1.8% own him.
Best defenders for Gameweek 7
This is where the round ranking and the three-round ranking disagree. Luka Vuskovic (5.9m, BHA) has the highest defender projection this Gameweek at 7.3 against Crystal Palace. Josko Gvardiol (6.9m, MCI) leads over the three rounds: 6.9 → 5.7 → 5.8 for 18.4 on [H]IPS → [A]AVL → [H]BHA, against Vuskovic's 17.9. If you are buying one defender and keeping him, buy Gvardiol. He has a 41% clean-sheet chance against Ipswich and has added 0.65 xA in the first five Gameweeks.
Vuskovic is still a strong pick at 1.24 points per million this round. His projection drops to 5.5 and 5.1 for the trips to Liverpool and City, but that is still good for 5.9m, so he works as a cheaper hold. Maxim De Cuyper (6.1m, BHA) is different: 7.2 this round, then 4.7 → 4.2. Treat him as a one-round pick and plan to move him on before [A]MCI.
Lewis Hall (6.0m, NEW) is the hold with the least effort: 5.9 → 5.3 → 5.5 over [H]AVL → [A]CRY → [H]EVE, 16.7 in total, with nothing in the run that drops him. James Tarkowski (7.1m, EVE) projects 17.0 despite Everton's [H]CHE → [A]ARS → [A]NEW, the third-best defender total over the three rounds. He is the premium differential at 9.6% ownership.
On a budget, Joshua King (5.1m, FUL) projects 6.1 against Hull, 1.20 points per million and owned by just 2.3%. His [A]COV → [A]AVL follow-up brings him down to 4.9 and 4.1, so he is best as a short-term pick. Bobby Thomas (5.1m, COV) is the flat one: 4.7 → 5.0 → 5.0 over [A]TOT → [H]FUL → [H]SUN, 14.7 in total, with 1.5% ownership. For the cheapest Brighton route into the Palace game, Olivier Boscagli (4.6m, BHA) projects 5.8, but [A]LIV → [A]MCI drops him to 4.1 and 3.6.
Best midfielders for Gameweek 7
Bruno Fernandes (10.8m, MUN) has the highest three-Gameweek total of any player at 20.1, going 6.4 → 7.2 → 6.5 on [A]LEE → [H]BOU → [A]CHE. 43.6% already own him and he should stay. His 0.69 xGI per 90 across the first five Gameweeks backs that up, and Bournemouth at home in Gameweek 8 is his best fixture of the run.
The bigger decision is between City and Chelsea's attackers. Rayan Cherki (9.0m, MCI) leads this round's midfielders at 7.4 against Ipswich, then 6.0 → 6.1 on [A]AVL → [H]BHA for 19.5. He has produced 0.65 xGI per 90, mostly as a creator with 1.36 xA. Cole Palmer (8.3m, CHE) is 0.7m cheaper and only 0.1 behind over the three rounds: 6.8 → 6.2 → 6.4 on [A]EVE → [H]TOT → [H]MUN. Morgan Rogers (7.7m, CHE) follows at 6.7 → 5.8 → 6.3, 18.8 in total, and has 1.43 xG plus 1.24 xA so far. If you want a Chelsea attacker and do not own Palmer, Rogers saves another 0.6m.
For value, Pascal Gross (6.0m, BHA) projects 6.3 against Palace and 16.3 over [H]CRY → [A]LIV → [A]MCI. He has three goals and three assists so far. Marcus Tavernier (5.9m, BOU) has a balanced [H]SUN → [A]MUN → [H]LEE, going 5.6 → 4.6 → 4.9, with three goals from 1.69 xG. The budget differential is Diego Gomez (5.0m, BHA) at 5.3 this round and 0.7% ownership. His projection drops to 4.1 and 3.8 after that, so plan to move him on after Gameweek 7.
Bukayo Saka (9.6m) projects 16.2 over Arsenal's run, which is 3 or more points behind Cherki and Palmer, both of whom cost less. His 3.3 xG is excellent, but Arsenal's run favours their defence more than their attack.
Best forwards for Gameweek 7
Joao Pedro (8.0m, CHE) is the best forward of the next three rounds at 19.6, ahead of Erling Haaland's 16.9, and costs 4.0m less. His projection goes 7.6 → 5.4 → 6.6 on [A]EVE → [H]TOT → [H]MUN. The model expects him to start against Everton, and he has three goals and three assists in five Gameweeks. 30% own him; the other 70% should look at him first.
Erling Haaland (12.0m, MCI) is in 77% of squads and projects 6.5 → 5.1 → 5.3 on [H]IPS → [A]AVL → [H]BHA, backed by 0.87 xGI per 90 from 3.99 xG so far. Keep him for the Ipswich game, but he is not the best forward per million over the run.
Matheus Cunha (7.5m, MUN) is moving the right way: 4.3 → 4.8 → 4.8 on [A]LEE → [H]BOU → [A]CHE. The cheap one-round pick is Charalampos Kostoulas (4.7m, BHA) at 5.6 against Palace, 1.19 points per million and 4.0% ownership, before [A]LIV → [A]MCI drops him to 4.2 and 3.8. Check the Sofascore Premier League predicted lineups before the deadline for every rotation pick in this preview.
Gameweek 7 captain picks
Joao Pedro is the Gameweek 7 captain at 7.6 points at Everton, which makes 15.2 with the captain doubling. Cherki is a close second at 7.4 against Ipswich, and Palmer is third at 6.8. Haaland at 6.5 is the safe template choice. With 77% ownership, captaining him protects your rank more than it gains you any.
Plan the next two rounds as well. In Gameweek 8, Bruno Fernandes is the best captain at 7.2 against Bournemouth, ahead of Palmer's 6.2. In Gameweek 9, Joao Pedro (6.6 against Manchester United) and Bruno (6.5 at Chelsea) are close at the top again. Owning both covers your captain choice for all three rounds. Compare all the options on the Sofascore Premier League optimal teams page, which solves the best squad across any range of rounds.
Who to sell before Gameweek 7
Sell Jordan Pickford (5.8m, EVE). 24.7% own him, and he projects 4.2 against Chelsea, then 3.9 at Arsenal and 4.2 at Newcastle, 12.3 over the three. Why now: none of the next three rounds is the right one to keep him for, and Martinez costs only 0.1m more for 14.9 over the same stretch.
Sell Riccardo Calafiori (6.5m, ARS). Arsenal's run is the best defensive one in the game, but his projection is 3.3 → 3.6 → 2.8 because his minutes are not secure. He is projected for around 60 minutes against Nottingham Forest. Why now: his minutes are the problem, and the good fixtures do not fix that. 17.7% own him, and Gvardiol or Hall at a similar price project 7 to 9 points more over the three rounds.
Sell Lisandro Martinez (5.9m, MUN). 12.0% own him, and he projects 3.2 → 3.6 → 3.7 on [A]LEE → [H]BOU → [A]CHE. Why now: no fixture in the run gets him near 4 points, and King or Thomas both project more for 0.8m less.
Sell Yoane Wissa (5.6m, NEW). He projects 4.1 against Aston Villa, then 3.5 at Crystal Palace and 3.5 against Everton. Villa at home is a decent fixture. Why now: 4.1 is the most he projects in the run, Kostoulas outscores him this round for 0.9m less, and Cunha is the better forward over the full run.
Gonzalo Garcia (5.8m, FUL) is a hold for one more round. Hull at home is a good fixture, with a 57% win probability, and he projects 4.0. After that, [A]COV → [A]AVL drops him to 3.3 and 2.9. You can wait a round on this one: play the Hull game, then move him on before Gameweek 8. 12.9% own him.
For each club's goal and clean-sheet odds behind these numbers, see the Sofascore Premier League market probabilities. More previews are in the Sofascore Premier League preview hub and the fantasy guides.
FAQ
Who should I captain in Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 7?
Joao Pedro is the top Gameweek 7 captain at 7.6 projected points away at Everton. Rayan Cherki (7.4 against Ipswich) and Cole Palmer (6.8) are the alternatives, and Erling Haaland (6.5) is the safe pick at 77% ownership.
Which defenders are best for Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 7?
Josko Gvardiol is the best defender over the next three Gameweeks with 18.4 projected points on [H]IPS → [A]AVL → [H]BHA. Luka Vuskovic has the highest projection for Gameweek 7 alone at 7.3, and Joshua King (5.1m) is the best budget option at 6.1.
Should I sell Jordan Pickford before Gameweek 7?
Yes. Pickford projects 12.3 points over [H]CHE → [A]ARS → [A]NEW, while Emiliano Martinez projects 14.9 over the same three Gameweeks for only 0.1m more.
Who are the best differentials for Sofascore Premier League Gameweek 7?
Walter Benitez (0.4% owned, 13.8 points over three Gameweeks), Bobby Thomas (1.5%, 14.7) and Lukas Hornicek (1.8%, 14.1) are the best low-ownership picks for the run. Diego Gomez (0.7%) and Charalampos Kostoulas (4.0%) are one-round differentials for Brighton's home game against Crystal Palace.
Is Joao Pedro better than Haaland for Gameweek 7?
Over the next three Gameweeks, yes. Joao Pedro projects 19.6 points against Haaland's 16.9 and costs 4.0m less. Haaland is still worth keeping for the Ipswich game, but Joao Pedro is the better captain this round.
This preview was written by TheFantasyTool AI.