Gameweek 2 Booster strategies: Tempting 12th Man options to target leaky defences

IT’S early days but Dream Team gaffers should mull over potential Booster strategies every Gameweek of the season.

Generally, we’d advise patience at this embryonic stage of the campaign.

One round of fixtures is nowhere near enough time to gauge form and since each of your three Boosters can only be played once per season, it’s probably better to wait until you’ve got the lay of the land.

However, if you’re keen to play a Booster early – and there’s something to be said for taking an early lead in your Mini League to put the pressure on your rivals – then consider the following options.

12th Man

DREAM TEAM

So much more than just Ivan Toney’s understudy[/caption]

• Select an additional player from any position to score points for your team for one Gameweek only

Best used when you can’t bear to part with any of your current players, the ideal 12th Man will take advantage of a particularly favourable fixture(s).

Remember, your 12th Man is recruited for free so you’re not bound by budgetary constraints.

For example, it’s highly likely that many Erling Haaland (£8.5m) owners aren’t able to afford Mohamed Salah (£7m) as well.

In regards to Gameweek 2, gaffers in this situation could select the Egyptian hero as 12th Man in hope of capitalising on Liverpool’s first home fixture of the season, Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth.

It’s almost exactly a year to the day Jurgen Klopp’s side battered the Cherries 9-0 at Anfield…

Bryan Mbeumo (£3.5m) is a decent 12th Man nominee this Gameweek too.

The Frenchman banked nine points against Tottenham on Sunday and this coming weekend he’ll be unleashed upon a Fulham side that allowed Everton 19 shots last time out.

Because 12th Man provides only a temporary advantage, some gaffers may feel it’s best employed to recruit an in-form asset they feel isn’t a necessary long-term addition to their XI.

Max Captain

Reuters

Salah or Haaland for the captain’s armband in Gameweek 2?[/caption]

• Whichever one of your players scores the most points during the Gameweek will automatically be selected as captain

Instinct says this Booster is best deployed when there are a few juicy fixtures to target and several viable captains.

Does Gameweek 2 fit that description? Arguably it does.

Erling Haaland (£8.5m) is the obvious choice for the armband for the majority of managers but a fixture against a Newcastle side fresh off the back of a 5-1 victory represents a more challenging match-up than usual for Manchester City – especially as the treble-winners were in action late on Wednesday night in the Super Cup.

Elsewhere, the aforementioned Salah v Bournemouth contest looks appealing, as does Bukayo Saka (£6m) against Crystal Palace – there will be more variety in captaincy this weekend for sure.

In short, it’s not the worst time to play your Max Captain Booster by any means but it’s probably best to wait for a double Gameweek later in the season.

Park the Bus

Getty

“Did somebody say Park the Bus?”[/caption]

• Every defender in your team earns double points for one Gameweek only

The first thing to note is that you’re going to want your XI set up in a 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 formation when this Booster is activated.

And again, improve your chances of maximum returns by waiting for a double Gameweek.

If you’re absolutely desperate to channel Jose Mourinho by playing your Park the Bus Booster now then a back five of Pervis Estupinan (£3.5m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m), William Saliba (£3.5m), Ben Chilwell (£4.5m) and Lewis Dunk (£3m) looks great on paper given the fixtures.

But trust us, there’s no need to do anything rash just yet.

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