Palmer’s Fixture Has Arrived, and the Real Wildcard Call Is Two Weeks Away: Your Gameweek 4 Weekly Review

Gameweek 3 handed out the biggest individual haul of the season, and it came from a wing-back rather than a forward. Tyrick Mitchell’s brace at Fulham, Alexander Isak’s first big Liverpool afternoon, and an Arsenal win built on two different scorers all reshape the squad-building conversation heading into Gameweek 4. The week’s sharpest single decision, though, is one this column flagged before a ball was kicked: Chelsea’s home date with Hull City has arrived right on schedule, and Cole Palmer is the week’s clearest captaincy case.

The deadline is 13:30 BST on Saturday, 12 September, ahead of the early kickoffs. Below is the short version of everything we’ve covered this week, section by section, with a link through to the full breakdown wherever you want more than the headline.

Captain Recommendations

Cole Palmer is the pick, at home to a Hull City side that’s shown defensive resolve against weaker opposition but hasn’t faced anything like Chelsea’s attack yet. Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland are the next-best options, while Bruno Fernandes is one to fade this week against a rampant Manchester City. Full captaincy breakdown →

Chip Strategy

No chip is worth playing in Gameweek 4. Triple Captain should wait for a cleaner fixture, and the real Wildcard decision now sits between Gameweek 5, right before the international break, and Gameweek 6, right after it. Bench Boost pairs with whichever of those two gets chosen, and Free Hit stays untouched. Full chip strategy guide →

Differential Picks

Three defenders lead the list this week: Tyrick Mitchell off the back of his Fulham brace, Brighton’s big-money signing Luka Vušković away at a Coventry side yet to score a league goal, and Arsenal’s forward-thinking left back Riccardo Calafiori at Sunderland. Full differentials list →

Fixture Analysis

Newcastle have the cleanest six-gameweek run in the league, avoiding every top-half side through Gameweek 9. Crystal Palace’s run holds up nearly as well before a tougher trip to Tottenham closes the window, while Ipswich face the roughest schedule of any side, Manchester City away sitting right in the middle of it. Full fixture breakdown →

Injury Updates

Aston Villa’s Joao Gomes is suspended for two matches after a red card on his debut, and Brentford’s Josh Dasilva is out until the international break. Joe Rodon and Habib Diarra continue their long-term absences from last week, while Ezri Konsa’s strong Arsenal form and returning depth at Tottenham and Liverpool offer some good news. Full injury list →

Player Performance

Tyrick Mitchell’s 17-point brace from left wing-back topped the Gameweek 3 charts from any position, Alexander Isak announced himself as Liverpool’s new number nine, and Arsenal won with two different scorers rather than one. Cody Gakpo is now the most transferred-in player in the game. Full performance review →

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea’s front three is the most settled selection of the week, while Liverpool’s left flank hinges on a late Gakpo fitness call and Manchester City’s derby XI is genuinely unresolved around Iliman Ndiaye. Crystal Palace’s forward line is one to watch closely after three knocks in one match. Full lineup predictions →

Transfer Suggestions

Alexander Isak and Ezri Konsa are the two clearest buys this week, Victor Munoz is a buy-low name the market hasn’t caught onto yet, and Hull’s bargain defensive pair meets its toughest test at Chelsea. Bruno Fernandes and any Leeds defender are the clearest hold-and-wait cases. Full transfer guide →

Set your squad, and your armband, before 13:30 BST on Saturday. Everything above will still be here after the deadline if you need to check it twice.