Fantasy Premier League – Team Selection Tips
Article by e-Football's Robert WakeClick here to follow e-Sports Net on Twitter!
With the World Cup a distant memory, and the transfer merry-go-round in full swing, many supporters’ attentions are turning to the new Premier League season, and consequently which players they may select for their fantasy league team. For this article I am using data and valuations from the Official Fantasy Premier League website, but hopefully my thoughts will be relevant for the many other fantasy games that are out there. I would like to point out at this stage that I am no expert, and my selections are purely a personal opinion. For The Fantasy Premier League you have a budget of £100m for 15 players, and cannot select more than 3 players from any one club.
Goalkeepers
Keepers generally tend to be the cheapest option in FPL, but it important to have at least one reliable points scorer between the stick of your virtual team. Last season’s leading points scorers were Tim Howard (160 points) who this season is valued at 5.5m, Wojciech Szczesny (157) (5.5), Petr Cech (146) (6.0) and Julian Speroni (144) (5.0). Only 28 points (not much over a season) separate the top eight keepers, so Speroni represents good value at 5.0m. For a value back up, I would recommend either Tim Krul (123) or Kasper Schmeichel of newly promoted Leicester City who are both priced at 4.5m.
Defenders
Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal players feature heavily as Seamus Coleman (180) (7.0), John Terry (172) (6.5), Leighton Baines (169) (7.0), Branislav Ivanovic (159) (7.0), Per Mertesacker (157) (6.0) and Laurent Koscielny (155) (6.0) were the top scoring defenders last season. All could be solid picks again this season with the possible exception of Ivanovic, who may find his place under threat from new signing Filipe Luis (6.0) with Cesar Azpilicueta (109) (6.0) switching to right back. Another worth considering is Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel (137) (6.0). Skrtel scored more goals than both Coleman and Baines last season, and if Liverpool can tighten up defensively Skrtel could deliver plenty of points for your team. There are a few players in the 5.0m price range that are worth considering. Crystal Palace under Tony Pulis were very well organised, and Joel Ward (123) and Damien Delaney (117) are both good value. I also like Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne (100), Hull’s Curtis Davies (115) and West Ham’s Winston Reid (71). Reid missed a large chunk of last season, and if he stays fit is likely to be a regular for The Hammers. Of the promoted teams, Burnley’s Kieran Trippier has some appeal as he has the potential for a few assists, as does Leicester’s Paul Konchesky (4.5). QPR’s Steven Caulker (122) (5.0) scored 5 goals for Swansea last season and should be added to your shortlist.
Midfielders
Midfielders are traditionally the highest scorers in Fantasy Premier League. The leading three midfielders last season, Yaya Toure (241) (11.0), Steven Gerrard (205) (9.0) and Eden Hazard (202) (10.0) all scored more points than the highest scoring forward. Adam Lallana (178) (8.5), Samir Nasri (155) (8.5), David Silva (151) (9.0) and Aaron Ramsey (146) (9.0) make up the top seven. Lallana will miss the start of the season and may be worth watching when he returns. Ramsey seems an automatic pick for me. Had the Welshman not missed a fair chunk of last season, he would certainly have been in the top 3 midfielders. Yaya Toure’s 241 points is exceptional, and even at 11.0m is worth the outlay if he can produce another season similar to last year which yielded 20 goals as well as 9 assists. Cesc Fabregas looks a very astute signing by Chelsea. At Arsenal in 2009/10, Fabregas amassed 214 points with 15 goals and 15 assists. It is quite possible that the Spaniard could get close to that again this season, and is worthy of serious consideration at 9.0m. When selecting your midfielders, it is worth seeking out players who have been classed as midfielders, but in reality play as wide forwards or second strikers. Players that fall into that category include Arsenal’s new boy Alexis Sanchez (10.5), Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling (132) (8.5), Stoke’s Peter Odemwingie (92) (6.5) and Newcastle’s Yoan Gouffran (114) (6.5). Looking at cheaper options, the recent move to Swansea for Gylfi Sigurdsson (72) (6.0) should give him plenty of starts. Sigurdsson may well be on set piece duties for The Swans, and has an eye for goal. Hull’s Robbie Brady (51) (5.0) is a solid cut price option. Brady missed a lot of last season, but could prove good value, especially if he resumes penalty duties for The Tigers. Southampton’s Steven Davis (110) (5.0) may well benefit from the exodus from St Mary’s with more game time, and could well improve on last season’s total. Saints new boy Dusan Tadic (7.5) is seen as Lallana’s replacement, and could be worth watching in the early weeks of the season. Mark Noble (125) (5.5) is often on penalty and free kick duties for West Ham, and again could be a value signing. Leicester seem to have the better midfield options of the promoted clubs, with both Danny Drinkwater (5.5) and Anthony Knockaert (5.5) worth consideration.
Forwards
With Luis Suarez now departed, the leading forwards from last season are Daniel Sturridge (197) (11,5), Wayne Rooney (190) (10.5), Olivier Giroud (187) (8.5) and Rickie Lambert (179) (7.5). Lambert may get fewer opportunities at Liverpool, and I would rather look at Edin Dzeko (157) (8.5) who may start the season for Manchester City due to Alvaro Negredo’s injury, and Romelu Lukaku (168) (9.0) who has returned to Everton on a permanent deal, and should start most weeks for The Toffee’s. It may also be worth watching where Loic Remy (135) (7.5) ends up at the start of the season. Diego Costa is valued at 10.5m, but is certainly one for the shortlist. Costa has looked sharp in pre-season, and will surely benefit from playing ahead of Chelsea’s creative midfield. Southampton’s Graziano Pelle (7.5) had a good scoring record for Feyenoord, and is worth keeping an eye on. The three promoted teams also provide some cheaper alternatives to supplement your strike force. Burnley’s Danny Ings (6.0), Leicester’s David Nugent (5.5) and Queens Park Rangers Charlie Austin (6.0) all scored freely in The Championship last season.
Summary
So there you have it. Of course, there is still a month left of the transfer window, and a player who you may not consider a viable option at the moment could become a ‘must have’ by tomorrow. While writing this article I have changed my own team numerous times, and will doubtless do so several more times before the season gets underway on 16th August. I’m sure you will too, but hopefully the above has given you a few ideas. Good luck.
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