Amidst all the excitement of the new Premier League season comes the buzz and anxiety of the 2020-2021 Fantasy Premier League. Indeed, FPL provides the chance to get involved in the Premier League by managing a squad to win points based on their real-life performances.
In the hunt for bragging rights amongst friends and colleagues in various Mini-leagues, FPL managers find ourselves in a team-selection dilemma, with little margin for error. Fantasy novices can read up a beginner’s guide here.
Alexander-Arnold again? Jiménez? Aubameyang? How about the rest of the squad?. Gameweek 1 is even tougher with Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Burnley not playing, Football Castle brings you quick tips and guidelines ahead of the start.
The Untouchables: Must-haves
PFA Young Player of The Year Trent Alexander-Arnold(Liverpool, £7.5m) was the highest-scoring defender (210 points) in FPL last season and remains important to Liverpool’s attacking play. The 21-year-old can look forward to another big points haul this season.
Kevin De Bruyne(Man City, £11.5m) was officially the best player in the Premier League last season having been presented the Player of The Year award, the Belgian was also responsible for the most Fantasy points(251) last season and must be in YOUR team. Mo Salah(Liverpool, £12.0m) remains a reliable choice given his track record and direct approach making him an FPL asset with guaranteed goals and assists. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang(Arsenal, £12.0m) has registered 22 League goals in each of his full Premier League seasons and with the 31-year-old carrying his immense form from the tail-end of last season into the Community Shield match, he is set to produce consistent points. Danny Ings(Southampton, £8.5m) enjoyed a resurgence last season as his 22 Goals helped Southampton to a respectable 11th league finish. The Englishman is a natural goalscorer and should once again flourish with the service to him on the South Coast.
With the aforementioned Liverpool and City players missing GW1, here are a few other squad options.
Goalkeepers
Nick Pope(Burnley, £5.5m) was the best goalkeeper(170 points) last season and registered the second-most clean sheets in 2019/20. Although he doesn’t have a fixture on GW1, Pope can be your first-choice goalkeeper throughout the season.
Australian Mat Ryan(Brighton, £4.5m) is one of the best FPL goalkeepers as Brighton transitioned from a defensive side to Graham Potter’s swashbuckling style last season. The shot-stopper has been selected by 21.1% managers and remains a reliable choice for the two goalkeeping spots.
👇 @ the following people in your #FPL mini league 👇
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) September 9, 2020
Best manager: ________
Rising star: __________
Finishing last: _________
Still to join: _______
Defenders
Matt Doherty(Tottenham, £6.0m) will look to continue his brilliant FPL record at Spurs with his assists and many clean sheets expected in José Mourinho’s team.
James Tarkowski (Burnley, £5.5m) Looks set for a move away having been subject to bids from West Ham this summer, nevertheless, the centre-back is sensibly priced for his quality as he will improve the Hammers’ clean sheet prospects and offers an aerial threat at setpieces.
Midfielders
Hakim Ziyech(Chelsea, £8.0m) is a dynamic attacking option available to Frank Lampard after a summer move to Chelsea. The Moroccan’s penchant for goals and assists will make him an automatic FPL jewel as his ability from open play and set pieces cannot be ignored.
Bruno Fernandes(Man United, £10.5m) proved an inspirational Manchester United signing in January as he reinvigorated their season and cemented his place as an FPL asset. His raw attacking play and brilliance from dead balls would once again be key for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Bukayo Saka(Arsenal £5.5m) had his breakthrough as his teenage exuberance and immense talent made him Arsenal’s best playmaker with 11 assists.The 19-year-old is settling into the right-wing position in Mikel Arteta’s team and provided the assist for Aubameyang’s equaliser against Liverpool in the Community shield. He also has a good early run of fixtures against Fulham, West Ham and Liverpool, worth every penny in your squad.
Although his first callup to the England first team was cut short in embarrassing circumstances, Phil Foden(Man City, £6.5m) is a wonderful player who could be key for Pep Guardiola this season. Having been patient with fighting for a place in the first team, the 20-year-old will directly benefit from David Silva’s exit this season and would look to improve his five Premier League goals and two assists.
Matheus Pereira(West Brom, £6.0m) was key in the Championship as he contributed 20 assists and eight goals to a successful promotion campaign back to the top-flight. It remains to be seen how the Brazilian would cope in the Premier League but he remains key to the Baggies’ hopes.
Forwards
Timo Werner(Chelsea, £9.5m) is overwhelmingly the Chelsea attacker who deserves to be in your team. The German’s 36 goal contributions in the Bundesliga last season plus his goals in preseason and for the national team make him an immediate GW1 candidate. With a staggering 47.4% ownership, you would barely bet against him.
Raúl Jiménez(Wolves, £8.5m): The Mexican’s 17 goals and six assists last season were a delight for managers as Wolves have strengthened adequately this summer, he looks a go-to option for consistent points.
Aleksandar Mitrović(Fulham, £6.0m) is back after immediate promotion from the Championship. The Serbian is a reliable goalscorer who is a robust presence in Fulham’s attacking play, he remains a decent option at £6m despite the Cottagers being tipped for relegation by many.
A successful FPL campaign does boil down to individual hunch, however be flexible with your team and it is important to leave out personal bias and club loyalties as much as possible.
