Welcome to our annual attempt to select the best and worst options in the Fantasy Premier League game and assess how the forthcoming Premier League season will pan out.
Unlike previous attempts, last year saw a number of successful predictions from the Scouts. Granville was correct in predicting a stellar debut season for Diego Costa, Danny Ings and Gylfi Sigurdsson, while Jordan Henderson rewarded my faith in him as a budget midfielder.
Naturally we didn’t get it right all the time and there were some noticeable horror predictions. Andre Schurrle’s departure from Chelsea meant Mark’s guess that he would be the year’s best differential proved ill-fated. Nikica Jelavic, meanwhile, failed to live up to the hype generated by Ryan as being the top scoring budget forward of the year.
Here’s the link if you want to remind yourself just how reliable our soothsaying powers can be.
Hopefully in our latest predictions for the forthcoming Premier League our embarrassing picks will be consigned to the past for good.
Jonty
The Premier League Top
Five (1-5): Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Aston Villa, Watford, Norwich, Bournemouth
This year’s Overachievers: Everton
This Year’s Underachievers: Villa
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: Mesut Ozil
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Eder
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Top Bonus Point Darling: Aguero
Best Differential: Oscar
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): John Ruddy
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Ashley Williams
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Jonathan Walters
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Jamie Vardy
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The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, City, United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Watford, Norwich
This year’s Overachievers: Southampton
This Year’s Underachievers: Tottenham
Top Goalscorer: Aguero
Most Assists: Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Mark Hughes
Worst Signing: Radamel Falcao
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Top Bonus Point Darling: Sergio Aguero
Best Differential: Rolando Aarons
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Costel Pantilimon
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Patrick Van Aanholt
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yannick Bolasie
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Troy Deeney
Spencer
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United
Bottom Four (17-20): Norwich, Aston Villa, Leicester, Watford
This year’s Overachievers: Everton
This Year’s Underachievers: Leicester
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Jack Colback
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Claudio Ranieri
Worst Signing: Jordan Ayew
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Kevin Mirallas
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): John Ruddy
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joleon Lescott
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Jason Puncheon
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Troy Deeney
Greenwindmill
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Watford, Norwich, Leicester, Bournemouth
This year’s Overachievers: Aston Villa
This Year’s Underachievers: Leicester
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: Mesut Ozil
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Dick Advocaat
Worst Signing: Glen Johnson
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Alexis Sanchez
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Oscar
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Ashley Williams
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Siem de Jong
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
Applebonkers
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Leicester, Watford, Norwich, Bournemouth
This year’s Overachievers: Swansea
This Year’s Underachievers: Tottenham
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Behrami
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Claudio Ranieri
Worst Signing: Danny Ings
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: A.Ayew
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Dawson
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Max Gradel
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
Chris Atkinson (aka The RMT Professor)
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, City, Arsenal, United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Aston Villa, Sunderland, Norwich, Watford
This year’s Overachievers: Bournemouth
This Year’s Underachievers: Aston Villa
Top Goalscorer: Aguero
Most Assists: Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Dick Advocaat
Worst Signing: Jordan Ayew
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Aguero
Top Bonus Point Darling: Hazard
Best Differential: Dimitri Payet
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Cedric Soares
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yannick Bolasie
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Saido Berahino
Andy
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Leicester, Norwich, Watford, Bournemouth
This year’s Overachievers: Newcastle
This Year’s Underachievers: Leicester
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Younes Kaboul
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Bafetimbi Gomis
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Toby Aldeweireld
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Siem De Jong
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Saido Berahino (David Nugent)
7Shades of Smoke
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Bournemouth, Leicester, Watford, Norwich
This year’s Overachievers: Aston Villa
This Year’s Underachievers: Newcastle United
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Agüero
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Victor Wanyama
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Claudio Ranieri
Worst Signing: Fabian Delph
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Alexis Sanchez
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Sadio Mané
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Stekelenburg
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Cedric Soares
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yohann Cabeye
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
Demi
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham
Bottom Four (17-20): Bournemouth, Leicester, Norwich, Watford
This year’s Overachievers: Everton
This Year’s Underachievers: Swansea
Top Goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku
Most Assists: Mesut Ozil
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Victor Wanyama
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Rudy Gestede
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Dimitri Payet
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Costel Pantilimon
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Cedric Soares
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Jeremain Lens
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
Ryan
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United, Man City, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Bournemouth, Sunderland, Norwich, Watford
This year’s Overachievers: Crystal Palace
This Year’s Underachievers: Swansea
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: Mesut Ozil
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: West Brom
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Christian Benteke
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Gomis
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Costel Pantilimon
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Cedric Soares
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yannick Bolasie
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
Anorak
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United, City, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Watford, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Norwich
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: West Ham
Top Goalscorer: Agüero
Most Assists: Fàbregas
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Danny Ings
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Hazard
Best Differential: Cabaye
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Cédric
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yohann Cabaye
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Callum Wilson
James H
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, City, United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Sunderland, Leicester, Norwich, Watford
This year’s Overachievers: West Brom
This Year’s Underachievers: Leicester
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Agüero
Most Assists: Cesc Fàbregas
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Tettey
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Jordan Ayew
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Diouf
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Toby Alderweireld
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yohann Cabaye
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Mame Diouf
Torres Magic
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Sunderland, Aston Villa, Norwich, Watford
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: Swansea
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: Cesc Fabregas
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Enrique Sánchez Flores
Worst Signing: Jordan Ayew
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Dimitri Payet
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under) : Cedric Soares
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yohann Cabaye
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
Mark
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Aston Villa, Norwich, Sunderland, Watford.
This year’s Overachievers: Swansea
This Year’s Underachievers: West Ham
Top Goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Arsenal
Most Yellow Cards: Victor Wanyama
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Dick Advocaat
Worst Signing: Rudy Gestede
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Sergio Aguero
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Bafe Gomis
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Simon Mignolet
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under) : Cedric Soares
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Yannick Bolasie
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Diafra Sakho
8 years, 10 months agoBest goalkeeper combo??
I've got Cech and Stekelenburg at the moment, but it seems some of that money could go elsewhere.m