Welcome to our annual attempt to pick the best and worst options in the Fantasy Premier League game and assess how the forthcoming Premier League season will shape up.
As usual many of our last season predictions proved to be terrible.
Among the worst of our predictions was Mark’s assertion that Andreas Weimann would be the best differential and highest scoring budget forward in FPL and Paul’s belief that Roberto Soldado would finish the year as top Premier League goal scorer.
My forecast that Kolo Toure would be the best budget defender and Crystal Palace would be relegated proved equally embarrassing.
Applebonkers was also left with egg on his face by labelling Hull defender Curtis Davies as the worst signing of 2013/14, while Granville’s optimism that Iago Aspas would be the best differential in FPL was another of our top clangers.
There were some predictions we nailed, though. Evs correctly reckoned Southampton would overachieve, while Fulham would falter. Andy and Mark can also feel pleased for themselves for correctly naming Seamus Coleman as the best budget defender in FPL last season.
Hopefully we shall all do better with this series of predictions for the forthcoming Premier League campaign.
7Shades of Smoke
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): QPR, West Brom, Burnley, Leicester
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke City
This Year’s Underachievers: Swansea
Top Goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Mathieu Debuchy
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Nigel Pearson
Worst Signing: Brown Ideye
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Alexis Sánchez
Top Bonus Point Darling: Alexis Sánchez
Best Differential: Samir Nasri
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asmir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Marko Arnautovic
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Gabriel Agbonlahor
Demi
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham
Bottom Four (17-20): Aston Villa, West Brom, Leicester, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Manchester United
This Year’s Underachievers: Liverpool
Top Goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Most Assists: Juan Mata
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Joey Barton
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Sam Allardyce
Worst Signing: Ideye Brown
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Daniel Sturridge
Best Differential: Erik Lamela
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Julian Speroni
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Mame Biram Diouf
Athletico Timbo
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): QPR, Leicester, Burnley, West Brom
This year’s Overachievers: Hull City
This Year’s Underachievers: Newcastle
Top Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie
Most Assists: Juan Mata
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Lukas Jutkiewicz
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asmir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Steven Caulker
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Charlie Austin
Evs
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Villa, QPR, Leicester, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Spurs
This Year’s Underachievers: Manchester City
Top Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie
Most Assists: Eden Hazard
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Pardew
Worst Signing: Emmanuel Rivere
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Robin Van Persie
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Julian Speroni
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Ben Davies
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Bojan Krkic
Granville
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): QPR, Leicester, West Brom
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: Spurs
Top Goalscorer: Diego Costa
Most Assists: Cesc Fabregas
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Zabaleta
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Fernando
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Top Bonus Point Darling: Romelu Lukaku
Best Differential: Siem De Jong
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Adrian
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Kieran Trippier
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Danny Ings
Jonty
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City , Man United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): QPR, WBA, Leicester, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: Southampton
Top Goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
Most Assists: Eden Hazard
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Joey Barton
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Joe Cole
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Top Points Scorers Overall Top Points Scorer: Wayne Rooney
Top Bonus Point Darling: Wayne Rooney
Best Differential: Jordan Henderson
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asimir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Nathaniel Clyne
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Jordan Henderson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): David Nugent
Roscola
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Tottenham
Bottom Four (17-20): Hull, QPR, Villa, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: Everton
Top Goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Marouane Marouane Chamakh
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Paul Lambert
Worst Signing: Joe Cole
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Alexis Sánchez
Top Bonus Point Darling: Juan Mata
Best Differential: David Silva
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Fraser Forster
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Lewis Holtby
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Charlie Austin
The Professor
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): WBA, QPR, Aston Villa, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Leicester
This Year’s Underachievers: Newcastle
Top Goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Cheick Tiote
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Paul Lambert
Worst Signing: Enner Valencia
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Daniel Sturridge
Best Differential: Steven Davis
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asimir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Nathaniel Clyne
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Adam Johnson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Brown Ideye
Andy
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): West Brom, Leicester, Hull, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: Hull
Top Goalscorer: Diego Costa
Most Assists: Cesc Fabregas
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Glenn Whelan
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Joe Cole
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Top Points Scorers Overall Top Points Scorer: Wayne Rooney
Top Bonus Point Darling: Aaron Ramsey
Best Differential: Erik Lamela
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asmir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Ben Davies
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Bojan Krkic
Anorak
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): City, Chelsea, United, Arsenal, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): QPR, Leicester, Burnley, West Brom
This year’s Overachievers: Crystal Palace
This Year’s Underachievers: West Brom
Top Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie
Most Assists: Juan Mata
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Mathieu Debuchy
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Ideye Brown
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Aaron Lennon
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Julian Speroni
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Bojan Krkic
D1sable
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, City, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): QPR, WBA, Villa, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: West Ham
This Year’s Underachievers: Hull
Top Goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Most Assists: David Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Gareth Barry
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Paul Lambert
Worst Signing: Joleon Lescott
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Aaron Ramsey
Top Bonus Point Darling: Aaron Ramsey
Best Differential: Emmanuel Adebayor
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asmir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Connor Wickham
Swanny14
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Man United, Man City, Arsenal, Everton
Bottom Four (17-20): West Ham, Aston Villa, West Brom, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Everton
This Year’s Underachievers: West Ham
Top Goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
Most Assists: Wayne Rooney
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Man City
Most Yellow Cards: Wes Morgan
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Sam Allardyce
Worst Signing: Billy Jones
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Alexis Sanchez
Top Bonus Point Darling: Christian Eriksen
Best Differential: Stevan Jovetic
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asmir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Steven Caulker
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Robert Snodgrass
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Charlie Austin
Greenwindmill
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): Aston Villa, Hull, QPR, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Leicester
This Year’s Underachievers: Hull
Top Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie
Most Assists: Mesut Ozil
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Phil Bardsley
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Sam Allardyce
Worst Signing: Bojan Krkic
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Robin Van Persie
Top Bonus Point Darling: Robin Van Persie
Best Differential: Emmanuel Adebayor
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Adrian
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Charlie Austin
Applebonkers
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): West Brom, Hull, Leicester, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Arsenal
This Year’s Underachievers: Manchester City
Top Goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Most Assists: Juan Mata
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Gareth Barry
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Sam Alladyce
Worst Signing: Sebastien Pocognoli
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Wayne Rooney
Best Differential: Kieran Gibbs
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asimir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Steven Fletcher
Torres Magic
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): West Ham, West Brom, Leicester, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Manchester United
This Year’s Underachievers: Southampton
Top Goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Most Assists: Juan Mata
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Brown Ideye
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Eden Hazard
Best Differential: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Asmir Begovic
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Steven Caulker
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Nikica Jelavic
Spencer
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United
Bottom Four (17-20): Leicester, Villa, QPR, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Hull City
This Year’s Underachievers: Man United
Top Goalscorer: Sturridge
Most Assists: Silva
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Lee Cattermole
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Paul Lambert
Worst Signing: Romelu Lukaku
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: David Silva
Best Differential: Siem De Jong
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Allan McGregor
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Joel Ward
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Steven Fletcher
Ryan
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, City, United, Arsenal, Liverpool
Bottom Four (17-20): WBA, West Ham, Leicester, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: West Ham
Top Goalscorer: Diego Costa
Most Assists: Cesc Fabregas
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Southampton
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Brown Ideye
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Diego Costa
Top Bonus Point Darling: Leighton Baines
Best Differential: Erik Lamela
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Tim Krul
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Patrick van AanHolt
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under):Gylfi Sigurdsson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Nikica Jelavic
Paul
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United
Bottom Four (17-20): Villa, Leicester, Burnley, West Brom
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: West Ham
Top Goalscorer: Diego Costa
Most Assists: Juan Mata
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Marouane Chamakh
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Alan Irvine
Worst Signing: Rickie Lambert
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Diego Costa
Top Bonus Point Darling: Cesc Fabregas
Best Differential: Theo Walcott
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Vito Mannone
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Steven Caulker
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Jason Puncheon
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Bojan Krkic
Mark
The Premier League
Top Five (1-5): Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man United
Bottom Four (17-20): Leicester, QPR, West Brom, Burnley
This year’s Overachievers: Stoke
This Year’s Underachievers: Liverpool
Top Goalscorer: Diego Costa
Most Assists: Raheem Sterling
Team with Most Clean Sheets: Chelsea
Most Yellow Cards: Gareth Barry
First Boss to Bite the Bullet: Sam Allardyce
Worst Signing: Brown Ideye
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Top Points Scorers
Overall Top Points Scorer: Eden Hazard
Top Bonus Point Darling: Wayne Rooney
Best Differential: Andre Schürrle
Top Scoring Budget Goalkeeper (5.0 and under): Julian Speroni
Top Scoring Budget Defender (5.0 and under): Steven Caulker
Top Scoring Budget Midfielder (6.5 and under): Gylfi Sigurdson
Top Scoring Budget Forward (6.5 and under): Shane Long
