Pre-Season

Origi among the budget FPL forwards to monitor

With so many appealing premium options in Fantasy Premier League next season, the emergence of a playable budget forward would be a huge bonus.

Raul Jimenez was the Fantasy manager’s friend last year, returning 13 goals, ten assists and 31 bonus points having started the 2018/19 campaign priced at just £5.5m.

The Mexico international has predictably been handed a significant rise upon FPL’s relaunch for 2019/20 and will now set Fantasy bosses back £7.5m.

A cursory glance through the FPL price list suggests that we will struggle to find a ‘Jimenez’ among the sub-£6.0m forward options this time, although pre-season often throws up a wildcard from this price bracket that we had previously disregarded.

Big Six Back-Ups

Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri will be on standby to start in Gameweek 1

Perhaps the most eye-catching name among the 22 strikers currently available in the £4.5m-£5.5m grouping is Divock Origi (£5.5m).

The Belgian striker only played 367 minutes of Premier League football last season but was increasingly involved in Jurgen Klopp’s squads as the year progressed.

We may only be an injury to Mohamed Salah (£12.5m), Roberto Firmino (£9.5m) or Sadio Mane (£11.5m) away from seeing Origi string together a succession of starts in the top flight, although Jurgen Klopp could very well bolster his attacking options over the summer following the release of Daniel Sturridge and sale of Danny Ings (£6.0m).

Origi was well down the pecking order at the start of 2018/19, with Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri (£6.5m) very much the preferred options when Klopp needed to hand breathers to one of his regular front three.

The Belgian striker featured in just three of Liverpool’s first 24 league matches, failing to make the matchday squad on 13 occasions.

However, Origi was the man Klopp frequently turned to in the season run-in: the former Lille striker deputising for Firmino from the start in Gameweeks 28, 29 and 38, as well as in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona.

Origi came off the bench in the final of that competition to score Liverpool’s decisive second goal.

Mane and Salah are currently on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that could have a significant say in their availability in Gameweek 1.

The competition final takes place exactly three weeks before the start of the 2019/20 season, leaving little time for the premium midfield duo to recover and return to Liverpool’s pre-season camp should Egypt and/or Senegal make it that far.

Both Salah and Mane started in Gameweek 1 last season but their countries had been eliminated in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup and the pair had more than six weeks to ready themselves for domestic action.

More pertinently, Dejan Lovren and Jordan Henderson (both £5.5m), who made it to the final weekend of the World Cup with their respective countries, were handed three weeks off after their exertions in Russia and failed to start on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Origi, then, may be a short-term budget punt for Gameweek 1 should Salah and Mane be handled carefully by Klopp – though that is a decision that will likely have to be made very shortly before the season kicks off in early August.

Beyond that, Origi will be a ‘sleeper’ that could come in handy should any injury befall Salah, Mane or Firmino.

The other three FPL forwards representing a ‘big six’ club in this list are Eddie Nketiah, Mason Greenwood and Vincent Janssen (all £4.5m).

The budget trio managed just one league start between them last season and very much merit their cut-price tags, although Greenwood will be one to monitor given how impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was with the young United striker after his debut in Gameweek 38:

Mason Greenwood was brilliant, he was our best player by a mile and that says a lot about the kid. He came into the team with a lack of confidence and you can see that has take a total. Not surprised by his performance, we know he is capable of that.

Options from the Promoted Clubs

David McGoldrick missed only one league game last season

The arrival of Josip Drmic (£5.5m) could put pressure on Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) at Norwich City but the Finn is still expected to be Daniel Farke’s preferred option in Gameweek 1, with Drmic’s career needing a serious kickstart following an injury-ravaged few years.

You can read more about the Swiss international’s credentials in our Scout Report.

Dennis Srbeny (£5.5m) may not even be at Carrow Road come August but should he still be on the books, he won’t be of much interest to Fantasy managers: the German striker failed to start a single game last season and made only two substitute appearances in Norwich’s final 19 fixtures.

Jonathan Kodjia (£5.5m) is expected to be a backup option at Villa, meanwhile, with Wesley Moraes (£6.0m) having been bought from Club Brugge.

Kodjia started only five of Villa’s final 23 league and play-off fixtures and was mostly an impact substitute, featuring on the left flank as much as he did up top last season.

David McGoldrick (£5.5m) is perhaps one of the more likelier starters among the 22 players featured in this article.

McGoldrick played in all but one of Sheffield United’s 46 Championship fixtures (starting 36 of them) and scored more goals (15) than he has ever managed in a single season in the second tier.

Starting all but one match between Gameweeks 9 and 28, McGoldrick was one of the first names on the teamsheet for much of the season although did face bench duty on five occasions after Gary Madine and Scott Hogan’s loan captures in January.

Only four Championship players registered more shots than McGoldrick, with the former Ipswich Town forward also expected to be on penalties for the Blades in 2019/20 after his three successes from the spot last season.

The Rest

Shane Long scored four goals in the final six Gameweeks of 2018/19

There are slim pickings elsewhere.

Xande Silva and Connor Wickham (both £4.5m) failed to make a single start between them in 2018/19 and are some way down the pecking order at West Ham and Palace, although Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m) has handed in a transfer request in recent days and looks set for a summer exit.

Matej Vydra (£5.5m) hasn’t made one Premier League start in 2019, meanwhile, as he continues to play second fiddle to Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes (both £6.5m).

Joselu (£5.0m) is reportedly nearing the exit door at Newcastle but the exodus of players and manager, plus the failure to so far snap up Salomon Rondon on a permanent deal, could pave a way for Yoshinori Muto (£5.5m) to feature with more regularity in 2019/20.

Newcastle’s dismal opening run of fixtures and the Japan international’s forgettable debut season (one goal, no assists) will mean Fantasy interest is likely to be very limited, however.

There are several budget strikers whose first-team opportunities may hinge on injuries to their teammates.

Isaac Success (£5.0m) was very much fourth-choice forward by the season’s end at Watford and started just one league match in 2019.

Dominic Solanke (£5.5m), Lys Mousset (£5.0m) and Sam Surridge (£4.5m) are reliant on a loss of form or fitness from Josh King (£6.5m) and Callum Wilson (£8.0m), with even an ‘out of position’ David Brooks (£6.5m) generally preferred to this trio when the first-choice strike pair were sidelined last season.

Solanke, Mousset and Surridge made only three starts between them in 2018/19.

Further along the south coast, Shane Long (£5.0m), Michael Obafemi (£5.0m) and Sam Gallagher (£4.5m) face a fight for first-team minutes following the summer captures of Che Adams and Danny Ings (both £6.0m).

Nathan Redmond (£6.5m), meanwhile, was frequently deployed ‘out of position’ up front after Ralph Hasenhuttl’s arrival midway through last season.

Long saw more minutes and gained more FPL points in 2018/19 than any forward now in the sub-£6.0m bracket.

The Irish forward started 12 league matches last season, including five of Southampton’s last seven, and scored on five occasions.

Hasenhuttl had positive words to say about Long in the season run-in although the arrival of Adams, plus the fact that the Irish striker turns 33 midway through next season, may well see him again become a peripheral figure at St. Mary’s.

It will be interesting to see if Graham Potter can transform Brighton into a more attractive side over the summer, given his reputation for playing attacking football at Swansea and Ostersunds.

Pre-season will certainly be an intriguing watch, given that the Seagulls have one of the best opening runs of fixtures in the first six Gameweeks of 2019/20.

With Glenn Murray (£6.0m) turning 36 in September, budget forwards Jurgen Locadia (£5.5m) – more often used on the flank by Chris Hughton – and Florin Andone (£5.0m) will be hoping for more of a look-in under their new boss.

Potter seems likely to add to his striking options over the summer, though, which could swiftly dash any hopes on that front.

904 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson button
    Laporte taa digne ake kelly
    Siggy zaha salah hayden kante
    Aguero king adams

    Thinking to switch laporte to vvd?
    Or any ways to improve the team?
    Any comments?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd rather double liverpool defence than double city. Far more attacking potential to be unlocked...

    2. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would keep Laporte. Consider losing aguero to improve Hayden/kante/Adams imo. Good luck

  2. Frank Koscielny
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    First quick draft out of the way. Feels good to be back on the site tinkering after a long break. Any input is much appreciated!

    Ryan (Button)
    Digne / Coleman / TAA / Zinchnko (Simpson)
    KDB / Salah / Sigurdsson / Milvojevic (Hayden)
    Kane / King (Wickham)

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Aside from double everton defence (which feels a bit excessive) and milivojevic who will only score penalties (and may get considerably less if zaha leaves) it's a pretty good team.

  3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone made a draft with just one big hitting player? Feels wrong having Salah and no sterling alongside him...

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I've got just Salah. KDB instead of Sterling to free up cash and makes the rest of the team look a lot better.

    2. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Only Salah. KDB the next most expensive option. There is a shocking lack of good options in mids and forwards below 7. So I think less premium attackers is the best strategy until good budget players which enable more premiums come to the fore.

  4. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Salah-less for now

    Ederson - Button
    VVD - Maguire - PvA - Aarons - Kelly
    Bilva - Pulisic - Siggy - Ayoze - Hayden
    Aguero - Kane - Pukki

    Pulisic and Ayoze can easily become Maddison and Zaha/Brooks.

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      On a very quick initial glance, I can't work out where that Salah money has gone, which isn't a great sign. You could tell me that team cost £97.0 and I wouldn't bat an eyelid

  5. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Looks like the BBC disagree with Perez's FPL position reclassification

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48869383

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      To call Perez a winger (which many have on here) is just ludicrous.
      He's been used more as a 'No10' with the job of covering the right hand side.
      Check the heat maps for Newcastle in last seasons run in. Sometimes he's further forward and more central than Rondon (Brighton away) but mostly as a slightly deeper support.
      Winger talk is tosh.

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        BBC are closer with striker than winger.

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          What I can imagine is Vardy being phased out now he’s actually way old?

          1. Queenofthestoneage
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Rodgers has confirmed he will build entire team around Vardy this season.

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Well then this signing seems silly to me

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                BRod has history with 3 up top - Barnes Vardy Perez?

            2. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Vardy's as fit as a fiddle.
              Are we looking at a 4-3-3 with Vardy the spearhead, Maddy coming in from inside left and Perez from inside right?

            3. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Perez signing makes more sense if they're likely to lose Maddison or even H Barnes but even if he's looking at a squad place initially it still looks a good signing, D Gray isn't fulfilling his promise and Albrighton's days are numbered. Being more obvious wide men I don't think they suit Rogers plans going forward imo.

  6. Farke in hell
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is there any stat available on which team were most involved in penalty incidents(receiving end) regardless of whether penalties were awarded or not?

  7. kime67
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Mendy surely have the potential to outscore laporte in the opening gameweeks. I also think you can save .5 with going coleman over digne. what do you think? theres also good replacements in those price brackets.

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Everyone would rather have Mendy is he was nailed and less injury prone. Unfortunately both are true. Maybe preseason shows that he is nailed. In that case he will certainly be the better and cheaper option to Laporte. I am personally going with both Digne and Coleman as I think both are great value

    2. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Mendy has fitness problems but even if fit, he's almost certainly not first choice. Zinchenko is probably first choice but City have also just signed (again) Angelino which makes three of them fighting for LB (as well as Danilo, Delph and even Laporte who have all been played there before).

      Good section on the City left-back situation here: https://www.goal.com/en/news/explaining-man-citys-leftfield-signings-of-former-academy/1wwnvfkqvtpjg13r9v63qzt2fn

      "Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has signed a new contract and been given the No.11 shirt, will likely go into next season as first choice, with Benjamin Mendy continuing his recovery from his latest knee problems; he underwent an arthroscopy procedure in May."

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Is the number 11 shirt usually what a left back would wear?

        Obviously we'll know more once preseason gets underway but I'm concerned Zinchenko was only playing left back last season as they had no other options, like Delph did for a while.

        Surely they don't need three left backs, so will Mendy and Angelino be the two, and Zinchenko competing for his preferred position higher up the pitch?

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Kolarov wore it before him, so wouldn't use that as grounds to rule him out.

          Other player to wear it for City are Darius Vassell, Adam Johnson and Elano. The more you know.

        2. roscola
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          There's every chance you're right. If I had to guess, I'd say that he'll start at LB while Pep beds in Angelino (Pep always eases players into his system) and then gradually migrates forwards as David Silva is put out to pasture. But who knows? Looks like City will be as frustrating as ever.

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yes, never easy to predict, and this year will be no different.
            It's Laporte or Ederson for me, not even looking at other defenders unless preseason gives us clarity.

  8. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Rodri price? 5.5?

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      probably, but I was expecting Ndombele at 5.5 as well and he got 6.0

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I think Ndombele is a bit more attacking-minded and is likely get get twice as many minutes as Rodri. Anyone considering him?

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Early days and price will be interesting but deffo worth considering.
          Btw I mentioned yesterday that Origi is currently in my 15 for same reasons as you mentioned so I was just winding you up.

  9. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Which players are set in stone for your team?

    There is no way I am picking a team without Salah, Sterling, 2 Liverpool Defenders and a Man City defender. I find it hard to rate any teams without these players.

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Virgil, hurts like lost love when he's out of my team. Salah and TAA also.

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. Now im thinking if i should go with both full backs at liverpool. Might be too expensive for that. I feel like everton could disapoint.

    3. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Robertson, Digne, Siggy, Salah and King. Of course I'm gonna have at least 2 City players but just not sure which ones.

      1. Queenofthestoneage
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ederson & Laporte

    4. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Despite considering other alternatives, as a Mane Salah double up, in fact the criteria you mentionned are currently my main boxes to tick as well.

      Salah
      Sterling
      2 Pool defenders
      1 City defender
      Everton coverage - I consider Siggy a great pick
      Bournemouth coverage to take advantage of the first couple of GWs

    5. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Digne, Kane, Zaha

    6. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I am currently at:

      Ryan
      Coleman, TAA, Robertson, Walker
      Fraser, Siggy, Salah, Sterling
      King, Deulofeu

      (Deulofeu can be Perez, in fact, still undecided on that)

    7. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      VVD Robertson Salah BSilva laporte sterling maddison King Digne have been the mainstays in most of drafts. Feels weird even taking one of them out now

    8. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      TAA
      Sterling
      Vardy
      Double BOU attack

    9. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Robbo Taa Salah King Digne Siggy

      Not sure about city
      Currently on Ederson+KDB+Bilva

    10. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Salah. King. Robertson.
      Think everyone else I have has changed at some point.

      1. FPL_Gyarados
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Oh Siggy too

  10. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    For the lols

    Ederson
    Laporte TAA Robbo Digne AWB
    Salah Sterling
    DCL Jimenez King

    Button; Dendocker, Hayden, Stephens

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Almost the same team but i rather Vardy + Siggy than Sterling + DCL.

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon, any changes you'd make to this team?

    Ryan
    Robbo | TAA | Digne
    Salah | KdB | Siggy | Zaha | Dendoncker
    Kane | King

    Button | Kelly | Rico | Greenwood

    0ITB

    Thanks

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      2 captains each week in Salah & Kane

    2. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Get Dendocker off the field.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, the best way to do that is one of Robbo or TAA to VVD and upgrade Rico to a 4.5 and play 4-4-2.

        Do you think that's worth it and if so which 4.5 def?

        1. Little fekirs
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Taylor from Burnley maybe. A rotating pair of 4.5’s would be ideal.

          Diop/Taylor is my current rotation.

    3. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldnt be happy starting Dendoncker any week

      And the bench is very bad

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        See above, would you do that?

    4. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The only flaw I can see is you're relying on Dendoncker every week with possibly no playing subs? That said I do like the team. Zaha could become Perez and then the 0.5 could improve the 11th/12th man?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Pep, I'm really keen on Zaha this season (Arsenal or not) so only realistic way to not play Dendoncker I've mentioned above - what do you think?

        Essentially playing a 4.5 defender instead

    5. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like your team.
      Very similar to mine however I am on 4-4-2 with the Donk on the bench.

    6. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Then Robbo/TAA to VVD would help you swap Rico?Kelly to maybe Diop or Taylor (Bur) who ended last season quite well. Or if you think Sacrificing Siggy could work. Fraser/Perez/Madds to name a few. I've no doubts you will change it may times during the pre-season updates

    7. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Can't help but notice the lack of City in there as well, having just KDB could hurt

    8. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like your thinking, my teams very simular:

      KdB > Sterling
      Siggy > Hayden
      Greenwood > DCL
      Ryan > Heaton
      Rico > Gibson
      Zaha > Ayoze

      I'm playing 4-3-3. But i'm only going through with it if Tarkowski really leaves Burnley so i can bench Kelly/Hayden/Dendoncker and play Gibson most of the time

  12. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone have Alonso on the watchlist for preseason? I personally think he could have a huge season for Chelsea. It was clear that Hazard grew frustrated with him at times last season. Hazard knew he was "the man" and rightly so but at times, he looked petulant. This could be a great opportunity for Alonso to be back to his attacking best.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Emerson will be first choice

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Personally I don't believe he will. Roll on Pre-season

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Not necessarily.

      3. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        You've said this before and i can't see where you're getting this from.
        Who the hell would kmow anyway with lampard taking over.
        Duff info at best.

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Just can't justify the money when VvD is 6.5m, and Digne is 6m.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I hear you pal. But if he is playing, he could well get more direct free kicks with no Hazard about?

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Chelsea are the most interesting team to me in preseason, definitely potential for some bargain options, but right now, I've not considered him as my defence is too expensive already!

          1. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            He's in a similar boat to Mendy I guess. If they're playing pre-season then there is every chance they start the season with a bang as they have done previous.

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I'm seeing a lot of talk that Mendy won't be ready for the start of the season either.

              It could pay off, but I prefer to start the season a little more cautiously.

          2. DeathoftheParty
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            This... So many questions to answer

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              There is a good hot topic from AK on Chelsea, worth a read.

              1. DeathoftheParty
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Cheers dude

          3. DeathoftheParty
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Abraham to be the player we need... But not necessarily the player we deserve...

    3. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Don't really want Laporte as he is not very attacking. Might get Alonso depending on preseason.

    4. Little fekirs
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Very intrigued.

      Chelsea could have the most CS after 12 weeks and we know he’s threat going forward.

      Definitely watch closely.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yesssss Little Fekir 😀

  13. nisag17
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I am going with two 4.5 mids. The best two to get?

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Dendocker and Stephens.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Dendoncker and Hayden/Stephens

    3. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Stephens

    4. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks guys

  14. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Stuck with this for over a week now....would you change anything??

    Ryan
    Robbo / TAA / Laporte / Digne / Maguire (If at City)
    Salah / KDB / Siggy / Zaha
    Vardy

    Button / Nketiah / Dendonker / Greenwood

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Good team actually. Wouldn't change anything. I would actually prefer Wilson over Vardy considering the first two fixtures.

  15. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Clean Sheet odds by bookies now:

    Liverpool 58,7 %
    Spurs 55,1 %
    Man City 47,9 %
    Watford 40,8 %
    Bournemouth 32,5 %
    Leicester 32,1 %
    Man Utd 31,5 %
    Burnley 30,0 %
    Crystal Palace 29,5 %
    Arsenal 29,5 %
    Everton 28,1 %
    Southampton 27,9 %
    Wolves 27,2 %
    Chelsea 22,8 %
    Brighton 21,6 %
    Newcastle 17,6 %
    Sheffield Utd 16,3 %
    Aston Villa 7,9 %
    West Ham 6,5 %
    Norwich 4,3 %

    These odds are average from the other team to score and cs odds given by bookies. I left there an extra (meaningless) decimal, so that it will be easier to follow changes if and when new signings, injuries etc change these odds.

    The only conclusion I can easily make from this is that choosing other defenders than premium ones from Top2 teams will be difficult 🙁

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Watford odds seem a bit too good and Brighton have a new more attacking manager.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Surely you mean Watford odds seem too poor ?

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        If you trust Brighton to score, you can bet on it at 8/13 atm.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Best odds 11/8 Watford CS at the moment. Wouldn't go near that.

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            That is correct. Therefore I was supposing the opposite 😉

            I checked the numbers and I had the 2nd best odds 13/10 instead of the correct 11/8 (probably my mistake unless it just changed, sorry) for Watford cs. So the correct CS chance by bookies for Watford is "only" 40,1% (not 40,8% as above) Whether this is very significant is another matter.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      And if I get upvotes and this is perhaps even hulked 😉 I promise to follow how these odds change when we get closer to gw1. The idea is, that these numbers are pretty much based on last season results. Pre-season results and new signings might inform us if there are significant changes to current expectations.

  16. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I am considering Angus Gunn (4.5).
    He was excellent last half of the last season and had a ppg 3.9 more than ryan and Brighton's leaky defence.
    Will also allow me to get Dunk at 4.5 for my 4th spot

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ryan out for leaky defence and Dunk in?

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah but he can score

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Saw Cathcart on another team - that’d tempt me more in that bracket.

          I’m treating Brighton as a 4th promoted team under Potter - I’m doubting the lump it into the big boys philosophy will be seen much. Lots of new players (the ones Hughton never played) and new style too.

  17. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you rather start in your primary XI:

    A) 4.5 def (Who?)
    B) Dendoncker

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Probably A, Dunk maybe?

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cathcart?

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A. El Mohamady

  18. yakirh
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    One spot left

    Ederson
    Robbo TAA Digne Ake (Dunk)
    Salah KDB Bilva Siggy (4.5)
    King 7.0 (4.5)

    A. Giroud
    B. Jota
    C. Deeney
    D. Delufeo
    E. Arnie

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      D

  19. maurorodi00
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling or aguero ?
    Fraswr or wilson?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling
      King and reinvest spare cash

  20. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Don't forget to keep a son plan in place.. We ll all want him Just 7 days after the first match KO

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Will get him in for the injured kdb

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Do you know something, or are you peering into your crystal ball?

  21. infamousprob
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think of my latest team?

    Heaton
    Digne-Van Dijk-Trippier
    Salah-DeBryune-Sigurdsson-Willian
    Kane-King-Deulofeu

    BENCH: 4.0,4.5,4.0,4.0

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Dat bench tho

      1. infamousprob
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Everyone always say don't leave too much money on bench 😀 so I have none

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You have a couple of players who have a decent chance of being rotated and not much/any cover for them on bench. Not sure on Willian but rest is solid enough.

      1. infamousprob
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yeah, I count Trippier, Willian and Deulofeu rotation-risks. So have to watch how they do and replace them in early gameweeks if they don't kickstart their game properly.

        4.0 def : Rico
        4.0 def: Kelly
        4.5 mid: Dendocker

        I guess this crappy bench would still get me 1-2 points if they would replace someone from my starting eleven.

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          KDB too I'd say - Pep rotation plus keeping an eye on his dodgy knees

  22. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Red Warning

    With the Liverpool Echo piece put out this week, it seems Alisson and Firmino will be given a 3-week break following their Copa America exploits. It follows that we might expect a similar break for AFCON participants Sadio Mané (Senegal) and Mo Salah (Egypt). Given that the AFCON final takes place much later than the Copa America, we might need to be wary of starting GW1 with them depending on how the competition fares out. So how might things look?

    https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-give-brazil-stars-roberto-16528180

    Current outright odds: Egypt (16/5), Senegal (4/1), Morocco (6/1), Algeria (7/1), Nigeria (9/1), Ivory Coast (9/1), Tunisia (16/1), Cameroon (16/1), Ghana (16/1), Mali (25/1), South Africa (40/1), Guinea (50/1), Uganda (50/1), DR Congo (50/1), Madagascar (66/1), Benin (80/1)

    Sadio Mane (£11.5m midfielder)

    Senegal v Uganda (R16) - 5 July
    Senegal v Morocco/ Benin (QF) - 10 July
    Senegal v Madagascar/DR Congo or Tunisia/ Ghana (SF) - 14 July
    Senegal v ??? (Final) - 19 July

    Mo Salah (£12.5m midfielder)

    Egypt v South Africa (R16) - 6 July
    Egypt v Nigeria/ Cameroon (QF) - 10 July
    Egypt v Algeria/ Guinea or Mali/ Ivory Coast - 14 July
    Egypt v ??? (Final) - 19 July

    3rd place playoff - 17 July

    Looking at the above draw, it seems if Senegal play Morocco and beat them, then it is very likely they will go on to the final. Egypt have a somewhat tougher run, potentially facing Nigeria and one of Algeria or Ivory Coast. If one or both sides get to the final, we can expect them to return to training around the 8th/9th of August (assuming a 3-week break). This means that potentially they miss the FA Community Shield (Man City), GW1 (Norwich) and potentially the Super Cup (Chelsea) midweek. It would be very unlikely for them to miss out on GW2 (sou).

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not a chance they start the season with none of Firmino, Salah or Mane

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Just one of them needs a rest for Origi to start. I'm telling you, he's golden!

      2. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Firmino will be good to go imo

        Mané's only played twice for Senegal so might be a bit fresher if they go out early, though I think Senegal will go to the final (and maybe even win it)

        Hard to know but I think one of them misses out in GW1

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers Bow, not too worried though.

    3. Naby K8a
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Definiely woudln't rule out Origi and Shaqiri starting that Norwich game. One to monitor.

  23. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Can Raul Jimenez replicate his previous season?

    He played all 38 games. Scored 13 goals and assisted 8 times. Bagged over 180 points. At 7.5 and with largest PSB (45%) is he a must?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He's got Thursday nights to negotiate, and he's still playing in the C American tournament, so .... no.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I certainly don't see any point in not going with him.

    3. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Europa league is poison for small squads like Wolves

  24. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Trying a 5 at the back option (I quite like it tbh):

    Ederson
    Walker/Mendy, Robertson, VVD, Coleman, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, Siggy
    Deulofeu, King

    Bench: 4, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5

    A little too much Everton maybe? Walker / Mendy will take a call based on pre-season. Longterm - will get in Trippier over Coleman/Digne once their schedule clears up a bit (post GW4).

    Thoughts?

  25. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Can someone just fast forward next 30 days?

  26. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    How does this 4-4-2 look?

    Ryan
    TAA Laporte VVD Coleman
    Zaha Salah KDB Perez
    Kane King

    Button Dendonker Kelly 4.5?

    Been settled on this for a while now but I’m not sure whether my Perez pick is still viable after his move to Leicester. Was obviously guaranteed playing time at Newcastle...

    1. El Tel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty good! I’d consider downgrading Laporte to a City 6m and change Coleman to Digne. But it’s solid

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        In my mind, Laporte is the only City defender I would be confident in starting GW1 at present. Obviously Comm Shield may change this. Thanks...

  27. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is this KDB’s year? He must be raring to go given how little he played last year. He should also be very low rotation risk.

    Taking into account prices too....

    Is KDB a better pick than Sterling?

    1. El Tel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No

  28. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Just saw Lloris only had 33 starts last season, and still got 145 points. If Ndombele signing can help to add to their cs's, Lloris could provide excellent value this season

  29. Ben Marlin
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I have 22.5m to spend on a midfielder and two forwards.
    One of the players will need to be a 4.5m bench player and it can’t be dendocker since I already have him.

    What is the best combination?