Pre-Season

The best mid-price and premium FPL defenders for 2020/21

Our position-by-position analysis of the Fantasy Premier League options for 2020/21 continues as we scrutinise the premium defenders on offer.

In this article, we will weigh up the pros and cons of the 91 defensive assets currently available at £5.0m or above.

We’ll have more in-depth analysis to come between now and Gameweek 1 but these are our initial thoughts on the FPL player price list.

The £6.0m+ Premiums

A total of 11 Fantasy Premier League defenders are available for £6.0m or more, although one, Ricardo Pereira (£6.0m), is likely to be out of commission come Gameweek 1 and another, Marcos Alonso (£6.0m), is a real rotation risk.

A price rise to £7.5m hasn’t put many off Trent Alexander-Arnold and, at the time of writing, he is the most popular asset in the entire game.

Given that the two Manchester clubs and Burnley (three of the most solid teams at the back in 2020) blank in Gameweek 1, Liverpool defenders will be even more desirable for their opening-day clash with Leeds United.

We have covered Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) in some detail in a stand-alone piece, so, rather than retreading old ground, we’ll point you in the direction of that article.

As for the rest, Matt Doherty (£6.0m) stands out.

Only Alexander-Arnold provides better value among FPL defenders than Doherty based on points per million (2019/20 points and 2020/21 prices) and in two successive seasons has the Irishman delivered more than 10 attacking returns.

A big tick against Wolves’ name is that they won’t be involved in European club competition this season, so they won’t be afflicted by the Thursday-Sunday turnaround that plagued them in 2019/20 and led to some early-season rotation from Nuno Espirito Santo.

From Gameweek 25 onwards, Wolves were one of the most in-form Premier League teams from a defensive perspective, with nine clean sheets kept in their final 14 games.

At the other end of the pitch, no FPL defender had more shots in the box or big chances than Doherty last season.

Wolves have one of the more appealing runs of matches in the first seven Gameweeks, save for the visit of Manchester City – a team they beat twice last season, of course.

Speaking of the Citizens, the absence of a Gameweek 1 fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side will leave many FPL managers looking elsewhere for defensive options.

It’s worth reminding ourselves that, for all their critics, City’s backline still registered more Premier League clean sheets (17) than any other team last season.

Eight of them arrived in Aymeric Laporte‘s (£6.0m) 14 starts and he looks the pick of City’s three defenders at this price point.

As happened to Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) at the start of 2019/20, Laporte has dropped in price after an injury-affected campaign.

But the Frenchman was as good as nailed in the previous season, starting 34 of the 35 matches he was fully fit for.

Always capable of grabbing a goal, he recorded six attacking returns in that title-winning campaign too.

The capture of Nathan Ake (£5.5m) is something to keep an eye on, though, with the former Bournemouth man, like Laporte, more at home on the left-hand side of defence.

Lucas Digne (£6.0m) and Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) round off the whistle-stop tour of the top-of-the-range FPL defenders.

Two of the more secure starters at clubs whose managers like to rotate, the pair were ranked second and fourth for chances created among Fantasy defenders last season.

Both Everton and Chelsea have some decent fixtures to come in the opening two months of the season but, as we’ll discuss in the sections below, there are questions to be asked about their defensive prowess under their current bosses.

Still, with eight attacking returns apiece to their names and their underlying stats catching the eye, any upturn in fortune on the clean sheet front will catapult them back into the premium defender conversation – if they weren’t already.

The gung-ho Alonso of course warrants a namecheck after his late-season return to the Chelsea starting XI but, with Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) heavily linked to the west London side, we’ll temporarily shelve any talk of a Fantasy renaissance for the Spaniard.

Cheaper Big-Six Options

As for the cheaper Manchester City and Liverpool assets available for less than £6.0m, only Joe Gomez (£5.5m) is someone we could confidently predict a start for at this early stage.

Gomez became a permanent fixture at centre-half during Liverpool’s incredible run of shut-outs from Gameweek 16 onwards, although offers nothing but clean sheet potential and had only one shot in the whole of last season.

Unless there are any pre-season injuries picked up by the Reds’ regulars at the back, Konstantinos Tsimikas (£5.0m) and Joel Matip (£5.0m) will surely begin 2020/21 as mere back-ups at best.

There are also too many options for Pep Guardiola at centre-half for Nathan Ake (£5.5m), Nicolas Otamendi (£5.0m), John Stones (£5.0m), Eric Garcia (£5.0m) and even Fernandinho (£5.5m) to be considered trustworthy punts at the time of writing, although the veteran Brazilian will likely now see more ‘out of position’ run-outs in the middle of the park.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) and Joao Cancelo (£5.5m) couldn’t be relied on to start in any given Gameweek, either, despite the Portuguese belatedly finding favour at left-back at the end of last season.

As ever, the situation at City is a shifting one and needs to be constantly reappraised – an injury to the left-footed Laporte, for example, would surely mean that Ake would become a more dependable starter in what was the Premier League’s best defence for clean sheets in 2019/20.

Manchester United blank in Gameweek 1 but some appealing matches follow straight after and the Red Devils have been one of the form teams at the back in 2020.

No side has kept more clean sheets this calendar year, while only their cross-city rivals conceded on fewer occasions from Gameweek 21 onwards.

Providing he isn’t incarcerated, the ever-present Harry Maguire (£5.5m) is as secure a starter as they come and no centre-back had more shots than the England international last season – although only one led to a goal.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) showed an upturn in attacking output this year, too, with three of his four assists arriving after New Year’s Day.

There’s still a bit of work to be done from an offensive perspective, however – as an example, Robertson created over three times as many chances as the United right-back in the post-lockdown era.

If he is fit (and that’s a big ‘if’), Luke Shaw is the obvious pick of the seven United defenders at £5.0m.

No attacking returns last season was a disappointment but his minutes-per-chance-created average was better than Wan-Bissaka’s in 2019/20.

Pre-season will be a good indicator as to whether Mikel Arteta still favours a 3-4-3 heading into the new season and will hopefully tell us whether the highly rated Willian Saliba (£4.5m) can be a reliable budget asset in 2020/21.

As for the Gunners’ more expensive options, not one of their six £5.0m defensive options could be perceived as being ‘nailed’ at this early stage.

Even Hector Bellerin (£5.0m), now available at his lowest price since 2014/15, faces a challenge from Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m) and Cedric Soares (£5.0m) down the right as Arteta again prepares to juggle his options on the domestic front and in the UEFA Europa League.

Other than the wobble he had immediately after lockdown, David Luiz (£5.5m) has been a permanent fixture at the heart of the Arsenal backline under Arteta and couldn’t be bettered for shots or chances created among his defensive teammates following the change of manager.

Kieran Tierney (£5.5m) is perhaps the more appealing option at this price point, though, with glimmers of his potential (one goal, two assists and seven starts in Arsenal’s final eight league games of 2019/20) belatedly arriving after an injury-ravaged campaign.

While the opening two fixtures are enticing, interest might be short-lived: the Gunners meet four of last season’s top five and Sheffield United between Gameweeks 3-7.

Jose Mourinho’s ‘second season’ is usually his best and, after some mixed displays in the campaign just gone, there were signs of some improvement towards the end of 2019/20.

Four of the seven clean sheets that Tottenham Hotspur kept under their new manager came after the restart, which perhaps bodes well for the favourable opening fixtures to come.

Eight Spurs defenders are available for £5.0m-£5.5m and, as the numbers would suggest, not all will be starters come Gameweek 1.

Arguably the most appealing of them from an attacking perspective, Serge Aurier (£5.5m), may not even be at the club, with the Ivorian linked with a move away from north London this summer.

Mourinho has previously hailed the importance of Ben Davies (£5.0m) to his system but, although he has been a regular starter when fit, the Welshman tends to tuck in to become a third centre-half when the Lilywhites attack and doesn’t offer the offensive menace that Aurier provided.

Toby Alderweireld (£5.5m) and Eric Dier (£5.0m) may well be the first-choice options at centre-half if the post-lockdown line-ups were anything to go by (Dier came straight back into the side after suspension) but, should they continue to shape up in a lopsided back four, perhaps the best FPL defender from Spurs isn’t even at the club yet – that is, an attacking right-back in the Aurier mould.

A vast improvement at the back is required for Chelsea next season, with no team in the top half conceding more goals than the Blues in 2019/20.

Only five sides in the division kept fewer clean sheets, meanwhile.

Saying that, their goalkeepers have a lot to answer for as only four clubs had a superior ‘expected goals conceded’ (xGC) total.

Pinning Frank Lampard down to a regular centre-half pairing proved problematic last season with even defensive mainstay Antonio Rudiger (£5.0m) briefly losing his place in the run-in.

The one to watch at this price point is perhaps Reece James (£5.0m), whose offensive attributes caught the eye; of the Chelsea backline, only Alonso had a better minutes-per-chance-created average.

So long as the versatile Azpilicueta remains fit and available, though, there is always the risk of a maddening benching for the youngster.

Top-Half Options

Wolves’ Jonny (£5.5m) is out long-term with a knee injury, while Jonny Evans (£5.5m) will miss the first three matches of the season through suspension and it’s not yet clear whether Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) will recover from a heel injury to be available for Gameweek 1 – or, indeed, whether he’ll be sticking around at Leicester City.

Caglar Soyuncu (£5.5m), who has been handed a £1.0m starting price rise, is the only member of what was the Foxes’ regular back four in 2019/20 who isn’t red-flagged at present.

Leicester have some appealing matches in the opening five Gameweeks of the campaign but with three-quarters of the first-choice backline possibly unavailable, there have to be questions asked as to how watertight they will be even against more favourable opposition.

Wolves’ regular centre-halves, along with their crocked left wing-back, are all available in the mid-price bracket.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have some appealing matches from Gameweeks 3-7 and even an opening-day trip to Sheffield United, who aren’t renowned for their goalscoring exploits, offers clean sheet potential.

Wolves kept nine shut-outs in their final 14 games last season, a period that coincided with Willy Boly‘s (£5.5m) return from injury.

He and especially Romain Saiss (£5.0m) traditionally offer something that Conor Coady (£5.0m) very much doesn’t, namely goal threat from set plays.

Boly, who scored on four occasions in 2018/19, didn’t really get in the mix last season but Saiss was in the thick of it, registering more big chances than all bar two FPL defenders.

Boly and Coady are pretty much nailed when fit, while Saiss isn’t far behind them, with only two benchings from Gameweek 15 onwards – both in periods of fixture congestion.

No involvement in European club competition this season can surely only help on the rotation risk front.

Sheffield United also only have the league and domestic cups to focus on after flirting with a European qualification spot last season.

All five of their first-choice defenders have predictably been handed price rises after their superb first season back in the Premier League in which they registered 13 clean sheets.

To sum up their defensive assets in one line: John Egan (£5.0m) presents their biggest goal threat from dead-ball situations, while wing-backs Enda Stevens (£5.5m) and George Baldock (£5.5m) are unsurprisingly streets ahead of the centre-halves in terms of creativity.

Liverpool’s two full-backs were the only two FPL defenders who created more big chances than Stevens in 2019/20.

Rotation is happily not an issue with Chris Wilder, although fixtures in the opening eight Gameweeks might be with five of last season’s top eight facing the Blades.

You can read our thoughts on how Aaron Ramsdale‘s (£5.0m) capture will affect the Blades’ backline here, meanwhile.

A blank in Gameweek 1 and the availability of Burnley’s full-backs for £4.5m will put many off James Tarkowski (£5.5m) and Ben Mee (£5.0m).

The two centre-backs are at least nailed (when fit) under a manager who seldom rotates, while Tarkowski has hit five attacking returns in each of the last two campaigns.

While the Clarets may struggle to emulate last season’s total of 15 clean sheets, we know exactly what we are getting from a Sean Dyche-led side: in the five Premier League campaigns that he has overseen, Burnley have hit double figures for shut-outs in four of them.

No FPL defender personally kept more clean sheets than Tarkowski in 2019/20, while not a single defensive asset who now costs less than £6.0m scored more points than the Burnley stopper last season.

The Best – and Worst – of the Rest

Despite making good progress in his rehabilitation, Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) looks set to miss the start of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

Fabian Schar (£5.0m) is another who is touch and go for the beginning of the new campaign but the Swiss international had been playing second fiddle for a lot of 2019/20 anyway and Steve Bruce’s move to a back four (ergo one less centre-half) further dented his prospects.

From Gameweek 10 onwards, Federico Fernandez (£5.0m) started every match in the Newcastle defence.

He also racked up over three times as many bonus points (13) than any other Newcastle defender but the move to a more offensive 4-2-3-1 may have come at the expense of solidity at the back, with only two clean sheets arriving in the post-lockdown era.

Even accounting for Aston Villa’s late-season defensive improvement and his undoubted goal threat, it was still a surprise to see Tyrone Mings priced up at £5.0m.

A blank for the Villans in Gameweek 1 effectively seals his no-go status for the time being at least.

With West Ham United’s fixtures arguably the worst in the division in the first two months, Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) and Angelo Ogbonna (£5.0m) also scream ‘avoid’.

Two newly promoted defenders enter at the £5.0m mark, with West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi likely to offer security of starts and a goal threat from centre-half.

The Baggies weren’t overly impressive at the back in 2019/20, however, and few managers will surely take a punt with the fixtures on the tricky side in the opening three Gameweeks.

Fulham’s schedule is better in the medium term but with the Cottagers snapping up left-back Antonee Robinson this week, we’ll have to bide our time to see how the USA international’s arrival affects Joe Bryan (£5.0m) – will he be ‘out of position’ further up the left flank or perhaps offloaded?

Which FPL players will be nearing a suspension when the season restarts?

There is a lot to like about Lewis Dunk (£5.0m), who has just signed a new five-year deal with Brighton and Hove Albion to (temporarily) put rumours of a move away from the south coast to bed.

Not one bona fide centre-half registered more attacking returns (six) or attempts on goal (31) than Dunk in the Premier League last season, while he was largely immune to the rotation that plagued other Brighton assets, starting 36 top-flight matches.

The Seagulls didn’t rack up too many clean sheets (nine) in 2019/20, while Albion’s opening fixtures aren’t great with Chelsea and Manchester United waiting in the first three Gameweeks.

While the price rise is off-putting, Dunk is one to watch for when the matches become more winnable and it’ll be interesting to see if Brighton can make strides at the back following investment in the promising Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) and Ajax’s Joel Veltman (£4.5m).

Two teams with more favourable opening schedules are Everton and Southampton.

Yan Valery (£5.0m) is bemusingly more expensive than Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) despite the expectation that he will start the season as back-up at right-back, while the availability of cheaper options in the Saints defence is a deterrent regarding Ryan Bertrand (£5.0m) and Jack Stephens (£5.0m).

Not one FPL defender priced up at £5.0m or less this season created more chances than Bertrand in 2019/20, however.

As for Everton, five clean sheets in 20 Premier League matches under Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t scream ‘must own’.

Yerry Mina (£5.5m) has yet to really follow up on the offensive threat he exhibited at the 2018 World Cup, having only scored three Premier League goals in two years at Everton, although his minutes-per-chance average last season was the second-best among centre-backs.

The chief problem with the Toffees’ centre-halves is security of starts, with Ancelotti having previously gone on record to say that he would rotate in that position.

Mina and Michael Keane (£5.0m) have been the most at risk so far, although Mason Holgate (£5.0m) has been less affected (15 starts and one benching).

With Everton expected to reinforce their options at right-back following loanee Djibril Sidibe’s departure, a question over how ‘nailed’ Seamus Coleman (£5.0m) is also has to be considered; the Irishman was benched in seven of the 20 games that his manager oversaw.

Best players by position:

684 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone looking at a defence of 2 pool + 2 wolves? And if so from which gw? I’m tempted to just start from gw1 with them and use transfers for mancs and wood etc

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I am, from GW1

      1. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        VVD, TAA, Doherty and Vinagre??

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          yup

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      cant afford. will wait for TV increase.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Would like to have that but budget constraints. Just 1 LIV and 2 WOL at start, will double up on WC.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        This is my plan.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          It seems that we have same plan considering Bruno and defense also 😉

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I am. Taa Doherty VVD Shaw 4.0

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Shaw?!?

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Good choice if he stays uninjured.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Hmm
          Not Shaw
          But depends upon his fitness

    5. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Absolute suicide if they both concede first GW

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        It's a marathon

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          38 sprints with unlimited transfers 🙂

    6. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Too expensive considering Liverpool fixtures. TAA + Doherty + one either Spurs or Wolves def at 5.0 is probably max I can afford (supposing Vinagre isn't certain starter).

    7. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yep but not from the start

    8. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes from GW1.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Trent VVd Doherty Vinagre

  2. BadaBing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Behold:

    McCarthy
    TAA, Robbo, Doherty, Diop
    Salah, Auba, Soucek
    Werner, Jimmy, Mitro

    Nyland, Romeu, Stephens, Taylor

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Behold - Template. Behold.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        It's not very template tbf.

        Heavy in defense which isn't normal. I don't like it.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Very good starting XI. Mmmm, not sure that I like Diop. In fact I don't.

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not for me mate. Too much spent in defence and not enough in the midfield area. TAA + Doherty + 4.5 + 4.5 + 4.0 the way to go in my opinion but everyone plays the game differently. There is no right or wrong

      1. BadaBing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        All valid points. But say I downgraded Robbo to a 4.5, what would I gain really? A 7/7.5 to replace Soucek. Will they 180 points? Probably not. Robbo probably will.

        1. nolard
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Fair point.
          So the consideration is:

          Would Greenwood + the 4.5 defender match Robbo+Soucek?

          1. BadaBing
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah I guess that is the question
            Robbo + Soucek 250/260?
            Greenwood + 4.5 probably less I’d say.

    4. Ole.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like it, personally I'd question Diop. I think writing behold might put ppl off. :p

      1. BadaBing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah Diop not great. My main problem is the weak bench.
        Also ‘behold’ was just for attention.

  3. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thought on this team guys?

    Ryan Button
    TAA Vinagre KWP Taylor Ferguson
    Auba Salah Moura Ziyech Stephens
    Mitro Ings Jimenez

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Why moura?

    2. TFP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      agree with first comment, Moura is decent but not at 7.0, IMO.

    3. Fernandito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      seems to start with Mou and only Spurs attacking player i can really afford

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        It's not about just having a spurs attacker.. get son by downgrading ziyech if you really want to.

        I'd prefer mount or maddy at 7.0

  4. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Completely off topic. This one month break is such a farce. Teams are training and playing friendlies now. In fact they have to be in full training now to be fit for kickoff. Please tell me how is this a considered a break?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You're right mate.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agree - the Euros next summer forces things somewhat

    3. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If I don't like the hours of my job, I'd quit. I'm sure they get enough, if not more time off than the average worker.

      They'll be fine.

    4. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Agree, but it’s changed times. It’s the same for all players. I think it’s exciting, separate the men from the boys.

    5. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      They are not supposed to get 30 days off. They have a 30 day gap so that they can have some time off (typically 2 weeks).

      Ligue 1 already started and PSG finished their 19/20 season last night so it could be worse for the PL teams.

  5. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any Leicester fans know if James Justin is likely to start matches this season? Who was he filling in for in project restart, what’s the story?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He'll start until Ricardo Pereira is fit again, probably sometime in October. I'd stay away from our defence though - Evans is suspended for 3 matches and Morgan is no slower than I am - and I am o-----l-----d.

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        *is slower than I am (snail pace)

        1. Booked4Dissent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers. You look good for clean sheets vs West Brom, West Ham and Villa in first three weeks though.

          1. Booked4Dissent
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            *first six weeks

    2. FPL Bond @ Twitter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ricardo is out till October. And won't return immediately I guess. Justin is a great pick with good fixtures..

  6. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is Richie nailed?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Matt Ritchie or Richarlison?

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I believe he is "nailed" when fully fit.

  7. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I said I wanted to do attacking double ups on teams with strong fixtures out the gate. But why did those teams have to be Spurs and Chelsea...

    Now I'm stuck getting one from each and then only committing in GW3.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Utd double up and Chelsea double up seems very reasonable. Not sold on Spurs as they have traditionally been awful assets for me personally when I have had them in my team in the past. If funds could stretch somehow to Bruno + Martial & Werner + Ziyech for example, you should be laughing these first GWks

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        United double up is very hard to do without having a forced transfer in GW2.

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Very difficult indeed to achieve those 2 double-ups. See people here planning a Werner > Martial move after GW1 but that is a no-go from me. Don't see the point in having Werner for just 1 GW. I would most likely end up with only 1 Utd and 1 Chelsea asset to begin with and that would probably be the case for most people

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Yes. Happy to wait on Chelsea. Two nice games to see how they do against a mid-table and then a top tier opponent. If they look electric I can get Ziyech/Pulisic/Mount in for Auba for a double up starting in GW3.

  8. nelluckram
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    OK, how's my driving?

    McCarthy
    TAA, KWP, Saliba
    Salah (c), Auba, Son, Barnes
    Wener, Mitro, Adams

    Button, Ferguson, Stephens, Dallas

    0.5 ITB to do Auba & Barnes -> KDB & Greenwood

    I know I have triple Southampton and Che Adams is a risk but they have some really good fixtures for the 1st nine.

    No Wolves...

    Also going Brunoless...

    1. Fpl orynx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Saliba and Barnes probably your main issue. Good chance Leicester struggle this season and no guarrantee Barnes gets starts every game. No one even knows if Saliba is first choice yet

      1. nelluckram
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        True but I only plan to have Barnes for the first 1 or 2 GWs

        1. Fpl orynx
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          If that’s the case you want someone guarranteed to start or play decent minutes. You would be better off with Maddison or Mount for a single game week.

    2. CROCosta
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Did you consider going Doherty over Adams and playing 4-4-2?
      I see him overscoring Adams both in short term and season long so why not go for him instead? Especially since you are without Vinagre

  9. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How do we rate Son for first 3 Gw's ??

    Looking at him as a possible placeholder for Pulisc.

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Very good prospect.

      Same here, easy move to a che midfielder if needed.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you mate
        Have Son & Jimenez as placeholders for Martial Pulisc.
        Can wait for 3/4 gw's to bring them IN ....

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Probably son & kane here 😉 gl to us!

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Those 2 and Auba are all placeholders for me. My intention is to get a pair of Manc premiums first while I run the rule over Chelsea mids. When I go for one GW4 I'll know whether the best option is Pulisic, Ziyech, Harvetz, or indeed Werner.

            1. NABIL - FPL otai
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Are you copying my strategy? 😉 Yep with the 3, easy to move around if needed. Even mount can be relevant by then

              1. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Heh, no. You've been monitoring my evolving strategy - what I've done is make it a bit more flexible but not fixing the specific premiums to come in, allowing some spare change itb for flexibility.

                1. NABIL - FPL otai
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 7 months ago

                  So your roadmap has an evolved strategy now? 😀 loving it. Yeah flexibility is key early on.. price points are as equally important as points at this point

                  1. Andy_Social
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 7 months ago

                    I'd like to point out that that point is basically the point, yeh 😉

                    1. NABIL - FPL otai
                      • 11 Years
                      3 years, 7 months ago

                      Point taken 😉

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm just fed up with spurs attacking assests in general. Aurier did me very well during the restart. I've been burnt by son before and I just can't get past that. But if you pick him, and I don't, I'm sure you'll do well!

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        😀

  10. It's his Job.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Looking like this so far-Right tracks here?

    McCarthy
    Justin TAA Vinagre
    Maddison Saint Maximim Aubamyang Salah
    Kane Werner

    Nyland/Ferguson/Davies/AWB

    Have 1 of United in AWB and will do Aubamyang>Fernades before pool match.

    1. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Fernandes...

    2. It's his Job.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Stephens is my 5th midfielder too

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You'll have missed it by waiting until GW3 for Auba > Fernandes.

      You need Fernandes in GW2.

      1. Fpl orynx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Also 3 midfielders from 7mil and below spells doom to me

  11. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy
    Vinagre, Doherty, TAA
    Salah, Aub, Son, S Maximin, Ziyech
    Mitro, Jimenez

    GTG?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Template. So gtg

    2. Fpl orynx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Solid midfield and defence. Only your attack could cause you problems in the long run. If vardy, Werner, Kane or aguero start to bang you will need two transfers to get to them and you may have a tricky decision if all your mids have decent fixtures as to which to get rid of

      1. Budgies
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah thats very true....must admit this is the hardest i have found to settle on a team.

    3. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Double Wolves defence for SHU then MCI? I would go one Wolves defender until GW3

    4. CROCosta
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Do you plan on getting any Man UTD/City gw2/3 or going without?

  12. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Mitro over Armstrong\ASM + .5 is a no brainer, right? Surely mitro will get more points than them over the season.

    Wouldn't it be better to either go soucek or 4.5 fodder and reinvest the difference or find the extra and pay 7.5 or 8 and get some money's worth?

    Finding it hard to see the value in mids between soucek and greenwood.

    1. Fpl orynx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’d just be careful investing in too many cheap mids or attackers. There low cost for a reason. Seeing a lot of teams with two 5.5/5.0 mid that’s a bad decision long term imo very hard to move up if you need to

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I agree, I just can't see moving up to anyone there without some surgery required. I've got soucek and fodder as mids. In a couple weeks may change mitro for fodder and upgrade Stephens to greenwood, but I need to find an elusive .5 first

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, I would like to think so. (Mitro)

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Mitro looks good value given that he starts every game and plays nearly every minute. Should give him a good opportunity to get somewhere between 12 and 15 goals. Plus a couple of asssists, some BPS points and minus a few yellow cards I think he is good for about 160 ish points which isn't a bad return for 6.0

      1. Fpl orynx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Wow Miguel you really think Mitrović scores that many? I’d be very surprised. Fulham finished 4th in the championship even though he has experience in prem league having watched Fulham in the championship last season he won’t be scoring that many goals

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Scored 11 goals and 4 assists with 12 BPS for a total of 134 points last time out and he is a little older and wiser this time round. Maybe 160 is at the higher end of the scale but is is only a few more goals, a few less cards, and a couple more assists and BPS away.

          1. Soto Ayam
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I do hope he's wiser, I think just be selective when you play him and leave yourself other options. As a striker, he offers great value

        2. Booked4Dissent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I reckon Mitro will get around 10 goals, but more likely below. Two or three of those will be pens

      2. Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        For 6.0 Mil - I'm happy with 10 + goals.
        He will definitely be on pens too...

      3. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I think you're right on the goal count. I'll try it be smart and play him against weaker teams and rotate him with soucek or Def if not. I'm not a fan of his, but he'll do better than those 5.5 mids for sure

      4. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Worth noting perhaps that Fulham were comfortably the lowest scorers in the top 4 of the Championship last time. This isn't the "free-flowing" Fulham that came up last time.

        1. Booked4Dissent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          You’ve scared me with that comment. At 6mil there’s nowhere else to go for me

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            One option I’m looking at is to move the extra 1.5 into defence if he looks poor - that means probably having him as 3rd striker

            There is another 6.0 who got over 130 points last season - high GI in low scoring team. Really tough pick of course. But great fixture run from 5 on

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Also bear in mind Ashley Barnes - very little between him and Wood historically. One was fit - mostly - last season and the other wasn’t. This time last year Barnes was the preseason favourite - Wood nowhere

            1. Booked4Dissent
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Who is better Wood or Barnes? Annoying that they rotate

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                Normally the one you don't select 🙂

                Not sure they rotate. I'm not a Burnley expert by any means but I suspect they both feature in strongest XI.

              2. TonyE
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 7 months ago

                They don't rotate, Burnley play 4,4,2 and Chris Wood is first choice striker. He will play alongside Barnes or Jay Rod based on form and fitness.

    4. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      When you're filling your squad with budget picks, you're not (or shouldn't be) thinking about the season. Just see who's got decent opening fixtures. These guys are in and about according to form & fixtures.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed in principle

        But it's not an area where I want to use transfers much - spending an effective 4 points on moves with little upside feels suboptimal,

        1. Booked4Dissent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Mitro at 30% ownership!

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I prefer set-n-forget premiums. This year it can't be done in GW1, but when I get the likes of Bruno, KDB, 3 Big Reds at the back and a premium striker, I'll want to keep them and fiddle with transfers on the smaller fry.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            If you go that way it becomes much easier to pull off for sure.

          2. Booked4Dissent
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            My set and forget premiums are: Salah, KDB, Bruno, TAA

  13. CROCosta
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Current draft:
    McCarthy(4.5) - Nyland(4.0)
    Robertson(7.0) - Vinagre(4.5) - Justin(4.5) - Ferguson(4.0) - Brantwaite(4.0)
    Salah(12.0) - Auba(12.0) - Son(9.0) - Greenwood(7.5) - ASM(5.5)
    Werner(9.5) - Mitrovic(6.0) - Davis (4.5)
    1.5 ITB

    Plan is to play 4-4-2 gw1 and then switch to 3-5-2 for onwards, save a transfer gw2, and gw3 go Auba->Sterling and either Greenwood->Rashford or Justin->VVD.

    Any comments or thoughts beside 'only a crazy person would go without TAA'?

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't be 'booking in' a sideways Greenwood -> Rashford move which is basically stopping you from getting Trent or Doc. I don't like booking in transfers anyway since they're so precious.

      Personally think Mason can match Rashford this season, no matter what the xG says.

      1. CROCosta
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        its not booked transfer, if I like the look of Greenwood in preseason and gw2 then I will use my cash to upgrade elsewhere like Justin->VVD or Werner->Aguero, ASM->7.5 etc.
        Not gonna lie Rashford does look like the best Man UTD asset to have but not sure if 2mil difference is worth it over Greenwood, guess we will see how the season start and then when the time to use the first wc comes we should have better data comparison.

    2. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Interesting draft. Amazing how much more you can squeeze in by having 9.0 Son and no TAA. Lots of people jumping on new Chelsea signings, but I think that’s a risk. Who knows how they’ll be eased in and how they’ll play in their new team in a new league! I’d rather wait and see with new Chelsea assets

      1. CROCosta
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah it is a risk but Werner seems like better pick then Ziyech to start with and he is very easy to shift either up to Aguero,Vardy or down to Jimenez,Ings,Martial.

        If by gw3 I see he is not getting the minutes, then he is out and I will be bringing Pulisic/Ziyech but until then I think he is too big of a class to not have him in my starting lineup especially for

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      You might be going 342 in GW1

      1. CROCosta
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hopefully, preseason friendlies will give us more info if we have any 4.0 first team starters or not as of now these 2 look most promising.

    4. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like it, and don't mind the plan either. Flexibility is key.

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Suspect you need double Palace 4.0 to get the surefire starter in week 1.

    6. FPL_Cot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If no TAA, I'd have VVD over Robbo - similar points total imo. The new LB looks good in pre-season too, could possibly end up playing in some of the easier league games to rest Robbo for big games/Champs league. Whereas you want Robbo in the easy games for the big scores, hence VVD who will never get rotated. Look out for the games either side of the Champs league group stages in Oct/Nov time.

      Could easily be the same with TAA to be fair as the young RB Williams looks the real deal to me.

      1. CROCosta
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        With TAA having individual trainings due to injury at the moment and considering Klopp's previous track record I do not see Robbo getting benched anytime before November, same as VVD or TAA if fit, Gomez might get swapped out on occasions but do not see a reason not to use the best team available in a period when there is no CL/cup football.

        1. FPL_Cot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Agree, although there are league cup games in Sept. but you'd imagine he would keep the main guys for the prem so no risk there. I was more saying watch out for when the CL kicks in as I think there is a good chance he rotates especially now we have 4 competent full backs. Based on the buckets there are some serious teams in bucket 2 so we could have a tough group. Klopp hasnt stopped talking about this season being one of the toughest ever and that the need to rotate has never been bigger. With that in mind, I would say VVD is the better set and forget than Robbo given TAA is out of your team

  14. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Good morning everyone. I have had Justin ( Lei ) in my draft from day one, but getting nervous about the injuries and suspensions to t he back 4......Would you keep the faith or dump ( currently my 4th defender )

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Foxes fan here but I won't be having any of our defenders. Of course if I have made a terrible error in FPL at least I'll be happy in real life footy.

  15. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Traore or Bowen for GW1?

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Traore

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      There's talk about selling Traore.

      1. Booked4Dissent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yes there is. We’ll see

  16. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Have Stephens. Who is the other best 4.5m mid ?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      For me at the moment, Gordon. But there really isn't any good candidate.

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

      Been looking at this, what about the forgotten man at WBA Leko?

      1. One Man
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Very interesting prospect. Will monitor him from now to start of season. Thanks.

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

          No worries, I know he had some injury issues and was on loan etc.
          Pre season will be good to see what gametime he gets

    3. Blandiblub
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Team mate Bissouma? I might be just thinking of his thunderbolt against Burnley on the last day of the season though...

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

    Who do you think is going to provide better value this season out of Pereira and Mitrovic?
    Both 6.0

  18. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    If United sign Sancho it will make my decisions and imagine many others’ much easier.

    Still debating if they don’t sign him, whether Bruno is worth 3.0 more...

    1. Booked4Dissent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes he is! Will play every minute, on pens, on free kicks, on corners, very creative and loads of touches. He’s worth 10.5 at least!

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

        Yes everything does go through him doesn’t it, still though 3.0 more than Greenwood?
        That’s like the difference between say Ziyech and Soucek...

        The other thing to consider is because many will have Salah and KdB, we will even captain Bruno much?

        1. One Man
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I think Bruno can compete with Salah and Auba for the armband. Bruno was this highest scoring player last season, from the moment he arrived, even higher than Salah.

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

            Hmm

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

      ....more than Greenwood that is

      1. Booked4Dissent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Why not have both?

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

          Can’t come up with a draft I’m happy with, with both

  19. Whits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    RMT!

    McCarthy

    Saliba TAA Thomas

    Salah Auba Armstrong Maddison

    Mitrovic Kane Werner

  20. David_23
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Currently choosing between two squads and trying to find a compromise, any advice?

    1) Dúbravka, Fabri
    VVD, Doherty, Saliba, Mitchell, Justin
    Salah (C), Auba, Son, Soucek, Foden
    Jimenez, Antonio, Mitro

    2) Allison, Fabri
    VVD, Doherty, Saliba, Justin, Mitchell
    Salah (C), Willian, Soucek, Maddison, Foden
    Vardy, Mitro, Werner

    Not sure about Arsenal players apart from Auba and I don't know how much game time will Foden get. Any suggestions what team to play or who to upgrade/change?

  21. balint84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Leno or Ramsdale?

    1. mark@22
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ramsdale

  22. mark@22
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts on midfield set and forget
    Aubameyang, de bruyne, ziyech, greenwood?

  23. Offside
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    In my experience it’s a game of Captains. Not that I’m good at it. But I think if you have players that play and get decent points then that’s one hurdle. But to do well you need to hit the hatricks of captains like Sterling, Kane, Aguero. I think we can all have template teams. But to really do well we have to hit the capt hatricks. What does anyone else think about really targeting these games? Like GW 2 Martial / Fernandes v No Defence Crystal Palace. Nailed players and picking captains. I may be late to the game.

  24. Liberate HK - antichinazi
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My ML leader team link below:

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/211578/event/2

    who can beat him this week? please show me.