Premier League fantasy football 2019-20 tips: midfielders to pick for new season Gameweek 1, bargains
- Mohamed Salah is the most expensive FPL player again but where can you make back the money to pay for the Liverpool star?
- There are alternatives for managers willing to take the risk
Midfield is the best place to pick up the most points per week, on account of FPL’s set formations being able to play more of them in each gameweek.
The other reason is that the FPL have designated some of the highest scorers in the game as midfielders.
This is the area of the pitch where most fantasy managers splash the cash, and while you might be no different there are also bargains to be had to help you afford the superstars.
Fantasy Premier League 2019-20 hints and tips
Plenty of English Premier League clubs will be in a hurry to strengthen their squads over the next couple of days ahead of the August 9 transfer window deadline but you won’t want to wait until the last minute to get started.
As Friday’s 7pm BST fantasy transfer deadline (2am Saturday, Hong Kong time) looms on the official Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, we’re here to help you figure out how to get the best out of your 100 million budget.
Fantasy Premier League tips: goalkeepers and defenders
Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace (7m)
The winger was classed as a forward last season and was involved in 21 goals for the Eagles. It is expected his contribution will not change if he stays at Selhurst Park and with VAR introduced, he’s likely to win even more penalties this season.
Luka Milivojevic – Crystal Palace
The main beneficiary of Zaha winning spot kicks is the Serbian midfielder, as he is ruthless from 12 yards. Milivojevic scored 10 goals that way last season and added another two on top, plus he was an ever present for Roy Hodgson’s side so racked up appearance points too.
Ayoze Perez – Leicester City (6.5m)
He swapped Newcastle United for Leicester City and the FPL swapped him from a forward to a midfielder. Perez is at a more attacking team and he will still be involved in the attacks for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Fantasy Premier League tips: forwards
Jeffrey Schlupp – Crystal Palace (5.5m)
Another Palace man and another who has been reclassified, in his case from defender to midfielder. He was a stealthy picker up of points from defence and could be again, having played as a No 10 and winger in preseason while also eligible for a clean-sheet bonus.
Jack Grealish – Aston Villa (6m)
The Villa skipper is still only 23 but has matured into a fine footballer in his time away from the FPL. He carries his club’s hopes on his shoulders and will be taking the set pieces too but is not without risk at a newly promoted team.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – Everton (8m)
The Toffees have an easy start to the campaign, at least on paper, and the Icelandic dead-ball master is key to their dreams of breaking into the top six. He guarantees points to justify the price tag and with Moise Kean joining Richarlison there may be more goals to come for Sigurdsson.
Anthony Martial – Manchester United (7m)
The Frenchman had his best season at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal, but there are hopes he will come good again. Despite being put down as a midfielder, he is expected to feature in a central striking role, so could be like picking an extra striker.
Lucas Moura – Tottenham Hotspur (7.5m)
He might not be the first name on the team sheet at Spurs but he is more than capable of holding his own in the FPL, as 10 goals last season prove. Expected to start this season with Son Heung-min suspended.
Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City (9.5m)
The Belgian should be more expensive but for injury derailing his season last time out. He should be the first name down on Pep Guardiola’s team each week and offers both goals and assists.
Sadio Mane – Liverpool (11.5m)
One of those players who should be a forward rather than a midfielder, Mane scored 31 goals last season to share the golden boot. His preseason has been short because of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations, but is likely to be in Jurgen Klopp’s side for the Norwich City game.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (12.5m)
The priciest player in the FPL transfer market comes at a cost because you can’t really play the game without him. He has averaged 281 points per season since joining Liverpool and shared the golden boot last season, despite having a bad campaign compared with the heights of the year before.
