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Nicolas Atkin

While a few big-name strikers failed to fire in Gameweek 1, plenty of midfield stars old and new rose to the occasion in Fantasy Premier League.
Among them was Mohamed Salah, who laughed off any assertion he might suffer from second-season syndrome by stroking home his first goal of the new campaign against West Ham.
Elsewhere, Richarlison didn’t disappoint on his competitive Everton debut, while Paul Pogba put in an all-star display for Manchester United.
So if you’re thinking of using your one free transfer on your midfield – or if you are going to rip your whole squad up and start again by playing your wild card – then here are our picks for midfielders.
You can also check out our selections for defenders here.
Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: defenders to pick for Gameweek 2



Sadio Mane (£9.6 million, 16 points was the top-scoring FPL midfielder and has already seen his value rise after two goals against West Ham.
The Senegal star also picked up 3 bonus points for his creativity, threat and influence, and was selected in the FPL Dream Team. How many more reasons do you need to try and get him in your side?
Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: forwards to pick for Gameweek 2, most transferred in
Mane even outshone his Liverpool teammate Salah (£13 million, 8 points) but the Egyptian still got off to a good start with a goal at Anfield and should be an automatic selection for most despite his price.
Like Salah, the main man over at Old Trafford didn’t disappoint either, with Pogba (£8.1 million, 10 points) starring against Leicester.

The French World Cup winner had only just returned for training at the beginning of the last week, but put in one of his best performances in a red shirt after being handed the captain’s armband by Jose Mourinho.
Amid speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona, it looks like Pogba is determined to make Mourinho look foolish for dropping him last season.
Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: rules for scoring points, bonus points system, free hit, wild card, triple captain
FPL managers can only benefit if he keeps playing like this, after a goal from the penalty spot and 2 bonus points which has seen his value rise by £0.1 million, and Brighton away up next could be a chance for Pogba to run the show again.

The two bargain midfielders – whom the South China Morning Post suggested you go for – of Gameweek 1 were undoubtedly playing over at Molineux, though.
After outclassing most other players in the Championship last season, Ruben Neves (£5.1 million, 12 points) look right at home in the Premier League.
The Portuguese fired home a fine free kick, and set up Wolves’ equaliser as the promoted side came from behind twice to draw with Everton, earning 2 bonus points in the process.
But it was a midfielder in a blue shirt who arguably stole the show – Richarlison (£6.6 million, 14 points) repaid Marco Silva’s faith in him – and that monster transfer fee – by scoring twice on his competitive debut. Be warned, though – he is a doubt for the home game against Southampton on Saturday because of a calf injury.

Dodgy alligator celebration aside, Roberto Pereyra (£6 million, 16 points) was one of the stars of the opening weekend with two sublime goals against Brighton.
The former Juventus midfielder is already well on his way to topping last season’s tally of five goals, but a trip to face Burnley and their miserly defence awaits on Sunday.
Another bargain midfielder who did well on Saturday was Jorginho (£5 million, 9 points) – the Chelsea new boy scored from the spot and ran the midfield, picking up 1 bonus point.
Pedro (£6.5 million, 9 points) was also among the scorers for Chelsea in their 3-0 win at Huddersfield, as was N’Golo Kante (£5 million, 8 points), both cheap and reliable options.

Maurizio Sarri’s side next face a home clash with Arsenal, against whom they have a formidable record at Stamford Bridge, so it may be wise to pick a Blue.
And if you’ve got the money to play with, Eden Hazard (£10.5 million, 4 points) seems raring to go after missing most of preseason because of the World Cup.
The Belgian looked bored on the bench but came off it to terrorise Huddersfield in the second half, registering an assist, and you’d think Sarri will find it difficult to keep him out of his starting lineup much longer.

Speaking of Arsenal, Bernardo Silva (£7.5 million, 8 points) and Raheem Sterling (£11 million, 7 points) were their tormentors on Sunday.
The Manchester City midfield duo scored the goals that gave Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions the perfect start to their title defence.
Guardiola raved about Bernardo after the Community Shield, and this season could see him transform from squad player to first-team regular if he continues to play like he did at Wembley and the Emirates.
Sterling was behind only Salah in terms of FPL points last season, and picked up where he left off.

City’s next six games are against this season’s three promoted sides and last season’s three promoted sides – you’d expect them to fill their boots, so it’d be wise to get as many of their players in as you can, as soon as possible.
Having missed most of preseason because of the World Cup, Kevin de Bruyne (£10 million, 0 points) was restricted to a substitute’s role against Arsenal, but may return to the starting lineup this weekend.
We all know the Belgian brings goals and plenty of assists, and the man he replaced on Sunday, Riyadh Mahrez (£9 million, 1 point) had a game to forget, though Bernardo represents a cheaper option than both.


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Fantasy Premier League (FPL)

Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: midfielders to pick for Gameweek 2

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane is off to a flier with two goals against West Ham. Photo: Reuters

Soccer Football - Premier League - Huddersfield Town v Chelsea - John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - August 11, 2018 Chelsea's Eden Hazard celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

epa06946109 Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London, Britain, 12 August 2018. EPA-EFE/ANDY RAIN EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - August 11, 2018 Watford's Roberto Pereyra celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

epa06941694 Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 10 August 2018. EPA-EFE/PETER POWELL EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves (R) celebrates scoring their first goal to equalise 1-1 from a free kick during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on August 11, 2018. (Photo by Geoff CADDICK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2018 Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne comes on as a substitute to replace Riyad Mahrez Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: defenders to pick for Gameweek 2

Luke Shaw racked up 11 FPL points after scoring his first goal for Manchester United. Photo: AP

Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Burnley - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - August 12, 2018 Burnley's Ben Mee in action Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Soccer Football - Premier League - Huddersfield Town v Chelsea - John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - August 11, 2018 Chelsea's Marcos Alonso celebrates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Leicester City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - August 10, 2018 Leicester City's James Maddison in action with Manchester United's Eric Bailly Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

epa06946009 Manchester City's Kyle Walker (L) vies for the ball with Arsenal's Stephan Lichsteiner (R) during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London, Britain, 12 August 2018. EPA-EFE/ANDY RAIN EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

epa06945648 Liverpool's Andy Robertson (L) in action with West Ham United's Michail Antonio (R) during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and West Ham at the Anfield in Liverpool, Britain, 12 August 2018. EPA-EFE/PETER POWELL

Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: rules for scoring points, bonus points system, free hit, wild card, triple captain

Mohamed Salah is the most-selected player in Fantasy Premier League teams. Photo: AP

Bonus Points System, part two.

Bonus Points System, part three.

Manchester City's Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (R) shoots to score the opening goal of the English FA Community Shield football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north London on August 5, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Manchester United's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (L) scores a goal past AC Milan's goalkeeper from Italy Gianluigi Donnarumma during the International Champions Cup match between Manchester United and AC Milan at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on July 25, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck

Bonus Points System, part one.

Soccer Football - International Champions Cup - Arsenal v Chelsea - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - August 1, 2018 Arsenal’s Petr Cech saves a penalty from Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Lazio v Arsenal - Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden - August 4, 2018 Arsenal's Mesut Ozil in action with Lazio's Luiz Felipe Ramos REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

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Sadio Mane shines for Liverpool on opening weekend of the new season, while Richarlison and Ruben Neves could tempt you as bargain buys


Premier League fantasy football 2018-19 tips: midfielders to pick for Gameweek 2

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sadio Mane shines for Liverpool on opening weekend of the new season, while Richarlison and Ruben Neves could tempt you as bargain buys

Sadio Mane shines for Liverpool on opening weekend of the new season, while Richarlison and Ruben Neves could tempt you as bargain buys