Fantasy Football Tips Ahead of the 2016/17 Premier League Season
JAMIE VARDY - LEICESTER CITY
It cannot be overstated enough how big of an opportunity the reigning champions have to start their defence with a thumping win over Hull. The Tigers’ summer has been disastrous. They do not have a manager and will be forced to use Jake Livermore at centre-back after being blighted by injuries. Vardy has already got off the mark with a fine goal against Manchester United in the Community Shield and he should be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Hull.
Leicester otherwise have a relatively tricky start to the season but that shouldn’t deter users. Vardy has scored three goals in as many games against Arsenal – their opponents in gameweek 2 – and has also played a direct hand in seven goals in four matches against United, who they face in gameweek 6. With winnable fixtures against Swansea and Burnley in between those fixtures, negating a tough trip to Liverpool, Vardy could start the season with a bang.
ROBERTO FIRMINO - LIVERPOOL
Firmino’s first season at Liverpool ended with 10 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. It was a respectable return from their £28m investment, but the Brazilian will be keen to push on and improve that tally in his second season in England.
The 24-year-old was declared Liverpool’s best player during their pre-season tour by manager Jurgen Klopp and he looks set to be their number one striker this season with Daniel Sturridge still battling to stay fit and Christian Benteke on the verge of leaving the club just 12 months after signing from Aston Villa.
Liverpool open up with a hard away fixture against Arsenal, but it has been made that more attractive for the away side by injuries that have left Arsene Wenger struggling for his best team. The Gunners will be without three established central defenders when they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates on Sunday, which should be music to the ears of Firmino, who scored a brace the last time these sides faced off.
GERARD DEULOFEU - EVERTON
New Everton manager Ronald Koeman has lamented the amount of time his squad was given off under the previous regime, but if he can quickly get them up to speed then the Toffees could enjoy a very successful start to the season. If they can overcome Tottenham on the opening day of the season without defeat they will be keen to take advantage of what is a very kind opening set of fixtures. Tottenham and Stoke are the only teams they face in their opening seven fixtures that finished in the top 10 last season and that should give plenty of encouragement to Koeman.
Deulofeu was one of very few bright sparks for Everton last season, but his involvement in the team precariously faded at the turn of the year, limiting him to just 16 starts in the league. The Spaniard will be hopeful of a sustained run in the team under Koeman to build on some impressive numbers from the previous campaign. Of players that registered at least five assists in the Premier League last season only Mesut Ozil (160.4 mins) and David Silva (163.6 mins) required fewer minutes per assist than Deulofeu (173 mins).
Keeping Romelu Lukaku this summer would also be a huge benefit to Deulofeu, who seemed to strike up a great partnership with the Belgium at the start of last season. In fact, there were only three assist to goal scorer combinations more prolific in the league last season than Deulofeu to Lukaku (six goals). Koeman has also been exploring Deulofeu as a striker in pre-season, which given he is listed as a midfielder in most fantasy football platforms, could prove a smart acuqisition for users, particularly in the opening rounds.
BEN FOSTER - WEST BROMWICH ALBION
West Bromwich Albion aren’t the easiest team on the eye, but you cannot fault their effectiveness under Tony Pulis. The 58-year-old has made West Brom an extremely hard team to break down even if that comes at the detriment to paying fans looking for happier times at the Hawthorns.
Fantasy football fans are always looking to save value at the back and plumping for Ben Foster could prove a great way to save money that could be used to upgrade a midfielder or striker.
When you consider only three teams have kept more clean sheets in the Premier League in the last two campaigns than West Brom (26), 15 of which were by Foster, then there is reasoning behind this money saving option.
ONES TO AVOID
Getting caught out with a player in your team that is either suspended or injured can be one of the most frustrating aspects of your fantasy football weekend so make sure you are prepared by some notable absentees. United’s summer business has made their players attractive propositions, but make sure Chris Smalling and Paul Pogba are no where near your team for the opening weekend – they’re both suspended!
It’s also worth evaluating which players have returned to pre-season late. The likes of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Dimitri Payet are likely to be in high demand this season but they aren’t expected to feature for their clubs right away.
Finally, if you are looking for any cheap option to fill a space, make sure they aren’t a Hull City player. The Tigers’ summer has been catastrophic to say the least and they already look nailed on to go down this season.
Good luck for the opening weekend and watch out for more of WhoScored.com’s fantasy football tips each week!
Which players are you tipping to have a good season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
