- 2020/21 Premier League campaign begins on September 12
- Fantasy Premier League managers scouring market for differentials and bargain picks
- Host of new big-name arrivals into English top-flight this term
PREMIER LEAGUE, ENGLAND – With the new Fantasy Premier League season just seven days away, who are the potential bargain picks for your squad this campaign?
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With just a week until the 2020/21 Premier League season begins, as with the approach of any new campaign comes with it the now worldwide buzz of Fantasy Premier League.
Aside from its’ classic leagues that have been shaping water-cooler chat for over a decade now, the game’s recent introduction of a draft system has added a new dimension to thousands of mini leagues across the globe.
Welcoming a host of new faces to the top-flight this season, FPL will again bring weekend afternoon’s use of the Premier League app to near seismic levels.
As managers recruit the likes of Timo Werner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Fernandes into their respective squads for big fees, it will again however, be the differentials that brings that extra points boost every gameweek.
With that in mind, here are some of the players that require consideration for an early purchase, who could go on to become FPL bargains this season.
Defenders
A signing that could turn out to be a real coup for Tottenham Hotspur, Matt Doherty reignites the Lilywhites’ lineage with Irish full-backs and could enjoy the same level of success as Stephen Carr did during his 11-year stint at White Hart Lane.
Whilst Spurs could continue their struggles in front of goal on a regular basis under Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese is likely to favour solidity over flair to begin with, leaving Doherty as the ideal pick.
When the North Londoners did find the net last season, Serge Aurier provided five assists for his team from the right – most of which came in the second half of the season – and with the Ivorian’s future up in the air, Doherty is poised to step into his shoes.
Holding a price-tag of 6.0, there will be those that are cautious to jump to the Irish defender, but given his attacking threat last term – four goals and eight assists – his 25% ownership will only grow.
Another right-back to consider is Leicester City’s James Justin, in the short-term at least.
With Ricardo Pereira set to miss the opening month of the campaign, the English defender is set to deputise on the right of defence.
Already showing the same sort of threat as the Portuguese since being thrown in toward the latter stages of last season, the 22-year-old looks to be a sure bet in the Foxes’ fluid system.
Leeds United are likely to present some of the best value additions to FPL this term and Luke Ayling is another defender to ponder.
Though the Whites may struggle for clean sheets this term, the centre-back’s goal threat and guaranteed starting XI place represents huge potential, with a price-tag of just 4.5.
Midfielders
With the asterisk of his recent injury problems, Adam Lallana will be looking for a return to form on his second stint on the South coast for new club Brighton & Hove Albion this campaign.
It’s now six years since the 32-year-old moved from Southampton to Liverpool, but his time on Merseyside since the 2016/17 season has been punctuated by lengthy spells on the treatment table.
At his best seven seasons ago with a haul of nine goals and as many assists, it is yet to be seen whether Lallana can regain his very best form, but provided the midfielder can keep a clean bill of health, may turn out to be a very canny addition at 6.5, with a current ownership of less than 2%.
West Brom’s Matheus Pereira set tongues wagging in the Championship last year with his flair and threat from set-pieces and may be a surprise FPL package this term.
Now a permanent signing from Sporting Clube de Portugal this summer, the Brazilian will be eager to showcase his wares at the top level and with a fee of only 6.0, could free up much needed funds for bigger names elsewhere.
Another to consider is Eberechi Eze.
As the latest bright young thing on the English footballing conveyor belt, Crystal Palace’s latest signing could make a dramatic impact in Fantasy Premier League this season.
A revelation for QPR last term in the Championship with 14 goals across all competitions, the Eagles wasted no time in bringing in the the 22-year-old from across the capital.
Touted as the next breakthrough star in the Three Lions’ setup, Eze will play as one of the South Londoners’ most advanced players and as a cheaper alternative to Wilfried Zaha, might become a cult favourite at Selhurst Park.
Injury could prevent him starting on opening weekend, however.
Forwards
As the Leeds return to the Premier League for the first time in 14 years, Rodrigo Moreno will likely become a central figure in the Marcelo Bielsa revolution.
With Premier League experience under his belt from his time at Bolton and priced at paltry 6.0, the Spaniard could be a hit this term having brought in for a club record fee of £26m.
Though far from prolific for the past two seasons in Spain with a cumulative tally of 12 goals in 60 games, it should be noted that Moreno was part of Valencia side very much in transition.
The striker’s value may lie in his all-round performances for the Whites however, and given the fact Bielsa has improved the majority of personnel from his time in Yorkshire, Moreno’s price could rise quickly.
For the same outlay, Premier League-proven Aleksandar Mitrovic returns to the top flight for his second stint with Fulham in form, having scored against Russia in Serbia’s opening UEFA Nations League game in Moscow on Thursday evening.
Notching double figures three season ago, Mitrovic is still only 25-years-old and under Scott Parker, last term finished Championship joint-top scorer with Ollie Watkins on 26 goals.
A final consideration should be over the inclusion of Keinan Davis.
Carrying a dirt-cheap 4.5 price-tag, Aston Villa’s front-man may become a real bonus for fantasy managers this season.
Though the majority of his near-15% ownership is down to his value, the England U20 star looks to have overtaken Aly Samatta in the Villa Park pecking order.
Since his Premier League debut after lockdown, Davis is yet to score a top-flight goal, but as the striker adds minutes to his belt, could become a real added source of points.
Gameweek 1 of the 2020/21 Fantasy Premier League season begins on Saturday 12 September.
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