The Premier League is finally back this Friday. Champions Chelsea start their title defence at home to Burnley. While new boys Newcastle, Brighton and Huddersfield face some tough tests in the form of Tottenham, Manchester City and a new look Crystal Palace side.
Most clubs have also smashed their transfer records this summer with a host of new names being brought in to the Premier League. Such as Alvaro Morata who joined Chelsea from Real Madrid for a fee that could rise up to £70 million.
But with so many new managers, teams and players, who should you put in your Fantasy Premier League team for game week one.
Here are three players who would be a good choice.
Raheem Sterling (8.0)
Manchester City have spent big this summer smashing the £200 million mark. However, despite all the new arrivals, it is a player already at the club you should have in your fantasy team for City’s first game.
Raheem Sterling is priced at just 8.0 for the upcoming season. An absolute bargain considering that Manchester City are well known for scoring goals.
Sterling had what was probably his best ever season last year. He scored seven goals and assisted 14 times. That form doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon either. Manchester City have had a promising pre season. They have smashed Spanish giants Real Madrid 4-1 and beaten Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur 3-0. Also, in both of these games, Sterling put in stellar performances, scoring goals in both. This shows Sterling is on form and looks a great FPL buy at just 8.0.
Another reason you should have Sterling in your team for game week one is because of Manchester City’s opponents. City travel to newly promoted Brighton for their first game. Brighton are a decent side and have made a couple of decent signings this summer. However, given the quality of City’s squad compared to Brighton’s, it’s more than likely that Guardiola’s men will put several past Brighton and there’s a good chance Sterling will be amongst the goals and assists.
Mohamed Salah (9.0)
Salah has recently joined Liverpool from Roma for £34.3 million. He is an out and out winger who is extremely fast and good on the ball. Something Liverpool lacked last season, mostly when Sadio Mane was not available.
Salah will be available from the first game of the season for 9.0. This looks to be an absolute steal.
Firstly because of how well Salah has been doing in pre season. The winger has put in excellent performances in every match he has played, most notably against Bayern Munich. He has also scored goals against Bayern, Wigan, Hertha and Leicester City during Liverpool’s campaign.
In recent years Liverpool have been known for their attacking threat rather than defending. Salah will certainly add to that and if he continues his preseason form he could easily score 10 plus goals this season as well as earning as many assists.
The reason Salah is a must buy for game week 1, however, is due to Liverpool’s opponents. Liverpool travel to Watford to kick off their season. Watford finished 17th last season narrowly avoiding relegation. They also haven’t set the world on fire in the transfer market either with Tom Cleverley and Andre Gray being their biggest signings. This would suggest Watford will once again struggle in the league and a side like Liverpool could easily tear past them.
Liverpool will also be hoping for a repeat of last season in the two side’s first meeting. Liverpool smashed Watford 6-1 and given how deadly Salah and Mane could be up front and how little Watford have improved, Salah at just 9.0 is certainly one to buy this week.
Cesar Azpilicueta (6.5)
The final player you should have in your FPL team for game week one is Azpilicueta. Firstly because of how good Chelsea’s defence is. Last season the Blues managed to keep 16 clean sheets, the second most in the league. They also conceded just 33 goals last season. Once again, the second least in the Premier League.
This was in no small part due to the consistent top quality defending of Azpilicueta. He was a rock at the back for Chelsea while also being one of only three outfield players to play every Premier League minute last season.
Furthermore, for game week one Chelsea are at home to Burnley. So, if last season is anything to go on not only is a Chelsea win likely. But also a Chelsea clean sheet is very much on the cards. This is because of how awful Burnley’s away record was last season. They managed just seven points away from home last season. They only won once and scored just 13 goals away from home.
Therefore, while the Spaniard’s price (6.5) is at the higher end for a defender, he is certainly worth it. Because not only do Chelsea have one of the best defences in the league, they are also at home to a team who could barely string together two passes away from home last season never mind score past Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
You can also join The 4thOffical’s FPL league by using the code 2360126-557016. Winner of the league at the end of the 2017/18 season will receive a £100.
