I’m going to update my team at least each weekend until the start of the season. So here’s draft number 2. I’ll talk you through the changes and hopefully the article will help stimulate your thoughts and focus on pre-season
fantasy premier league tips – 2nd draft FPL team
Again it’s worth stating that it’s very early days and the team will undoubtedly change over the weeks before August 8.
You may want to read it in conjunction with my strategy article which you will find under the strategy tab http://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-strategy-review/
The article still needs updating for the new rules though. At the moment I don’t have Aguero or Sanchez in the team due to the fact that it seems both will miss the start of the season due to the Copa America. It’s also worth reiterating that while I plan to use my wildcard after GW4 opens I’ve drafted the team to give me flexibility if things change and I don’t want to use it. So it’s not just for 4 gameweeks. I’m also planning on using the chips in the 2nd half of the season so there’s no accounting for these at the moment. Also there’s no shining light in the £4.0m defence and GK department although I made one change in this area which I’ll explain below. The controversial ownership question also starts to rear it’s head which is also explained.
Firstly here’s the team:
a
The Changes
Steven Taylor out Baker in – The £4.0m defender placeholder change. Taylors still to come back from injury. I’m not convinced of Bakers chances any more than Taylors but I’ve put him in at the moment.
Clyne in for Koscielny out – Purely on ownership. See below
Surman in for Anya out- If you saw my article on the £4.5m midfielders you will see that Surman is my best rated.
fantasy premier league best cheap midfielders – a look at the £4.5m midfielders
Benteke in for Pelle out – This is on the basis that he does sign for Liverpool. Excellent fixtures and he will lead the line while Sturridge is injured
The ownership question
I wont bore you about my thoughts on ownership. If you read my recent strategy article it’s discussed in detail and if you haven’t the link is above. The high ownership players over 30% at the moment are as follows:
Hazard 54%
Clyne 42%
Costa 36%
Kane 33%
Hazard at the moment is essential at 54%. Clyne is a bit more debateable at 42%. Defenders are less of an issue as most of the time the risk is only 6 points. I believe in the Arsenal defence more than Liverpools but Liverpools fixtures especially the home ones plus Clynes attacking potential means I’ve switched in order to avoid any nasty ranking surprises from him. Interestingly as a team Arsenal and Liverpool have similar ownerships when combined. However a clean sheet and an assist or goal usually triggers a 3 point bonus so I’ve decided to neutralise the risk at this stage. 3 premium defenders or losing a Chelsea defender wasn’t worth it to keep Koscielny.
Costa and Kane – I’m really not keen on Kane at that price and may just choose to take a view. On Costa I’m not keen on 2 Chelsea players given their fixtures. I’ll be keeping an eye on both ownerships
The Core
Apart from Koscielny due to the ownership change I’ve kept with the core of the team being Walcott , Silva, Hazard, Siggy and Rooney plus a Chelsea defender. Walcott I’m confident of starting it’s just what happens when Sanchez returns. Siggy is the most likely to be sacrificed and I may change to Chadli if I can’t find a playing £4.0m defender. The swap would be Siggy out – Chadli in and Baker out Francis of Bournemouth in. After last nights Man Utd game when Depay played as a support striker almost to Rooney I could swap Rooney for Depay which would open alot of possibilities elsewhere but take away a good captain option.
The fixture players
I’ve picked 2 players on the basis of good fixtures. I’ve kept Callum Wilson of Bournemouth. Bournemouth have the 5th best fixtures over the first 6. I’ve chosen Wilson narrowly over Matt Ritchie in midfield. See my article on the promoted teams to copy and paste into a new tab:
fantasy premier league – looking at some key players in the promoted teams
Aston Villa (H)
Liverpool (A)
West Ham (A)
Leicester (H)
Norwich (A)
Sunderland (H)
I’ve also picked Benteke over Southampton on the basis that he completes his Liverpool transfer. He’s good value for a top 4 challenging team striker with his price fixed as a Villa player. I’ve rated them 3rd best fixtures in the first 6 mainly due to the good home games.
Stoke (A)
Bournemouth (H)
Arsenal (A)
West Ham (H)
Man Utd (A)
Norwich (H)
The cheap fillers
I’m happy with the save points and the WBA defence led by manager Pulis to have GK Myhill home and away. I’ll have to get Foster into the team around October which is a pain but I’ll live with it. Rudd I dont expect to paly as a £4.0m GK. There’s no 3rd WBA GK.
I’ve got 2 defenders in Clyne and Azpilicueta who will probably always play home and away. Chelsea can get clean sheets anywhere. Liverpool not so strong but Clyne has good attacking potential as a hedge for the issue. Then it’s the 3 cheapest possible to fill the rest of the 3 places. Unfortunately there are no £4.0m options. I’ve placeheld Baker as the potential £4.0m defender. If no £4.0m defender looks like playing then I will possibly downgrade Siggy for Chadli and introduce Bournemouth’s Francis. I’ve tracked through the rotation of the 3 teams and they work out reasonably well each week.
Captain considerations
Only 2 captain options realistically. That being Rooney and Hazard which isn’t ideal. Aguero when he comes in will be an additional option and an almost every week option. Silva is a consistent returner but you don’t really see him as a strong captain option. Benteke and Walcott are too risky for me at the moment.
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fantasy premier league league code: 68300-19117
