Here’s my “ones to watch” for SkySsports fantasy football outlining the best goalkeepers and defenders
Goalkeepers
Mignolet (£4.9m)
For £4.9m last year there were 16 clean sheets for Liverpool which is 2nd only to Man City last year. With the negative points for goals conceded having a top 4 challenging team with a good defence is where the GK and defence should be aimed at. Mignolet has no serious competition for rotation and they have excellent fixtures to start. He’s also great value coming in at the Sunderland price. He’s cheaper than the Fulham, West ham and Swansea keepers.
Mannone (£4.2m)
I’m not recommending a cheap GK but if you insist then Mannone seems to be the best value. The Sunderland defence isn’t great by any stretch but he’s only £0.2m more than the Palace keeper but will concede far less goals
Defence
Koscielny (£6.9m)
Hard to pick the Arsenal defence they’re all similar prices and all have upsides and downsides so I’ve gone for Koscielny as he was the form player towards the end of the season and popped up with goals
Cole (£7.6m)
A Chelsea defender for DGW1 is essential as there is a good chance of 2 clean sheets. Cole is the only player with low rotation risk as Bertrand will be limited to the domestic cups in my view.
Agger (£6.9m)
Mignolet is the only defensive cover needed in my mind but if you want additional coverage Agger is probably marginally the best bet although they’re all similar price
Danny Rose (£4.7m)
Come in at the Sunderland price and seems to have nailed the LB spot in pre-season. A bit of a selection risk but should start.
Some budget options
The negative points for goals means I think the above players are better in Sky Sports fantasy football but if you need to squeeze some one in your team to create some value somewhere here’s my tips
Celustka (£4.4m)
RB who just signed for Sunderland who have no RB despite buying 4 players and the attacking midfielder who played there last year suspended he looks a good calculated gamble to start at a very cheap price
Curtis Davies (£4.5m)
New Hull signing who’s sure to start . Hull I believe will be strong defensively given the excellent job Bruce did with Wigan when last in the premier league
Lovren (£5.2m)
Southampton under Poccetino improved their defence significantly last season and I’m backing them to improve drastically this year with the addition of Croatian international Lovren and Wanyama in midfield
Ben Davies (£5.3m)
Will battle Taylor for gametime which is why he’s so cheap but after a great season last year I’m backing him to hold his place and from Taylor to cover in the cups.
I haven’t got any United or City players as I think they’re all over priced and subject to rotation. The same could be said for Chelsea but with a very easy double gameweek it just demands coverage.
That’s it on to midfield and forwards. Here’s some background on Sky Sports fantasy football if you didn’t read it. Also see below for my Sky Sports Fantasy football league code
http://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/sky-sports-fantasy-football-rules-changes-and-game-review/
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Here’s the link to my GW1 fixture ease schedule:
http://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-fixture-ease-schedule-gw1/