You know what’s insane?! It’s already Match Week 1(MW1) ….
If you still have questions about the chips system or want to see an advice article that’s about a month behind the times, check out my last article here. Before we go any further, make sure you sign up to our fantasy league on the Official Premier League site using code 5948-2227.
So after a long few weeks of changing your team every few hours, your line-up will officially lock on Saturday morning, usually an hour or so before kick off. This isn’t going to be a team building article like the last one. No. You’ve most likely figured the majority of your team out by this point. Instead, in this article we’ll be looking at both player and positional match-ups to see who you should try to grab this week.
I will be recommending a buy and/or sell at each price point, so moving these players in or out of your squad can be super simple.
13.0
Sell: Sergio Aguero – Forward, Manchester City
There is no-one to buy at the £13 million price mark as Aguero is set to miss MW1 after his Copa America adventure. While I do not argue that the Argentine is the best Premier League striker, I do think it’s hard to rationalise the cost of him when options like Costa and Rooney are so reasonably be priced.
11.5
Buy: Eden Hazard – Midfielder, Chelsea
The Chelsea talisman has a pretty favourable individual matchup against Kyle Naughton, and a decent team match-up against Swansea City at home to start the season. I do think this is the year Hazard needs to step up into the true upper echelon in world football, but even if he doesn’t he’s still likely to be no worse than the second best fantasy midfielder.
11.0
Sell: Alexis – Midfielder/Forward, Arsenal AND Diego Costa – Forward, Chelsea
Unfortunately, both look likely to miss out due to injury in MW1. Both are obviously great owns for the rest of the season, with Alexis likely the better value for money.
10.5
Buy: Wayne Rooney – Forward, Manchester United
As I mentioned in my last fantasy article, I’m riding high on Wayne Rooney this year. Returning to his preferred striker role with Depay sending in (Red) Devil-ish crosses and Mata playing him through I’d be quite surprised if the Englishman didn’t score 20+ goals. No reason to sit him against Spurs.
Sell: Daniel Sturridge – Forward, Liverpool
Hurt. Again.
10.0
Sell: David Silva – Midfielder, Manchester City
This would have been a buy yesterday, but with the news of his illness possibly keeping him out this week and De Bruyne possibly taking his place long-term I’m much less excited about Silva than in years past. I’m not a huge fan of the matchup against Albion as they had a tremendous defencive record after the appointment of Tony Pulis.
9.5
Buy: Harry Kane – Forward, Tottenham Hotspur
After an incredible debut season, opinion seems split on whether or not the Englishman can keep up his goal-scoring rate. Kane looks set to receive even better service this season with the development of Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela, and the addition of Kieran Trippier and his excellent crossing ability. Manchester United do have an excellent midfield, but there are still some questions at the back. If Tottenham do score, Kane is likely to be involved
9.0
Buy: Cesc Fabregas – Midfielder, Chelsea
Despite slowing in the second half, Fabregas still managed to end the season with a staggering 18 assists. Now with a full year of experience with his Chelsea teammates I think the Spaniard could have an even better season this year! Swansea do have an underrated defence, but Fabregas is just about match-up proof.
Sell: Theo Walcott – Midfielder, Arsenal
This is not meant to be a judgement on Walcott as a player, but rather on how minutes will be divvied up at Arsenal this season. Fabregas and Giroud both seem to have more guaranteed playing time and, as such, offer better value for me. If he plays I think he could have a big match against the much less pacey Aaron Cresswell.
8.5
Buy: Mesut Ozil – Midfielder, Arsenal
With the German set to return to his preferred number ten role, I expect Ozil to have a season the likes of which we have not seen since his Madrid days. West Ham look shaky after their defeat on Thursday and I fully expect Arsenal to capitalise.
Sell: Juan Mata – Midfielder, Manchester United
Do not trust Manchester United midfielders! Louis van Gaal may not even know how he’s going to fit all of these midfielders into the same side, so how could we possibly know? He could get the start and play incredibly well against a newly-formed Tottenham defence, but it’s just as likely he only gets a twenty minute runout.
8.0
Buy: Romelu Lukaku – Forward, Everton
Did he struggle last last year? Yes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid him. I think Everton could very well have a great bounceback year without European distractions, and Lukaku would be a large part of that. Expect the Belgian to put up a great performance against an unestablished Watford defence.
Sell: Graziano Pelle – Forward, Southampton
After a great start to the 2014/15 season, Pelle’s performances really tapered off once Tadic went missing from the squad. I believe the Italian can have a decent season but 8.0 is a lot of your budget and would be better spent on his Saints teammate Sadio Mane. Newcastle’s back-line is less than solid but I’m not confident Pelle will be able to punish them as much as he should.
7.5
Buy: Gylfi Sigurdsson – Midfielder, Swansea
The Ice-Man cometh! Somehow Sigurdsson is still underpriced after a tremendous year at Swansea. The addition of Andre Ayew and development of Jefferson Montero should allow for their attack to be even more potent and there are few players you’d rather have standing over a freekick. Chelsea do have an imposing defence, but they concede many freekicks for which Sigurdsson may well punish them.
Sell: Every other 7.5 player
They all have flaws whether it be based on injuries or playing time. Either save the .5 or stump up to 8.0 to bring in Lukaku or Phillippe Coutinho.
7.0
Buy: Willian – Midfielder, Chelsea
The Brazilian is an absolute steal considering he is both a threat out wide, and up the middle where he made some appearances late last season. I do like his Swansea counterpart Andre Ayew as well, but like Willian’s matchup against newcomer Franck Tabanou more that Ayew’s matchup against Branislav Ivanovic.
Sell: Bastian Schweinsteiger – Midfielder, Manchester United
Despite being a massive name, I have no faith that the German will play week in/week out. When he does play it’s likely to be in a deeper role which will prevent him from accruing many counting stats. The matchup against Tottenham is favourable as Spurs midfield is far from settled.
6.5
Buy: Jeremain Lens – Midfielder/Forward, Sunderland
The high-flying Dutchman is a great addition to a Sunderland side that was crying out for pace. Playing just in the Europa League last season, Lens notched 3 goals and an assist in just 10 matches. Leicester do have two decent left-backs in Jeffrey Schlupp and Christian Fuchs, but I fully believe Lens will impress in his Premier League debut.
Sell: Gary Cahill – Defender, Chelsea
Owning Cahill is basically just a clean sheet gamble. He is already fighting for his job with Kurt Zouma, add in the potential signing of John Stones and Cahill looks more and more like an unnecessary risk. Swansea have a much more dynamic attack thi season and Chelsea cannot assume they will notch a clean sheet, even at home.
6.0
Buy: Jason Puncheon – Midfielder, Crystal Palace
Despite other players at Palace having bigger names and hype, few have more impact on team performance than Puncheon. As the preferred corner and freekick taker, Puncheon is just about match-up proof and there’s no reason to fear Norwich this Saturday.
Sell: Pablo Zabaleta – Defender, Manchester City
Despite having been an elite defender in the past, there’s no doubting that he has lost a step. He was expected to make up for Vincent Kompany’s failings last season and Eliaquim Mangala doesn’t inspire me regarding Manchester City’s chances at clean sheets this season. West Brom is not the worst matchup, but there are better options out there.
5.5
Buy: Callum Wilson – Forward, Bournemouth
It is always a gamble with newly promoted strikers, but one which has proved worth it in recent years. Having scored 20 goals in the Championship last season, Wilson will be looking to push on to Premier League prominence like Charlie Austin and Danny Ings before him. Goals can be had against a weakened Aston Villa defence and, as such, think Wilson has an excellent chance of scoring in his PL debut!
Sell: Jermain Defoe – Forward, Sunderland
As much as I love him, Defoe offers nothing other than goals in fantasy leagues. While Lens offer another great attacking option, it’s unlikely defoe utilises him as anything other than a provider for his own chances. The Leicester matchup doesn’t concern me but there are better options at his price point.
5.0
Buy: Mile Jedinak – Midfielder, Crystal Palace
Not a big fan of the 5.0 players, but Mile Jedinak is definitely worth a look in the short-term. It’s worth noting that ‘Jedi’ is Palace’s primary penalty taker and they shouldn’t struggle too much with Norwich’s midfield. Going forward he may well lose his spot to one of Cabaye or James McArthur.
Sell: Jeffrey Schlupp – Defender/Midfielder
I was a huge Schlupp believer roughly one full Ranieri ago. Leicester’s managerial change has left many question marks regarding the team’s formational and personnel decisions. Add that to the addition of Christian Fuchs to Schlupp’s natural position and you have a recipe for fantasy disaster. If he does play, Jeremain Lens is not the kind of match-up that favours the defender.
4.5
Buy: Nabil Bentaleb – Midfielder, Tottenham
One of the best cheap midfield options in fantasy is Tottenham’s dynamic Algerian. His importance to the African side hampered him last season as he not only came into the year tired from the World Cup, but missed all of January on duty at AfCon. With a summer of rest and a decrease in international duties it would not surprise me if he is Tottenham’s breakout player of the year.
Buy: Joel Ward – Defender, Crystal Palace
There are no wrong answers at 4.5, but there are definitely some good ones, so here’s another! Ward had a great season at right-back for Palace last season and with them strengthening throughout the offseason, I think it’s quite likely that he and Pardew’s defence on the whole will improve. Nathan Redmond will be a bit of a challenge, but I trust Ward can mitigate the threat.
4.0
Buy: Matthew Targett – Defender, Southampton
The young left-back will be deputising for the injured Ryan Bertrand until late August, and is truthfully the only viable 4.0 player. Targett may be facing Newcastle newcomer Georgino Wijnaldum week one, but that’s just a risk you’ll likely be willing to take considering the price.
