A new Premier League season is finally upon us and after a very busy transfer window for some of the big clubs, this year, like the many others that have passed before it, looks set to be a banger.
With Fantasy Premier League pulling out the biggest change to the game since they updated the Budweiser pitch in 2009, and a number of Daily Fantasy Football websites sporting their brand news trousers, we cannot wait to get our teeth in to some Fantasy Premier League and Daily Fantasy Football action.
So without any further ado, here are our Gameweek 1 Daily Fantasy Football tips, focusing on FPL and the daily game provided by
Mondogoal.
Fixtures
Saturday 8th August:
Man Utd vs Tottenham
Everton vs Watford
Bournemouth vs Villa
Norwich vs Palace
Leicester vs Sunderland
Chelsea vs Swansea
Sunday 9th August:
Arsenal vs West Ham
Newcastle vs Southampton
Stoke vs Liverpool
Monday 10th August:
West Brom vs Man City
Clean Sheet Potential
The bookies across the country are indicating Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd & Leicester are the five most likely teams to keep a clean sheet this gameweek, while Everton and new-boys Bournemouth sit just outside the top five. With that in mind, you could certainly do a lot worse than just selecting defenders from the teams above � should it work for your fantasy team financially.
Goalkeeper Tips
On Sunday Arsenal will kick off their Premier League campaign at home where they will host West Ham in the first London derby. After a sound defensive display against the Champions in the Community Shield we have reason to believe that the Gunners will be even tighter at the back this campaign. Visitors West Ham ended last season dismally away from home scoring just twice in their last nine outings.
Petr Cech (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 8.6M) makes his Premier League debut for Arsenal this weekend and many already have him poised to contend for the golden glove award. A more premium choice price-wise between the sticks, but no doubt one that could rake in the points.
Kasper Schmeichel (FPL: 4.5M, Mondogoal: 6.6M) and his fellow Foxes host last season's relegation rivals Sunderland in a fixture that could mean an important 3 points come the end of this campaign. The Danish keeper came to life at the end of last season and contributed heavily to Leicester's Premiership-saving run of 5 wins in 6 League matches. Visitors Sunderland didn't end so strongly and failed to win 10 out of their last 11 on the road. If you're looking for a budget option, but one that still has the potential to deliver the goods then Kasper's your man.
During pre-season Eddie Howe must have had a chance encounter with a Genie who granted him three wishes, right? However on paper, a treble whammy of facing Aston Villa without Benteke and Delph looks nothing short of magical for the Cherries. Bournemouth's defensive record last season was exceptional, conceding 45 goals and tallying up a huge 18 clean sheets. Former Saints keeper
Artur Boruc (FPL: 4.5M, Mondogoal: 7.2M) is their man between the sticks and looks a safe set of hands this weekend as the new-boys host Aston Villa.
Defender Tips
Manchester City will be looking to start this season off strongly despite having the highest number of absentees in the entire league. Amongst the 9-sidelined players are Pablo Zabaleta (Resting from Copa America) and Gael Clichy (Muscular Injury) meaning fullback
Aleksander Kolarov (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 9.1M) looks nailed on. Kolarov is known for his attacking potential and when given a chance he usually performs consistently point-wise. However, Pellegrini's tendency to rotate fullbacks will mean he's not really FPL material, but within the realms of Daily Fantasy Football he's an absolute gem.
Anybody who has been playing FPL for a few years now will know that
Branislav Ivanovic (FPL: 7.0M, Mondogoal: 7.1M) has a tendency to storm out of the gates. The Serb loves a good charge down the right flank and also crops up with the odd header from corners. Not the ideal opening fixture for visitors Swansea City who have the challenge of breaking Mourinho's 100% record of taking all 3 points on the opening day of the season. A clean sheet and the possibility of some attacking returns make Ivanovic a very hot prospect, especially with his competitive price tag on
Mondogoal.
Despite uncertainty, the almighty Dick returned to the helm of Sunderland for another year. The Dutch manager inspired some late form from the Black Cat's and guided them to safety in the final weeks of the season. If you exclude their 8-0 drubbing by Southampton, Sunderland actually had the 5
th best defensive record in the league last season. This weekend they visit Leicester and will be looking to the likes of
John O'Shea (FPL: 4.5M, Mondogoal: 5.6M) to keep things tight at the back and earn them at least a point. New-boy
Adam Matthews (FPL: 4.5M, Mondogoal: 4.8M) looks set to make his debut at right back after his 2 million move from Celtic this summer. Two cheap defenders who have the potential to score some decent clean sheet points.
Attacking Potential
Another look at the bookies odds suggests that Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City and Everton are the 5 teams with the highest chance of scoring. In addition, Bournemouth and Leicester come in at joint 6
th place with Liverpool bridging the gap to Southampton and Norwich in 8
th place. Formulating the basis of your attack around these teams seems the logical way to go. It's also worth considering doubling up on Arsenal attackers in the daily game.
Midfielder Tips
Anybody who has been keeping an eye on pre-season results would have noticed the fine form that
Theo Walcott (FPL: 9.0M, Mondogoal: 10.5M) has been in. It may no longer be fresh in your memory, but he also returned from injury at the end of last season to a first half hat trick vs. West Brom. When he's on the pitch he's absolute gold, but his inclusion on FPL is questionable due to his injury history. But within the Daily Fantasy Football you'd be mad to ignore his potential. This Sunday the Gunners host West Ham and if the last few months have anything to go by, Walcott's pace and form could mark a torrid managerial debut for Slaven Bilić. It's also worth noting that Walcott is listed as forward on
Mondogoal. With the attacking force that Arsenal boast, it could even be worth doubling up on their attackers.
Santi Cazorla (FPL: 8.5M, Mondogoal 14M) looks an ideal pairing as he's on penalties, however his price tag on
Mondogoal leaves a lot to be desired.
Whether you want him to block opposition or because you think he'll tear up this opening day fixture after a quiet Community Shield, there's no denying that the hardest question this weekend is: “To Eden, or not to Eden.” Last season
Eden Hazard (FPL: 11.5M, Mondogoal: 17.6M) stole the show with 14 goals and 10 assists, and was rightly rewarded with the PFA Player of the Year award. On
Mondogoal, he finished the Premier League campaign with the highest points per game (13.34) and has the price tag to show for it. 17.6M on
Mondogoal accounts for just under fifth of your overall team budget, so unless you have some solid cheapies you're confident of, it could be said his price-tag is a little too lavish to not compromise your squad.
Elsewhere,
Jordan Henderson (FPL: 7.0M, Mondogoal: 9.3M) will be looking to land his first Premier League rabona assist. The new Liverpool skipper showed his fantasy football worth last season with some successive Gerrard-esque performances. The news that Stoke are without Ryan Shawcross due to injury also increases Liverpool's attacking potential.
Debutants
Raheem Sterling (FPL: 9.0M, Mondogoal: 10.5M) and
Memphis Depay (FPL: 8.5M, Mondogoal 12.6M) will be looking to set alight their respective parts of Manchester. The latter comes at a slightly high price tag considering he's yet to perform on the English stage but could worth a gamble. It's also worth noting that both players are listed as strikers on
Mondogoal.
If you're looking to pull a bargain - whether that's on Fantasy Premier League or Daily Fantasy Football - we've got a few names that could be worth your pennies.
Riyad Mahrez (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 9.5M) produced some excellent performances during Leicester's relegation dogfight, playing just behind the strikers. New boss Ranieri has announced his intention to play the Algerian out on the wing but either way he has the potential to wreak havoc on Sunderland. His price on
Mondogoal seems a little excessive however.
Nathan Redmond (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 6.4M) had an impressive season for the Canaries last year scoring 5 and assisting 12. More importantly he performed when it mattered with vital goals and assists in the play-offs. Norwich will be looking to get off to a good start against Crystal Palace at home and a trademark performance from Redmond could well be the difference.
Matt Richie (FPL: 6.0M, Mondogoal: 6.9M) was one of the best players in The Championship last season. In 46 games he contributed 15 goals and 17 assists; a fantastic record for a midfielder. The Cherries play their first ever Premier League game at home to Aston Villa this weekend, and with goals on the cards, we wouldn't be surprised to see Ritchie in on the act.
Forward Tips
The 2015/16 Premier League campaign kicks off at Old Trafford where Manchester United take on Spurs. Van Gaal has had a very busy transfer window but rumors continue to circulate around a big name striker joining as the cherry on a pretty tasty looking cake. In the meantime,
Wayne Rooney (FPL: 10.5M, Mondogoal: 11.5M) looks set to return to his natural position as striker, and with the trio of Mata, Depay & Young just behind him there'll be no shortage of chances created for the Englishman. Spurs were very unconvincing at the back last year, but the addition of Alderweireld could tighten things up. Tight enough to keep United out though? We're not so sure…
There was a point last season were
Graziano Pellè (FPL: 8.0M, Mondogoal: 8.9M) couldn't hit a barn door, and shifting that mental image has been a tough process. However, it's important to remember that he did finish as the 4
th highest scoring striker on FPL last season with 12 goals in 38 matches. The slick-haired Italian is a nailed on starter in an exciting Southampton team who visit Newcastle this weekend. With a good pre-season under his belt, we firmly expect Pellè to build on last year and establish himself as a consistent Premier League goalscorer.
With Sergio Agüero taking a rest after representing Argentina in the Copa America, and Edin Džeko seemingly en-route to Rome,
Wilfried Bony (FPL: 8.5M, Mondogoal: 10.1M) looks set to lead the line for City this weekend. Rumor has it Agüero to could cut his break short to feature against Chelsea in Gameweek 2 so Bony wouldn't be a wise choice on FPL. However, in the daily game 10.1M looks a steal for a Manchester City striker. Not to mention it also makes for an intense Monday evening if you're close to the top and have a few daily fantasy players left to determine your winnings.
If you're looking for two mid-priced daily fantasy strikers then we'd recommend putting your trust in Premier League veteran
Jermaine Defoe (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 8.1M) and new-boy
Callum Wilson (FPL: 5.5M, Mondogoal: 8.5M). Both strikers know how to find the back of the net and have appealing opening fixtures.
Finally, if you're in need of an absolute bargain, somebody who makes Harry Kane look overpriced last year, then look no further than
Cameron Jerome (FPL: 5.0M, Mondogoal: 3.5M). Valued at a miniscule price of 3.5M on
Mondogoal, Jerome has what it takes to counter the balance of selecting Eden Hazard. Although the striker has failed to net goals during his previous season in the Premier League, we can't help but pick him out as Norwich's lone-striker when they start the season at home to Crystal Palace.
