Dec 14

Bournemouth - Team & Player Guide 2015/16 - Fantasy Premier League Tips

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We're teaming up with knowledgeable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on newly promoted AFC Bournemouth, who will be looking to secure Premier League survival under Eddie Howe.

OPENING FIXTURES

Aston Villa (H) Liverpool (A) West Ham (A) Leicester (H) Norwich (A)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Yann Kermorgant, Callum Wilson, Tokelo Rantie Freekicks: Matt Ritchie, Harry Arter Corners: Matt Ritchie, Harry Arter

TRANSFER TARGETS

Striker - Charlie Austin (Transfer rumour) Winger - Max Gradel (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

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BOURNEMOUTH'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Bournemouth will be relatively unknown to Premier League fans. They were entertaining going forward last season and were solid defensively. The Cherries only conceded 45 goals in 46 league games leaving Eddie Howe's side with the second best defensive record in the Championship. An anomaly in football saw Bournemouth concede more goals at home than they did away, however we expect that to change this season with Bournemouth keen to stay in the Premier League. They kept 19 clean sheets last season and if they can replicate that number this year a Bournemouth defender could be a good budget option.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Artur Boruc (4.5m) - Originally Boruc was signed on an emergency loan from Southampton having fallen out of favour on the South coast. He has Premier League experience � however he will want to forget his howler against Arsenal. Last season in The Championship, Boruc kept 16 clean sheets in 37 league games, coming to a clean sheet in 43.24% of his games. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: Whilst his experience will be vital to Bournemouth they won't be the strongest defensively for the 4.5 m price tag you could spend it better elsewhere. Adam Federici (4.5m) - Federici is also a keeper who has Premier League experience before with Reading. A new signing for Bournemouth but Federici is expected to be second choice. He kept 12 clean sheets last season for Reading but you don't get them sitting on the bench. VERDICT: Avoid, will be second choice.

WHICH BOURNEMOUTH DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Mings looks to be the best of a bad bunch, but there is some good news. He is cheap and can be utilised well in a rotation with another defender. His discipline is better than Simon Francis and with set pieces being more important than ever for Bournemouth his height will be very important to the club. He's guaranteed to start due to his ability and the fact he cost the club £8 million.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Tyrone Mings (4.5m) - Mings has been subject to a move for a long period of time. Premier League big boys Arsenal were reported to have made a bid but it was the new boys who secured his services for a club record fee of £8m. The left back is more defensive than he is attacking, last season for Ipswich he recorded four assists and one goal. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: A nailed on starter, however doesn't offer much going forward. His price is cheap and could be good in a rotation system. Simon Francis (4.5m) - The right back was in the Championship Team of the Season last year. He offers Bournemouth an outlet going forward contributing eight assists and scoring one goal. The problem with Francis is that he's a card magnet. Last season he collected eight yellow cards and one red card. VERDICT: He will start for Eddie Howe's side but his tendency to pick up bookings could hinder his point potential. Sylvain Distin (4.5m) - Another Bournemouth player with Premier League experience at both Portsmouth and Everton. For the past six seasons he has been a regular but last season struggled to break into Roberto Martinez's plans. The 37-year-old defender brings experience to the Cherries back line, but theirs no guarantee he will be starting. VERDICT: Leave him be, although a good player it's not 100% that he will be a regular. 2 goals in 174 Premier League games for Everton doesn't look to good in terms of goal scoring centre backs either. Tommy Elphick (4.5m) - Elphick is the heart of the Bournemouth defence and also the club captain. He likes to keep the ball however for a centre back he doesn't score enough. Last season he only scored one goal, something that will have to change for Bournemouth this season. VERDICT: : Although a starter and captain he lacks attacking prowess and wont pick up enough points for you. Steve Cook (4.5m) - Like Tommy Elphick, Cook started every Championship game and for a center back his goal scoring return was very good. He scored five goals and contributed one assist. His problem? He also picked up 10 yellow cards. VERDICT: : Will be competing with Distin for the starting position. Could be worth the nod if he establishes himself as a starter. Charlie Daniels/Adam Smith (4.0m - 4.5m) - Will only be featuring for closing stages of the games or if injuries occur. VERDICT: Move on.

WHICH BOURNEMOUTH MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

It has to be Matt Ritchie. If he can replicate his form of last year in the Premier League he will be a cheap gem for your team. He takes both free kicks and corners meaning he has even more chance for goals and assists. He picked up six yellow cards last season which could effect his points scoring but he should be more disciplined now he's in a tougher division. We do however advise keeping an eye on Atsu's form as he showed decent potential during his spell at Everton.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Matt Ritchie (5.5m) - � Ritchie was one of the best players in The Championship last season. In 46 games he contributed 15 goals and 17 assists from a midfielder, a fantastic record. A quality season earned himself a spot in the Championship Team of the Season and with a small price-tag he'll be the most popular Bournemouth player. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: Keep an eye on him has all the qualities to be a key man for Bournemouth. Statistics suggest he could be the perfect 5th midfielder. Max Gradel (6.0m) - A very very quick winger who joined Saint-Etienne where he had a fantastic season scoring 17 goals and assisting three. Ligue 1 fans have said that last season was possibly his peak year but if he can continue his form into this year he will be very dangerous both in terms of goals and assists. VERDICT: At 6.0m he is to expensive to put straight into your team but be aware of his form. Christian Atsu (5.5m) - Atsu failed in his bid to get game time for Everton last year so this season Chelsea have loaned their winger to new boys Bournemouth. His talent is clear to see, he's quick and provides a good final ball. Atsu will be key to Bournemouth's counter attacks and free-flowing football; it's a big season for the Ghanaian as he's got plenty to prove. VERDICT: Last season he didn't get the minutes to impress, if he does this season then his price tag could hold great value. Harry Arter (5.0m) - Arter played 43 times last season and ended the season with nine goals and four assists. Unfortunately for Arter his discipline hampers his selection in your team. Last season he picked up 12 yellow cards. Way to many for us to even consider him at this stage. VERDICT: Let him find his feet before you think about him. Josh King (5.0m) - King is actually a striker but FPL have him down as a midfielder and this could be used to your advantage. He wasn't a regular for former club Blackburn although he did score a hat trick in the FA Cup against a Premier League outfit in Stoke. If Bournemouth suffer from injuries upfront and King starts to play he could be worth a punt as we know midfielders get more points for goals than strikers. VERDICT: Avoid unless of numerous injuries to Bournemouth's front line. Marc Pugh (5.0m) - The left midfielder got himself on the score sheet 9 times last season whilst providing for his team mates on 5 occasions. Pugh should be a guaranteed starter for Bournemouth unless they bring in a better player; the question mark is if he can do it in the Premier League. VERDICT: Not for now. Andrew Surman (4.5m) - The South African midfielder can play both in the middle of the park and as a winger on the left but we believe this season he will be utilised centrally. He scored three goals and provided six assists. If you want a player to score you a guaranteed two points every week then Surman is what you need. He wont offer much in the Premier League but will play. VERDICT: Avoid he doesn't offer much in terms of points! Dan Gosling/Eunan O'Kane/Shaun McDonald/Junior Stanislas (4.5m) - Gosling's career is yet to take off, he only started one league game last year. None of these options offer much to your teams, they will be back up at Bournemouth and won't be earning points. VERDICT: For your own good, stay away.

WHICH BOURNEMOUTH FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

For 5.5m it has to be Callum Wilson, he was pivotal in getting Bournemouth promoted last season and Eddie Howe will be looking to Wilson for goals to keep them in the Premier League. He's young, clinical in front of goal and he's also guaranteed to be a starter. His price tag will also enable you to strengthen in other areas, without having to fill your team with deadwood.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Callum Wilson (5.0m) - Wilson had a fantastic season last year. In 45 league games he scored 20 goals and got seven assists. He finished as Bournemouth's top scorer and was joint 4th top scorer in the Championship. He's quick, strong and calm in front of goal. He could easily turn out to be the new Danny Ings or Charlie Austin from last season.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: If you're struggling for a third striker then we highly recommend Wilson, the focal point of Bournemouth's attack. Yann Kermorgant (5.0m) - Kermorgant also enjoyed a good season last year in 26 starts he scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists but at the age of 33 we'll likely see his playing time restricted even further. VERDICT: It's a no for Yann. Tokelo Rantie (4.5m) - Really struggled to get into the Bournemouth team last season making 12 appearances, all from the bench. His accumulative total minutes reached a measly 129. VERDICT: Avoid.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Once again it's hard to overlook Callum Wilson for the reasons previously mentioned, we won't waste your time by repeating them but he looks a great option. Midfield maestro Matt Richie will be the name on most managers team sheets after his multitude of goals and assists last season. If you're looking for a defender then it's a toss-up between Simon Frances and Tyrone Mings. Both hold small price-tags, have decent attacking potential and could be utilised in your defensive rotation system.