Dec 14

Stoke � 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 Stoke City, who under Mark Hughes will be looking for another top half finish and possibly push for Europe. Potters fan Sam has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which Stoke players should make your FPL teams. He will also be at hand to answer any of your Stoke related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our Stoke team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.

OPENING FIXTURES

Liverpool (H) Tottenham (A) Norwich (A) West Brom (H) Arsenal (A)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Charlie Adam, Bojan, Jonathan Walters Freekicks: Charlie Adam, Marko Arnautovic Corners: Charlie Adam, Marko Arnautovic

TRANSFER TARGETS

Winger - Andriy Yarmolenko (Transfer rumour) Midfielder - Sergi Roberto (Loan rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Butland Johnson Shawcross Muniesa Pieters Adam Van Ginkel Arnautovic Bojan Afellay Diouf

STOKE'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Stoke have always been known as a resilient side who are very hard to break down, the famous “can he do it on a rainy Tuesday night in Stoke” comes to mind as certain players really do struggle to play at The Britannia Stadium. They are solid at the back and can be a really though side to play against. Last season Stoke conceded 45 goals in the Premier League and 22 of those coming at home. They struggled to keep clean sheets last season between the departed Begovic and Butland they kept 8 clean sheets.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Jack Butland (4.5m) - The number one goalkeeper for Stoke and a nailed on starter, in the three games he played towards the end of last season he looked reliable and wasn't prone to errors. He could be a gem at such a cheap price. VERDICT: One to weigh up the pros and cons, a starting goalkeeper yes, but may not keep clean sheets. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Shay Given/Jakob Haugaard (4.0m) - The pair will be backup to Butland and will have trouble trying to displace the Englishman. Given will look to bring experience to the dressing room whilst Haugaard looks good during pre season but is yet to be tested in England. VERDICT: Avoid, both of them won't play enough.

WHICH STOKE DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

There are a few eye-catching options in the Stoke defence with the likes of Shawcross and the new arrival of Johnson but we like the look of the young Spaniard Marc Muniesa. He's calm under pressure and times his tackles well, when he's fit he will be first choice. We say when because he is prone to the odd injury something you will have to keep an eye on if you select him. He looks a real coup at 4.5m.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Marc Muniesa (4.5m) - The defender is very versatile and can play anywhere along the back or in centre midfield a product of La Masia academy Muniesa will be a starter if he's at full fitness and will bring the odd clean sheet and the occasional goal. VERDICT: If you want a cheap defender to be used as a rotation Muniesa is a great choice to have. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Ryan Shawcross (5.0m) - A solid defender for stoke he played 32 games last season and picked up two goals and on assist. He's the captain for Stoke and a nailed on starter - but in recent years he's had reoccurring back injuries. VERDICT: His tendency to pick up that back injury puts us of him, he's also at a competitive price range. He also gets booked a lot - seven last season. Erik Pieters (5.0m) - Provides a threat from left back but only picked up two clean sheets across the season, he's good in a tackle but lacks that final ball in the attacking third. VERDICT: He's injury prone and doesn't pick up enough assists to be considered for your FPL side. Glen Johnson (5.0m) - He's likely to be the starting right back for Stoke, his career speaks for itself playing for the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool as well as earning 54 England caps. His performances have been on a downwards slope in recent years though. VERDICT: If Stoke can get him back to the player he used to be he could be a fantastic accusation to your side. Until then hold off on him. Phil Bardsley (4.5m) - Since the arrival of Glen Johnson he's likely to be second and possibly third choice being Cameron. From right back last season he only contributed one assist a much more defensive full back. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's not going to contribute enough to get you any points. Phillip Wollscheid (4.5m) - He should be third choice when Muniesa is at full fitness, he's a player who ‘does a job' but also has a tendency to booked. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's not going to be playing much. Marc Wilson (4.5m) - In his 25 games last season he didn't score a single goal or pick up an assist, he also got booked 4 times and sent off once. VERDICT: Stay away from him he's not the most reliable defender. Geoff Cameron (4.5m) - He fills many positions for Stoke but doesn't excel in any of them from his 27 appearances last season he only scored 66 points, that's enough to tell you he's not a good FPL pick. VERDICT: Avoid - He's a versatile player for stoke but doesn't provide enough in the final third for you.

WHICH STOKE MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

The midfield options available to Stoke are very interesting, the arrivals of Ibrahim Afellay and Marco van Ginkel make for eye-catching FPL additions but we feel they'd be to much of a gamble. We like the look of Marko Arnautovic. He's a likely to be starter for Stoke and on his day is a nightmare for defenders. The two previously mentioned are to much of a gamble whilst Arnautovic is a safe bet for your team.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Marko Arnautovic (6.0m) – He didn't kick off in terms of goals and assists last season but he was very impressive at times. He has the ability to change a game in an instant the question is if he can do it often enough. He's looked sharp in pre season and could improve massively this year. VERDICT: He's a risk but he looks the most appealing Stoke midfielder at this current point. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Charlie Adam (6.0m) - When he plays he's reliable and fantastic in dead ball situations he scored seven league goals and got one assist last season as well as collecting five yellow cards. Its touch and go if he will be a consistent starter in the side last season he started 15 games. VERDICT: We'd suggest avoiding him, he scored 97 points last year but will struggle to be in the side each week. Jonathan Walters (6.0m) - Scored 125 FPL points last season, the second highest of any Stoke player, but the problem this season is there is no guarantee he will be a starter, the addition of Affellay could put his position in doubt that remains to be seen. VERDICT: Avoid him, he'll struggle to beat his 125 points total from last season. Ibrahim Afellay (5.5m) - The latest Barcelona player to join Stoke but he's yet to live up to the player he was tipped to be. He's another player who has all the ability to change the game but it'll be a risk putting him in your side hoping he will bring that ability to the Premier League. VERDICT: Keep an eye on his performances as he could be a great pick for your side, could though start the season like Bojan did last year, struggling to adapt to England. Marco van Ginkel (4.5m) - The Dutchman joins on loan from Chelsea. He impressed massively during his loan spell at AC Milan last season and his now fully recovered from an ACL injury he suffered a few seasons ago. He's expected to replace Nzonzi and will be key to linking the midfield to attack. He's shown in his career a willingness to score goals from midfield like Lampard, it remains to be seen if he can cope in the Premier League. VERDICT: He's 100% a player to put on your watch list, he will look to score goals and create chances, to much of a gamble from the start though. Stephen Ireland (5.0m) - He's injury prone and when he did play last season he struggled. Now likely to be third choice in midfield. VERDICT: Stay away. Peter Odemwingie (5.0m) - Suffered an ACL injury and as result struggled to make an impact for Stoke, playing a total of 190 minutes. He's going to be a bench option for Mark Hughes so won't be used much. VERDICT: Avoid him, not going to score may FPL points. Steve Sidwell (4.5m) - Made five starts last season and got booked three times, he's going to play the same role this season. VERDICT: Will struggle to score any points at all. Moha (4.5m) - Joins from Barcelona but he's very much an unknown, only 19 but has looked lively in friendlies. VERDICT: Avoid him we are not sure if he will feature much. Glenn Whelan (4.5m) - In his 26 starts and 2 sub appearances last season he only scored 56 points. VERDICT: Spend your money elsewhere.

WHICH STOKE FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

In the striker department Stoke have a handful of players at their disposal, we've chosen their highest scorer from last season and the Stoke striker to choose, he's quick and powerful but can be frustrating for Stoke fans in front of goal. He scored 11 goals in his first season at Stoke and will be hoping to improve upon that last season.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Mame Biram Diouf (6.5m) - He's wasteful in front of goal but he is the most dangerous striker Stoke currently have at the disposal, he's going to be a starter but there are better options at 6.5m in the shape of Berahino and Sakho. VERDICT: If he hits a good run of form you should consider him otherwise avoid, he fluffs to many chances. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Joseulu (6.0m) - Joins from Bundesliga club Hannover where he scored eight league goals and contributed 3 assists last season. He's strong in the air and likes to combine play with clever layoffs. VERDICT: He's a gamble as it's yet to be seen if he will go straight into the line up. Put him on your watch list. Peter Crouch (6.0m) - Now aged 34, the English striker scored eight league goals last season, but his game time may be reduced this season with the signing of Joselu. He doesn't fit into Hughes' system so expect him to be a bench option for Stoke. VERDICT: Avoid him, he won't score or play on a consistent basis. Bojan (5.5m) - Impressed the Stoke faithful last season, he's their most creative player and most attacking movements go through him. He's likely to sit behind the striker pulling the strings and creating danger. He did however suffer an ACL injury last season and is only just coming back to full fitness. VERDICT: We'd avoid for now due to him just coming back to fitness.

OVERALL SUMMARY

In goal it has to be Jack Butland, he's not going to be challenged much by Given and Haugaard and is a fantastic shot stopper. If Stoke can keep out more clean sheets than last season he offers great value at 4.5m. In defence there are some interesting selections you have Shawcross who provides an aerial threat but he's got his back problem. Glen Johnson could be a great signing but we would recommend holding of on him. Our pick Muniesa looks a very solid he's back to full fitness and will be a starter and he's also very cheap. Upfront Diouf looks a threat, he's quick and powerful but he just needs to sort out his final product. Once Bojan is back to full fitness you should consider him them, otherwise it's Diouf.