DEFENDERS
RICARDO PEREIRA (5.5M)
After a long injury-hit season last year and struggling to get into the starting eleven after Timothy Castagne cemented his place on either of the flanks as Wing-backs in a 3-5-2 system deployed by Brendan Rodgers. However, this season things could be different and Ricardo Pereira should be able to play regularly as he is been playing in the pre-season games as a right-wing-back. Considering his ownership of just (1.9%) and Leicester’s good run of fixtures, Ricardo Pereira could prove to be a very rewarding differential especially after the long-term injury to Wesley Fofana Ricardo would be nailed.
MATT DOHERTY (5.0M)
A move to Spurs hasn’t worked out for him as he needs more freedom to go out and attack without many defensive responsibilities just like he played for Wolves under Nuno Espirito Santo, who is now the Spurs manager it seems like he could be back in favor under Nuno as he knows exactly what the manager wants from him. With ownership of (1.2%) and his price tag of 5.0M, he could be an essential player to keep in our defense this season. Due to their relationship at wolves, Doherty could benefit and get his spurs career back on track with Nuno.
MIDFIELDERS
RIYAD MAHREZ (9.0M)
The Algerian magician has been an overlooked player even with the season he had last year and who has been regularly playing under Pep Guardiola which is rather hard to predict as Pep tends to rotate his teams consistently especially during the group stage of the champions league. He can be termed as some sort of a rotation-proof player in Pep roulette.
With 9 goals and 6 assists in 27 appearances in the Premier League last season, he has been a consistent performer in the league for Manchester City. His low ownership of (6.0%) can be vital for the start of the season especially when Raheem sterling participated in the Euro 2020 finals. It looks obvious that Mahrez will be playing regularly as he is also been playing pre-season games.
Mason Greenwood (7.5M)
Considering Marcus Rashford will be out till October due to him getting surgery on his shoulder which he’s been struggling with since last year, while Jadon Sancho will probably play on the left-wing with Rashford out, Greenwood could start on the right, and from where he has been very impressive last season with 7 goals and 2 assists in 31 appearances.
With low ownership of (3.4%) and his chance of playing on the right-wing with Rashford out, Greenwood could be a good punt especially considering their first 6 games of the season.
SAID BENRAHMA (6.0M)
The highly-rated Algerian after getting his move to the premier league last year after signing for West Ham had a tough first season in the Premier League getting only 1 goal and 6 assists mainly because Antonio and Jesse Lingard were in sublime form which forced him to stay on the bench regularly. But this season although it looks like West Ham will sign Jesse Lingard again, considering Benrahma has had time to adjust to the league and his performances in pre-season friendlies further cement his chances of being a nailed starter this season for the hammers and could be a good FPL option as his ownership is still only (1.7%).
ILKAY GUNDOGAN (7.5M)
The German maestro who is known for his exquisite passing had a nice run of games where he was involved in the goals especially when Kevin De Bruyne was injured. Scoring 13 goals and providing 3 assists in 28 appearances he was the highest-scoring city midfielder in terms of FPL points sitting at a total of 157 points. Although Kevin de Bruyne still looks to be the best option from Manchester city, Gundogan is certainly a good alternative if you’re looking for a budget differential option as his ownership sits at (5.8%). And you could certainly captain him in certain game weeks.
DELE ALLI (6.5M)
It’s been a tough few years for Dele Alli but the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo could spark a revival. The Englishman expressed the desire to recapture his form from years gone by in a recent interview saying he wants to make this year one of the best he’s had. He got his preseason off to a good start with a goal against Colchester lining up on the left of the midfield three but moving into a number 10 position when spurs were on the attack. With a price so low for a player who was considered one of the best youngsters in the league a few years ago, under new management, he could strive, and with low ownership of (1.1%) and his position being nailed under Nuno, he certainly has the ability to show how good a player he still is.
LUCAS MOURA (6.5M)
With an on-off-season in terms of his form and playing time under Jose Mourinho, last year people would think that he’s not a decent option for your midfield. He managed to get 3 goals and 4 assists in 30 appearances with 1401 minutes played in total. With Nuno coming in this has certainly changed as Moura has played in the pre-season games on the right-wing and he also scored a goal against Chelsea in a 2-2 draw. Only owned by a mere (0.6%) he could be the ultimate differential and at the price, he is certainly worth a risk.
FORWARDS
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (10.0M)
By his standards, his 10 goals and 3 assists in 29 appearances were considered a failure, and rightly so as he got 22 goals and 3 assists in the season before last which just shows his capability in front of goal. There are no doubts whatsoever regarding his starting position as he is Arsenal’s main striker and with their good start to the season in terms of fixtures and with his low ownership of (3.8%) considering he is one of the highly-priced forwards, he could be worth taking a punt on and could also be handed the armband as he has proven over the years he is a brilliant captain pick.
PATSON DAKA (7.5M)
The highly-rated Zambian who was wanted by many clubs has ended up at Leicester City. Although this is his first season in the Premier League and he would certainly take time to adapt to the demands of the premier league, he has been in good goal-scoring form in the pre-season games. With Leicester switching between a 4-5-1 formation and a 3-5-2 system he is the one to keep an eye on as he is priced much lower than Jamie Vardy and his ownership (2.5%) helps as he could prove to be a major differential from Leicester’s attack if he manages to adapt to the league.
allstingers.com 