This statistical information could get you off to the perfect Fantasy Premier League start
The numbers never lie – or do they?
More than 4,000,000 people played the Premier League’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game last season, choosing the players they thought might earn them enough points to finish above their friends.
But what if there was data out there that could help you get off to the best possible start?
Well, they say the numbers don’t lie, but let’s see if they can guide you to FPL success.
Chicarito is hot, Alexis Sanchez is not…
Javier Hernandez for example has rocketed into over 20% of teams since his move to West Ham. At just £7.0m and with Premier League experience at Manchester United, players clearly think the Mexican represents good value.
The rather more costly Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m), Sadio Mane (£9.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£9.0m) are all enjoying rising popularity after pre-season, but who’s losing out in the popularity contest, and more importantly, why?
Both players are expensive, and with transfer rumours circling above them weeks before transfer deadline day, managers are losing faith in the mercurial forwards.
The trends don’t lie, but will you be following them, or bucking them?
What do Manchester United, Crystal Palace and West Brom have in common?
Meanwhile, if it’s bargains you’re after, Crystal Palace and West Brom might be worthy of your attention – Palace entertain newly-promoted Huddersfield as well as Swansea at home, while the Baggies play Bournemouth (h), Burnley (a) and Stoke (h).
But while some teams have an easier start on paper, others have it tough.
And while Hernandez looks a great buy at West Ham, their start of Manchester United (a) Southampton (a) and Newcastle (a) suggests they might only pick up 2.70 points.
With that in mind, maybe avoid West Ham and Everton players until September…
Value is out there, but the odds are against you
The good news is those players are out there. The bad news is they are few and far between, as the data demonstrates.
But there are anomalies.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton was one of last season’s success stories. At just £4.5m his saves and Burnley’s home form made him the highest scoring goalkeeper at a very low price, outperforming 21 goalkeepers valued higher than him by the FPL game.
However, bargains must be viewed with caution. Only two midfielders from the lowest price bracket (£4.5m) managed to score more than 94 points last season – that’s out of 88 midfielders.
But there will be bargain players who emerge during the season, so where’s the best place to find them?
Well, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion both finished the 2016/17 season with the best defensive records in the Championship, conceding 40 goals each.
Furthermore, neither team has a defender worth more than £4.5m in their squad. Perhaps value can be found in either back line when it comes to unearthing this season’s hidden gem.
