TOTTENHAM
Season Preview
Spurs are on the rise. Finally getting the new stadium and an increased transfer budget, the gap between them and Liverpool and Man City will be closed. Already acquiring talented youngster Tanguy Ndombele for a club record fee, he will add some steel and depth to midfield, which will be important. If more signings of this nature can come to fruition, Spurs will be in a solid position to contend for trophies going ahead. The retention of key defensive players will be a massive help as Spurs have a high defensive work rate of tackles (16.5) and interceptions (8.8) made per game. Harry Kane also staying fit is a necessity, despite the reliance on him not being as great as it once was with the emergence of Heung Min-Son and Lucas Moura, who are more than capable goal scorers.
Key Player: Heung Min-Son
Top Goal Scorer: Harry Kane
Predicted Finish: 3rd
2019 Squad
Goalkeepers
Hugo Lloris, Paulo Gazzaniga
Defenders
Toby Alderweireld, Davison Sánchez, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Danny Rose, Juan Foyth, Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters
Midfielders
Christian Eriksen, Moussa Sissoko, Lucas Moura, Heung-Min Son, Dele Alli, Harry Winks, Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama, Oliver Skipp, Tanguy Ndombele
Forwards
Harry Kane, Vincent Janssen
Predicted GW1 Line Up
GK – H. Lloris
RB – K. Walker-Peters, CB – T. Alderweireld, J. Vertonghen, LB – D. Rose
CM – M. Sissoko, CDM – T. Ndombele, CM – C. Eriksen
CAM – E. Lamela
ST – L. Moura, ST. H. Kane
Set Piece Takers
Penalties – H. Kane, D. Alli, V. Janssen
Free Kicks – C. Eriksen, E. Lamela, H. Kane
Corners – C. Eriksen, E. Lamela, B. Davies
Top target
Harry Kane | FWD | £11.0 | TSB 28.1%
Kane is an absolute gun of FPL, averaging 201 points per season since his breakout campaign back in 2014/15. He was hampered by fatigue and injuries last season, and still managed to net 17 goals and return in 63% of games. A definite captaincy option when playing bottom 6 sides (averaged 8.3 PPG against them last season), we will probably never be able to get Kane for so cheap ever again.
Punts/Differentials
Lucas Moura | MID | £7.5 | 8.8%
With Son suspended and Alli injured, Moura is a certainty for the starting side to open the season. He has a high upside, and is Tottenham’s leading scorer in pre-season. The Brazilian was a differential at the start of last season, and went 2, 7, 15, 5 over the opening four GWs. Facing AVL and NEW in the first three GWs, Moura could begin the year with a bang.
Be Wary Of
Tanguy Ndombélé | MID | £6.0 | TSB 4.1%
Tottenham’s record signing is not really FPL relevant. His goal scoring potential is non-existent. For Lyon last season, he took 1 shot every 128 minutes. Creatively, he did better last season, creating 1 chance every 57 minutes and providing 7 assists. In fact, he has provided 7 assists in each of the last 3 seasons. He’s pretty cheap and will no doubt get returns, but don’t expect big hauls.
Cheapie Watch
Moussa Sissoko | MID | £5.0 | TSB 1.4%
Sissoko played a big role for Spurs last season, playing 2329 league minutes. His attacking stats were quite bad though, taking 1 shot every 155.3 minutes, and creating 1 chance every 90.0 minutes. The Frenchman has in the past shown he can be dangerous in attack, but having made double the amount of passes in his own half than in the attacking third, he now sits too deep to have an impact in attack.
Cheapie Rating: D
Additional Notes
- Erik Lamela (£6.0) played the 5th most pre-season minutes of any Spurs player, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. He may have done enough to earn a start at attacking midfield for GW1.
- Kyle Walker-Peters (£5.0) played 286 pre-season minutes, while Serge Aurier played 0. Aurier is struggling with injury so while he is out, Walker-Peters will be a rotation proof and cheap route into one of the EPL’s best defences.
WATFORD
Season Preview
Having started last campaign off with a bang, Watford fell away but still finished 11th in the league. The blend of pace, power and creativity in midfield and upfront gives Watford great hopes of doing well, but their backline isn’t as solid or dangerous. Not being a team that holds the ball well – only having on average 47% in the last campaign with a usage rate of 76% efficiency – it was the individual talent that allowed victories to flow. For example Gerard Deulofeu, who is largely criticised, produced 10 goals and 5 assists in 26 starts and 4 bench appearances. This electric form is up and down. Last season it was mainly up and Watford still lost 16 games, only 1 fewer than Southampton who finished in 16th place. If individual form starts to be on the down side continually, Watford will struggle to better last season. However, relegation isn’t an issue and they should be safe comfortably.
Key Player: Abdoulaye Doucoure
Top Goal Scorer: Troy Deeney
Predicted Finish: 12th
2019 Squad
Goalkeepers
Ben Foster, Pontus Dahlberg
Defenders
Craig Cathcart, José Holebas, Kiko Femenía, Adrian Mariappa, Christian Kabasele, Daryl Janmaat, Adam Masina, Marc Navarro, Sebastian Prödl, Craig Dawson
Midfielders
Abdoulaye Doucouré, Etienne Capoue, Roberto Pereyra, Will Hughes, Ken Sema, Tom Cleverley, Domingos Quina, Nathaniel Chalobah
Forwards
Troy Deeney, Gerard Deulofeu, Andre Gray, Isaac Success
Predicted GW1 Line Up
GK – B. Foster
RB – K. Femenía, CB – C. Dawson, CB – C. Cathcart, LB – J. Holebas
RM – W. Hughes, CM – E. Capoue, CM – A. Doucoure, LM – R. Pereyra
ST – G. Deulofeu, ST – T. Deeney
Set Piece Takers
Penalties – T. Deeney, A. Gray, T. Cleverley
Free Kicks – G. Deulofeu, R. Pereyra, J. Holebas
Corners – J. Holebas, R. Pereyra, G. Deulofeu
Top Target
Gerard Deulofeu | FWD | £6.5 | TSB 9.8%
Gerry D was really good last season, especially against bottom 6 sides, who he averaged 7.9 PPG against. In his last 2 seasons where he has played 500+ minutes, Deulofeu has recorded PPMs of 0.064 and 0.067, which is better than the PPMs of Raúl Jiménez (0.058) and Josh King (0.048). Looking at goal conversation rates, 22% of Deulofeu’s shots ended up in the back of the net, meaning that just over 1/5 of his shots resulted in a goal. His 9 big chances created placed him at the top of the creative leader board at Watford, and expect him to start the season well facing Brighton (H), Everton (A), West Ham (H) and Newcastle (A) in his first 4 games.
Punts/Differentials
Roberto Pereyra | MID | £6.0 | 4.6%
Pereyra was a mega differential who rewarded owners greatly at the start of last season. He began the year with a 16 point haul at home the Brighton (the same opening match day fixture as this season), followed by an 8 point return at home to Crystal Palace in GW3. The Argentine has a pretty high ceiling, gaining bonus in all but 1 game he returned in last season, so could be an option for the opening month of the season.
Be Wary Of
José Holebas | DEF | £5.0 | TSB 4.9%
The Greek left back is an attacking beast, creating 38 chances and completing 42 crosses last season. However, he is a yellow card magnet, and if you pick him up in anticipation of playing him in a stretch of favourable upcoming fixtures, he may end up missing those games through suspension.
Cheapie Watch
Sebastian Prödl | DEF | £4.0 | TSB 1.9%
He was a good pick a few seasons ago when he was first choice centre back, but he has slipped so far down the pecking order now he only played 13 minutes last season. Avoid.
Cheapie Rating: D
Marc Navarro | DEF | £4.0 | TSB 0.4%
With Femenía and Janmaat ahead of him at right back, Navarro is third choice and will probably be leaving the club.
Cheapie Rating: D
Etienne Capoue | MID | £5.0 | TSB 1.0%
Capoue played in an attacking role three seasons ago which saw him scored 7 goals. He has since reverted to a deep midfield role leaving the attacking to others, highlighted by his 90 tackles and 86 interceptions last season, compared to his 14 shots and 12 shot assists.
Cheapie Rating: D
Nathaniel Chalobah | MID | £4.5 | TSB 0.5%
The injury prone youngster doesn’t get enough game time to be relevant.
Cheapie Rating: D
Tom Cleverley | MID | £5.0 | TSB 0.1%
We can’t see Cleverley starting in an attacking role, so therefore he’s a no go.
Cheapie Rating: D
Ken Sema | MID | £5.0 | TSB 0.1%
Sema is a fast and powerful winger who arrived at Watford last season from Swedish club and Europa League competitor Östersunds FK. Over the last two seasons there, Sema provided 26 assists and scored 6 goals. He didn’t get many opportunities last season, but if he can nail down a regular wing spot this season, get Sema in!
Cheapie Rating: C
Isaac Success | FWD | £5.0 | TSB 1.0%
Deeney, Deulofeu and Gray are ahead of him for the striking roles, so Success will remain a bench option.
Cheapie Rating: D
Additional Notes
- Gerard Deulofeu (£6.5) and Roberto Pereyra (£6.0) are both under injury clouds, but are expected to be fit for GW1
- Watford has a great run of opening fixtures, and Roberto Pereyra (£6.0) was one of the best differentials to start last season. The Hornets face BHA in GW1, the same opening game as last season, in which the Argentine scored 16 points in.
- Andre Gray (£6.0) has scored 4 goals in pre-season. If he can nab a starting spot at the expense of Will Hughes (which would push Deulofeu back to the wing), Gray is a good option.
West Ham
Season Preview
The Hammers have a chance to push for a Europa League spot this season. The explosion of Felipe Anderson onto the Premier League scene last campaign was instrumental to them finishing 10th. The loss of reliable attacking outlet Marko Arnautovic up front will be felt, but they have spent big on acquiring Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt where he was second fiddle striker to Luka Jovic and still produced 15 league goals. The continual rise of Declan Rice and Michail Antonio, as well as the return of Manuel Lanzini, will cause troubles for opposition defences. The solidity of the backline and the heroics of Lukasz Fabianski in between the sticks gives the Hammers a foundation for success. If this all clicks it will be onward and upward, but looking at the paper teams there are many better than West Ham, leaving them to be in a similar situation as last season table wise, just a little better.
Key Player: Felipe Anderson
Top Goal Scorer: Sebastain Haller
Predicted Finish: 8th
2019 Squad
Goalkeepers
Lukasz Fabianski, Roberto
Defenders
Issa Diop, Pablo Zabaleta, Fabián Balbuena, Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku, Aaron Cresswell, Ryan Fredericks, Ben Johnson, Winston Reid
Midfielders
Felipe Anderson, Declan Rice, Mark Noble, Robert Snodgrass, Michail Antonio, Pedro Obiang, Manuel Lanzini, Grady Diangana, Andriy Yarmolenko, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sánchez, Pablo Fornals
Forwards
Chicharito, Xande Silva, Sebastian Haller
Predicted GW1 Line Up
GK – L. Fabianski
RB – R. Fredericks, CB – I. Diop, CB – R. Balbuena, LB – A. Cresswell
CDM – D. Rice, CDM – J. Wilshere
LW – F. Anderson, CAM – P. Fornals, RW – M. Lanzini
ST – S. Haller
Set Piece Takers
Penalties – M. Noble, A. Yarmolenko, M. Lanzini
Free Kicks – M. Lanzini, F. Anderson, R. Snodgrass
Corners – R. Snodgrass, F. Anderson, M. Lanzini
Top Target
Felipe Anderson | MID | £7.0 | TSB 11.1%
Anderson was by far West Ham’s most creative player last season, setting up 66 shot and 10 clear cut opportunities. His 508 final third passes demonstrates his involvement in the attacking third for the Hammers, where he has a licence to drift infield from his left wing position.
Punts/Differentials
Manuel Lanzini | MID | £6.5 | 1.1%
Lanzini is a proven FPL performer, and looked back to his best in pre-season, scoring 3 goals in West Ham’s last 3 games.
Be wary of
Lukasz Fabianksi | GLK | £5.0 | TSB 10.8%
Similar to Dubravka, £5.0 is a tricky price for goalkeeper this season. If you buy Fabianski, you’re going to have to play him every game. West Ham’s defence is too leaky to have Fabianski as your set and forget though.
Cheapie watch
Issa Diop | DEF | £4.5 | TSB 7.9%
Diop was impressive last season, making 68 tackles, 156 clearances and 36 blocks. He doesn’t offer a great deal from set pieces (11 shots last season), but West Ham have a favourable early season fixture run so there will be opportunities for clean sheets and bonus points for Diop over the opening few months.
Cheapie Rating: A
Winston Reid | DEF | £4.0 | TSB 5.6%
Despite returning to fitness, Reid will probably be Pellegrini’s first choice replacement centre back this season.
Cheapie Rating: C
Jack Wilshere | MID | £5.0 | TSB 0.5%
The last time Wilshere appeared in 5 consecutive league games was back in December 2017.
Cheapie Rating: C
Mark Noble | MID | £5.0 | TSB 1.3%
Noble will West Ham’s first choice penalty taker, but he doesn’t offer much else in attack
Cheapie Rating: C
Declan Rice | MID | £5.0 | TSB 2.9%
18 shots and 9 shot assists in 3000+ minutes last season. Pass!
Cheapie Rating: D
Additional Notes
- Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.0) is an option if he can push into the West Ham starting side
- Aaron Cresswell (£5.0), who provided 7 assists in his last full PL season, is an interesting prospect to open the season given West Ham’s favourable fixtures
Wolves
Season Preview
The surprise pack of last season, Wolves provided the blueprint to all future promoted teams on how to be viable in the top flight for more than one season. The introduction of many high end experienced players lead to a 7th placed finish. The retention of the services of many of these players due to the success at the club in the league gives Wolves a strong chance of repeating the heroics of last campaign. It is unlikely that all players will perform so highly again, but it is likely that the structure and style of play will continue to adhere to a winning formula. We are thinking Wolves will finish in a similar points territory as last season but possibly a few places lower. For them to improve, a few more clean sheets than last season (9) and either Raul Jimenez or Diogo Jota venturing close to the 20 goal barrier will be necessary.
Key Player: Joao Moutinho
Top Goal Scorer: Raul Jimenez
Predicted Finish: 9th
2019 Squad
Goalkeepers
Rui Patrício, John Ruddy, Will Norris
Defenders
Conor Coady, Willy Boly, Matt Doherty, Ryan Bennett, Jonny, Romain Saïss, Rúben Vinagre, Max Kilman, Jesús Vallejo
Midfielders
João Moutinho, Rúben Neves, Leander Dendoncker, Adama Traoré, Morgan Gibbs-White
Forwards
Raul Jiménez, Diogo Jota, Patrick Cutrone
Predicted GW1 Line Up
GK – R. Patrício
CB – R. Bennett, CB – C. Coady, CB – W. Boly
RWB – M. Doherty LWB – Jonny
CDM – R. Neves
CM – L. Dendoncker, CM – J. Moutinho
ST – R. Jiménez, ST – D. Jota
Set Piece Takers
Penalties – R. Jiménez, R. Neves, D. Jota
Free Kicks – R. Neves, J. Moutinho, D. Jota
Corners – J. Moutinho, R. Neves, Gibbs-White
Top Target
Raúl Jiménez | FWD | £7.0 | TSB 23.0%
Jiménez was so consistent last season, returning in 53% of games. He was potent both in front of goal and in assisting teammates, finishing the season as 1 of 4 forwards to register double digit goals and assists in the 2018/19 season. In the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the Mexican striker was named player of the tournament after finishing with 5 goals and 2 assists and leading Mexico to glory. It must be noted that Jiménez can’t be relied upon as an FPL captain though, as he averaged nearly 6 PPG against top 6 teams, but under 4 PPG against bottom 6 sides.
Punts/Differentials
Diogo Jota | FWD | £6.5 | 15.4%
In the first 22 GWs of last season, Jota only scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists. This saw his price drop by £0.6. However, from GW23-GW38, Jota returned 7 goals, 5 assists and 10 bonus points in 16 games. He’s not as consistent as Jiménez, but he does have a higher ceiling.
Be wary of
Jonny | DEF | £5.5 | TSB 1.5%
You can get Doherty for £0.5 more, or Boly for £0.5 less. Getting Jonny doesn’t really make sense.
Cheapie watch
Max Kilman | DEF | £4.0 | TSB 1.1%
Kilman won’t see many minutes this season.
Cheapie Rating: D
Leander Dendoncker | MID | £4.5 | TSB 13.8%
Get on the Donck! If you’re not having 5 gun midfielders, the Donck is a near must have. From GWs24-38, Dendoncker started all but 1 game for Wolves, playing at centre mid. With the defensive Rúben Neves behind him, Dendoncker had freedom to roam around the field and make runs into the box. Excluding his games against top 6 sides over this 15 game period, Dendoncker played 852 minutes, averaging 1 shot every 53 minutes. Importantly, 82% of these shots came from inside the box, and he had at least 1 shot inside the box in all but 3 of these 15 games. His creativity is not as good (1 shot assist per 123 minutes), but you won’t find a cheapie with as good attacking potential as Dendoncker.
Cheapie Rating: A
João Moutinho | MID | £5.5 | TSB 7.2%
The Portuguese midfielder created the 4th most chances (84) in the league last season, setting his teammates up for a shot every 36.1 minutes. Additionally, he ranked 1st at Wolves for accurate final third passes (432). Even though he was deployed at CAM in the back half of the season, his attacking output remained similar to when he was playing as a deep-lying play maker. Moutinho’s points ceiling is low, but his creative potential makes him standout as a cheapie.
Cheapie Rating: A
Rúben Neves | MID | £5.5 | TSB 8.2%
As we said at the beginning of last season when everyone was hyping Neves, he’s not a great FPL option. He scored 4 goals last season, and none of them came from open play (2 free kicks and 2 penalties). He was also mediocre creatively, creating 25 chances in 35 appearances. His role in the Wolves side is to defend from the base of midfield, halt opposition attacks and knock the ball around. This is evidenced by the fact that he made 75 tackles last season and led Wolves’ interception count (73). Moreover, Neves made 292 final third passes last season, compared to 830 passes in his own half. He offers attacking potential from set pieces, and that’s about it.
Cheapie Rating: C
Additional Notes
- Jota (£6.5) has scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists in pre-season, while Moutinho (£5.5) has notched up 3 assists
- Patrick Cutrone (£6.0) has been brought into the squad, but don’t expect him to be displace Wolves’ starting forwards from last season