Dust off the spreadsheets, ready the stats and start telling your mates how much money you’re going to win off them this season.
That’s right, it’s time to pick your Fantasy Premier League team for 2023/24!
The start of any season can make or break your FPL hopes, but fear not, BestofBets are here to ease your worries.
Our resident footie nuts, Dominic Booth and Neil Leverett have put their heads together – laying their necks on the block – and come up with a starter FPL template squad.
With a transfer fund of 100m, here is what they’ve come up with…
Goalkeepers
Andre Onana – Is the new Man United goalkeeper a risk? Definitely. Is he more suited to Erik ten Hag’s style of play than David de Gea? Absolutely. So, is he worth picking as your No.1 in FPL this season? Another yes. Protected by an improving United defence that should collect numerous clean sheets, Onana is a good buy at £5.0.
Daniel Bentley – Your reserve ‘keeper should at least have an outside chance of playing. And former Bristol City and Brentford No.1 Bentley finished as Wolves’ main custodian at the end of last season. At £4.0, he’s worth a shot.
Are mid-priced defenders the way to go in #FPL this season? 🤔@LaurensJulien certainly thinks so as he names his back three 👊#FPLPod ➡️ https://t.co/9q4n2mnysa pic.twitter.com/DDnukYXYNt
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) August 4, 2023
Defenders
Reece James – Let’s start with an obvious pick. When fully fit and firing, James is arguably the best right-back in the league and he should be emboldened under new boss Mauricio Pochettino. At £5.5 (way cheaper than a certain Liverpool right-back), James could be an assist machine for your FPL side this term. FPL template gold.
Luke Shaw – Another must-have, especially at £5.5. He’s a guaranteed started under Ten Hag and should be good value for assists and clean sheets. Like James, he needs to remain injury-free, which has been an issue in the past. But Shaw is now 28 and at the peak of his powers.
Pervis Estupiñán – The Brighton left-back will be a popular selection this season, given his powerhouse form at the tail end of last term. He’s got an eye for goal and storms into very attacking positions for assists. Still only £5.0, the Ecuadorian is a no-brainer.
Matty Cash – At £4.5, the Poland international is a steal. He’s another guaranteed starter, occasional set-piece taker, assist-maker and bombs on in attack. He’s got to be in your squad; whether he fits into the XI or sits on the bench, Cash is worth a place.
Malo Gusto – A bit of a punt, here. While it seems counter-intuitive to select both James and Gusto – realistically competing for the same place in Pochettino’s Chelsea side – the new signing from Lyon has bags of potential. He’s only £4.0 right now and could easily rise in value if he breaks into the Blues’ XI.
Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes – Still perhaps overlooked by many, since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and now with the competition of Marcus Rashford, the Portuguese could have another stellar campaign. Penalty duties remain his, and scoring against Arsenal in New Jersey showed his class.
Martin Ødegaard – The Gunners are flush with attacking options, but the most likely to play most minutes is the skipper. Now in his third full season, the Norwegian was in the top 15 last term for xG at just under 10. With 15 goals and 8 assists last season, Odegaard could become gold again; for both Arsenal and FPL managers.
Bryan Mbeumo – No Ivan Toney for the first half of the campaign means collective worries for Brentford fans, but Mbeumo ought to provide enough goals and assists to keep Thomas Frank’s side competitive. As a midfielder according to FPL, he’s a superb purchase for just £6.5 and will keep your team competitive, too.
Kaoru Mitoma – By the back-end of 22/23, he was in everyone’s FPL teams and we see no reason to start the new campaign without the Brighton flyer. Manchester City’s recent interest shows just how high his ceiling is. He’ll be central to Roberto De Zerbi’s hopes of building on last season’s immense success at the AMEX.
Leandro Trossard – There was much FPL template discussion, but eventually, the tricksy Belgian gets the final nod. A second inclusion from Mikel Arteta’s brood, Trossard has been electric in pre-season and the catalyst for the Gunners late, late show in the Community Shield. May have to fight for his place, but at 7.0 could become a bargain.
Forwards
Alexander Isak – With Callum Wilson surprisingly short of minutes in pre-season and the Swede’s blockbuster form towards the end of last season, this is a straightforward selection. Isak should play in the majority of games and improve on his tally of 10 Premier League strikes in 22/23.
Darwin Núñez – Will this season see the evolution of Darwin at Anfield? The stats nerds liked his output last season, despite a habit of missing big chances. The sense is that Liverpool will get their No.9 to come good sooner rather than later. At an appealing price of £7.5, it’s worth finding out.
Erling Haaland – We kept you hanging didn’t we? Despite a price tag of £14.0 – making him the most expensive player in the game by a distance – you simply have to pick the City hitman to complete the FPL template. Another Golden Boot-worthy goal haul seems inevitable, with the supply line coming in from De Bruyne, Bernardo and company.
Good luck to all FPL managers, both the long-suffering devotees and the ones fresh off the boat…its going to be a fun season.
