A lifelong Birmingham City fan, Tom relocated to Germany for five years after graduating from university, where his interest in the Bundesliga developed. He began writing about and betting on German football for FST in 2016. He's also an avid fantasy football player and closely follows the Premier League and European competitions.
As the Premier League’s 19/20 season creeps ever closer, there’s a palpable sense of panic establishing itself in the Fantasy Premier League community.
If you’re one of the many fantasy managers with one (or both) of Mo Salah or Raheem Sterling in your 19/20 team, you may well have felt the same when trying to work out how you’re going to afford anyone else on such a tight budget.
In this edition of our Fantasy Premier League Tips series, we attempt to remedy this problem by looking at cheaper options in every position. Let’s get started.
Click here for more predictions and expert football tips today.
Goalkeepers
Mat Ryan (£4.5m, Brighton)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 104
Opening Fixtures: Watford (A), West Ham (H), Southampton (H), Man City (A), Burnley (H)
After two seasons, Brighton’s Mat Ryan has established himself as a spectacular shot-stopper and a reliable fantasy asset.
His ability to make up for fewer clean sheets with save points is vital and it’s rare that a goalkeeper of his calibre – guaranteed to start every game – would be at this price point.
Tom Heaton (£4.5m, Aston Villa)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 58
Opening Fixtures: Tottenham (A), Bournemouth (H), Everton (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Ham (H)
Tom Heaton has been another staple in fantasy football over the past few years and he’s worth a look for the same reasons as Mat Ryan.
After signing for newly promoted Aston Villa ahead of the upcoming campaign, it’s expected that the Englishman will lead the defensive resistance as the club’s number one goalkeeper.
Defenders
Issa Diop (£4.5m, West Ham)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 87
Opening Fixtures: Man City (H), Brighton (A), Watford (A), Norwich (H), Aston Villa (A)
West Ham had a very typical season in 2018/2019 – all the highs and lows to be expected – but among their plus points was defender Issa Diop.
His explosive tackling and aerial prowess helped him to earn bonus points on the rare occasion West Ham did keep a clean sheet last term so looks a steal at just £4.5m.
Lewis Dunk (£4.5m, Brighton)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 91
Opening Fixtures: Watford (A), West Ham (H), Southampton (H), Man City (A), Burnley (H)
Dunk’s defensive ability, reading of the game and goal threat from set-pieces makes him a very interesting option.
Were he to get a move away from the Amex, to replace Maguire at Leicester for example, he may become an even better selection, especially at his price point..
James Chester (£4.5m, Aston Villa)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: N/A
Opening Fixtures: Tottenham (A), Bournemouth (H), Everton (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Ham (H)
Aston Villa may be targeting survival this season, but in James Chester, they boast an experienced campaigner who could turn out to be a fantasy football bargain.
With Heaton between the sticks, you can have more faith in the Villa defense, and the Welsh international has an eye for goal too, averaging four per season over the last three campaigns.
Read more about our Premier League Relegation Predictions for the 2019/20 campaign here.
Midfielders
Solly March (£5.0m, Brighton)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 94
Opening Fixtures: Watford (A), West Ham (H), Southampton (H), Man City (A), Burnley (H)
Solly March registered one goal and six assists last season under the conservative style of football used by former manager Chris Hughton.
Should he nail down a starting spot under the more attack-minded Graham Potter, he could be a very exciting prospect at the £5.0m price point.
Mark Noble (£5.0m, West Ham)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 99
Opening Fixtures: Man City (H), Brighton (A), Watford (A), Norwich (H), Aston Villa (A)
Midfielder Mark Noble scored five goals last season, with four of those coming from the penalty spot – something the Hammers veteran is renowned for.
As West Ham’s first-choice penalty-taker, he looks a sly option as the Premier League gets ready to embrace VAR.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£5.0m, Southampton)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 90
Opening Fixtures: Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Brighton (A), Man United (H), Sheffield United (A)
Hojbjerg was popular bench fodder in the Premier League last season and for good reason.
He ended the campaign with four goals and three assists and no midfielder available at £5.0m had more shots on target than he did last season either.
Forwards
Danny Ings (£6.0m, Southampton)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: 90
Opening Fixtures: Burnley (A), Liverpool (H), Brighton (A), Man United (H), Sheffield United (A)
Some may shy away from Ings due to his injury record, but he’s proven at Premier League level and will probably be Southampton’s designated penalty taker.
With VAR likely resulting in more penalties awarded, if Ings can stay fit he could become an invaluable budget option.
David McGoldrick (£5.5m, Sheffield United)
Total FPL Points in 2018/19: N/A
Opening Fixtures: Bournemouth (A), Crystal Palace (A), Leicester (H), Chelsea (A), Southampton (H)
Barring any major signings for the Blades, David McGoldrick looks set to lead the line at Sheffield United next season.
McGoldrick’s main positives are that he’s on penalties – he had a 75% conversion rate last season – and there are almost no other forwards guaranteed to start at that price point.
Find our 19/20 Premier League Top Goalscorer Predictions here.
