Fantasy Premier League 2016-17: Players to pick for gameweek 1

Gameweek 1 fixtures

Crystal Palace vs West Brom

Middlesbrough vs Stoke

Southampton vs Watford

Bournemouth vs Man Utd

Arsenal vs Liverpool

Player Picks

With this being the first gameweek of the season, it would be better to go for tried and tested players rather than going for out-of-the-box picks.

1. Sergio Aguero (13) – The Man City forward will be the first man on the team for most FPL managers. Aguero is a premium buy and will eat out most of your budget, but having scored 24 and 26 goals in the last two seasons, the Argentine is guaranteed goal scorer.

2. Zlatan Ibrahimović (11.5) – Another premium signing to lead your attack will be the new King of Manchester - Zlatan Ibrahimović. The Swede has been a goalscoring machine in the French Ligue 1, and having seen his exploits in the Community Shield, we can surely expect him to pump in a few for Jose Mourinho’s team.

Midfielders

Eden Hazard (10) – After a stellar 2014/15 season, Eden Hazard’s stocks took a big hit last season. The Belgian scored just five goals, but if his form in the Euros and the pre-season is anything to go buy, then he might be on course to deliver another brilliant season under new manager Antonio Conte.

Erik Lamela (7) – If you have blown your budget on premium strikers, then rest of the team will have to be made up of relatively cheap options, and that’s where Erik Lamela comes in. His returns in the past seasons have not been brilliant, but the Argentine’s performance in the pre-season has been excellent, and he is likely to have a big season at Spurs.

Nathan Redmond (6) – Another cheap midfield option for your side with Southampton’s Nathan Redmond, who moved from Norwich City in the summer. He scored six goals, and made four assists last season, not bad for 6m player. Moreover, he is likely to play as a second striker for the Saints.

Toby Alderweireld (6.5): It is better to start the season with a tried and tested clean sheet machines, and there are none better than the Belgian Alderweireld. The Spurs centre-back was part of 13 clean sheets last season, and he also scored 16 bonus points.

Luke Shaw (5.5): The Manchester United left-back had started last season with a bang and was leading the defenders’ points tally initially before he picked up an injury. With him predicted to start at left-back for United, and with David de Gea standing tall behind him, Shaw will get you those much-needed points.

Goalkeepers

David de Gea (5.5) – 15 clean sheets and 8 bonus points last season. Solid and reliable.