Rejoice, for our Fantasy Premier League tips Gameweek 1 midfielders round-up is here to help you kick off the 2014-15 season in style!
Said tips are based on FPL player prices, but the principles should apply more or less across the board – so if your fantasy football game of choice happens to lie at Sky Sports, the Telegraph, the Mirror or indeed anywhere else, there should still be something for you here.
As educated guesses go, rest assured that our Fantasy Premier League tips remain every bit as educated as they are guessed. If you’d like some outright score predictions, consult Mystic Megson.
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL TIPS:
- Fantasy Premier League tips Gameweek 1: Defenders and goalkeepers
- Fantasy Premier League tips Gameweek 1: Forwards
Onwards, then…
Alexis Sánchez, Arsenal – £10.5m
The Gunners’ new Chilean signing may not come cheap – in fact he’s the second most expensive midfielder in the FPL realm after Manchester City’s Yaya Touré – but if he weighs in with the forward’s return he’s well capable of then he’ll be a veritable points machine.
Unless you exercise dramatic cost-cutting measures across the rest of your squad then you’ll probably only be able to afford one of the two – Sánchez looked sharper in Sunday’s Community Shield and has arguably the more presentable opening fixture (home to Crystal Palace, with City going to Newcastle United) so we’d go with him.
Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal – £9m
Downright essential, basically – the Welshman is prolific in terms of goals and pops up with a fair few assists to boot.
If £8.5m teammate Santi Cazorla can replicate the kind of form that got him 12 goals and 13 assists in his debut season then we dare say he could be key as well.
Ramsey and Cazorla managed goals apiece in both the Community Shield and May’s FA Cup final, so the form book’s on their side. Palace are no mugs, but the Gunners’ midfield looks in great shape going into the new season.
Juan Mata, Manchester United – £9m
We expected a fair few goals to fly in during United’s opening day fixture at home to Swansea City, and it’s a decent bet that the Spaniard will be responsible for one or two of them.
Expect plenty of goals and assists from Mata across the season, starting with this weekend. You’re advised to capitalise.
Also, keep an eye out for the form of £6m Antonio Valencia and £5.5m Ashley Young – if either or both of them can nail down a wing-back spot in Louis van Gaal’s favoured 3-5-2 formation, you could be in bargain country.
Gylfi Sigurðsson, Swansea City – £6m
The Icelander managed an impressive 7 goals in 18 appearances during his last spell at the Liberty Stadium, and he’s just the kind of ‘thorn in the side’ player who could score at Old Trafford.
Even if it’s just a consolation, he’ll have done his part for your fantasy team.
Christian Eriksen, Tottenham Hotspur – £8m
Likely to be Spurs’s star man playing just off the striker, the young Dane ended last season in an explosion of goals and assists.
This weekend’s trip to West Ham United may not look like the easiest of starts, not least as the Hammers beat Spurs three times in all competitions last season – but for some reason we fancy a comfortable away win.
Nevertheless, Eriksen’s contributions could be valuable all season. Think beyond the short term lest you be forced into playing your wildcard too early!
Peter Odemwingie, Stoke City – £6.5m
He may be ‘eccentric’ but he could be a snip at that price if he manages to hold down a regular first team place – his 5 goals in 12 games at the end of last season are testament to that.
With Stoke at home to Aston Villa on opening day, their midfielders are worth a look. Big things are expected of £6.5m Marko Arnautović, but £5.5m Steve Sidwell – scorer of 7 goals for relegated Fulham last season – might struggle to displace either Glenn Whelan or Steven N’Zonzi to start with.
Keep an eye on the form of £5m Stephen Ireland, for he looks likely to be a starter and has previous for goal-scoring at Manchester City.
UPDATE: Yep, Ireland looks like being a certain starter off the back of some fine pre-season form. We’d go with him.
Jordon Mutch, Queens Park Rangers – £5.5m
The QPR new boy managed 7 goals for relegated Cardiff City last season, so a debut strike at home to Hull City isn’t out of the question as long as he’s ready to start the match.
For Hull’s part, £6m Robert Snodgrass is worth keeping an eye on.
Steer clear of…
Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Oscar have been popular fantasy picks over the last couple of seasons, but both are young and have played a lot of football in that time.
José Mourinho’s wealth of options could easily afford them a rest. Go for £9m Cesc Fàbregas instead – we can see him leading newly promoted Burnley a merry dance this weekend.
Good luck and happy selecting!
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