Premier League fantasy football tips: Top selections ahead of opening weekend

Defender: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)

The Belgium centre back was a rock for Mauricio Pochettino’s title chasing Spurs side last term. Alderweireld hardly missed a match and was a vital part of the league’s best defence, registering 13 clean sheets and scoring 166 fantasy points.

On top of this, the White Hart Lane defender proved lucrative at the other end of the pitch, netting four goals and assisting as many – Alderweireld is 15/2 to finish this season as the top scoring defender.

Defender: Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth wing back Daniels registered the most assists of any defender in the league last term, with five. Costing just £5m, Eddie Howe’s reliable left back, who has been with the Cherries since 2012, is a bargain pick.

Defender: Ashley Williams (Everton)

Coming off the back of a superb Euro 2016, expect Williams to take his fine form into the coming season. The Welshman moved to Everton on Wednesday, so could form the base of a revamped Toffees side with Ronald Koeman at the helm.

When in charge of Southampton, Dutch boss Koeman recorded 12 clean sheets last term and, with Williams set to marshal the Goodison Park rearguard, he could build a strong defensive unit and bag you a bundle of clean sheet points.

Defender: Jose Fonte (Southampton)

Sticking with Saints connections, Portugal centre back Fonte won Euro 2016 through defensive grit and solidity, setting the precedent for a superb individual season. Great with his feet, Fonte will fit right in to new manager Claude Puel’s system of attractive play.

Midfielder: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Man Utd)

Armenia international Mkhitaryan scored 23 goals from midfield last term and recorded an incredible 32 assists in all competitions – 20 of which came in the Bundesliga. With this in mind, making him your team captain could be a good idea as his points will be doubled.

Mkhitaryan is an attacking force and, with the supreme talents of Anthony Martial and Zlatan Ibrahimovic surrounding him, is likely to be a lucrative signing, even at the hefty Premier League fantasy football tips price of £9.5m.

Terrific value at 18/1 to be the top scoring midfielder this season, with his sensational combination of scoring and creativity, a 25/1 punt on Mkhtiaryan odds to be the top scoring fantasy league player could also be worth a flutter.

Midfielder: Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)

The France international finished his debut Premier League campaign with nine goals and 12 assists, scoring a huge 171 fantasy points.

Payet was also on fire at the Euros, finishing joint second in scoring. At £9.5m he isn’t cheap, but will likely prove fruitful and is a great vice-captain choice.

Midfielder: Dusan Tadic (Southampton)

Serbia supporting cast member Tadic ended his previous campaign with 12 assists, the division’s joint third highest. With Puel now Saints boss, expect Tadic to excel as the former Monaco manager has a great record of developing attacking talent and allowing them to flourish.

At a reasonable £7.5m, Tadic looks likely to be a solid midfield choice, and may break double figures in terms of goals this term.

Midfielder: Paul Pogba (Man Utd)

Former United youth product Pogba just smashed the world transfer record with a £89m move back to Manchester, and could be in for a big season under Mourinho.

Pogba scored eight and assisted 13 goals last season and will be a popular choice in midfield at £8.5m. With experience in English football already and him keen to justify the fee, expect him to hit the ground running.

Forward: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City)

Claudi Ranieri broke Leicester’s transfer record with the signing of Nigeria striker Musa for £16.6m. The fast and furious forward will slot perfectly into the high-flying Foxes’ system and will likely partner Jamie Vardy in a ferocious frontline.

Their partnership will likely result in plenty of fantasy points and could see a rise in Musa bets throughout the season as he scores and assists.

Musa netted 18 times for CSKA Moscow last term and lit up Russia’s capital with glittering displays, securing a third consecutive title for the club. He looked bright when coming on in the Community Shield and that’s why we have no hesitation including him in our fantasy football tips.

Forward: Troy Deeney (Watford)

Netting 13 last term, Deeney became hot property this summer and was subject to numerous big money bids. However, it is his total of nine assists that set him apart from other strikers. The marksman is reasonably priced at £7m after accumulating 166 fantasy league points last season.

Substitutes

Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough)

Three-time Champions League winner Valdes joined Boro in a shock move from Man Utd. Valdes has undoubted pedigree, could become the North Yorkshire club’s number one and is a superb backup keeper.

Defender: Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

The Spaniard recorded the largest amount of assists for a defender last term, and totted up a huge 172 points. Arsenal’s depleted defence is the only reason he doesn’t make the starting XI, as clean sheets may be hard to come by in the opening few fixtures.

Midfielder: Yannick Bolasie (Crystal Palace/Everton)

DR Congo winger is reportedly closing in on a £28m move to Everton, after impressing during his time in the Premier League.

Bolasie could become part of a new-look Toffees side ready to fight for European football and is a solid choice for your fantasy league bench.

Forward: Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough)

Scotland international hitman Rhodes was prolific in the Championship, with 91 goals in 189 appearances, and will hope to take this form into his first Premier League campaign. At £6m, Rhodes is a top acquisition and will rank among many fantasy football tips, and guarantees goals.

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