The Scout looks at the Fantasy Premier League prospects of the three promoted sides.
Sheffield United: Attack
Billy Sharp (£6.0m) has the eye for goal to reward FPL managers as a cut-price forward.
The 33-year-old was Sheffield United’s top scorer in their promotion campaign, producing 23 goals and four assists.
His knack of taking up dangerous positions led to 13 goals scored from inside the six-yard box.
That total is six more than any Premier League player managed. Indeed, only four FPL players scored more than five such goals.
Sharp v FPL top scorers in six-yard box
| Player | Goals in six-yard box | Goals | Mins per goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp | 13 | 23 | 131.4 |
| Sterling | 7 | 17 | 163.3 |
| Aubameyang | 6 | 22 | 124.1 |
| Salah | 6 | 22 | 148.0 |
| Firmino | 6 | 12 | 218.1 |
Sharp was also more lethal last season than any Premier League striker.
He converted an impressive 30.7 per cent of his shots, a figure better than any FPL forward who scored more than three times.
Sharp’s nearest rival in that regard was Glenn Murray (£6.0m). The Brighton & Hove Albion top scorer netted 24.1 per cent of his opportunities.
Mirroring Murray?
Murray's 2018/19 campaign can offer hope to Sharp and his prospective FPL owners.
At 35 years of age, two years older than Sharp, Murray started only 30 matches.
But despite eight further appearances coming as a substitute, he still reached 13 goals.
That matched Raul Jimenez (£7.5m), for example, in 610 fewer minutes.
Norwood chance
Oliver Norwood (£5.0m) could be another worthy FPL pick from Sheffield United.
The club's set-piece taker created 97 chances last season, the second-most in the Championship.
Midfielder Norwood’s average of 39.2 minutes per key pass was similar to the 36 minutes of Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) for promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Moutinho scored 119 FPL points at a starting cost of £5.5m. But Norwood is perhaps more likely to begin at £5.0m after scoring only three goals in 2018/19.
But it is Sharp who looks to be the standout candidate in the Sheffield United attack for 2019/20.
Also in this series
Part 1: Krul can match Etheridge returns
Part 2: Pukki can be next season's Jimenez
Part 3: Back Sheffield United at home
Part 5: Chester leads Villa's set-piece threat
Part 6: Villa midfield can offer value
