Fantasy Premier League

FPL prices: Bernardo the main man at City?

By The Scout 30 Jun 2019

The Scout analyses the best-value players and tips Portuguese midfielder to be champions' top pick

The Scout looks at players who could be big value options for Fantasy Premier League managers in 2019/20.

Bernardo Silva (MCI) £8.0m

The Manchester City midfielder produced seven goals and eight assists to end last season on 154 points.

Bernardo’s cost of £8.0m, compared with the £12.0m of team-mates Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, has quickly made him a popular target.

The Portuguese has earned a place in 30.2 per cent of squads since the launch of this season's Fantasy on Thursday.

And his statistics back up his growing influence on the City attack.

Bernardo’s 62 shots placed third for the champions in 2018/19, while he ranked second for chances created with 71.

Lucas Digne (EVE) £6.0m

Everton’s left-back was a huge all-round success in his debut 2018/19 season.

Digne combined four goals and five assists with 13 clean sheets, claiming 158 points.

The Frenchman created 71 chances last season, at least 21 more than any other defender in FPL.

Digne also has a strong opening schedule, facing only two of last term’s top six in the first 14 Gameweeks.

See: Everton's fixtures

David Brooks (BOU) £6.5m

The Welshman is £1.0m cheaper than his fellow AFC Bournemouth midfielder, Ryan Fraser (£7.5m).

Yet Brooks matched the Scot's seven goals last season in 895 fewer minutes. He also bettered Fraser for shots inside the penalty area, by 29 to 28.

That eye for goal can result in him making an immediate impact as the Cherries face just two of last season’s top six in the first 10 Gameweeks.

See: AFC Bournemouth's fixtures

Tim Krul (NOR) £4.5m

A potential for save points could make the Norwich City goalkeeper a handy budget pick.

Krul’s total of 136 saves ranked fourth in last season’s Championship and was bettered by only two players in FPL.

Unexpectedly for a goalkeeper, Krul’s distribution further raises his prospects in the Bonus Points System (BPS), which determines the bonus points in any match.

Players who attempt at least 30 passes in a match can score in the BPS and Krul averaged 33.5 passes per match last term, more than any regular goalkeeper in FPL.

Diogo Jota (WOL) £6.5m

Reclassified as a forward for 2019/20, the Portuguese offers a cheaper route into the Wolverhampton Wanderers than strike partner, Raul Jimenez (£7.5m).

Jota was moved alongside the Mexican midway through last season and, in his 17 appearances as a striker, he matched Jimenez's seven goals and bettered him by five assists to four.

Jimenez is the most-owned player in FPL, found in 49.6 per cent of squads, compared with the 13.1 per cent of Jota.

But at just £6.5m, it could be Jota who emerges as the go-to Wolves attacker as the season unfolds.