The Scout's panel of experts reveal who they currently plan to pick in their 2019/20 Fantasy Premier League starting squads.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
Hugo Lloris (TOT) £5.5m
He totalled 145 points last season and, with the arrival of Tanguy Ndombele (£6.0m), we should see better defensive work, hopefully resulting in more clean sheets.
Andrew Robertson (LIV) £7.0m
As the highest-ever scoring defender he was my first pick. Assists potential as well as numerous clean sheets make him worth the price hike.
Aymeric Laporte (MCI) £6.5m
Manchester City defenders look like great options and when Laporte came in on my Wildcard last season he was Fantasy gold. Three goals and three assists in 2018/19 make him an easy pick.
Lucas Digne (EVE) £6.0m
It’s impossible to overlook Everton’s early fixtures, and the form we saw from Digne at the end of 2018/19 makes him stand out from the other Toffees defenders such as Seamus Coleman (£5.5m).
Mohamed Salah (LIV) £12.5m
Since Egypt’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, Salah has become essential as he will return to action earlier than I expected. His two Golden Boots and Liverpool’s attacking prowess mean he is well worth the price tag.
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) £9.5m
If the budget allowed I would have Raheem Sterling (£12.0m). However De Bruyne has the potential, if he can stay fit, to match him. For £9.5m he is worth the pick.
Ryan Fraser (BOU) £7.5m
In the opening 10 Gameweeks AFC Bournemouth only face two of the top six teams from 2018/19. Last season, when playing against non-top six sides, Fraser returned seven goals and 13 assists, so he looks a great pick early on.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (SOU) £5.0m
As the Southampton captain he is guaranteed game time. While not prolific, he returned four goals and three assists last season. If I could find another £0.5m I'd have Aston Villa's John McGinn (£5.5m). He produced seven goals and nine assists last season and is a lovely differential with ownership at just 1.8 per cent.
Harry Kane (TOT) £11.0m
A cost of £11.0m for Kane feels like a total gift. While he doesn't always start seasons well, Tottenham Hotspur's early home fixtures look great. Kane managed on average 5.7 points per match in his injury-hit 2018/19, including 17 goals and six assists. If he can stay fit, he will be competing for the Golden Boot.
Billy Sharp (SHU) £6.0m
Having scored regularly in League One, he registered 23 goals and four assists in the Championship last season. The Sheffield United striker has proved he can keep finding the net when moving through the leagues and can step up again this term.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE) £6.0m
I’m hoping to see Calvert-Lewin starting in pre-season as a £6.0m price tag for a player with strong fixtures looks great. But if Everton sign a striker or revert to using Richarlison (£8.0m) as a false nine then I’ll have to rethink.
Substitutes
Mat Ryan (BHA) £4.5m
Cheap first-choice goalkeepers are at a premium this season. Ryan had a solid 2018/19 season and can provide good bench cover for Lloris.
Leander Dendoncker (WOL) £4.5m
Like the other 11.7 per cent of his owners, I'm picking Dendoncker for budget reasons. He looks the most appealing option in the £4.5m midfielder bracket.
Jamaal Lascelles (NEW) £4.5m
Pre-season will be important in deciding whether he remains in my team. In the £4.5m bracket, he is the best option right now.
Martin Kelly (CRY) £4.0m
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) moving to Manchester United, Kelly seems the obvious replacement, making him a great cheap defensive option. I'll be keeping a close eye on Palace in pre-season to see if he gets a starting place.
See: The Scout's FPL experts reveal their squads
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