Fantasy Premier League

FPL pre-season lessons: Ings emerging as top target

By The Scout 9 Aug 2021

The Scout looks over the key points from Sunday’s action as popular Aston Villa frontman scores on debut

The Scout is highlighting the form players in Fantasy Premier League and making key tactical observations during pre-season.

Ings' ownership soaring

The popularity of Danny Ings (£8.0m) in 2021/22 Fantasy continues to soar after his debut goal for Aston Villa on Sunday.

The forward scored the opener in a 3-1 home win over Salernitana, with his ownership rising by almost 13 per cent since his move from Southampton last week.

Ings now sits in 17.7 per cent of squads, the sixth most popular player in his position.

Ings scores in Villa win

Villa have one of the most favourable starts to the new season, each of their first three matches scoring only two in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings.

Ings' appeal as their go-to pick was further strengthened after Ollie Watkins (£7.5m) was forced off, making him a doubt for the Gameweek 1 visit to Watford.

However, it appears Anwar El Ghazi (£6.0m) is currently ahead of Ings for penalty duties, the winger scoring from the spot after Watkins was fouled.

Son shining up front

Elsewhere, Son Heung-min (£10.0m) continues to thrive in a centre-forward role for Tottenham Hotspur.

The South Korean has impressed up front in the absence of Harry Kane (£12.5m) over Spurs' friendlies.

His decisive strike in the 1-0 derby win over Arsenal took Son's total to three goals and four assists over the summer.

Son's winner v Arsenal

He has also been their main set-piece taker under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

While a Gameweek 1 home meeting with Manchester City dents his immediate potential, Son has the potential to bring in big hauls against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Watford and Crystal Palace in his subsequent three matches.

Jota staking a claim

Finally, Diogo Jota (£7.5m) strengthened his claim to start the season for Liverpool by scoring in a 1-1 home draw with Athletic Bilbao.

The Portuguese has netted in each of his final two summer appearances, also grabbing a goal against Bologna.

Jota's goal against Athletic Bilbao

If Jota can keep his spot ahead of Roberto Firmino (£9.0m), he has the schedule to become a key pick among mid-price midfielders.

Five of Liverpool's first eight matches score just two in the FDR.

Robertson injury worry

At the back, a potential injury to Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) could have major implications for managers' defences in Fantasy.

The Scot is set for scans on the ankle problem that forced him off at the weekend.

Should Robertson be ruled out for a period of time, back-up left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas (£4.0m) can offer outstanding value if he secures a run of starts over that kind early schedule.