The Scout's watchlist of Fantasy Premier League defenders continues.
Ben Mee (£4.5m) Burnley
Burnley’s Ben Mee can justify an early surge of interest from Fantasy Premier League managers.
The Clarets centre-back has been bought by 12.1% of managers, making him the most popular defender priced at £4.5m.
Mee and the Burnley back four were overshadowed by Tom Heaton (£5.0m) last season.
The goalkeeper top scored at the club with 149 points, providing more points per million (29.2) than any other player.
While Heaton has attracted 14.2% ownership, Mee’s price tag has also turned heads.
Last term the centre-back recorded 419 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI) – a key metric in the Bonus Points System – to rank second only to AFC Bournemouth’s Steve Cook (£5.0m).
Strong Turf Moor start
With Michael Keane (£5.5m) departing for Everton, there are question marks surrounding Burnley’s potential for clean sheets.
But a promising set of opening fixtures can counter those concerns.
Their first six home matches all score two or less in the Fixture Difficulty Rankings (FDR).
Pair up and alternate
Burnley’s away fixtures include trips to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
FPL managers should consider signing Mee alongside a defender who can provide an alternative for those Gameweeks.
West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson (£5.0m) is one such candidate.
Swapping Mee and Dawson in and out of the starting XI means managers can achieve seven successive home fixtures.
This can be a very effective way of maximising Mee’s big potential as a budget option.
Burnley's first six home fixtures
| GW | Opponent | FDR (1 = Low 5 = High) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | West Brom | 2 |
| 4 | Crystal Palace | 2 |
| 6 | Huddersfield Town | 1 |
| 8 | West Ham | 2 |
| 10 | Newcastle United | 2 |
| 12 | Swansea City | 2 |