Fantasy Premier League

Fantasy budgets: The midfield approach

By The Scout 8 Aug 2017
Kevin De Bruyne, Man City

With most of last season's top points scorers midfielders, The Scout explains how to use your £100m to focus on the best

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Building a £100million Fantasy Premier League squad can seem at first daunting for managers, so The Scout looks at three popular strategies for your squad to stand up to the rigours of the early Gameweeks.

The midfield approach

Midfielders are arguably the key position in an FPL squad.

Of the 17 players who scored 170 points or more last season, 10 were midfielders.

A big spend in this position, recruiting targets who promise double-figures for both goals and assists is an attractive strategy.

So how to invest in a five-man midfield while ensuring flexibility in the other positions?

A graphic of how an FPL budget should be allocated using a midfield squad approach
The midfield approach: How you should allocate your £100m budget
A defensive leader

You could cap your budget in goal to just £8.5m.

That will suffice if you can find a reliable £4.5m goalkeeper and be prepared to use a transfer here, when required, in line with favourable fixtures.

In defence, you will have to rely on one major acquisition.

Your £6.0m defender has to be a certain starter who can promise regular clean sheets.

Three £4.5m options around him will be swapped in and out, again with the fixtures key to selection.

You will have to use transfers in defence to stay on top of the schedule and any bargains that crop up.

Key man: Eric Bailly (MUN) £6.0m

Packed midfield

A huge £43.5m of your budget will go in this area, forcing you into a 3-5-2 formation each Gameweek.

The onus will be on all five midfielders starting and scoring regularly, so you will need proven, consistent performers.

Your top-priced midfielder (£10.0m) should ideally rank top overall for points per game.

If any of the five begin to dip in form you should move quickly, perhaps acquiring an early bargain and shifting funds to the forwards.

Key man: Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) £10.0m (pictured top)

Forward duo

While forced to make compromises, you know that, with five midfielders, you only require two first-choice forwards.

So a £4.5m option can sit on your bench, with the emphasis on a single big-ticket striker and a mid-price partner.

This second forward is vital as he needs to match more expensive rivals.

Similar to your defence, you will need to be ready to use regular transfers here, switching your second striker according to fixtures and form.

Key man: Roberto Firmino (LIV) £8.5m

See: Fantasy budgets: The forward approach  

Reminder - GW1 deadline is Friday 11 August, 18:45 BST

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