Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 1 Analysis

It was an exciting opening weekend of fixtures in the Fantasy Premier League, so let’s take a brief look at some of the top performers and their prospects moving forward.

Gary Cahill (5.5M) – The Bolton man will be even more valuable to fantasy managers if he gets a move to Arsenal before the transfer window closes, but a goal and a clean sheet propels the CB into our thoughts for the long term, regardless of what uniform he’s wearing. 11 goals scored in the last three Premier League seasons is proof of his attacking intent. Expect 4 goals this season.

David Silva (9.5M) – We’ve been gushing about him all pre-season long and I hope you read our previews. Saw him live in pre-season action just a few weeks ago and he ran the show in those exhibitions as well as yesterday against Swansea. Will be interesting to see how he performs if Samir Nasri ultimately joins from Arsenal as well as if Kun Augero plays the full 90 minutes. Will his influence reduce? He’s a 100% starter all season for Mancini and should deliver 6-8 goals and 10+ assists.

Ben Watson (5.5M) – Another player we wrote about in July is Ben Watson – Wigan’s new set piece master with N’Zogbia gone. Watson scored from the penalty spot this past weekend and will surely chip in with a number of goals and assists this season now that N’Zogbia has departed.

Suarez (9.5M) and Carroll (10m) - While Suarez scored, he also missed a penalty – leading those watching to believe that perhaps Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing or Dirk Kuyt will step up to the spot the next time around. While Carroll did not score, he put himself into attacking positions in the area 4-5 times more than anyone else on the pitch. His headers were off target but on another day he could have scored 2 goals with all of those opportunities. Both will score this season and be a major part of Liverpool’s Top 4 push.

Wayne Rooney (12M) – Don’t need to say much here, really. He’s the most expensive player in the Fantasy Premier League game for a reason. Rooney’s teammate Ashley Young (10M) was also sharp in the 2-1 win over WBA.

Mauro Formica (5.5M) – Another one we wrote about in the pre-season who caught our eye as we covered Blackburn on their Asia tour via Twitter – Formica also produced in game week one. The man will be central to Blackburn’s hopes of leaving a relegation battle behind and pushing for a mid-table slot. A nice cheap 5.5M midfielder playing as a forward.

Dzeko (8.5M) and Aguero (11M) – Sure, they just beat Swansea, but they still beat them in style. Competition for places up front at Manchester City is fierce but if Tevez leaves, then it’s really just Dzeko, Aguero, and Balotelli battling it out. Manchester City switched to a 4-4-2 last night when Aguero replaced De Jong in the 59th minute and if they start with that formation next time out, you have to think both Dzeko (a potential bargain at 8.5M) an Aguero will start. In my opinion, Balotelli looked much better than Dzeko in pre-season but Dzeko is on form and I’m not the manager. Perhaps he’ll defy my predictions and earn a permanent spot in the starting lineup alongside new signing Aguero?

Good luck to all fantasy managers.