With the Fantasy Premier League season kicking off on Friday, 21 August, a panel of FPL experts has shared their insights to help managers prepare their teams. The experts – Pras, FPL Heisenberg, Gianni Buttice, and Holly Shand – have analysed assets from all 20 Premier League teams.
For each team, they have selected a 'talisman' as the key player to own, a 'differential pick' who is low-owned but could become an FPL star, and a 'player to avoid' who is unlikely to justify their price or be productive.
Arsenal's Gabriel (£8m) is highlighted as the standout pick for the champions, having been the top-scoring defender last season with 209 points. Ben White (£5.5m) is suggested as a differential for Arsenal, offering attacking threat and regular minutes while Jurrien Timber is out. Christos Tzolis (£6.5m) is a player to avoid due to manager Mikel Arteta's rotation among wide left attackers.
Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins (£8m) is identified as their talisman, with a £1m price drop and a consistent scoring record. Matty Cash (£4.5m) is a differential pick for Villa's defence, which achieved nine clean sheets last campaign. Alejandro Garnacho (£6m) is a player to avoid, despite his loan move to Villa, due to potential competition for minutes.
For Bournemouth, Marcus Tavernier (£6m) is seen as their chief creator and talisman, responsible for set-pieces and with 11 attacking returns last season. Adrien Truffert (£5.5m) is a differential left-back, scoring 165 FPL points last season. Evanilson (£6m) is a player to avoid, having scored only six goals in 32 league games last season.
Brentford's Igor Thiago (£8m) is the clear talisman after scoring 22 league goals last season, finishing with 181 FPL points. Dango Ouattara (£6.5m) is a differential pick, showing attacking promise and averaging over five FPL points per start. Callum Wilson (£5.5m) is a player to avoid due to expected limited minutes behind Igor Thiago.
Pascal Gross (£5.5m) is Brighton's safest option and talisman, involved in all set-pieces including penalties. Luka Vuskovic (£5m) is a differential centre-back who should start regularly. Georginio Rutter (£5.5m) is a player to avoid, reclassified as a forward and facing competition for minutes.
Chelsea's Joao Pedro (£7.5m) is the most popular pick, featuring in over half of teams, despite Cole Palmer being their most expensive FPL asset. He produced 15 goals and nine assists last season.