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The Premier League is back in action and with it, the excitement of the Fantasy Premier League. The opening gameweek lived up to all the expectations and was filled with goals and points for the Fantasy managers. As with every year, there were a number of potential high scoring options that many players wish they'd have picked up for their team.
Price manipulation is a tough task for Fantasy managers and picking up certain high scoring budget options is key to accommodating the other high hitters who come at a premium. The opening set of matches have positively thrown up many of these options, particularly in the defensive and midfield department.
For reference, we keep the selection below the price of £4.5 for the goalkeepers and defenders. £6 for midfielders and strikers.
Here are our picks for the best budget options from GW 1
#7 Alex McCarthy (£4.5) - Southampton Gk
The highest scoring goalkeeper in the opening set of fixtures shrugged off competition from similarly priced Forster and Angus Gunn to keep his starting place in goal for the Saints. He was then instrumental in keeping Burnley from scoring making a string of great saves (6 in total), earning maximum bonus points.
His performance has perhaps cemented his place further in goal and a set of favourable fixtures means that McCarthy will be a popular choice for Fantasy managers wanting a budget goalkeeper in their side. Even if he may not give a clean sheet weak in week out, MacCarthy promises a lot of saves and bonus points along with them.
Expect his 1% ownership at the time of writing to drastically grow.
#6 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4) - Crystal palace Df
One of the several value options from Crystal Palace after their exploits in Gw 1. Wan-Bissaka was a starter in many of Place's matches in the preseason and continued that trend going into the first EPL match. The young English defender then provided an assist, got the maximum bonus points and kept a clean sheet to give a points return of 12.
For such a low asking price, this is an incredible deal as he looks to keep the competition from Joel Ward to keep his starting place. He was already selected by a significant number of players (17%) and judging by his performance, his price is expected to rise rather quickly. Players who want to bring him need to make a move soon to get him at his best price.
#5 Jose Holebas (£4.5) - Watford Df
Only Mendy (£6) from Man city could better the points total of the Holebas when it came to defenders. The Watford defender got a couple of assists beside a clean sheet and also grabbed two bonus points to take his total to 13. His ownership of only 2% must not have hoped for a better return from the budget defender.
Watford were terrible in defence the last season before their new manager Garcia took over. They clearly seem to have worked in this department and are expected to get more clean sheet points this season. With Holebas offering an attacking threat from the back, points might just come regularly for players opting for the Greek fullback.
#4 Ruben Neves (£5) - Wolves Mf
There were high expectations from the Portuguese going into the new season. He was already Wolves' highest selected player at 17% and delivered just the goods to pay back a hefty sum of points (12).
Curling in a fantastic free kick and then putting in a perfect cross for the equalizer, the Wolves man looks set to give back a lot more points than his price suggests. He looks to be their primary set-piece taker which always assures a few assists in addition to being a creative force in midfield.
What still needs to be seen is whether he would continue playing in advance positions against tougher oppositions and also the fact that Everton were down to 10 men. Still at this price, Neves comes as an absolute bargain.
#3 Jorginho (£5) - Chelsea Mf
Chelsea's new acquisition from Napoli thoroughly impressed in the Premier League opener after an underwhelming display against Man City in the Community Shield. Deployed in a midfield three the Italian player was instrumental in distributing play as well as winning the ball back.
Perhaps the most appealing prospect about him was him being the first choice penalty taker in the game. It remains to be seen if he will continue to be the one to their penalties after Hazard returns to the starting line up from the next week.
Jorginho was nonetheless very impressive at the centre of the park and earned a bonus point for his exploits. For his price, Jorginho is a very exciting prospect.
#2 Roberto Pereyra (£6) - Watford Mf
Another one of Watford's stars from the weekend.
If Holebas assisted both the goals, Pereyra was the one to score them both. His quality has been much talked about since his transfer from Juventus but injuries have prevented Pereyra to yet showcase to the Premier League what he is all about.
He showed a glimpse of just that, scoring a resounding first-time volley to open the scoring before burying another through a mazy run from the wings. This has made him joint top scorer on the points list with Mane of Liverpool, who is a whole of £3.5 above him.
If Pereyra can keep injury free this season and continue to play in advanced areas like he did against Brighton, he would be a terrific buy. The prices of high scoring midfielders tend to increase very quickly and it would serve the fantasy player well to bring him in as soon as possible.
#1 Callum Wilson (£6) - Bournemouth Fw
Wilson was a goal machine in the Cherries' promotion season 4 years back and was highly talked about for his Premier League prospects. He never did reach his goalscoring prowess after being hampered by injuries but has progressively gotten better every season. Who knows if this might be the season when Wilson shows the EPL what he is all about.
Scoring a goal and assisting another in the first game, Wilson's total might have been higher if it wasn't for the missed penalty. Still, if his performance is anything to go by, he looks to be in pole position to continue his goal scoring exploits. Wilson currently rides at the top of the FPL threat index ahead of the likes of Mane and Salah.
That might not be the case for too long but at such a cheap price for a forward and with a favourable run of fixtures, Wilson might just be the man to turn to.
Honorary Mentions
Gk - Wayne Hennessy - Crystal Palace (£4.5)
Df - Jefferey Schlupp - Crystal Place (£4.5), Wesley Hoedt - Southampton (£4.5)
Mf - Ryan Fraser - Bournemouth (£5.5), Kante - Chelsea
Fw - Raul Jiminez - Wolves (£5.5)
