The new Premier League season gets underway once again with a clash between Arsenal and Coventry City on Friday night - meaning fantasy football squads are being built across the country in preparation for the season’s opening weekend.
Billed as the biggest league in the world, the Gunners will be hoping to begin their campaign with a big win at the Emirates against Frank Lampard’s newly promoted Sky Blues. But which players are you backing to make their mark in the opening week of the season?
A host of new signings have been made, with the likes of Antonio Silva, Jan Paul van Hecke and Ronald Araujo all making moves this summer - but will any of them make it into your Fantasy Premier League squad for the 26/27 season? With a budget of £ 100 million, making sure you choose the right players will be paramount to your household and WhatsApp bragging rights!
Starting to build your fantasy team and finding it difficult to narrow down where to spend big, where to save, and where the biggest bargains are? Have some defensive options in mind, but still not sure which should be given the nod in your backline?
Don’t worry, we’ve put together a list of your must-pick defenders and clean sheet collectors that will fit every team’s budget in the opening weeks of the new Premier League season.
Here are the top 8 defenders we recommend you include in your Fantasy Premier League squads:
1. Trai Hume - Sunderland - 4.5m
Want a bargain option that offers major point-scoring ability at the same time? Then look no further than the Northern Ireland captain. No one played more league minutes than Hume for Sunderland last season, and he's been in fine goalscoring form in pre-season after being drafted out onto the right wing. Capable of playing in central midfield too, this Black Cat is an excellent pick-up at just 4.5m. | Getty Images
2. Milan van Ewijk - Coventry City - 4m
While many will steer clear of newly promoted players until they see how they adapt to the Premier League, the Dutch full-back is a strong contender for your substitutes' bench. He registered eight assists in the EFL Championship last season. | Getty Images
3. Cristhian Mosquera - Arsenal - 5.5m
Arsenal's title win last season was built on defensive solidity and clinical attacking. Mosquera was part of it throughout the campaign, although he was often used as a back-up option. However, an injury to William Saliba means he’ll could get an extended run in the side, making him a bargain pick at 5.5m. With the Gunners' defensive strength, you can expect plenty of clean sheet points from this centre-back. | Getty Images
4. Adrien Truffert - AFC Bournemouth - 5.5m
The French defender was the highest-scoring full-back in the FPL last season with 165 points, but remains below the 6m mark. While the Cherries start with a tough away trip vs Manchester City, clashes against Everton (h) and Newcastle United (a) provide him with a chance to hit the points trail this season. | Getty Images