Fantasy Premier League

FPL pre-season lessons: Watkins double justifies early faith

By The Scout 1 Aug 2021

The Scout on why Villa striker is the most-owned forward in early squads after assist and goal in friendly

The Scout is highlighting the form players in Fantasy Premier League and making key tactical observations during pre-season.

Watkins leads the line

A goal and an assist against Bristol City showed why Ollie Watkins (£7.5m) is the most-owned forward in early squads in Fantasy Premier League.

The Aston Villa striker has been involved in four goals in his side’s three pre-season friendlies, also scoring twice against Walsall.

Watkins is found in 35.5 per cent of squads ahead of Villa’s very favourable short-term schedule.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), each of their first three matches, against Watford, Newcastle United and Brentford, score two.

Bristol City 0-3 Aston Villa highlights

Watkins was among a host of mid-priced forwards who found the net on Saturday, highlighting the numerous options for managers in Fantasy.

Patrick Bamford (£8.0m) netted in Leeds United’s loss to Real Betis, with new full-back Junior Firpo (£5.0m) supplying the assist.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez (£7.5m) scored his first goal since being sidelined with a head injury last season, earning his side a 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

Daka on target

Meanwhile, Patson Daka (£7.5m) and Kelechi Iheanacho (£7.5m) both made a big impact from the bench in Leicester City’s 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers.

Daka scored his side’s second goal and was then brought down for Iheanacho’s converted penalty.

Brendan Rodgers had changed tactics midway through last season, preferring a 3-4-1-2 formation.

But he began with a 4-3-3 formation on Saturday, playing Jamie Vardy (£10.5m) as a lone striker and the fit-again Harvey Barnes (£7.0m) on the flank.

QPR 3-3 Leicester highlights

The impact of his substitutes, and a switch back to a front two, will certainly give Rodgers plenty to think about in terms of tactics.

Low-owned duo star again

Elsewhere, Fantasy midfielders Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m) and Said Benrahma (£6.0m) extended their impressive form.

Mahrez produced a goal and an assist in Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Barnsley.

The Algerian has scored in both his side’s summer friendlies, yet is owned by a mere 4.7 per cent of managers.

Man City 4-0 Barnsley highlights

Benrahma scored the decisive goal as West Ham United defeated newly-promoted Brentford 1-0.

Like fellow countryman Mahrez, Benrahma has two goals and an assist in the Hammers’ last two outings, but can be found in just 1.0 per cent of squads ahead of a favourable early schedule.

Three of West Ham’s first four matches score only two in the FDR.