Fantasy Premier League

Scout Selection: Jota features in Liverpool triple-up

By The Scout 12 Aug 2021

Portuguese star is one of three Reds players in a best XI for Gameweek 1

A trip to Norwich City gives Diogo Jota (£7.5m) the chance to maintain his goalscoring momentum as 2021/22 Fantasy Premier League gets under way.

The Portuguese has been among Liverpool's most impressive performers in recent friendlies.

He ended the summer schedule with goals in each of his final two outings against Bologna and Athletic Bilbao, boosting his chances of starting at Carrow Road.

Despite failing to secure a regular role at Anfield and making just 12 starts last term, Jota still scored nine goals.

His underlying numbers further highlight his prospects against Norwich.

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Jota’s average of 123.7 minutes per goal in 2020/21 was quicker than any of his team-mates.

He lines up alongside Liverpool pair Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) in a 3-5-2 formation, with Salah handed the armband and Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) named vice-captain.

Robert Sanchez (BHA) £4.5m

A visit to Burnley gives the Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper the chance to continue from where he left off last season. Sanchez helped the Seagulls to eight clean sheets in the final 19 Gameweeks, the third-best total among all sides over that period.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) £7.5m

Liverpool’s right-back offers major potential at both ends of the pitch against Norwich. Alexander-Arnold’s 77 key passes and 55 shots both ranked top among defenders last season.

Luke Shaw (MUN) £5.5m

The Manchester United left-back is the most popular player in Fantasy, owned by over 55 per cent of managers. Shaw warmed up for the home match against Leeds United with an assist and clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Everton in the Red Devils’ final summer friendly.

Daniel Amartey (LEI) £4.0m

After injuries to Leicester City’s other centre-backs, Amartey is among the cheapest players expected to start Gameweek 1. Costing only £4.0m, he offers a budget-friendly route into a Foxes defence who have kept four straight clean sheets against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mohamed Salah (LIV) £12.5m

Away from home last season, his 13 goals and 17 big chances were both the highest totals among all players in Fantasy. Salah scored a hat-trick and earned 20 points on the opening weekend last term.

Bruno Fernandes (MUN) £12.0m

Last season’s top-scoring player in Fantasy, Fernandes also produced a league-leading 12 double-figure hauls. That included a 17-point return in the corresponding fixture with Leeds, thanks to two goals and an assist in a 6-2 win.

Ilkay Gundogan (MCI) £7.5m

Manchester City’s leading outfield player in Fantasy last term, he scored 13 goals and supplied four assists to earn 157 points. Gundogan travels to Tottenham Hotspur on the back of two goals and an assist in his two starts over the summer.

Diogo Jota (LIV) £7.5m

The Portuguese has the form and fixture to provide a big alternative for the captaincy.

Harvey Barnes (LEI) £7.0m

Leicester’s winger was far more influential when playing at home last season. Barnes was involved in a team-leading 56 per cent of the Foxes’ goals at King Power Stadium in 2020/21, with six goals and three assists in 10 starts.

Danny Ings (AVL) £8.0m

The Aston Villa forward’s ownership has rocketed after his summer move from Southampton. Ings scored on his debut in Villa's final summer friendly and will visit Watford as the most-owned forward in Fantasy, selected by 32.7 per cent of managers.

Michail Antonio (WHU) £7.5m

West Ham United’s striker heads to Newcastle United on the back of three goals and an assist in his final three summer appearances. Antonio looks well-placed to continue that form against a Magpies side who struggled defensively last term. At home, Newcastle managed a mere two clean sheets, the fewest in the Premier League.

Remember, the Gameweek 1 deadline is at 18:30 BST on Friday 13 August.

See: All you need to know for 2021/22 Fantasy