Tactically Speaking: The First 6 Games

Instead of just picking the best players from the pool, I wondered if it would be a better idea to choose players from teams that have favourable opening fixtures. I did a few calculations (sounds way more impressive than it was). These were the scores (out of 18) for each team.

Arsenal: 17

Aston Villa: 9

Cardiff: 8

Chelsea: 15

Crystal Palace: 7

Everton: 17

Fulham: 11

Hull: 9

Liverpool: 17

Man City: 17

Man Utd: 15

Newcastle: 12

Norwich: 8

Southampton: 9

Stoke: 12

Sunderland: 12

Swansea: 9

Tottenham: 16

West Brom: 11

West Ham: 9

Make of this what you will, but the teams who will probably be bringing in the most points will be no surprise to you. Man City, Liverpool and Spurs have decent fixtures. But United, under Moyes will have to face Liverpool and Chelsea which will provide a big test for the new boss. Of the teams with more affordable players Sunderland and Newcastle have decent fixtures. So it may be worth taking a look at cheaper options such as Sessengnon, Cabaye and Ben Arfa. Maybe even Altidore if he becomes a regular starter.

Man City seemingly have the best fixtures, but it will be difficult to predict who Pellegrini will pick based on his huge array of talent to choose from. Along with whether his rotation policy will be as erratic as Mancini's was.

Potential high point scorers from the first 6 fixtures:

Aguero £10.1m
Negredo £9.8m
Podolski £9.4m
Giroud £9.2m
Cisse £8.9m
Silva £8.0m
Gerrard £7.8m
Toure £7.6m

Potential bargain players from the first 6 fixtures:

Altidore £7.5m
Coutinho £6.9m
Navas £6.9m
Fernandinho £6.5m
Cabaye £6.4m
Johnson £6.1m