Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
The Ecuadorian offers the most attacking potential from a Man United rearguard that earned 17 clean sheets last season. Placed third for successful crosses among defenders in 2016/17, Valencia (£6.5m) has also been utilised as a raiding wing-back over the summer friendlies.
Michael Keane (Everton)
A major threat from set-pieces, Keane netted twice and won more headers than any defender last season. He'll only set you back £5.5m, and also offers bonus point potential as the Toffees look to improve upon their total of 13 clean sheets in Ronald Koeman’s first year in charge.
Maya Yoshida (Southampton)
Priced at £5.0m, the Saints centre-half is handed one of the most favourable opening schedules around. He's up against only one of last season’s top nine in the first 11 gameweeks, and has already found the net in pre-season.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
The Gunners’ switch to 3-4-2-1 can help restore the Welshman’s fantasy prospects. Midfielder Ramsey netted in each of his last two outings last season, including the FA Cup winner against Chelsea, and has been favourably priced at just £7.0m. If he steers clear of injury, Ramsey could offer a value route into Arsenal’s attack.
Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
Owned by only 14% of fantasy bosses, the Spurs playmaker has mainly been overlooked in the clamour to acquire Harry Kane or Dele Alli. Equal to Alli for price (£9.5m) and last season’s points per match (6.1), Eriksen was the number one midfielder for both shots on goal and chances created in 2016/17.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea)
A reliable source of fantasy returns who has produced 150+ points in three successive seasons for the Welsh outfit. No midfielder managed more shots on target than Sigurdsson’s 49 last term, underlining his potential even if a mooted move to Everton transpires.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
A late-season change of manager transformed the Foxes frontman last time out. Vardy will set you back £8.5m, having averaged 7.0 points per match after the appointment of Craig Shakespeare, producing eight goals and five assists in 13 appearances.
Jay Rodriguez (West Brom)
The Baggies’ summer signing from Southampton has been quick to settle. Available for just £6.0m, Rodriguez has netted twice over pre-season and is up against just one of last season’s top eight in the first eight gameweeks.
Steve Mounie (Huddersfield)
A towering presence up front, the new signing delivered 14 goals and three assists for Montpellier last season. Mounie has netted four times already over the summer friendlies to suggest he could offer value for three-man forward lines at a cost of £6.0m.
More fantasy football for 2017/18...
- Fantasy football scout: 6 bargain defenders under 5.0m to consider
- Fantasy football scout: 5 bargain midfielders under 6.5m to look at
- Fantasy football scout: 5 bargain strikers under 7.0m to consider
- 26 red hot fantasy football tips from old winners and experts
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