The Fantrax game continues to grow and, as always, we are at the heart of it! There’s been a huge response to the brand new Perfect XI game broadcasted as part of our Community League and we’ve decided it’s only right to provide a weekly article giving you some hints and tips in how to move up the league table each week!
Our article will provide you with some “must haves” to make sure you don’t lose any ground on your competitors, followed by some differentials that others may not be going with so that you can gain some points or stretch that gap over your league rivals. We will be sharing our own Perfect XI entry too!
Here’s our picks for Gameweek 1, good luck!
The Must-Haves…
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool – Defender
It’s never a bad idea to start the season with the game’s best defender. Trent Alexander Arnold had an off year last year (apparently) but despite Liverpool’s defensive woes and his own apparent difficulties he was still comfortably the top scoring defender.
With Virgil Van Dijk’s return on the horizon, most are expecting a defensive renaissance an Anfield this season which will only serve to increase TAA’s value some more. He begins the new campaign with a favorable fixture against newly promoted Norwich City and you don’t want to miss out on what should be a bumper haul! Get him in for GW1, it’s a no brainer.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United – Midfielder
I feel as though this is a name which may crop up a few times in this article this season. With Kevin De Bruyne ruled out of GW1, Bruno Fernandes will be the elite midfielder who will be on almost every Perfect XI team sheet this week.
Bruno will be in for a tough work out as United travel to Leeds on the opening day but if his last pre-season outing against Everton is anything to go by the Portuguese maestro looks fit, sharp and ready to take the league by storm once again.
Sadio Mane – Liverpool – Forward
If pre-season is anything to go by, Sadio Mane is back! He was miles off his best last season (though the same can be said about most Liverpool players not called Mo Salah) but the Senegalese star looks back to his brilliant best over the pre-season weeks.
Mane starts with a favorable fixture at Norwich City in GW1 and with him back in the goals ahead of the new season, his greater ghost point contribution sees me go for him over the Egyptian King.
The Differentials…
Lucas Digne – Everton – Defender
Everton’s Old Trafford capitulation at the end of pre-season may be enough to turn Perfect XI gaffers away from the Toffees defence but that shouldn’t stop you from considering Lucas Digne for your GW1 roster. Others may go for Luke Shaw and Joao Cancelo as part of that template defence but I am taking Digne over both of them.
The Frenchman has been a Fantrax star since joining The Blues, filling up his stat sheet through defensive statistics and pinpoint crossing. If you need any more reason to pick Digne, look no further than the depleted Southampton side that he will be facing in GW1. I’ll be starting Digne in the hope that other managers around me don’t!
Raphinha – Leeds United – Midfielder
Raphinha’s performances last season saw him become a Fantrax favourite with his consistent, high ceiling scoring matching the likes of Bruno Fernandes and KDB. Throw into the mix the fact that he is now classified as a midfielder in Fantrax and his value has rocketed him up to first round pick territory.
Few will expect miracles from his GW1 matchup against Manchester United but I think a packed, hostile Elland Road faithful could even sway the balance in Leeds United’s favour against their bitter rivals. Raph will be in for a tough battle against in-form Luke Shaw but a fast paced, open game between two arch enemies may suit the Brazilian’s flair, pace and creativity. As much as anything, I will be picking Raphinha in a lot of my lineups due to how fun he is to watch!
Michail Antonio – West Ham United – Forward
I feel as though Michail Antonio has flown under the draft radar this summer. When fit (his biggest and possibly only drawback) the West Ham unit is a premium asset with his robust nature and the fact that he tends to score a lot of goals.
The beauty of the Perfect XI format is that you don’t have to invest any draft capital in the injury prone Antonio. You can simply pick him when fit and drop him when his hamstrings have given up the ghost again! He seems fit and ready to go at the start of the new season and faces an enticing matchup against Newcastle United on the first day. He’s in my XI on day one and may stay there if his form continues!
My Perfect XI
⭐ GK – Emi Martinez
⭐ DEF – Trent Alexander-Arnold
⭐ DEF – Lucas Digne
⭐ DEF – Joao Cancelo
⭐ MID – Bruno Fernandes
⭐ MID – Raphinha
⭐ MID – Mason Mount
⭐ MID – Emi Buendia
⭐ FWD – Sadio Mane
⭐ FWD – Mo Salah
⭐ FWD – Michail Antonio
Fantasy Football 92 