Man City’s Stones, Haaland, Busayo Saka, Others Make EPL Best 11 In Opening Game Week

Manchester City trio of John Stones, Erling Haaland, and Julian Alvarez are included in The Scout’s best XI for the opening Game-week of 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League.

Stones (£5.5m) has profited from a new role for his club, moving into central midfield when they are in possession.

Having scored Man City’s opening goal of pre-season, Stones climbed to 29 per cent ownership ahead of the champions’ trip to Burnley this Friday, August 11.

Stones is joined by his team-mates Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and Julian Alvarez (£6.5m) in The Scout’s 3-4-3 formation that also has Arsenal’s duo of Gabriel and Bukayo Saka and Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.

See the list of Best 11 below:

Andre Onana (MUN) £5.0m:

A home encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers gives Man Utd’s No 1 the chance to get off to a fast start in Fantasy. The Red Devils kept a league-high 11 clean sheets in home matches last season, while Wolves’ total of 12 away goals was the second-lowest, better only than the 11 of Nottingham Forest.

John Stones (MCI) £5.5m:

The centre-back’s improved attacking prospects have made him Man City’s second most-popular player in Fantasy and the fourth most-selected defender.

Gabriel (ARS) £5.0m:

Arsenal’s Brazilian boasts strong all-round potential at home to Nott’m Forest. Gabriel’s total of 26 shots in the box last season was more than the combined 19 of the rest of Mikel Arteta’s first-choice back four.

Pervis Estupinan (BHA) £5.0m:

Brighton & Hove Albion’s left-back is the most-owned defender in Fantasy, found in over half of squads for his home fixture against Luton Town. Estupinan’s 28 shots and 46 chances created both placed third among defenders after Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival as head coach last term.

Mohamed Salah (LIV) £12.5m:

Liverpool’s Egyptian was the player who produced the best form over the summer, playing a part in nine goals as he scored two and assisted a further seven. Salah was also the top-scoring player in 2022/23 Fantasy after the Reds changed their formation to 3-2-2-3, averaging 7.8 points per match over his final 10 outings.

Marcus Rashford (MUN) £9.0m:

His goal and assist against Lens last weekend highlighted his potential as a captain alternative to Haaland. Rashford averaged 8.4 points per start in home matches last term, compared with the Norwegian’s 6.5 points per start in away fixtures.

Bukayo Saka (ARS) £8.5m:

Arsenal’s winger is the most-owned midfielder and second most-popular player overall, selected by 57 per cent of managers. Saka was far more reliable for huge hauls at Emirates Stadium in 2022/23, producing all four of his double-figure hauls in home matches.

Eberechi Eze (CRY) £6.5m:

The Crystal Palace star visits promoted Sheffield United on the back of two goals and five assists over pre-season. Eze amassed 67 points after Roy Hodgson returned as manager in Gameweek 29 last term, second only to the 85 of Salah among midfielders in Fantasy.

Erling Haaland (MCI) £14.0m:

Despite his hefty price tag, Man City’s forward is owned by a remarkable 86 per cent for his visit to Burnley. Haaland’s record against promoted sides shows why millions of those backers will captain him. He amassed 47 points against such opponents last season, joint-top among all players.