The Champions League and Europa League campaigns may have given us our football kick right up until the end of August but there is nothing that replaces Premier League football and more importantly Fantasy Football.
Yes, here at Advertiser Towers we are super excited for Saturday as the prestigious Advertiser Tribal League commences with the first whistle at Craven Cottage. There will be lots of prizes up for grabs such as Football Kit Box Deluxe Box, Socker Club Mystery Box, Galway Races Tickets 2021, and Galway Arts Festival Tickets 2021 for the overall winner as well as spot prizes for the international break - Manager of the Month. To be in with a chance to win just enter our league code: xnk1of.
Top three picks
And with the league beginning, it also means the weekly column from myself, The Don, on which players will do the business and lead their Fantasy team to glory in May.
So who should you select for the opening weekend of the Premier League?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal - £12 million ) v Fulham
The Gabonese international is the main man at the Emirates. The biggest and best piece of business Arsenal will do this transfer window is getting their number 14 to sign on the dotted line of a new long term contract. He is the focal point of the Gunners' attack and without him, Arsenal are impotent. Now registered with Fantasy as a midfielder, Aubameyang will no doubt score the same amount of goals as he did when up front except in this case, he will garner Fantasy managers more points so he is well worth the hefty £12 million price tag. On Saturday, Arsenal travel to west London to face Fulham. I can't really say I know much about Scott Parker's Cottagers other than they will no doubt be favourites to go straight back down. Most promoted teams struggle defensively (Sheffield United aside ) and I expect Arsenal to exploit this defensive naivety and win comfortably 3-0 with Aubameyang getting his name on the scoresheet.
Timo Werner (Chelsea - £9.5 million ) v Brighton
One of the Blues' big money signings this transfer window, German striker Timo Werner has been entrusted by coach Frank Lampard to fire Chelsea to glory this season. He comes with a big reputation after scoring 34 goals in 45 matches for his former club RB Leipzig last year and the omens look good for the striker as he scored against Monday night's opposition in a pre-season friendly. Brighton will no doubt be looking to keep things tight at the AMEX Stadium and perhaps nick a winner but Chelsea have spent big and owner Roman Abramovich will be demanding a return on his massive investment. I'm going for Chelsea to win 2-0 and Werner to open his competitive account for the west Londoners. Get him in your team.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City - £10 million ) v West Brom
He was the most valuable Fantasy striker last season picking up 210 points and I believe the England international will hit the ground running on Sunday afternoon in the West Midlands. The Foxes had a good season last year finishing fifth, however, they will be hugely disappointed to have missed out on the Champions League having spent most of the term in the top four. Brendan Rogers' men take on newly promoted West Brom. Like the aforementioned Fulham, I think The Baggies will have issues in defence of which Leicester and Vardy will take advantage.
Gameweek one fixtures
Saturday:
Fulham v Arsenal (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
Crystal Palace v Southampton (3pm ) BT Sport / Premier Sports.
Liverpool v Leeds United (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
West Ham v Newcastle (8pm ) SKY Sports.
Sunday:
West Brom v Leicester City (2pm ) SKY Sports.
Spurs v Everton (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Monday:
Sheffield United v Wolves (6pm ) SKY Sports.
Brighton v Chelsea (8.15pm ) SKY Sports.
