On the back of a solid season in 2016/17, Sean Dyche will be looking to improve upon last season’s 16th placed finish. A team built on home solidity, the sale of Michael Keane to Everton may prove to weaken the defensive side of things for Burnley, however at least one new centre-half should arrive before the transfer window closes with the aim to improve that area.
STAR MAN – Tom Heaton (5.0m)
It feels bizarre to pick a ‘keeper as a team’s star man, but for a Burnley outfit who continue to play to their strengths (especially at home), Heaton stands out as a natural pick. Last year’s top scoring goalkeeper in Fantasy Premier League, he comes in this season at a price of 5.0m and although not the cheapest in that position, if you are willing to outlay 9.5m for a rotation pair (4.5m will get you Foster, Darlow or Hennessey who rotate well over the first few weeks), Heaton should guarantee points when Burnley play at home. He notched up an impressive 21 bonus points and amassed 149 points last season – indeed, he was only surpassed by three Chelsea defenders for total points in both GK & DF positions. A guaranteed starter and worthy of the investment in my opinion.
HIDDEN GEM – Andre Gray (6.5m)
Wind the clock back 12 months and Andre Gray was one of the most talked about forwards in FPL terms. Following a stunning promotion campaign (23 in 42) and a pre-season in which he hit 9 in 6, he was many people’s nailed-on third striker. Following a goal and an assist against Liverpool in gameweek 2, a Twitter storm meant Gray was banned for 4 games which subsequently derailed his form. Over the course of the year, he still hit 9 goals and 3 assists, yet his season was judged average at best. So why does he justify the ‘hidden gem’ status? Well, with a fractured Premier League campaign under his belt, Gray will be looking to hit the ground running in a team who play to his strengths. Having Vokes as a foil and having an excellent goal scoring history, he has huge potential if he can lock down a regular starting berth.
BARGAIN – Ben Mee (4.5m)
If you’re looking for a cheaper route into one of last season’s most solid home defences, then Ben Mee at 4.5m could prove to be excellent value. Starting 34 of the 38 PL matches for Burnley last year, if Dyche can recruit an adequate replacement for Michael Keane then Mee should offer great potential as a 4th or 5th defender in your fantasy side. As the highest point scoring defender from last season in this price bracket, over 13% of managers have already included the centre-half in their initial team selection.
PREDICTED LINE UP
Heaton
Lowton – Mee – Tarkowski – Taylor
Brady – Hendrick – Cork – Arfield
Walters – Gray
If you have enjoyed this early view of the fantasy potential of Burnley, be sure to check the other teams here.
Written by FPL Swot (@FPLSWOT)
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