Fantasy football scout tips: 18 players to pick for Fantasy Premier League restart

How many of our picks are in your team?

Fantasy Premier League returns with not only a double gameweek but also unlimited transfers before Wednesday’s 5pm deadline, and how you approach the restart will depend on the chips you have.

Managers who have chips like Bench Boost, Wildcard and Free Hit still to play can afford to be tactical and optimise their squad for what is likely to be the season's last double gameweek.

Others will have to make use of unlimited transfers and take this opportunity to season-proof their squad, bringing in players who stand a chance of doing well between now and the end of July.

All managers will still be able to make one free transfer each week between now and the end of the season, with any additional transfers costing four points each.

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Here, we go through some players to consider if you're looking to build a team to last for the next nine gameweeks...

Goalkeepers

David de Gea - Manchester United, £5.3m

Though not a vintage year for De Gea, United’s run-in is kind on paper and their defence has been quietly impressive.

Nick Pope - Burnley, £4.9m

Pope was in excellent form before the league’s suspension, as were Burnley, and his modest price makes him an affordable option.

Lukasz Fabianski - West Ham, £4.9m

Consistently one of the best budget or mid-price goalkeepers in the game, Fabianski offers save points even when his side fail to perform.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool, £7.8m

Bordering on essential, Alexander-Arnold outscores midfielders in the same price range easily. Hold until Liverpool win the title, and only then consider letting go.

Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City, £6.3m

Laporte has spent a lot of time on the treatment table this season but City’s defence is automatically more reliable with him around and he is back fit and available.

Enda Stevens - Sheffield United, £5.2m

Stevens is not only part of the second-best defence in the league but contributes further up the pitch, with a couple of goals and assists to his name this term.

Romain Saiss - Wolves, £4.6m

A cheap route into a defence that promises so much with Nuno’s conservative style, Saiss even picked up an assist shortly before lockdown.

Jamaal Lascelles - Newcastle, £4.3m

As long as he can remain fit, Steve Bruce’s captain is likely to lead a side which has picked up a surprising amount of defensive returns.

Midfielders

Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe (Getty Images)

Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City, £10.6m

Back De Bruyne to make the most of City’s run-in, which is one of the most favourable. Rotation is the only concern with little left to play for in the league.

Nicolas Pepe - Arsenal, £9.3m

Appeared to be finding form just before lockdown with four attacking returns in three games and will begin the restart with a double gameweek.

Bruno Fernandes - Manchester United, £8.6m

The all-action midfielder was a revelation before lockdown, collecting 38 points in just five appearances after joining United from Sporting.

Harvey Barnes - Leicester, £6.2m

Another in great form before the break, Barnes had five goals in his last seven games and is still available at a reasonable price.

Todd Cantwell - Norwich, £4.9m

Norwich face a battle to save themselves but their schedule over the coming weeks gives them real hope. Cantwell’s goals from midfield could be vital.

Forwards

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Arsenal, £11.1m

Though often overlooked by fantasy managers, Aubameyang is one of this season’s highest-scoring forwards as Arsenal enter a promising run of fixtures.

Sergio Aguero - Manchester City, £11.8m

Aguero’s minutes may be managed, especially with Gabriel Jesus in need of playing time too, but the City striker’s record is excellent this term even when he does not play all 90 minutes.

Raul Jimenez - Wolves, £8.1m

A safe bet to start, Jimenez offers goals and assists on a regular basis. Upcoming meetings with West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa are unlikely to disappoint.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton, £6.5m

Superb since being trusted to start regularly up top, Calvert-Lewin’s goals have also been fixture-proof, which bodes well for a tough run in the short-term.

Mbwana Samatta - Aston Villa, £5.8m

Villa need goals but appeared to have stumbled across a potential source before lockdown, with new signing Samatta scoring twice in six games across all competitions.