The Fantasy Pavilion’s Pre-season Picks Edition #1

Last updated on July 27th, 2023

We are The Fantasy Pavilion, a group of friends from the island of Trinidad and Tobago who are obsessed with FPL. We create content to share our passion for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) games as well as our own unique way in which we play. The Fantasy Pavilion has 5 members who all play FPL their own way.

The Pavilion’s Pre-season Picks format is going to be four (4) players who we feel are going under the radar during the build-up to the 1st Gameweek within the FPL Community. These players are going to be highly differential and not at all the usual names you see cropping up in the majority of the FPL teams come the first whistle.

Goalkeeper:

Bart Verbruggen Brighton & Hove Albion 4.5m TSB 1.0%

Verbruggen joined Brighton within the Summer Transfer Window for an estimated 16.3m effectively making him Brighton’s new shot-stopper after the speculation over Robert Sanchez’s future at the club and the uncertainty over Steele’s ability to play De Zerbi’s system. Bart is a twenty (20) year old goalkeeper who stands at a tall 6ft 4in who already made his Dutch National Team debut in March 2023 evidencing the potential he currently possesses. Having impressed in the UEFA Europa Conference league with Anderlecht the season prior with multiple penalty saves and priced at the standard Goalkeeper price in FPL, 4.5m, Bart has the potential to rack up 100+ points over the season with Brighton known for keeping clean sheets (10 Clean Sheets last season). Brighton start the new season brightly with the first 3 GWs against teams with an average FDR (Fixture Difficulty Rating) of 4. (See the FPL Difficulty section of Premier Fantasy Tools to see the full breakdown).

Defender:

Destiny Udogie. Tottenham Hotspurs. 4.5m. TSB: 0.8%

Destiny is destined for FPL points within this new-look Spurs side that is in the midst of a rebuild under new coach Ange Postecoglou. He’s a left wingback by trade having played his 70 senior games mostly in that position and is expected to play an attacking role within Ange’s new system which is heavily possession based with a focus on attacking football. Udogie’s natural playing style is on the front foot attacking the opposition’s half as seen in the preseason fixtures thus far (he has 1 assist so far). Priced at 4.5m, Destiny is primed for a breakout season in FPL as he gels with his new team and builds his momentum to the first fixture away to Brentford. Spurs has decent fixtures till GW6 with an average FDR of 10.

Midfielder:

Luis Diaz. Liverpool. 7.5m TSB 6%

Liverpool’s new #7 having inherited this famed shirt, Luis both shares a name and is in the ilk of another famous FPL baller who wore the same number for Liverpool, Luiz Suarez. Like his previous counterpart, Diaz “Lucho” plays with a fiery determination which gives him opportunities that other players don’t create or have. He’s no stranger to FPL having scored 60+ points in his past 2 seasons, however, he’s primed for a breakout season this year. As Liverpool are currently changing their midfield with 2 new exciting signings who have high creative numbers, expect Diaz to be at the end of more chances resulting in his FPL owners raking in the points.

Forward:

Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea. 7.0m TSB: 3.5%

Here we go again, yet another Chelsea striker who could possibly flop. We respectfully disagree in this case with Jackson showing that he has the qualities and personality to flourish in this ever-changing Chelsea team. The Senegalese forward joined over the Summer for a sum over $30m along with another forward with arguably the more recognized name, Christopher Nkunku. Chelsea’s new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has PL pedigree and has worked wonders with his old forwards creating high-scoring duos in his old Spurs side. This bodes well for Jackson who could see his minutes to be more than expected especially with his current preseason performances, 2 Goals and 3 Assists, recently scoring in the match against Newcastle. Chelsea enjoy an average FDR of 6.4 over GWs 2 to 8 so once Nicolas is on the pitch, expect goals and FPL points!