The Hype Train

FPL FORECAST 2016/17: Gameweek 1

Each and every week the three members of The Hype Team post their Premier League and FPL predictions in an attempt to enlighten players that might be stuck with their FPL choices and transfers. In addition, we’ll be taking on a guest for every Gameweek in the PL. On the weekly agenda are a general predictions category, a Gameweek Fantasy Premier League forecast, scout picks, and captaincy choices. For the opening weekend of the season, we welcome @FPLAid as our very first guest. All aboard.

Fantasy Premier League: Gameweek Deadline

For the 2016/17 Premier League season, the FPL deadline will be one hour before the commencement of the week's first game. The Premier League website lists each FPL deadline, you can always ask on social media, and you can also view a real time countdown on our Weekly Hype page.

In a change from last season, the early Saturday kick off time has now been moved back to 12:30am, meaning the weekly FPL deadline will also be moving 15 minutes back.

The transfer deadline for GW1 is Saturday August 13th at 11:30am.

Gameweek 1 Fixtures

Arsenal v Liverpool

Bournemouth v Man Utd

Burnley v Swansea

Chelsea v West Ham

Crystal Palace v West Brom

Everton v Spurs

Hull v Leicester

Man City v Sunderland

Middlesbrough v Stoke

Southampton v Watford

How does our Forecasting work?

We have taken to our Hype Team, and the FPL Community, to compete in a weekly head to head dual of wits. We are asking the questions that dominate each week in the Fantasy Premier League: who to pick, who to avoid, who to captain, and who may surprise. The 3 members of the Hype Team, and a Guest, will provide weekly insight for the Gameweek ahead. For the sake of the first edition of the Forecast, we have provided an example of what we're sending out to interest parties.

Premier League Fixture Prediction: As pundits, we are testing our football acumen with PL predictions (Mark Lawrenson style, only less biased, hopefully) and will be providing regular updated tables and stats in each edition of the FPL Forecast.
FPL Gameweek Forecasting: Answering the regular questions that come up every single week in the Fantasy Premier League community that helps with identifying captaincy picks, transfers, attacking options, clean sheet potential, teams to look our for and avoid, the wildcard differential players, and general analysis and comments.
Scout Picks: Picking a squad of 15 for a single Gameweek, using the rules of the FPL - formations, captains and vice captains, and the player limits of 3 per club (chips will not be feature of these weekly picks)
Each team must pick a Captain, labelled as (c) and a Vice Captain listed as (vc).

Gameweek 1 Fixture Prediction

In our predictions a perfect score is 3 points, and predicting the right outcome is worth 1 point.

Arsenal ?-? Liverpool

Bournemouth ?-? Man Utd

Burnley ?-? Swansea

Chelsea ?-? West Ham

Crystal Palace ?-? West Brom

Everton ?-? Spurs

Hull ?-? Leicester

Man City ?-? Sunderland

Middlesbrough ?-? Stoke

Southampton ?-? Watford

FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 1

Best GW Attacking Options:

Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:

Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:

Who is the team to look out for?:

Who is the team to avoid?:

GW Differential Picks:

FPL Captaincy Pick:

Other Gameweek Comments:

FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 1

Each team must consist of 15 players – 2 Goalkeepers, 5 Defenders, 5 Midfielders, and 3 Forwards, with a starting 11 and 4 ordered subs.
You can only select 3 players from one PL club, and the players must be played in their FPL positions.
You must pick a formation that is used in the Fantasy Premier League: 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-5-1, 5-4-1, 5-3-2, 5-2-3.
Chips will not be a feature of these weekly picks.
Price does not matter, the players can be as cheap or expensive as you'd like.
Each team must pick a Captain, labelled as (c) and a Vice Captain listed as (vc).

Template Squad Selector

GK:

DEF:

MID:

FOR:

Squad Selector Example

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting 11

GK: Aguero

DEF: Aguero

MID: Aguero

FOR: Aguero

FOR: Aguero (c)

FOR: Aguero (v)

Substitutes

GK: Aguero

MID: Aguero

DEF: Aguero

Sam Austin (Face Facts)

Twitter: @TheHypeTrainSam

Favourite PL Club: Liverpool

About: Sam is the Hype Train’s Chief Writer, and Weekly Wildcards specialist, delving into the depths of FPL possibility each and every week.

Gameweek 1 Fixture Prediction

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd

Burnley 0-1 Swansea

Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

Crystal Palace 2-0 West Brom

Everton 0-1 Spurs

Hull 0-3 Leicester

Man City 2-0 Sunderland

Middlesbrough 1-1 Stoke City

Southampton 3-1 Watford

FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 1

Best GW Attacking Options:

Leicester (a) vs Hull

Manchester City (h) vs Sunderland

Crystal Palace (h) vs West Brom

Chelsea (h) vs West Ham

Liverpool (a) vs Arsenal

Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:

Leicester (a) vs Hull

Manchester City (h) vs Sunderland

Crystal Palace (h) vs West Brom

Southampton (h) vs Watford

Stoke (a) vs Middlesbrough

Swansea (a) vs Burnley

Who is the team to look out for?:

Southampton are dark horses, Sunderland could do a shut-out on Manchester City if they really wanted to, also Guidolin figured out Swansea who in turn could be a real threat to Burnley. Liverpool is also keen to start the high pressing and might actually provide a credible challenge to Arsenal in the opening fixture.

Who is the team to avoid?:

Hull because they are depleted, I’ve not seen a team in such a worse position to begin the season, let alone face the champions of the prior season. Arsenal are also up there to avoid for the opening Gameweek because Liverpool have strengthened their attacking output with the signing of Sadio Mane who could run them ragged. Stoke City could also embarrass Boro if they turned up, Jack Butland is back in the team and with a second season with a settled team they could be a real surprise package if they keep their players fit.

GW Differential Picks:

Duh-doy, *insert sarcastic comment about weekly wildcards*

FPL Captaincy Pick:

Riyad Mahrez (c)

Jamie Vardy (v)

Other Gameweek Comments:

Just like last season expect even more of the unexpected, after all the teams are merging more and more with every passing season. Prepare to be flexible and trust your gut in the wildcard options when they appear to you in late night visions.

FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 1

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting 11

GK: Kasper Schmeichel

DEF: Scott Dann

DEF: Virgil van Dijk

DEF: Toby Alderweireld

MID: Eden Hazard

MID: Dusan Tadic

MID: Sadio Mane

MID: Riyad Mahrez (C)

FOR: Sergio Aguero

FOR: Jamie Vardy (VC)

FOR: Diego Costa

Substitutes

GK: Jack Butland

MID: Gylfi Sigurdsson

DEF: Dejan Lovren

DEF: Luke Shaw

Phil Jones (SweatyMongoose FC)

Twitter: @TheHypeTrainPJ

Favourite PL Club: Chelsea

About: Phil is our Transfer and general FPL expert, and is mini-league Champion between the Hype Team.

Gameweek 1 Fixture Prediction

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd

Burnley 1-0 Swansea

Chelsea 3-1 West Ham

Crystal Palace 0-0 West Brom

Everton 1-1 Spurs

Hull 0-2 Leicester

Man City 2-0 Sunderland

Middlesbrough 1-0 Stoke

Southampton 3-2 Watford

FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 1

Best GW Attacking Options: Leicester (a) vs Hull Man City (H) vs Sunderland Chelsea (H) vs West Ham Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential: Leicester (a) vs Hull West Brom (a) vs Crystal Palace Man Utd (a) vs Bournemouth

Who is the team to look out for?:

Southampton - New manager and once again a new look side would normally indicate time to steer clear, however maintaining a formidable back line and plenty of creativity and flair in attack, expect goals and clean sheets a plenty.

Burnley - Facing a Swansea side without key men Williams and Ayew it would be no surprise to see Gray bag a brace in this one.

Who is the team to avoid?:

Hull - Manager-less, Injury ridden and picked apart in the transfer market. Whichever man takes charge of this mess is either brave or stupid. Facing the champions in GW1 could easily turn into an embarrassment.

GW Differential Picks:

1. Nathan Redmond - Expected to start in a striker role alongside Long.

2. Dejan Lovren - Facing a depleted Arsenal side due to injury and lack of match fitness.

3. Matt Phillips - Injecting some pace and creativity into a side with two capable target men.

FPL Captaincy Pick:

Aguero - If you want a man to get you 30+ points in a game week he’s your man. Inconsistency of last year is a concern but when he cashes in, he goes all in.

FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 1

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting 11

GK: Hart

DEF: Morgan

DEF: Lovren

DEF: Otamendi

MID: Firmino

MID: Tadic

MID: Hazard

MID: Mahrez

FOR: Long

FOR: Aguero (c)

FOR: Vardy (v)

Substitutes

GK: De Gea

DEF: Azpilicueta

DEF: Van Dijk

MID: Martial

Robert Austin (Pownage FC)

Twitter: @TheHypeTrainRob

Favourite PL Club: Arsenal

About: Robbo is the Hype Train owner that provides a wealth of Graphical Aid for all THT social platforms.

Gameweek 1 Fixture Prediction

Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool

Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd

Burnley 0-1 Swansea

Chelsea 2-1 West Ham

Crystal Palace 2-0 West Brom

Everton 0-2 Spurs

Hull 0-4 Leicester

Man City 2-1 Sunderland

Middlesbrough 1-2 Stoke

Southampton 3-1 Watford

FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 1

Best GW Attacking Options:

Leicester (a) vs. Hull

Southampton (h) vs. Watford

Liverpool (a) vs. Arsenal

Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:

Crystal Palace - Bolasie might be on his way out, but Pardew always starts the season strong. Predicting the CRY/WBA game has always been a menace of mine (I captained Murray when on fire two seasons ago, only to have Foster on fire in the WBA goal). Scott Dann has an added goal threat

Spurs - Proven and have added an extra element of steel in Wanyama. Everton aren't at that level yet, and might take some figuring out under Koeman.

Swansea - There's always one surprise, and it could very well be Swansea. The heart of the club might have been ripped out, but they are a good side nonetheless and have quality that can beat Burnley. Llorente and Gylfi are the key men,whilst Routledge has been on some next level form in pre-season.

Leicester - It should be a comfortable GW1 for Leicester defenders. Fuchs and Morgan should have some early points on the board to solidify their tags as FPL Essentials.

Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:

Crystal Palace's fixtures are shaping up nicely and if they start well, I'd be more tempted by the goal threat of Scott Dann from the back. Similar with other premium defenders such as Leighton Baines. I'd rather wait and see whilst Leicester have the easiest fixture in known history to start the season.

Who is the team to look out for?:

Stoke - Everybody is expecting Boro to start strong, but I'm not convinced. Not by Boro, but because Stoke are a solid unit and will stifle Karanka's side. They also have proven Premier League match winners in Bojan and Shaqiri, and the best Goalkeeper in the league in Butland.

Liverpool - Having watched Liverpool in action against Barcelona, thrashing the La Liga side 4-0, there's no doubting Klopp's potential. Sadio Mane was lethal and he's my tip for a massive Gameweek. Could destroy Arsenal on the right with Clyne.

Who is the team to avoid?:

Hull - Obviously. The club is a shambles and Leicester are set for a big opening day.

Arsenal - On a lesser note the Gunners have a mix of difficult games and a scrambled squad. Best to avoid the minefield.

GW Differential Picks:

Diego Costa - The Chelsea forward features in our GW1 Wildcard picks and has very low ownership. A belting option if you don't fancy the heavily favoured Aguero.

FPL Captaincy Pick:

Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - to add to the spice of the opening game, I'm throwing Vardy as my Captain, not only for my Scout Picks, but for my actual squad. It's the ideal fixture to see Vardy dominate Hull's depleted squad. Kane might prove some doubters wrong and start strongly at Everton as I'm not convinced with Aguero as the standout option for the Gameweek.

Other Gameweek Comments:

Don't be swayed by all of the Man United hype. In the FPL the majority of players are overpriced and they aren't going to steam roll the league as the other pundits would have you believe. Tried and tested is always the best method to begin. Set piece takers and penalty kick takers are useful to have as a bailout.

FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 1

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting 11

GK: Butland

DEF: Alderweireld

DEF: Scott Dann

DEF: Fuchs

MID: Sigurdsson

MID: Mane

MID: Mahrez

MID: Redmond

FOR: Aguero

FOR: Vardy (c)

FOR: Kane (v)

Substitutes

GK: Fabianski

MID: Shaqiri

DEF: Van Dijk

DEF: Azpilicueta

Special Guest: FPLAID

Twitter: @FPLAid

Favourite PL Club: West Ham

About: Allan is a writer for the heavily popular @FPL_Updates and West Ham fanatic. FPLAID has a classic FPL league and a Football Survivor league that you can join. You can find links and more football related content on their Twitter account which is linked above.

Gameweek 1 Fixture Prediction

Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool

Bournemouth 0-2 Man Utd

Burnley 2-1 Swansea

Chelsea 2-2 West Ham

Crystal Palace 0-0 West Brom

Everton 0-1 Spurs

Hull 0-2 Leicester

Man City 3-1 Sunderland

Middlesbrough 1-2 Stoke

Southampton 2-0 Watford

FPL Forecasting: Gameweek 1

Best GW Attacking Options:

West Ham. Without seeming too bias, the provisional signings of Ayew and Bacca, added to the likes of Feghouli, Tore and even Antonio, albeit at Right Back, make The Irons a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention Andy Carroll who is unplayable in the air and has shown he can scored with his feet just as well.

Best GW Defensive / Clean Sheet Potential:

Leicester have a solid defence against newly promoted Hull, who may struggle to bag against the reigning champions’ defenders, while Man United, with De Gea, are always likely to put on a strong defensive performance.

Who would you Transfer In and Out for the Gameweek and beyond?:

Hard to predict when before the start of the season, but since he’s reported to be benched GW1, my favourite FPL choice ever, Dimitri Payet Is the player I would transfer in after GW1. KDB may also come in once his fitness improves.

Who is the team to look out for?:

Man City. Perhaps the safe choice, but it is still the first week so it’s best to stick with a team you know can pull off the goods, and of course, City can do that. They should be able to easily beat Sunderland who haven’t made any recognisable player additions.

Who is the team to avoid?:

Watford

GW Differential Picks:

Bojan, with a selection of only 2.4% A striker listed as a midfielder is sure to bag you extra points.Even up against Chelsea, Andy Carroll still has the ability to score , proven already in pre season and could work out as an ideal budget, differential striker. (Until West Ham sign a striker of course)

FPL Captaincy Pick:

Aguero! Normally I’m the one that never picks Kun, but with heavy hitters Payet and KDB likely not starting, I’m going with the favourite for most players.

Other Gameweek Comments:

Prepare for Mata to roundhouse kick Mourinho at Half Time.

FPL Hype Picks: Gameweek 1

Formation: 4-3-3

(I really want to include Payet but he’s too much of a risk - Fit but may be benched)

Starting 11

GK: De Gea

DEF: Sagna

DEF: Van Dijk

DEF: Morgan

DEF: Shaw

MID: Shaqiri

MID: Feghouli

MID: Hazard

FOR: Aguero (c)

FOR: Vardy (v)

FOR: Long

Substitutes

GK: Foster

MID: Mkhitaryan

MID: Alli

DEF: Walker

Want to know more about The Hype Train?

The Hype Train is an entertainment website founded in 2015 specialising in the Fantasy Premier League (#FPL), providing beautiful graphics and weekly insight for hopeful players attempting to climb ranking tables. We are also occasional media reviewers, with a keen interest to review movies, television, live music, festivals, and any relevant topic in the public eye.

You can follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, or visit our website here at www.thehypetrain.co.uk

All aboard.