Best midfielders to pick in YOUR fantasy teams: Bukayo Saka is joined by a surprise pick inside the top five for predicted points, but who is No 1 according to FPL experts?

Midfielders are hot property in FPL, with seven of the top ten performing players from last season occupying this position. 

With five to pick, getting the balance right between the premiums priced over £10.0m and cheaper options is the biggest quandary. There’s some variety considering the potential of the AI predictions over the first four gameweeks.

With just two days left until Friday's 6.30pm deadline, Fantasy Football Hub's Holly Shand takes a look at five midfielders you should consider for your 15-man squads.  

5. Son Heung-min - 23.9 predicted points 

Spurs talisman Son Heung-min is a mouth-watering prospect to start the season with, especially since he has a full pre-season under his belt, where he’s been consistently producing goals. 

At £10million, he’s a consistent fantasy performer, winning the Golden Boot in 2021-22 with 23 goals.

Spurs have an attractive run of opening fixtures, including a trip to Leicester City in Gameweek 1. This is a fixture that traditionally yields goals, with 22 in their last four Premier League meetings. 

Son has scored nine goals in league appearances against the Foxes, making them one of his favourite opponents.

The arrival of big money signing Dominic Solanke means that Son will be playing as a support striker off the wing which should suit him, similar to the role he played alongside Harry Kane for so many seasons. 

However, there could be competition for penalties and Solanke himself is significantly cheaper, at £7.5m.

4. Cole Palmer - 24.9 predicted points 

Chelsea's star man Cole Palmer has to be under consideration given that he finished last campaign as the highest scoring player in FPL, with a leading 7.2 points per match. 

His tally of 22 goals included a perfect record of nine conversions from the penalty spot and 15 goal involvements in his final ten games.

His record in home games at Stamford Bridge is incredible and potential owners shouldn’t be put off by a tricky opener against his former employers Manchester City. He scored a last minute penalty against them in this fixture, which ended in a 4-4 draw, last season. He’s increased in price by £5.5m to £10.5m.

Palmer is the highest owned midfielder in the game, in around 45 per cent of sides, but we’ve had limited chance to scout his form in pre-season given his late arrival following international duty. Within FPL circles, plenty are opting for team-mate Christopher Nkunku (£6.5m), on 19.4 predicted points, who is 12th on this list.

3. Eberechi Eze - 25.8 predicted points

When it comes to the mid-priced midfield bracket, it’s Crystal Palace talisman Eberchi Eze who leads the way both in terms of ownership and predictions. He’s in a third of sides and is holding his own among premium midfielders by AI in terms of his potential, as the cheapest midfielder to make the top ten.

Eze produced five points per match last season, with 11 goals and five assists from 24 starts. The Eagles have an enticing attacking run to start the season, including Brentford, West Ham and Leicester in the opening four gameweeks.

Crystal Palace have seen some key activity in the transfer window, with the departure of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich ensuring that Eze will be the main candidate across their set pieces. 

Buyers will be hoping a potential return to Selhurst Park for Wilfried Zaha, another dead ball specialist, doesn’t come to fruition.

2. Bukayo Saka - 26.0 predicted points

Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka has been one of the most consistent performers in recent years, reaching 20 goal involvements in three consecutive seasons and breaking the 200-point barrier in the Gunners' last two campaigns.

This year he sees a significant price increase of £1.5m, taking him into the premium category at £10.0m. With uncertainty over whether Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz start the season as the central striker, and competition for places on the left wing, Saka becomes the obvious route into this attack.

For many players returning late from England duty at the Euros there’s concern they may not start in Gameweek 1 as they look to build fitness. 

However, Mikel Arteta very rarely leaves Saka out of his XI and he’s already played significant minutes across their final two pre-season games.

1. Mohamed Salah - 30.1 predicted points

Liverpool have one of the best fixture runs to open the season, which sees talisman Mohamed Salah climb to the top of the AI midfielder rankings, having passed over 25 goal involvements for the seventh consecutive season.

Big changes are afoot at Anfield, with a swap in manager leaving some questions for potential Salah suitors after a resounding era under Jurgen Klopp. 

Salah was the leading midfielder in the game for shots on target last term, and he also topped the midfielder rankings for big chances and expected goals.

The Egyptian is predicted to be the highest scoring player in Gameweek 1 when Liverpool travel to Ipswich according to AI, on a predicted 7.5 points. 

He has an enviable record for the opening game of the season for Liverpool, providing an attacking return on every occasion, making him the perfect captaincy pick.

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