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      James Maddison doesn’t need Harry Kane to take Dream Team by storm this season

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      TOTTENHAM began the post-Harry Kane era with a 2-2 draw at Brentford on Sunday.Though the spoils were shared in west London, fans were generally happy with what they saw from Ange Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge.
      Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the fixture from a Dream Team perspective was the success of James Maddison (£4m).
      A hopeful startCredit: DREAM TEAM
      The 26-year-old claimed seven points by virtue of two assists amid a typically lively performance.
      For the first, he demonstrated his set-piece threat with a whipped free-kick onto the concussed head of Cristian Romero (£3.5m).
      The second was somewhat fortunate as Maddison shuffled the ball away half a second before he was clattered only for Emerson Royal (£3m) to collect and unleash a low finish past Mark Flekken (£2.5m) from outside the box.
      That’s not to say the England international didn’t deserve his rewards; it could be argued he’s been robbed of a fair few assists in recent years.
      Maddison’s play style is perfectly suited to Dream Team.
      As a genuine playmaker, he seems to be almost entirely preoccupied with either creating goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates or taking on a shot himself.
      One of Dream Team’s most-popular midfieldersCredit: Getty
      This season, with Dream Team rewarding players for big chances created and shots on target as well as goals and assists, Spurs’ new No10 should thrive.
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      The fear was that the departure of the club’s old No10 (and all-time record goalscorer) to Bayern Munich would hinder Maddison’s returns.
      A striker of Kane’s calibre is a dream focal point for creative midfielders but if Gameweek 1 is anything to go by, the ex-Leicester man will do just fine in Postecoglou’s set-up.
      And perhaps that’s what Dream Team bosses should have expected all along – he produced plentiful points even when most his Leicester team-mates were under par.
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      It may yet be the case that Spurs recruit a clinical finisher to lead the line before the transfer window closes – they’ve certainly got the cash.
      With an ownership of 14.8%, Maddison is currently the eighth-most popular asset in his position, a whisker ahead of Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) and Luis Diaz (£4m).
      Spurs host Manchester United in Gameweek 2 which is a difficult match-up on paper but Erik ten Hag’s allowed Wolves 23 shots at Old Trafford on Monday night.
      Looking further ahead, the north Londoners will face Bournemouth Fulham (Carabao Cup), Burnley and Sheffield United – a favourable run.

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      Eberechi Eze & Matheus Nunes the only players to earn MAXIMUM bonus points in Dream Team Gameweek 1

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      GAMEWEEK 1 of the 2023/24 Dream Team season is essentially complete.The past few action-packed days have given gaffers a taste of the improved nature of our beloved fantasy game and there’s a lot to unpack.
      One specific element worth mulling over is the distribution of bonus points.

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      The exclusive group to have earned maximum bonus points in Gameweek 1Credit: DREAM TEAM
      It’s worth recapping the purpose of bonus points and how they are earned.
      The first thing to note is that bonus points are designed to recognise significant contributions to performance aspects not already covered by the traditional core points.
      Goals, assists, clean sheets and the like don’t impact bonus points because such contributions are already rewarded, hence why Erling Haaland (£8.5m) didn’t receive any bonus points against Burnley, for example.
      For full transparency, bonus points are determined by the following stats: successful dribbles, accurate crosses, pass completion rate, interceptions, blocks, fouls won and goals scored from outside the area.
      Additionally, offsides, fouls conceded and errors leading to goals will hinder a player’s chances of earning bonus points.
      After a full round of Premier League fixtures, just two individuals came away with five bonus points, the maximum a player can earn from any given match.
      Most read in Dream Team
      A natural footballerCredit: GETTY
      Eberechi Eze (£3m) was the first man to max out with a brilliant showing against Sheffield United.
      No player completed more accurate crosses or won more free-kicks than Crystal Palace’s No10 in Gameweek 1.
      We tipped the 25-year-old prior to the season getting underway and an eight-point haul at the Blades’ expense may cause his ownership to rise beyond 8%.
      Saying that, the Eagles welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Monday night, a considerably tougher opponent than Paul Heckingbottom’s side.
      However, we remain confident that Eze’s style of play will produce plenty of points over the course of the season.
      Wolves dictated play for long spells against Man United but failed to scoreCredit: GETTY
      Matheus Nunes (£2.5m) was the other player to pocket five bonus points in Gameweek 1.
      The Portuguese midfielder was one of several players to impress for Wolves on Monday night, although Gary O’Neil’s troops ultimately lost 1-0 to Manchester United.
      In a game that featured oceans of space in midfield, Nunes registered five successful dribbles and four interceptions, the joint-most of each among all players in the top flight so far.
      The 24-year-old features in just 0.3% of teams at the time of writing but given his eight-point haul and Wolves’ spirited performance at Old Trafford, a few more gaffers may feel he’s worth a punt, especially at such an affordable price.
      Read More on The Sun
      Keep an eye on which players earn bonus points in Gameweek 2.
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      Injuries and ‘Pep Roulette’ scupper Dream Team gaffers’ plans despite Erling Haaland’s inevitable returns

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      MANCHESTER CITY beat Burnley 3-0 on Friday night to open the curtain on the new Premier League season.On paper, it seemed a result ripe with Dream Team points but many gaffers were left frustrated by how events played out at Turf Moor.
      Another year of trying to second-guess Pep Guardiola!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      Erling Haaland (£8.5m) provided the goods with a clinical brace but given his ownership stands at a ginormous 85% his returns are unlikely to have much of an impact on Mini Leagues or the overall leaderboard.
      There was more variance in terms of captaincy selection but still the majority of Dream Team bosses doubled the Norwegian poacher’s 14 points to 28.
      However, a combination of Pep Guardiola’s team selection and injury misfortunes meant several popular assets missed out in Gameweek 1.
      Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) lasted just 23 minutes before he incurred another injury, an aggravation of the same hamstring issue that forced his premature exit in the Champions League final.
      This is a significant development as the Belgian playmaker is currently the third-most selected midfielder in Dream Team and may now face another spell on the sidelines.
      KDB didn’t last long at Turf MoorCredit: Getty
      Similarly, John Stones (£5m) is the third-most popular defender and was entirely absent at Burnley.
      The so-called ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ felt a twinge in his hip and was therefore not risked but Guardiola has since revealed the defender may be involved against Newcastle on Saturday.
      Ruben Dias (£5.5m) was another unexpected absentee as he suffered a blow to the head in training which triggered the concussion protocol, meaning he’ll be out for at least seven days.
      Most read in Football
      Despite injuries to the regular centre-backs, new signing Josko Gvardiol (£5m) had to make do with a 15-minute cameo at the end of the game – a frustration for the minority of Dream Team managers who took a punt on the Croatia international from the off.
      Jack Grealish (£4.5m) watched his side’s victory over the Clarets from the bench.
      The 27-year-old started Gameweek 1 as the sixth-most popular player in his position having finished last season as a nailed-on selection but Guardiola is ever unpredictable.
      16.6% of Dream Team managers own GrealishCredit: Getty
      When all was said and done, De Bruyne, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol and Grealish combined for just three measly points!
      Dream Team managers should be wary of overreacting to a single fixture, especially the first of the season, but with two transfers per Gameweek there’s enough flexibility to pivot if they so choose.
      Man City provide mountains of points as a collective but identifying which specific players to back can be tricky.
      Keep an eye out for updates after Wednesday night’s UEFA Super Cup.
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      Only Premier League stadium with no pubs nearby – the reason has nothing to do with fans

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      ONLY a single Premier League stadium has no pubs around it – and the reasons has nothing to do with football fans.Enjoying a drink and sampling the pre-match atmosphere is customary for many football supporters on a Saturday.
      There are no pubs close to Kenilworth RoadCredit: Twitter
      The football ground will host Premier League football this seasonCredit: Reuters
      Two men who run a market stall in the townCredit: Twitter
      Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road will host Premier League football this year after securing promotion from the Championship last season.
      The new-boys have been forced to spend around £10million on ground improvements in order to move in line with league regulations.
      But amid all the upgrades, the 188-year-old stadium’s nearest pub is more than a mile away.
      All 19 other Premier League stadiums have at least one venue local to the ground, but Luton differs.
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      Online guides for away supporters recommend The Bricklayers’ Arms close to the train station – more than a mile from Kenilworth Road.
      Other suggestions are based in the town centre, a similar distance away.
      Repubblica journalist Antonello Guerrera visited Kenilworth Road for the first time this week and detailed his experience.
      He told of how there are no pubs close to the ground due to its location being in a largely Muslim neighbourhood.
      Most read in Football
      Mr Guerrera wrote: “Kenilworth has another unique feature: it’s the first stadium I’ve seen in England that doesn’t have any pubs nearby: the closest is over a mile away.
      “The stadium is in an overwhelmingly Muslim neighborhood, as are the names of the shops. But that’s not the only explanation.”
      The latest Census data shows the overall population of Luton increased by 22,000 people between 2011 and 2021, a rise of 11 per cent.
      Figures taken from Luton Borough Council also shows the number of people identifying as Muslim rose from 49,991 to 74,191 in the last decade – up 48.4 per cent.
      The town has a non-white majority of 54.8 per cent, the data adds
      The journalist also explained he had been informed by Luton Town historian Roger Walsh told him: “There are no pubs in the area because before the many Asians there were Quakers.”
      Quakers, the name given to Religious Society of Friends, are part of a Christian movement that believe in “equality, peace, truth, justice and simplicity” – and many are teetotal.
      They have taken an active role in demonstrating on climate change in recent months.
      Luton had been due to host Burnley in their Premier League opener tomorrow, but were forced to postpone because Kenilworth Road won’t be ready in time.
      Instead, the club’s first home match of the season is set to take place on Friday, September 1, against West Ham.
      The stadium has become famous for its unique entrance to the away end.
      The entrance has been cut into a road of terraced houses, with fans walking up stairs overlooking a number of gardens.
      Residents told The Sun they can watch games from their attics – but life in the stadium has a downside.
      Mum-of-four Anu, 52, said: “My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
      She added that families on the Luton street used to get complimentary passes to games – before the pandemic put an end to the free tickets.
      But aerial photos taken last month showed how the ground resembled a building site.
      Half of the pitch is covered by workers’ vehicles and materials.
      Read More on The Sun
      Much of the Bobbers Stand is having to be rebuilt following promotion.
      New media facilities and camera positions are having to be installed ahead of their Premier League debut.
      A view of the area around Kenilworth RoadCredit: Twitter
      The famous entrance to the Oak Stand, which houses away supportersCredit: Reuters More

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      Team guide to Premier League 2023/24 as Man City chase historic fourth title in a row

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      NEVER in 135 years of League football has any club been crowned champions of England for four consecutive seasons.So as a new campaign dawns, the question is . . . who can stop Manchester City from making even more history?
      The title race could be a classic
      Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners have won three titles in a row and five of the last six and with Erling Haaland to the fore, they look unstoppable.
      Last season’s runners-up Arsenal have snapped up Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.
      Yet the suspicion remains Mikel Arteta’s men blew the best chance they may ever have when they topped the table for the vast majority of last term.
      Newcastle, with the wealth of Geordie Arabia behind them, are clearly the great long-term threat to City’s dominance.
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      But can Eddie Howe’s men juggle the demands of a Champions League campaign with a title bid?
      Liverpool, City’s only genuine rivals for most of the Guardiola era, have launched a major midfield refresh, starting with the arrival of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
      If Jurgen Klopp’s revamped forward line — including Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz — can click they may well stage one of their epic duels with City again.
      Boardroom takeover talk has dominated Manchester United’s summer but Erik ten Hag impressed during his first year in charge and is determined to go closer to City.
      Most read in Football

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      Chelsea and Tottenham are both under new management after disastrous seasons.
      Mauricio Pochettino is a proven overachiever here but he has a serious job on his hands making sense of owner Todd Boehly’s scattergun recruitment policy at Stamford Bridge.
      Ange Postecoglou, the first Australian to manage in the Premier League, was a surprise choice to take over at Spurs.
      Expectations are unusually low but the team should at least be playing more attractive football than at any time since Pochettino’s departure in 2019.
      Might there be any surprise packages to upset the big boys — such as Unai Emery’s revitalised Aston Villa or self- proclaimed champions of Europe, West Ham?
      Can promoted Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton emulate last season’s trio of Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest by avoiding immediate returns to the Championship?
      Whatever happens in the next ten months, it is unlikely to be dull — and SunSport will be there every step of the way.
      ARSENAL
      Dream Team MVP – Bukayo Saka (£6m)
      By Mark Irwin
      IT has taken Mikel Arteta the best part of four years to turn Arsenal around but now he faces his biggest challenge.
      Because it is one thing to close the gap to Manchester City but something else to overtake probably the best team in the world.
      For the fourth summer in a row, boss Arteta has been given the financial backing of owner Stan Kroenke to strengthen his squad.
      But this time the work came at the very top end of the transfer market, spending £200million to bring in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.

      And that has only been made possible by the remarkable progress under ruthless Arteta.
      The Gunners finished 43 points off the title in his first season. 
      Yet last term they ended up just five adrift of Treble winners City after leading the race for 248 DAYS before fading badly.
      Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United will all come at them hard — but Arteta has plenty of cause to believe Arsenal will be better than them all.
      Whether they are ready to catch City remains to be seen.
      Man Utd have topped the league for 4,486 days – or more than 12 years
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      ASTON VILLA
      Dream Team MVP – Ollie Watkins (£4.5m)
      By Graeme Bryce
      BRUMMIES will proudly tell you Birmingham boasts more canal miles than Venice and Amsterdam combined.
      And Aston Villa fans swear Unai Emery walks on them.
      He turned Steven Gerrard’s relegation candidates into Europa Conference League qualifiers.
      Villa have talked the talk for years about returning to the days when they were kings of Europe in the 80s.

      Now they have a boss who is capable of walking the walk . . . on water or otherwise.
      Only Manchester City won more points after the turn of the year as Villa reached Europe for the first time in 13 years.
      Now they have made the inspired signing of Youri Tielemans, added the best defender Emery has worked with in Pau Torres and grabbed jet-heeled French forward Moussa Diaby.
      Emery is after a trophy this season but the top four may not be out of the question.
      BOURNEMOUTH
      Dream Team MVP – Justin Kluivert (£2m)
      By Jack Rosser
      HAVING defied the odds to stay up last season, Bournemouth took a huge punt on their future this summer.
      American owner Bill Foley, out of the blue, decided to axe boss Gary O’Neil and appoint unknown Spaniard Andoni Iraola.
      Foley wanted a change in the style to give them a better chance of survival once again, while giving a new man every chance of success with a full pre-season.
      It is a big bet from the billionaire, who will pray his ruthless call pays off.

      Whatever happens, the south coast should provide some exciting football.
      Iraola may not be known to many English fans but he has made a name for himself in Spain by playing some intense football and upsetting the odds on a shoestring. The Cherries have lost out-of-contract Jefferson Lerma.
      But winger Justin Kluivert — son of Patrick — arrived for £9.5million from Roma, while midfield man Hamed Traore turned his loan into a £20m deal.
      And landing exciting Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez, 19, from AZ Alkmaar for £14m was a real coup.
      BRENTFORD
      Dream Team MVP – Bryan Mbeumo (£3.5m)
      By Isabelle Barker
      BRENTFORD are out to prove that no Ivan Toney is no problem.
      The Bees must cope without their star striker as he serves his EIGHT-MONTH ban from football for breaking betting rules.
      Fans will see him in action again in January.
      The 27-year-old cannot even train with his team-mates until September 17.
      But boss Thomas Frank has the likes of Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbeumo to call upon going forward.

      He also now boasts £23million centre-back Nathan Collins after his switch from Wolves.
      Brentford have punched well above their weight in their two Prem seasons.
      And last term they finished ninth — just two points off seventh and a Europa Conference League spot.
      They also beat Treble winners Manchester City (twice), Manchester United and Liverpool in a memorable campaign.
      The Bees are expected to burst out of the traps with Frank taking no prisoners in pre-season.
      Once again, he has used a gruelling one- kilometre fitness drill to get his hive buzzing.
      BRIGHTON
      Dream Team MVP – Kaoru Mitoma (£3.5m)
      By Jack Rosser
      BRIGHTON supporters are getting excited as they look forward to their first ever European adventure.
      After a record-breaking season, with Roberto De Zerbi replacing Graham Potter in September, the Italian is targeting more magical moments.
      They may have lost Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool but there are a host of young players ready to step up.
      Julio Enciso, 19, and Facundo Buonanotte, 18, look massive prospects.
      Freebies James Milner, 37, and Mahmoud Dahoud, 27, provide experience.

      Striker Joao Pedro has arrived for £30million from Watford, while £16.3m keeper Bart Verbruggen looks another gem from Anderlecht — as does Fiorentina centre-back Igor Julio.
      But the big excitement may come from seeing Evan Ferguson, 18, get a full season under his belt up front.
      And then there is the Europa League — their displays against the Prem’s big boys indicate they could have a long run.
      De Zerbi has made history but he will not stop chasing more.
      The fastest players from last season’s Premier League
      BURNLEY
      Dream Team MVP – Josh Brownhill (£2m)
      By Martin Blackburn
      WHEN Burnley went down in May 2022 few expected them to bounce straight back.
      In fact many feared they were heading for oblivion due to the financial model set out by owners ALK Capital.
      Yet those worries were washed away as their new boss Vincent Kompany got to work.
      And, 12 months on, they are back in the Prem — after an almost breathtaking transformation.
      Kompany ripped up Sean Dyche’s long-held blueprint.

      A squad largely made up of English and Irish players was moved on.
      Kompany kicked functional football into touch and used his contacts at Manchester City and around Europe to overhaul the place last summer.
      He has been busy in this window, going back to the Etihad to sign England’s impressive Under-21 Euros keeper James Trafford.
      Kompany was linked to the Spurs and Chelsea jobs before he opted to sign a new five-year deal with the Clarets.
      Pep Guardiola thinks the Belgian is destined for his job.
      And the pair get to go head to head on Friday night at Turf Moor.
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      CHELSEA
      Dream Team MVP – Nicolas Jackson (£2.5m)
      By Andrew Dillon
      MAURICIO POCHETTINO admits there are no excuses and no time for Chelsea to pick up the slack from the shocker of last season.
      The new boss can do nothing else but back himself with such a huge rescue mission looming.
      Coming 12th was their lowest Prem finish since 1994. There will be no European football for the first time in seven years.
      A squad revamp with an addition of mainly untried rookies is a huge gamble for a club used to high expectations.
      Poch is banking on youthful ambition and energy but injuries to new man Christopher Nkunku and defender Wesley Fofana are a hammer blow.

      At least the likes of Noni Madueke will be confident. He and Levi Colwill won the Under- 21 Euros with England.
      N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Edouard Mendy have all gone.
      But Poch says he took the job because he loves the risk.
      If that is true, he is in for a happy year.
      CRYSTAL PALACE
      Dream Team MVP – Eberechi Eze (£3m)
      By Jack Rosser
      CRYSTAL PALACE’S revolution is right back where it started, with Roy Hodgson.
      The manager, 76 this Wednesday, signed on for another year after returning to keep the Eagles up.
      Hodgson’s sights are higher than just 40 points and survival — he wants a top-half finish.
      New England man Eberechi Eze will be the key to hitting that lofty goal. 

      He struggled under Patrick Vieira but flourished with Hodgson and finally made his Three Lions debut in June.
      Wilfried Zaha’s decision to leave Selhurst Park opens up a vacancy for club talisman — and Eze appears to be the heir to the Palace throne.
      Jefferson Lerma, a free transfer from Bournemouth, comes into midfield, and there has been more ambition in the boardroom to invest.
      Even in the space of ten games at the end of last season, Hodgson showed his sides can be capable of attacking play when the tools are there.
      While there is still goodwill around his return with fans, the challenge is to deliver results with a flourish.
      EVERTON
      Dream Team MVP – Jordan Pickford (£3m)
      By Charlie Wyett
      EVERTON have got away with it for the last two seasons.
      So you can understand the pessimism among fans in the blue half of Merseyside, who fear this could be third time unlucky as the club continues to self-destruct.
      While most football supporters have been counting down to the new season, Everton’s faithful are dreading it.
      Since surviving on the final day of last term with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, not much has changed.
      The club remained in a dire state cash-wise after years of overspending.
      Their decision not to exercise Conor Coady’s £4.5million option was largely a financial one.

      While picking up Ashley Young on a free and Arnaut Danjuma on loan, at the second attempt, hardly breaks the bank.
      There are still questions over the squad — so the hope is boss Sean Dyche delivers another miracle.
      Club chiefs aim to move into their new £760m stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in early 2025. By then, it is anyone’s guess which division Everton will be in.
      FULHAM
      Dream Team MVP – Willian (£2m)
      By Jack Rosser
      MARCO SILVA worked wonders to finally shed Fulham’s yo-yo label.
      They even finished above neighbours Chelsea in tenth.
      The Cottagers fell just short of a place in Europe but their first priority will, once again, be avoiding the drop.
      There is always the danger of a second-season slump.
      And the last thing they needed was the Saudi Arabian saga concerning boss Silva AND forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.

      Mitro’s 14 Prem strikes in 2022-23 were crucial and while there were goals spread about the squad, no other player hit more than five in the league.
      Joao Palhinha was always going to attract attention after a stellar year.
      And losing winger Manor Solomon to Tottenham is a blow.
      But they have tied down left-back Antonee Robinson to a new deal and kept hold of Willian, 35, following protracted talks.
      They will also need the Raul Jimenez from his first two seasons at Wolves, when he smashed 44 goals, not the last three.
      The job is only going to get harder as Fulham look to avoid that sinking feeling again.
      LIVERPOOL
      Dream Team MVP – Mo Salah (£7m)
      By Charlie Wyett
      JURGEN KLOPP hopes his major midfield reboot can turn Liverpool back into contenders.
      The Anfield boss made changes after a hugely disappointing season saw them win nothing and finish fifth on 67 points — the lowest tally in a full season under Klopp.
      Dominik Szoboszlai has arrived for £60million from RB Leipzig, while Alexis Mac Allister joined from Brighton in a deal which could cost £52m.
      All eyes will be on how Szoboszlai adjusts to the Prem. He scored six and had eight Bundesliga assists in 2022-23 and can boost their creativity.

      James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left for free while, for the first time since 2015, Liverpool’s attack will not feature Roberto Firmino.
      But with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah, they have plenty of options in that area.
      Liverpool are back in Europa League action for the first time since losing the final in 2016 and will be expected to go deep.
      And the May 22 final is in Dublin, where Liverpool enjoy massive support.
      LUTON
      Dream Team MVP – Carlton Morris (£2.5m)
      By Isabelle Barker
      PREM fans have been waiting for this Luton Town fairytale.
      It has been a ten-year odyssey from non-league football back to the big time.
      And, in May, the Hatters sealed a first top-flight campaign since 1991-92 by beating Coventry in the Championship play-off final.
      The fact Kenilworth Road is a century-old, 10,000-capacity old-school ground, tucked in among back alleys and gardens, only adds to the fun of it.
      Rob Edwards’ side are off to a bumpy start with their opening home Prem match postponed due to a revamp to the stadium.

      They were to host Burnley on Saturday week but now West Ham will be their first Prem visitors.
      Luton are set to move to a new 19,500-capacity ground just a mile from their current home in 2026.
      They have made signings as they prepare to face the likes of Mo Salah and Erling Haaland.
      Danish centre-back Mads Andersen has joined from Barnsley, while winger Tahith Chong arrived for £4million from Birmingham.
      And popular midfielder Marvelous Nakamba is back after a loan spell.
      MAN CITY
      Dream Team MVP – Erling Haaland (£8.5m)
      By Martin Blackburn
      THE big question now is where do Manchester City go from here?
      On a magical night in Istanbul in June, City finally lifted the trophy they coveted most.
      And Champions League glory sealed a historic Treble — with a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
      So the test for Pep Guardiola is to have his men ready to go again when their new campaign kicks off at Burnley.
      City start as title favourites but rivals will have reasons to believe it could be the season they slip.
      Their epic run-in must have taken a lot out of the squad.

      And City’s focus could be taken off domestic matters early on by their participation in the Uefa Super Cup, then the Club World Cup in December.
      Guardiola lost two of his backroom staff after Rodo Borrell went to the US and Enzo Maresca joined Leicester.
      Skipper Ilkay Gundogan’s exit leaves a huge hole and Mateo Kovacic has big shoes to fill.
      Yet Pep has made a habit of finding new ways to win in seven years at City — and he will have spent the summer hatching a plan to do it all again.
      MAN UTD
      Dream Team MVP – Marcus Rashford (£6.5m)
      By Neil Custis
      MANCHESTER UNITED go into this season reflecting on how far they have come . . . and how far they still need to go.
      That Carabao Cup win last term was a giant step forward — their first silverware since 2017.
      Yet an FA Cup final loss to Manchester City laid bare how far behind the very best they remain.
      The fact City went on to match United’s Treble feat of 1999 only rubbed salt into the wound.
      While fans were left wondering if the takeover saga to rid the club of the unpopular Glazer family would ever end.

      Still, there were positives from Erik ten Hag’s first season after the mess of the previous 12 months.
      He has got a firm grip on the club, knows where he wants to go — and how to get there.
      Ten Hag let David de Gea go and signed Inter Milan keeper Andre Onana as well as Mason Mount from Chelsea to energise his midfield.
      But their best business was finally sorting Marcus Rashford’s new contract.
      The problem is City chief Pep Guardiola does not look ready to be knocked off his perch. 
      NEWCASTLE
      Dream Team MVP – Kieran Trippier
      By Oscar Paul
      SANDRO TONALI is the new poster boy as hope, excitement and expectation fill the Tyneside air.
      Newcastle boss Eddie Howe can do no wrong but now he must build a squad capable of fighting on four fronts, given Champions League football is back following a 20-year hiatus.
      And you better believe they will go for everything.
      The arrival of £55million midfielder Tonali, 23, from AC Milan was an early warning the Saudi-owned Magpies mean business.
      The Gennaro Gattuso-like terrier’s best years are ahead of him.
      And the prospect of seeing him in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton has fans salivating.

      The Toon Army will also hope local lad Elliot Anderson, 20, gets the chance to demonstrate he is the real deal.
      Up top, Callum Wilson is still deadly while Alexander Isak will be a threat.
      Anthony Gordon could fly into the campaign after being named the best player at the Under-21 Euros.
      Harvey Barnes can also provide the scoring threat from wide areas the fans have been craving.
      NOTTINGHAM FOREST
      Dream Team MVP – Morgan Gibbs-White (£3m)
      By Graeme Bryce
      AFTER the euphoria of last season’s bonkers Prem return, you might think Steve Cooper would welcome a season of steady progress.
      But do not bank on it.
      Premier League snobs sneered when the new boys chucked cash around like Jack Grealish on a night out in Ibiza.
      In total, boss Cooper was presented with 30 new signings across two frenetic transfer windows.
      What is overlooked is he also had to contend with 45 separate injuries.

      Yet he pulled it all together — like an expert cocktail maker — to produce an intoxicating brew which knocked everyone’s socks off.
      He may not have as many ingredients this time but signing Anthony Elanga from Manchester United looks a smart deal.
      And with classy Morgan Gibbs-White pulling the strings, Forest will fear no one at their City Ground fortress.
      The key to whether they thrive, instead of simply survive, is can they finally crack the code of how to win on the road?
      SHEFFIELD UNITED
      Dream Team MVP – Anel Ahmedhodzic (£2m)
      By Oscar Paul
      FEW Sheffield United fans hold out much hope of repeating their first-season heroics from four years ago.
      Bamboozling the Prem with funky overlapping centre-backs, the Blades finished ninth following promotion.
      This time? Take 17th now and run. Cash is tight amid takeover uncertainty, with boss Paul Heckingbottom eyeing loans and free agents due to a limited budget of around £20million.
      The squad is almost identical to the one relegated after that miracle 2019-20 term under Chris Wilder.

      Question marks hang over strikers Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster, who hit ONE goal in 50 outings between them when they went down.
      Norwegian Sander Berge offers class in midfield alongside Oliver Norwood but they will badly miss Manchester City loanees Tommy Doyle and James McAtee.
      Anel Ahmedhodzic proved a good addition at the back beside John Egan and Chris Basham.
      Three of their first four games are at Bramall Lane — so a fast start is vital for the Blades.
      TOTTENHAM
      Dream Team MVP – James Maddison (£4m)
      By Tom Barclay
      OPERATION ‘make fans fall in love with Spurs again’ starts now for Ange Postecoglou.
      Supporters were bored stiff at times by the dull fare served up by predecessors Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo and Jose Mourinho.
      New man Postecoglou has promised football that will excite — music to the ears of the regulars in N17.
      The back three Conte was so wedded to is set to be axed for 4-3-3 and a playmaker has finally arrived in the form of £40million James Maddison.
      Keeper Guglielmo Vicario — signed from Serie A side Empoli — may not be a household name over here but glowing reports from Italy suggest he could be one day.

      Dejan Kulusevski was snapped up from Juventus permanently for £25m, while Harry Winks left for Leicester.
      And free transfer Manor Solomon adds another option on the wing.
      Ex-Celtic chief Postecoglou, 57, is known for being a builder of teams.
      That is why Spurs need the Aussie — regardless of the Harry Kane saga — due to the mess left by Conte which sees them out of Europe.
      Fans do not expect instant success . . . just a chance to enjoy some g’days again.
      WEST HAM
      Dream Team MVP – Jarrod Bowen (£4.5m)
      By Jordan Davies
      TEARY-EYED and wistful, West Ham must move on.
      Not a man, woman nor child had dry cheeks that June night in Prague when Declan Rice lifted the Europa Conference League trophy on his final outing for the club.
      The fans knew it was their captain’s way of saying goodbye — now his name will be chanted by Arsenal supporters at the Emirates.
      But this is no time for the Hammers to bask in what has been and gone. This season, more than ever, is a chance to push on.

      David Moyes will not survive another woeful start, regardless of his new place among the list of all-time great West Ham managers.
      With another Europa League journey to contend with, a top-ten finish should be the aim but that requires this side’s usually reliable faces to step up in Rice’s absence.
      Jarrod Bowen needs to recapture the net-bulging touch. Nayef Aguerd needs to stay fit at the back. Lucas Paqueta needs to sparkle.
      Rice is gone but hope remains in East London.
      WOLVES
      Dream Team MVP – Jose Sa (£3m)
      By Graeme Bryce
      THERE were plenty of moans and groans at Molineux last season.
      And that was before pundit Gary Lineker was hilariously upstaged by a blue-movie soundtrack during Wolves’ FA Cup replay with Liverpool!
      But having flopped early on under Bruno Lage, Wolves rediscovered their mojo with Julen Lopetegui when the top flight returned after the World Cup. 
      At that point they were rock bottom — but ended up 13th.
      Boss Lopetegui boosted his limited options with a few key January deals.
      Unlike Leicester, Wolves managed to live with the fact stars Joao Moutinho and skipper Ruben Neves already knew they were set to leave in the summer.

      Mario Lemina added steel to midfield and Craig Dawson tightened things up in defence, where Max Kilman shone.
      Old favourite Matt Doherty is back but another one, Raul Jimenez, has gone.
      It remains to be seen if Matheus Cunha can provide the goals Wolves desperately need.
      Qualifying for Europe looks a tall order but Lopetegui should keep them up for another term.
      Read More on The Sun
      Luton back in the top flight it’s… UNBELIEVABLE JEFF
      WHEN Luton were last in the top flight, Chris Kamara was right in the middle of a survival scrap.The much-loved pundit and sidekick of Jeff Stelling was pictured squaring up to Notts County’s Paul Harding in the final match of the 1991-92 season.Luton lost it 2-1 and were promptly relegated, missing out on the first season of the Premier League.Now 31 years on, the Hatters are back in the promised land.That fateful day in May ’92 brought to an end a ten-year stay in the top flight which saw Luton regularly defy the odds.From Raddy Antic’s survival- securing goal to David Pleat’s dancing and, later, Brian Stein’s League Cup winner, it was a period of success played out in a quirky ground on a plastic pitch.And it helped turn the likes of Ricky Hill and Mick Harford (left) into household names and England internationals.Now the current crop have a chance to make their own Hatters history. More

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      Six ways to win with Dream Team this season – more prize winners than ever before guaranteed!

      by

      DREAM TEAM is available to play right now and this season guarantees more prize winners than ever before!Here’s SIX ways you can win in 2023/24.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!

      Your knowledge of the beautiful game could work wonders for your bank balanceCredit: DREAM TEAM
      1. Mega Jackpot
      Our beloved fantasy game is once again free to play with a £50,000 jackpot awarded to the overall winner at the end of the campaign.
      Last season, we dished out cash prizes to the four runners-up but this season we’re paying out £1,000 each to the next TWENTY runners-up!
      2. Weekly Wins
      Additionally, we’re handing out £100 to the gaffer who earns the most points each Gameweek – meaning you only need to get your team spot on for just a handful of fixtures to enhance your bank balance.
      With at least two transfers available every Gameweek this season, Dream Team bosses will easily be able to tailor their teams to the fixtures at hand and target the £100 weekly payout.
      3. It’s Not Over Yet…
      We’re also putting up £5,000 for the Second Shot League which runs from January 5th until the final fixture – giving gaffers who stuttered throughout the first half of the season a chance to start afresh.
      The Second Shot League is open to all and you’ll automatically be entered no matter the state of your XI.
      The winner will take home £2,000, with £1,000 each for second and third, followed by £500 each for fourth and fifth.
      Prove your Football IQ with Dream Team this seasonCredit: DREAM TEAM
      4. Score Predictor
      Outside of Dream Team’s iconic fantasy game, there’s plenty of cash to be won playing Score Predictor – a simple and satisfying game that asks you to predict how the weekend’s action will play out.
      The person with the clearest foresight for scores and results this season will bank £3,500 while the runner-up will take home £1,000, with a further £500 going to the proverbial bronze medalist.
      5. More Weekly Wins!
      There’ll be weekly prizes for Score Predictor too, including highly-desired games consoles from Xbox and PlayStation – there’s a PS5 up for grabs in Matchweek 1!
      Just like with Dream Team’s fantasy game, your instincts for the beautiful game only need to be razor sharp for one set of fixtures to land a prize.
      We’re dishing out the dosh this year!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      6. Experience Points Prize Draws
      This season, Dream Team managers will earn Experience Points (XP) by playing games and registering specific achievements.
      Essentially, the more engaged with Dream Team you are throughout the year the more XP points you’ll earn; so dive head first into the fantasy game, Score Predictor, Higher or Lower, and any other offerings that may crop up.
      The more XP points you earn the higher your level in our Loyalty Programme.
      Every month there will be prize draws with better prizes allocated to those belonging to the higher levels:

      Level 1 prize – Nike Premier League academy football

      Level 2 prize – Premier League or EFL football shirt of winner’s choice

      Level 3 prize – £150 Amazon voucher

      Level 4 prize – Nintendo Switch

      Level 5 prize – PlayStation 5

      Level 6 prize – iPhone 14 (or newer)

      Taking every avenue into consideration, it’s possible that 100+ people could win a prize via Dream Team throughout the Game Year – good luck!

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!

      Cash prizes now available worldwide, see T&Cs for list of excluded territories. Non-cash prizes are available to residents of the UK and Republic of Ireland only. Winners outside these territories will win cash alternatives. More

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      Dream Team gaffers should be studying fixtures from the start – Arsenal set for prosperous August

      by

      EVERY Premier League club has a clean slate for the new season but Dream Team gaffers should be studying the fixtures from the get-go.Proper form may not be established for a few weeks yet but even so there’s points to be had from favourable match-ups from the very first Gameweek.
      With that in mind, take this whistle-stop tour of every Premier League team’s August fixtures and start plotting how you might use your first few transfers.
      Remember, you’ll get TWO transfers per Gameweek this season!

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!

      Will the Gunners fly out of the blocks again this season?Credit: DREAM TEAM
      ARSENAL

      Nottingham Forest (h)
      Crystal Palace (a)
      Fulham (h)

      Steve Cooper’s side had the worst away record last season so in that sense it’s the perfect start for the Gunners on paper.
      Mikel Arteta’s troops burst out of the blocks this time last year and they could well do the same again looking at these match-ups.
      ASTON VILLA

      Newcastle (a)
      Everton (h)
      Burnley (a)

      Please be aware that the Villains’ Europa Conference League play-off legs will NOT count towards Dream Team.
      Ollie Watkins (£4.5m) and company will only start scoring points in the competition if they make it through to the groups stages.
      A trip to St James’ Park represents a tricky domestic opening but that’s offset by a couple of favourable match-ups against teams expected to finish in the bottom half.
      BOURNEMOUTH

      West Ham (h)
      Liverpool (a)
      Tottenham (h)

      Andoni Iraola promises ambitious, attacking football – good on him!
      That being said, a mauling at Anfield early doors wouldn’t be great for morale.
      Newcastle v Villa is a tasty fixture for Gameweek 1Credit: GETTY
      BRENTFORD

      Tottenham (h)
      Fulham (a)
      Crystal Palace (h)

      The Bees start with three London derbies.
      It will be interesting to see how they adjust to life without the suspended Ivan Toney.
      BRIGHTON

      Luton (h)
      Wolves (a)
      West Ham (h)

      The Seagulls couldn’t have asked for a more friendly opening month, especially with Wolves having been destabilised by Julen Lopetegui’s dramatic exit – his signature move.
      Kaoru Mitoma (£3.5m) and Pervis Estupinan (£3.5m) are among the most-popular assets in their respective positions ahead of Gameweek 1.
      BURNLEY

      Manchester City (h)
      Aston Villa (h)

      Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted side will play just twice in August because Luton’s stadium is not ready to host Premier League football.
      And it’s a tough pair of fixtures too!
      How many points will Haaland take off Burnley on Friday night?Credit: GETTY
      CHELSEA

      Liverpool (h)
      West Ham (a)
      Luton (h)

      It’s very difficult to predict how the Blues will perform out of the traps with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm.
      The squad has been thinned out but star signing Christopher Nkunku (£4m) is expected to be sidelined until December with injury.
      Liverpool’s visit to Stamford Bridge is the standout fixture of Gameweek 1 and that contest is likely to give Dream Team gaffers a better feel for Chelsea’s prospects.
      CRYSTAL PALACE

      Sheffield United (a)
      Arsenal (h)
      Brentford (a)

      A bit of everything for the Eagles this month – one favourable game, a challenging test, and a even match-up on paper.
      Eberechi Eze (3m) has swaggered his way through pre-season and could well be a contender for Gameweek 1’s top performer.
      EVERTON

      Fulham (h)
      Aston Villa (a)
      Wolves (h)

      Jordan Pickford (£3m) is the Toffees’ most-selected player at the time of writing but even he appears in just 3.3% of teams created.
      It’s fair to say Dream Team gaffers don’t have much faith in Sean Dyche’s troops at this stage.
      Everton’s most-popular player ahead of Gameweek 1Credit: GETTY
      FULHAM

      Everton (a)
      Brentford (h)
      Arsenal (a)

      Even fewer managers are backing the west Londoners to make waves early on.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic (£4m) is his club’s most-popular asset with an ownership of just 1.1% – and he doesn’t even want to play for them!
      LIVERPOOL

      Chelsea (a)
      Bournemouth (h)
      Newcastle (a)

      If Chelsea come out swinging then Jurgen Klopp’s side could face two tricky away days in the first month of the season.
      All eyes on the revamped midfield and the pecking order among the front three – at least Mohamed Salah (£7m) is a given.
      LUTON

      Brighton (a)
      Chelsea (h)

      Like Burnley, the Hatters have just two fixtures in August and difficult ones at that.
      The Championship play-off winners will embrace their reputation as underdogs but there’s no doubt they face a steep uphill task this season.
      Dream Team bosses are backing City players to start strongCredit: AFP
      MANCHESTER CITY

      Burnley (a)
      Newcastle (h)
      Sheffield United (a)

      There’ll be no points earned during the treble-winners’ meeting with Sevilla in the Super Cup but with two promoted teams in their first three domestic fixtures, Erling Haaland (£8.5m) and company could pick up where they left off.
      With all due respect to the Blades, that match-up at Bramall Lane could be brutally one-sided.
      MANCHESTER UNITED

      Wolves (h)
      Tottenham (a)
      Nottingham Forest (h)

      Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are almost as unpredictable as Pochettino’s Chelsea so let’s put a pin in that trip to the capital for now.
      Erik ten Hag will feel confident of a positive start at Old Trafford though with a disjointed Wolves preceding a Forest team that earned just eight points on the road in 2022/23.
      NEWCASTLE

      Aston Villa (h)
      Manchester City (a)
      Liverpool (h)

      Arguably the most difficult set of August fixtures of the lot.
      In the not too distant past, fans of the Magpies would be fearing the worst this month but Eddie Howe’s ever-improving side have proven to be ultra competitive regardless of the opposition.
      Still, you fear for Nick Pope (£4.5m) and Kieran Trippier’s (£6m) early returns.
      Newcastle face a tough opening monthCredit: GETTY
      NOTTINGHAM FOREST

      Arsenal (a)
      Sheffield United (h)
      Manchester United (a)

      Forest’s miserable away record really can’t be stressed enough and what a pair of fixtures to throw up early doors for the fans who follow their team everywhere.
      In contrast, Steve Cooper will be targeting an emphatic win at the City Ground when the Blades come to town.
      SHEFFIELD UNITED

      Crystal Palace (h)
      Nottingham Forest (a)
      Manchester City (h)

      To be frank, the club’s transfer window activity has bred pessimism among the supporters, understandably so.
      Two points would probably be seen as a decent outcome given the current circumstances but football is inherently unpredictable.
      TOTTENHAM

      Brentford (a)
      Manchester United (h)
      Bournemouth (a)

      It’s hard to know what to make of this set as most Dream Team gaffers are waiting for their first proper look at Spurs under Postecoglou.
      It goes without saying that Harry Kane’s (£7m) presence or absence will make a huge difference to the north Londoners fortunes.
      Will he stay or will he go?Credit: GETTY
      WEST HAM

      Bournemouth (a)
      Chelsea (h)
      Brighton (a)

      Life without Declan Rice (£3.5m) begins with a relatively friendly trip to the Cherries but sterner questions are likely to be asked beyond the opening weekend.
      Will last season’s Europa Conference League glory give the Hammers’ confidence heading into 2023/24?
      WOLVES

      Manchester United (a)
      Brighton (h)
      Everton (a)

      Lopetegui’s late exit has thrown a spanner in the works and those first two fixtures have the potential to compound the uneasy feelings around Molineux.
      Not a single Wolves player has an ownership higher than 0.5% right now – that says it all.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE! More

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      Gameweek 1 captaincy options: Tempting midfield alternatives to obvious choice Erling Haaland

      by

      THIS season, Dream Team managers have the luxury of selecting a captain .The chosen player will have their points doubled for the duration of the Gameweek, no matter how many fixtures that encompasses.
      It’s imperative that gaffers give due consideration to this element of the game if they want to bank as many points as possible – click here to read more about captains.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW – MORE CASH WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!

      Haaland is Dream Team’s most-selected captain for Gameweek 1Credit: GETTY
      Let’s analyse the best captaincy options for Gameweek 1.
      Erling Haaland (£8.5m)
      Manchester City’s prolific No9 is categorised as “the obvious choice” until further notice.
      The Etihad’s resident cyborg racked up 400+ points last season thanks mostly to his obscene goal tally of 52 in all competitions.
      Haaland is a strong option no matter his fixtures but he’s particularly popular ahead of Gameweek 1 because he travels to newly-promoted Burnley on Friday night – make sure you’ve selected a captain before 7pm!
      The Clarets swaggered to the Championship title last season but the enormity of their promotion could slap them in the face when they welcome the treble-winners to Turf Moor.
      Manchester City beat Vincent Kompany’s men 6-0 in the FA Cup back in March – Haaland scored a hat-trick.
      See also: Kevin De Bruyne (£7m).
      Eberechi Eze (£3m)
      Style and substanceCredit: DREAM TEAM
      Haaland has scored one goal in his last eight competitive appearances for City, nine if you include the Community Shield.
      Perhaps his form at the end of last season is irrelevant because of the summer break but Dream Team gaffers may feel Gameweek 1 is actually the perfect time to take him on.
      Crystal Palace’s No10 has thoroughly enjoyed himself in pre-season having sparkled since Roy Hodgson’s return to the Selhurst Park dugout.
      The talented midfielder kicks off his 2023/24 campaign with a trip to Bramall Lane to face a Sheffield United side seemingly intent on entering the top flight with a worse squad than they had in the Championship.
      Bukayo Saka (£6m)
      Top GunCredit: PA
      Arsenal start at the Emirates against a Nottingham Forest side who mustered just eight points away from home last season – no team registered fewer on the road.
      It’s therefore a mightily favourable match-up for the Gunners and who better to exploit it than their resident Star Boy?
      Saka would have been his side’s top scorer (313 points) by a country mile last season had the new scoring system been implemented.
      Victory in the Community Shield over Pep Guardiola’s side has set Arsenal up for another flying start and it wouldn’t be a surprise if their homegrown No7 bagged a double-digit haul to open his account in style.
      Kaoru Mitoma (£3.5m)
      Bright sparkCredit: GETTY
      Brighton v Luton is another tempting fixture to target.
      Most neutrals are willing the Hatters to upset the odds this season but the fact is they are perhaps the biggest underdogs to ever grace the Premier League.
      The Seagulls have played free-flowing, attacking football under Roberto De Zerbi with their Japanese winger arguably being the star attraction.
      Mitoma is Brighton’s most-popular player at the time of writing and while the captain’s armband may be a stretch too far, he’s certainly an excellent option for Gameweek 1.
      MOST-POPULAR CAPTAINS FOR GAMEWEEK 1

      Ering Haaland (£8.5m)
      Kevin De Bruyne (£7m)
      Bruno Fernandes (£6.5m)
      Bukayo Saka (£6m)
      Martin Odegaard (£5m)

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