The Cheapest Midfielders

The base price for a midfielder in the EPL fantasy league is £4.5m. Like most other seasons, this year most of the key all-star players have increased in price, meaning a lot of people are looking to squeeze in base price players to accomodate their bigger names.

Today we are looking at the basement priced mids, and trying to find players who are likely to earn enough points to make them worthwhile additions to your team. Successful discount midfielders will play regularly - ideally 75 minutes or more - and this will lead to an increase in price during the season, as more managers try and spot these budget points earners.

Muamba (Bolton):
Bolton's Muamba had the third highest point total last year among £4.5 midfielders and first in minutes played. Muamba has looked really good in the U21 European Championships for England and this may be his break out year if things go smoothly for him in the EPL. He also had some assists in preseason as well as scoring recently against Hearts. Bolton have no fixtures in gameweek 2 but two good starting fixtures in Sunderland (H) and Hull (A). Unless he gets an assist or goal in the first week then he is unlikely to see much price rise as the bye will make him less attractive to managers looking at £4.5m who played in week 1.

Carsley (Birmingham):
Carsley is a certain starter, which is the first attribute you should look for in any player. A former Irish international, Carsley is going to be a reliable backup worth at least two points every game. Birminghams opening fixture, against Man Utd away, isnt kind, but things get better after that. They also do not have a bye in Gameweek 2.

Edwards (Wolves):
Edwards scored three times and started half of last season's games, taking the field in over 40 of them. He is a likely starter against West Ham although may not get to the 90 minute mark. Despite their grim preseason results, Wolves have favourable set of opening fixtures and Edwards is certain of 1 point - and possibly more if Wolves can take advantage of West Ham at home.

Etuhu (Fulham):
A Nigerian international, he started the last 22 games of last season and is a prefered central midfielder. He missed Fulham's most recent friendly, because he was home for the birth of his son. Fulham are not playing GW2.

Hull have the mega popular Mendy (selected by 11% of teams), Marney and Ashbee as possibly contenders. However, its hard to tell what Brown will do with the Hull team from week to week, and use to drop Mendy and Marney randomly all last season. Hull have a tough opener against Chelsea at Stanford Bridge, and are also expected to have a difficult season, with the bookmakers expecting them to be the second team to be relegated. Keep these gents on the watchlist and if they are getting gametime, it may just be worth giving them some consideration.

Lee Bowyer at Birmingham might also be worth watching; he is suspended for the first game of the season but is likely to earn 2 points when he reaches the field. De Ridder at Wigan is having a good preseason - however that is no guarentee of game time. We were stung recommending him in the same circumstances last year! Worth putting on the watchlist as well.