The new Premier League season kicks off tonight.
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers across the world are locked in the game's ultimate debate: how to choose between the two most expensive players, Erling Haaland (£14.0m) and Mohamed Salah (£14.5m).
With a combined cost of £28.5m, owning both is a luxury only a few managers can afford without compromising the rest of their squad.
For the vast majority, it is a choice of one or the other.
The case for Salah: The points machine
Mohamed Salah, priced at a record-high for a midfielder at £14.5m, is a fantasy football legend.
Last season, he had a record-breaking campaign, amassing an incredible 344 points, more than 100 points ahead of his nearest challenger.
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He finished the season with 47 attacking returns (goals + assists), a testament to his consistent brilliance.
Key strengths:
Goal and assist threat: As a midfielder, Salah earns five points for a goal, compared to four for a forward like Haaland. He also picks up a bonus point for a clean sheet and is a prolific assist-maker.
Captaincy dominance: Salah is currently the most-selected player in FPL, found in a staggering over 55% of squads. He will almost certainly be the most-captained player in the opening gameweeks. Choosing him means you keep pace with the majority of the game, mitigating the risk of a disastrous drop in rank if he scores big.
The case for Haaland: The goal-scoring powerhouse
For three consecutive seasons, Erling Haaland has been the Premier League's most lethal marksman.
While his goal tally of 22 last season was considered a "downturn," his underlying numbers are still frighteningly good.
He remains the focal point of a dominant Manchester City attack, and he is the bookies' favourite to win his third Golden Boot.
Key strengths:
Guaranteed goals: Haaland's role as a pure No. 9 in a team that creates an abundance of chances makes him a near-certainty for double-digit returns.
The fixture edge: Manchester City's early fixture list is significantly more favourable than Liverpool's, meaning Haaland could get off to a blistering start.
The differential factor: Despite his immense goalscoring pedigree, Haaland's ownership is surprisingly low. Recent data shows he is currently owned by fewer than 20% of managers, making him a huge differential. A single hat-trick from him could give you a massive rank boost over the vast majority of players who have opted for Salah.
The Verdict
This year's debate is more nuanced than ever.
Salah, with his high ownership and record-breaking season, is the undeniably safe bet.
He's a player you almost can't afford to be without, especially for captaincy.
However, Haaland's early fixture run and low ownership offer a route to a significant early-season rank jump.
The decision comes down to your risk appetite: do you play it safe with the crowd or take a gamble on the explosive Norwegian?
Football news and related links
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