Here is a guide to the 2019-20 Fantasy Premier League:

THE BASICS

The set-up is the same as last year.

• Each manager is given 100 million to spend on 15 players – 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders and 3 forwards.
• Every player is given a price based on their performances from last season. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the most expensive player in the game at 12.5 million.
• You cannot pick more than 3 players from each team so your dream of copying Jurgen Klopp’s back four is over.
• Users can make one free transfer per week, though you can use a “wild card” on any two occasions during the season, where you can make as many transfers as you want.
• If you don’t play a wild card, any extra transfers will each cost you -4 points.

WEEK BY WEEK

• Select a captain. They score double points every week. Make sure to select a vice captain too, as they step in if your skipper does not play. You can even earn triple points – but only once a season – by selecting the triple captain option.
• You can use “Bench Boost” once a season, where all the substitutes will be included in your points for that Gameweek.
• The “Free Hit” also allows you to rip things up (also once per season) and change as many players as you want for one week only. Consider this if a team has two matches in a Gameweek.

SCORING

Points mean prizes in the Fantasy Premier League so consider how you earn them before picking your team:

• Scoring a goal (forward): 4 points
• Scoring a goal (midfielder): 5 points
• Scoring a goal (goalkeeper/defender): 6 points
• Assist: 3 points
• Clean sheet (goalkeeper/defender): 4 points
• Clean sheet (midfielder): 1 point
• Playing up to 60 minutes: 1 point
• Playing more than 60 minutes: 2 points
• Goalkeeper saves: 1 point per 3 saves
• Penalty save: 5 points

Don’t get too carried away with winning the office league just yet, you can also lose points.

There are few less infuriating things than when one of your players gets sent off or puts the ball in his own net, but it’s all part of the game.

• Yellow card: -1 point
• Red card: -3 points
• Own goal: -2 points
• Goals conceded (goalkeeper/defenders): -1 point for every 2 goals let in
• Missing a penalty: -2 points

TIPS

While it is an obvious choice to spend big on star players such as Salah, Harry Kane or Sergio Aguero, there are also bargains to be had.

You’ll need them in order to pay for the players whose value is in double figures.

Goalkeepers

West Ham United’s Lukasz Fabianski (5m) is a penalty saving specialist, Wolves stopper Rui Patricio (5m) impressed last season and Tom Heaton (4.5m) will finally be first choice at newly promoted Aston Villa.

Defenders

Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko (5.5m) offers value and might get more game time, while across the city Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5.5m) is expected to offer assists from right back.

Midfielders

England international James Maddison (7m) was a standout for Leicester City last season, while teammate Harvey Barnes is a cheaper option at 6m. Daniel James (6m) was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing at Old Trafford and has impressed in preseason. Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic (7.5m) is worth a punt too, as is teammate Mason Mount (6m). Crystal Palace matchwinner Wilfried Zaha (7m) is another good option in midfield.

Forwards

World Cup winner Olivier Giroud (7m) might finally be first choice at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard, while Joshua King (6.5m) at Bournemouth often goes under the radar despite being solid. Wolves’ Raul Jimenez (7.5m) is expected to shine again this season. Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu improved as the season wore on and is a steal at 6.5m.

ONE LAST THING... THE TRANSFER WINDOW

The Premier League Transfer Deadline is not until Friday, August 9 at midnight. Luckily you can make as many changes as you want to your squad before it is locked in for Gameweek 1. Keep an eye on it to make sure all of your players are still in the Premier League when the season starts.

Mathew Gaw contributed to this article.