The Europa League remains the most challenging competition when it comes to fantasy football. I’ve said it before, and I stand by it. How do you create a winning team from players of clubs that finished 3rd, 4th, or 5th in their respective leagues, but who desperately want a trophy?
It’s not easy, I know. But I have some selection tips for you. These ideas come from over ten years of writing fantasy football tips, and from current research.
I also have a recommendation to make. Once you’re done with the article, take this information to FootballCoin and register for the free GW1 Europa League fantasy football contest. You stand to win prizes and go up against some of the best fantasy football managers.
My Gameweek 1 Europa League Squad Reveal
First of all, let’s be honest with ourselves. With so many teams taking part in GW1, it’s not easy to predict what it is that will happen. Sure, previous season’s results, team news and form do give us some indication.
Europa League fantasy football is played using an Easy Mode scoring system. This, to my mind, means that a 4-3-3 is the best approach to take.
Here’s a look at my team!
| Position | Player Name | Club | Card Tier | Why Included for GW4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Nikolas Polster | NEC Nijmegen | 1★ – Free | He’s a relative unknown. But he’ll be facing Kolo Muani. Sounds like legend-making material to me |
| DEF 1 | Honest Ahanor | Crystal Palace | 2★ – Free w/ lease | Young hopeful likely to get a chance for 90 mins |
| DEF 2 | Moussa Niakhate | Lyon | 3★ | Experienced defender worth giving an opportunity for first-team football |
| DEF 3 | Daniel Banjaqui | Benfica | 1★ – Free | Rookie with plenty of potential who will relish the first-team experience, even if it comes against an opponent like AC Milan |
| DEF 4 | Antonio Silva | Bournemouth | 2★ – Free w/ lease | EPL standard will count in a big match against the typically thrilling Real Sociedad |
| MID 1 | Quinten Timber | Crystal Palace | 2★ – Free w/ lease | Fresh transfer looking to impress against Lech Poznan |
| MID 2 | Chris Rigg | Sunderland | 2★ – Free w/ lease | Young Premier League player looking to earn further first-team experience |
| MID 3 | Pavel Sulc | Lyon | 1★ – Free | Old-school midfielder, finally making good on his early promise |
| FW 1 | Wilson Isidor | Sunderland | 2★ – Free w/ lease | Isidor is a top, underrated defender making the best of all his opportunities, whether in the PL, the World Cup, or, I predict, the UEL |
| FW 2 | Patrik Schick | Bayer Leverkusen | 2★ – Free w/ lease | The Czech forward is having a good start to the season. Enjoy it! Who knows how long this will last? |
| FW 3 | Kasper Hogh | Celtic | 2★ – Free w/ lease | He has 3 goals in 3 Premiership games. He’s been on the field for a 3-0 thrashing against Rangers. Needs to put in a good performance |
| AM | Sergio Busquets | Retired AM | 5★ | Any 5* Assistant Manager will reward you with 15 points |
My 3 Must-Have “Sleeper Picks” for GW1
Jorgen Strand Larsen (Nordic Goal Machine) – An attacking midfielder with an eye for a goal, Larsen can be a strng pick, especially considering the fact that the experience Crystal Palace take o Poland’s Lech Poznan in GW1
Adrien Truffert (Proven EPL Defensive Powerhouse) – There’s a feeling that Truffert might just be a little too good for both the UEL and Bournemouth. But, in another matter of speaking, this is precisely why you want this full-back on your radar
Douglas Luiz (Streets Won’t Forget Maestro) – Has Luiz done enough with his talent? Has it all been his fault? No, and no. I’m hoping for a good season from him, and an opportunity in the UEL against Nijmegen might be just the ticket to get this campaign to a proper start
