Scout uses Figure Difficulty Ratings (FDR) to determine the sides with the most favorable starting schedules in 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League.
Chelsea
A kind run of early opponents gives new manager Enzo Maresca the chance to get his tenure off to a flying start.
Although their Gameweek 1 home clash with defending champions Manchester City is far from straightforward, Chelsea drew the corresponding fixture 4-4 last season, underscoring their attacking potential.
The Blues then go on a run of six straight games each scoring just two at FDR, which boosts their prospects at both ends of the pitch.
They visit Wolverhampton Wanderers, AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United, while also hosting Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea’s first seven games
GW | Opponent | FDR |
---|---|---|
1 | MCI (H) | 5 |
2 | WOL (A) | 2 |
3 | CRY (H) | 2 |
4 | BOU (A) | 2 |
5 | WHU (A) | 2 |
6 | BHA (H) | 2 |
7 | NFO (H) | 2 |
Here, The Scout picks three Chelsea players who can make a flying start thanks to their performances.
Cole Palmer
Last season’s leading Fantasy scorer could quickly establish himself as the starting midfielder in 2024/25.
After starting 2023/24 at a cost of just ยฃ5.0m, Palmer is expected to increase in cost significantly with his 22 goals, 13 assists and 244 points in 2023/24. However, his ridiculous consistency means the 22-year-old is very likely worth the extra expense.
Palmer won just ONCE in 13 starts at Stamford Bridge last season, while his 15 attacking returns in away games were just two behind Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins’ league-leading 17.
The Chelsea midfielder’s capacity for huge tackles โ he has produced 10 double-figure returns in 29 starts โ shows why he will be among the best captains in the opening weeks.
Ben Chilwell
Maresca’s tactics at Leicester City, where Ricardo Pereira was used as an inverted right-back, may ultimately be good news for Rhys Jamesoffensive potential this season.
However, with James ruled out for the first three Weeks, managers may be best served by focusing on left-back rather than the early stages of 2024/25.
Chilwell got off to a flying start under Mauricio Pochettino in 2023/24, providing an assist and grabbing seven points against Liverpool in Matchday 1.
The underlying numbers from the Blues’ first four games of 2023/24 โ which Chilwell started โ show his great attacking potential. His nine key passes ranked second for Chelsea in that spell, while his five shots in the box finished joint third.
Nicholas Jackson
After a slow start to his first Fantasy campaign, the Senegalese forward has established himself as a reliable source of returns.
Jackson has started each of Chelsea’s last 14 matches of 2023/24, scoring seven of his 14 goals for the season in that period, as well as providing four of his six assists.
He collected 74 points in that span, a total bettered by only four other Fantasy forwards.
Jackson’s role as the focal point of the Blues’ offense meant he was afforded 15 big chances in that streak, while his 29 shots on goal and 18 shots on goal were both at least twice the total of any team- man except for Palmer.