Fantasy football buffs will always tinker with their teams and that is no different for the 2018-19 Premier League season.
A number of different games can be played, including Goal's very own version , which is up and running and available to download for free.
It's important to strike a balance when choosing your squad and it is crucial to use your budget wisely. However, midfield is one area where it usually pays to make big investments.
With the season under way, Goal takes a look at some of the best fantasy football midfielders to choose for your team, as well as a few bargains.
Best Fantasy Football Midfielders
In fantasy football, midfielders tend to be the players who score highest, given the points on offer for goals, assists and clean sheets.
It is crucial to remember that the acts of scoring and setting up goals are the most important considerations when choosing midfielder in fantasy football.
For example, N'Golo Kante may be widely viewed as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but his role as a defensive player does not render him a good choice in fantasy football. Wingers and playmakers are usually better options.
Below are some of the best midfielders to choose in fantasy football for 2018-19.
*Prices based on official Premier League game
Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | £13m
Despite playing more as a forward, Mohamed Salah is classed as a midfielder for the purposes of fantasy football and it is no surprise that he is the most expensive player in the game, considering that he scored 32 goals and provided 12 assists for Liverpool last season. It will be difficult to reach the same heights again in his second season, but Salah has grown into the campaign and is racking up the goals once more.
Raheem Sterling | Man City | £11.5m
Pep Guardiola helped Raheem Sterling reach a career-best season in 2017-18 as he scored 18 goals and set up a further 11 as part of a fearsome Manchester City attack. That has seen his price shoot up considerably and he is now one of the most expensive players in fantasy football. He has shot to the top of the fantasy football charts in 2018-19 and they he is going, he should stay there or thereabouts.
Eden Hazard | Chelsea | £11m
Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard is usually a safe option in fantasy football due to the role that he carries out for the Blues in the No. 10 position. In recent seasons he has occasionally performed as a second striker, but regardless of where he plays, Hazard can be counted on to produce the goods. The Belgium international regularly reaches double figures in the league.
Sadio Mane | Liverpool | £9.8m
Part of Liverpool's impressive front three last season, Sadio Mane is a strong alternative should you wish to spread your budget further. Mane was directly involved in 18 league goals last season, despite missing a portion of the campaign through injury. If he can stay injury free, the Senegal international will collect plenty of points.
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Leroy Sane | Man City | £9.4m
The pace and guile of Germany international Leroy Sane was a useful asset to Guardiola's Man City as they cruised to Premier League glory last season and he will hope to build on what was a remarkable prolific personal campaign. There is some extra competition for places with the addition of Riyad Mahrez, but Sane has shown himself to be up for the fight.
David Silva | Man City | £8.7m
Former Spain international David Silva is headed into the final stages of his career, but the diminutive playmaker remains a key component of the Manchester City. Few players can match Silva's eye for a pass and he is surprisingly cheaper than some other marquee players.
Christian Eriksen | Tottenham | £9.2m
Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen has been one of the best points-getters in fantasy football for a number of seasons now but remains somewhat undervalued, coming in below the £10m mark. With precision from set-pieces and a keen eye for a pass, Eriksen has regularly been among the top five midfielders in fantasy football.
Best Fantasy Football Bargain Midfielders
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Richarlison | Everton | £7.1m
Richarlison followed Marco Silva to Everton, where he will hope to continue making a name for himself in the Premier League. The Brazilian winger got off to a bright start in England with Watford, but his form dipped somewhat when Silva was sacked in January 2018. Despite the difficulties, Richarlison ended last season with five goals and eight assists is thriving in an environment where he is happy.
Ryan Fraser | Bournemouth | £6.2m
Scotland international Ryan Fraser has been a mainstay for Bournemouth over the past few seasons and he is a steal on fantasy football this season. The winger has developed an excellent understanding with Callum Wilson and is a surprise addition to the top 10 fantasy football midfielders.
Roberto Pereyra | Watford | £6.3m
Watford winger Roberto Pereyra has been one of the chief creative forces for the Hornets this season and, at just over £6m is a bargain recruit. The Argentina international's technique and vision for goal has marked him out as one to watch in the Premier League.
Gylfi Sigurdsson | Everton | £7.5m
Iceland star Gylfi Sigurdsson established himself as one of the best set-piece takers in the Premier League while at Swansea City and he has built on that since moving to Everton. The midfielder is not strictly a bargain, but he is on course to be a top 10 scorer and cheaper than the bigger names.
Best Of The Rest
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The Premier League is packed full with midfielders who are potentially great fantasy football signings and they are littered throughout the top clubs in the division.
World Cup winner Paul Pogba costs £7.9m, which isn't a bad price considering he was Man United's biggest assist provider last term and looks to be their designated penalty taker. Across Manchester, Bernardo , is cheaper again at £7.5m.
Tottenham boast an array of star midfielders and ones that are also good additions from a fantasy football perspective. Lucas Moura is priced at £7m, while Liverpool stars Xherdan Shaqiri and James Milner are rated at £7m and £5.6m respectively.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey is priced £7.3m and, interestingly Gunners star Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cheaper at £6.7m. Chelsea star Pedro is available for the reasonable price of £6.3m and Willian is more expensive at £7.4m, while new signing Jorginho can be picked up for £4.9m.