Eberechi Eze & Matheus Nunes the only players to earn MAXIMUM bonus points in Dream Team Gameweek 1

GAMEWEEK 1 of the 2023/24 Dream Team season is essentially complete.

The past few action-packed days have given gaffers a taste of the improved nature of our beloved fantasy game and there’s a lot to unpack.

One specific element worth mulling over is the distribution of bonus points.

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DREAM TEAMThe exclusive group to have earned maximum bonus points in Gameweek 1[/caption]

It’s worth recapping the purpose of bonus points and how they are earned.

The first thing to note is that bonus points are designed to recognise significant contributions to performance aspects not already covered by the traditional core points.

Goals, assists, clean sheets and the like don’t impact bonus points because such contributions are already rewarded, hence why Erling Haaland (£8.5m) didn’t receive any bonus points against Burnley, for example.

For full transparency, bonus points are determined by the following stats: successful dribbles, accurate crosses, pass completion rate, interceptions, blocks, fouls won and goals scored from outside the area.

Additionally, offsides, fouls conceded and errors leading to goals will hinder a player’s chances of earning bonus points.

After a full round of Premier League fixtures, just two individuals came away with five bonus points, the maximum a player can earn from any given match.

A natural footballerGETTY

Eberechi Eze (£3m) was the first man to max out with a brilliant showing against Sheffield United.

No player completed more accurate crosses or won more free-kicks than Crystal Palace’s No10 in Gameweek 1.

We tipped the 25-year-old prior to the season getting underway and an eight-point haul at the Blades’ expense may cause his ownership to rise beyond 8%.

Saying that, the Eagles welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park on Monday night, a considerably tougher opponent than Paul Heckingbottom’s side.

However, we remain confident that Eze’s style of play will produce plenty of points over the course of the season.

GETTYWolves dictated play for long spells against Man United but failed to score[/caption]

Matheus Nunes (£2.5m) was the other player to pocket five bonus points in Gameweek 1.

The Portuguese midfielder was one of several players to impress for Wolves on Monday night, although Gary O’Neil’s troops ultimately lost 1-0 to Manchester United.

In a game that featured oceans of space in midfield, Nunes registered five successful dribbles and four interceptions, the joint-most of each among all players in the top flight so far.

The 24-year-old features in just 0.3% of teams at the time of writing but given his eight-point haul and Wolves’ spirited performance at Old Trafford, a few more gaffers may feel he’s worth a punt, especially at such an affordable price.

Keep an eye on which players earn bonus points in Gameweek 2.