Fantasy Premier League Focus

Our weekly look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game arrives a little later than usual this time. The rundown of the Scout League standings sees three of the overall top four lead the way, while we assess the transfer market, where the arrival of Rafa Benitez has had a significant effect already…

Scout League Standings

We’ve a two-way points tie at the top of the Scout League after Gameweek 14. Iyad Zahlan returns to the summit by virtue of the fact that he had made less trades than his rival before the midweek deadline. Iyad racked up 53 points during the week, mainly thanks to goals from captain Robin Van Persie, Gareth Bale and Michu, while Carlos Cuellar shipped in with a clean sheet. He now sits on 897 points, second in the overall rankings and just three points off the leader.

Brad Conlin sits in second spot on 897 points and third in the overall rankings, despite taking a four point hit. His decision to name Theo Walcott as his vice-captain came in handy when Carlos Tevez warmed the bench for City at Wigan, while Bale and Rickie Lambert also found the net.

T.I. is a non-mover in third spot after picking up 58 points in the previous round. He also chose to captain Van Persie, while Bale and Cuellar were joined by Ryan Nelsen in picking up the points. T.I. sits in fourth in the overall rankings on 892 points.

David Jones moved up to fourth after accruing 50 points in Gameweek 14. Captain Wayne Rooney let him down, though Michu, Bale, Marouane Fellaini and Rafael helped boost his overall tally to 876 points, enough to earn him 20th spot overall.

Paul Rowland completes our top five after a 61 point haul in midweek. Intriguingly, his approach is entirely different from our previous quartet – he doubled up on the Chelsea and United defences, while Michu was handed the armband and Fellaini also produced.

The performance of our top five have ensured Fantasy Football Scout stays top of the Best Leagues – an average of 886.8 is 23.6 points ahead of our nearest challenger.

In the contributors league, Facer keeps his place at the top. Bale, Fellaini, Rafael, Michu and captain Van Persie helped him to 63 points in midweek.

Market Trends

A quick turnaround in Gameweeks has afforded less time for the bandwagons to get into full gear, though Gareth Bale’s goal and assist against Liverpool have earned the Spurs winger over 56,000 new owners. Marouane Fellaini is a distant second behind the Welshman – over 39,000 Fantasy managers have drafted in the Everton midfielder after he produced his third set of double figures in his last four appearances in midweek.

Faith in Liverpool’s Fantasy assets is on the rise ahead of a strong schedule. Luis Suarez (35,000), Jose Enrique (28,000) and Raheem Sterling (16,000) have proven popular since Tuesday evening’s deadline passed. Swansea’s display against West Brom has earned Wayne Routledge and Michu plenty new suitors – a combined 39,000 have snapped up Michael Laudrup’s midfield pair.

Arsenal’s kind upcoming run of games has prompted investment in Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla – the pair have attracted over 28,000 transfers in between them, while a combined 24,000 have snapped up West Brom duo James Morrison and Shane Long ahead of three home games in four.

Between the posts, John Ruddy’s injury and subsequent three month absence has seen Asmir Begovic, Jussi Jaaskelainen and Brad Guzan all transferred in by 11,000+ Fantasy managers. Chelsea’s record of back-to-back clean sheets under Rafa Benitez has seen Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole reappear on Fantasy radars – a total of 22,000 have drafted in the pair, while Norwich’s cut-price appeal has seen Javier Garrido (16,000) and Seb Bassong (13,000) continue to rack up new owners. Ryan Shawcross, Per Mertesacker and Matija Nastasic are all on Fantasy radars approaching tomorrow’s deadline.

The Benitez effect has had an adverse effect of Chelsea’s attacking assets, with the midfield exodus gathering pace. Juan Mata is the most transferred out player in the Gameweek, with over 41,000 parting company with the Spaniard – Eden Hazard isn’t far behind, with 33,000 trades out.

Leighton Baines’ possible hamstring absence has resulted in 39,000 sales of the Everton left-back, with many making a move for Jose Enrique to free up budget. Carlos Tevez’s failure to appear in the first XI for City’s last two has persuaded 36,000 to part company with the Argentine.

Kevin Nolan, Yaya Toure and Hatem Ben Arfa have been moved on by over 15,000 Fantasy managers as midfields get refreshed, while somewhat surprisingly, Dimitar Berbatov has been sold on by over 17,000, despite four home games in the next six.