The Watchlist – Lukas Podolski
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Jonty
Arsenal’s double Gameweek 23 is set to increase interest in Lukas Podolski as Fantasy managers look to take advantage of the London side’s visit to Chelsea and a home game with West Ham. Priced at 8.2 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Podolski looks a ready-made replacement for Demba Ba, who was snapped up by 228,600 managers ahead of the Blues’ double Gameweek 22. Many of the former Newcastle striker’s owners are already nervous about his long-term value under Chelsea’s rotation-obsessed manager Rafa Benitez, with the suggestion that Fernando Torres will start tonight’s encounter with Southampton. Podolski is a straight swap option in the same price bracket.
Amongst Arsenal’s forwards, Podolski certainly looks the safest option; having cemented a role on the left of an attacking three, he has started all but two of the side’s Premier League matches this season. With 89 points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game he is Arsenal’s highest ranked forward – only out-of-position midfielder Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla have produced more points. With six goals scored and six assists this season, Podolski has both threat and creativity in his locker and has attracted 11 FPL bonus points, a tally bettered only by Cazorla and equalled by Walcott. In the Sky Sports game, where he is priced at £8.5m, Podolski also represents good value, having notched 88 points.
While Podolski, who has four double-digit points hauls to his name, is primed for investment ahead of the double gameweek he is not too shabby a purchase for the long term as well. Looking ahead, Arsenal have a kind run of fixtures over the next six game weeks (LIV, STO, sun, AVL, tot, EVE) including four home games and a North London derby with Tottenham, which are often high scoring ties. With Mikel Arteta sidelined due to a calf injury, Podolski looks set to be next in line for spot-kicks, according to his manager – furthering his appeal as a mid-price option.
Those investing in his services can also be assured of a strong pedigree, having scored 44 times in his 106 appearances for the German national side. This includes three goals in the 2006 World Cup and a further three at Euro 2008. Prior to joining Arsenal, on a four year deal this summer, he had just recorded his best top flight club haul for FC Cologne, where he scored 18 times and assisted seven goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances.
There is a slight caveat, though. During tight games Podolski is often sacrificed early on for a more defensive minded player. In Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Southampton in Gameweek 21 he left the pitch on the 57 minute mark and in the following week against Manchester City at home, he departed before the hour once again; while his starting role is not in doubt, there’s every chance Podolski won’t last the full 90 minutes in either match.
Fantasy managers need to assess whether, over two appearances, he’ll be given opportunity to return scores that will surpass the alternatives up front. While Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla remain firm favourites for the armband, Podolski appears to offer the next best route for those looking to treble up on attacking assets in Wenger’s lineup or avoid using up two midfield slots, with such riches available in that position elsewhere. The injury to Arteta, bringing spot-kicks into the equation, may just seal the deal for some.
About The Author
“The Fantasy Football Scout community helped find his lost dog. He repays them with articles.”
Jonty @newsandfeatures
Commenting is now closed for this post.
Recent Comments
-
Lol Horse ! » -
But how can you know the form players in GW2? I think it was a case of cutting his loss early doors as Michu and… » -
are you winning the autographed jerseys??? » -
do you get the jersy? give me one. ;) » -
HVT and SABG - a match made in heaven - class COMH :-) »
-
I'm staying up until 4am every night from now til it opens. » -
Good going mate. You enjoy it out there? Partick in the SPL next season :cool: I know Steven Craig well. Played… » -
this. I've always spunked my load WC-wise too early on and regretted it. Every season I feel it looks like it's best to… » -
Fail. » -
Just keep changing the page number in the url until you narrow it down. »
“I am happy with the way I’ve started, but on the other hand, I should have scored four or five more, so that’s something for me to work on.”
Robin Van Persie talks about his early form at United ahead of his first Manchester derby
-
Mark @FFScout_Mark
-
Paul @ffscout_paul
-
greek fan @FFScout_Greekf
-
Andy @ffscout_andy
-
G-G-Granville @FFScout_Granny
-
Akers @FFScout_Akers
-
Big Dunc @FFScout_Dunc
January 16 at 4:35 pm
Obi Wan Elokobi says:
Does anyone know if the Chelsea game is on tv tonight?
January 16 at 4:36 pm
SMOOTHIE says:
Not on TV.
January 16 at 4:35 pm
RayneWooney says:
Any more team news for tonight’s games, potential injuries etc.? Been out of touch for a day.
And QPR snap up Remy – great buy! (with M’Vila close I believe?) They’d look a million times better with those two…
January 16 at 4:38 pm
█▓▒░ Hanamichi ░▒▓█ says:
Is Nelsen leaving? If not he’s a decent pick when his team is improving
January 16 at 4:41 pm
RayneWooney says:
Nope he’s off to fulfill his managerial potential in Canada, I believe
January 16 at 4:37 pm
when in doubt (C) him,his left foot will save ya!!! says:
from 24th gamewk onwards-
1)fellaini + AJ
OR
2)michu + taarabt ????
AND………
A)nelsen
OR
B)onouha????
January 16 at 4:45 pm
stooshermadness says:
Taarabt has great numbers if you check on the FFS Members charts but all his shots are of the 30 yard variety; lots of chances created but no ne to finish them. He’s a FF no-go. So, (1). Then (B), because Nelsen is off to Canada.
January 16 at 4:37 pm
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Can someone build a Chelsea team formation according to that twitter photo from the locker room?
January 16 at 4:38 pm
harris says:
was that photo though a recent one or fro recent past though, that’s the question
January 16 at 4:41 pm
Siva Mohan says:
Cech
Azpi,Cahill,Ivan,Cole
Luiz,Ramires
Mata,Oscar,Hazard
Ba
January 16 at 4:38 pm
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4911637
January 16 at 4:39 pm
G-G-Granville says:
If Luiz and Ba are missing tonight as its being suggested ,my Fantasy cup match is on a knifedge.
I need Ba, Luiz, Puncheon to score 4 points between them.
January 16 at 4:41 pm
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Any idea when the members cup will start Granville?
January 16 at 4:45 pm
MarkEstute says:
1, 1, 2. Spot on
January 16 at 4:40 pm
Obi Wan Elokobi says:
How much do you guys reckon Remy will be priced at?
January 16 at 4:41 pm
BonZ says:
£7m
January 16 at 4:54 pm
Van The Man(Formerly Yash) says:
6.5m
January 16 at 4:40 pm
Messimerized- Follow me on Twitter @Messimerized_ says:
New Post
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4911654
January 16 at 4:52 pm
Dilley says:
Which is the strongest line up for my wc from Sunday onwards?
Begovic, (Bunn)
Zab, Azpil, Rafael, (Davies, Demel)
Bale, Michu, Fellaini, Mata, Walcott,
RVP, Suarez, (Anichebe)
Or
Begovic, (Bunn)
Azpil, Gibbs, Dawson, (Davies, Stam)
Bale, Michu, Fellaini, Mata (Marveaux)
RVP, Suarez, Aguero.
?
January 16 at 5:08 pm
Sebastian Rooks says:
thats essentially asking walcott or aguero isnt it.. simple answer mate
January 17 at 4:16 am
HellasLEAF says:
I’ve concluded that Ba to Pod is the correct move not only for the coming game week but for the next few.
Here is the thing,
Also very tempted to do Luiz to Gibbs and use the cash elsewhere. Think Gibbs will outscore Luiz over the same stretch personally…
For the 4 point his is the question.. Anyone else do this??
January 17 at 5:51 am
Nithin says:
A) Bale –> Cazorla
B) Ba–>Podolski
Gibbs and Walcott already in team .
January 17 at 12:47 pm
mikejulia says:
pleaaaaaaase help me. wich defender for gw 23?? refael or clyne?? and wich midfielder?? mata felaini or michu??one defender and one midfilder of them must stay on the bench southampton vs everton. chelsea vs arsenal , tottenham vs man utd and swansey vs stoke
January 17 at 12:49 pm
mikejulia says:
i must decide to leave out one defender and one midfielder of them. i would like to hear you opinions
January 18 at 4:01 am
ahmedsalah39 says:
Clyne for sure
January 18 at 3:54 am
ahmedsalah39 says:
Need help – walcot – Nolan – podloski or walcot – cazrola – chamakh ,
January 18 at 3:55 am
ahmedsalah39 says:
Actually between podolski and cazrola
January 18 at 6:32 am
potatomasher says:
What do you guys think for wildcard:
Begovic (Rudd)
Davies Zabaleta Gibbs Demel Clyne
Carzola Walcott Fellaini Nolan Michu
Suarez Dzeko RvP
0.0 in the bank now.
Already had Walcott, RvP, Fellaini, Begovic and Michu.
January 18 at 9:21 am
veerum says:
Podolski or dzeko???