Fantasy Premier League Focus

Our late-week regular is rolled out this afternoon, as we cast on eye over the goings-on at the top of the Scout League. As always, we assess the busy transfer market ahead of the weekend deadline, with plenty forward lines being restructured now Gameweek 29 is done and dusted:

Scout League Standings

We have a new leader in the Scout League this week after the six-fixture headache that was Gameweek 29. Sanjeev Karki climbs to the summit after racking up 65 points last time out, with a front three of Luis Suarez, Christian Benteke and Loic Remy returning 27 points between them. Captain Moussa Sissoko and Gareth Bale combined for 18 points in midfield, while Mathieu Debuchy, Jose Enrique and Russell Martin all delivered at the back as Sanjeev moved to second in the overall standings on 1909 points.

After a lengthy residence at the top, Kelvin Travers slips to second after registering 48 points in Gameweek 29. While Sanjeev was able to call upon 11 players, Kelvin had 10 taking the field, with captain Sissoko and Bale joined by Steven Gerrard, Steven Fletcher, Luke Shaw and Michael Turner in picking up the points. Kelvin sits on 1900 points, eight overall.

In third position is Inge Larsen, courtesy of a 58 point return last weekend. The decision to hand Suarez the armband paid off with 24 points, while Bale, Sissoko, Martin and Papiss Cisse were the key performers as Inge climbed to 13th overall, on 1,888 points.

Evs’ strong season show little sign of abating – the site regular is a non-mover in fourth after a 53 point showing in Gameweek 29. Captain Suarez, Bale, Sissoko and Mark Bunn were relied upon to produce as Evs moved to 15th in the overall standings on 1,888 points.

Finally, Paul O Gorman completes the top five after a 51 point return last weekend. Captain Bale was joined by Suarez, Sylvain Marveaux, Shaw and Debuchy as Paul slid to 16th in the overall pecking order, with 1,887 points to his name.

Our top five keep Fantasy Football Scout at the top of the best leagues, with our lead now down to just four points over the FFS Members league in second. Once again, Julian Ziparro leads the way in the Members league after a 53 point return in the Gameweek gone by. Captain Suarez, Bale, Sissoko, Marveaux and Martin were his main protagonists as he moved to 1,932 points overall – first in the overall standings, with a 23 point advantage over his nearest competitor, Scout League number one Sanjeev Karki.

For contributors, Chris Atkinson moved to top spot after playing a wildcard last weekend. His haul of 73 points was helped by Norwich defensive duo Bunn and Martin, with Bale, Gerrard, Sissoko, Remy and captain Suarez all boosting his tally to 1,793 points overall.

Market Trends

Gareth Bale and Robin Van Persie are the two most popular players this week. The duo have been snapped up by 23,000 Fantasy managers ahead of home clashes with Fulham and Reading respectively, with both likely to vie for the armband in many a Fantasy team. Three back-to-back double figure hauls has Luis Suarez next in line for attention, with 21,000+ picking up the Liverpool forward for the trip to Southampton.

Forward lines are quickly being restructured as Fantasy managers look for alternatives after a reduced Gameweek 29. Aside from Van Persie and Suarez, four other front men have seen more than 15,000 transfers in – Romelu Lukaku, Carlos Tevez, Christian Benteke and Loic Remy have all received significant investment prior to Saturday’s deadline.

In midfield, Juan Mata (14,000) and Marouane Fellaini (12,000) are next in line behind Bale, despite the Everton man moving to nine bookings for the season – if he is cautioned in any of his next four, Fellaini receives an automatic two-match ban. The cut-price appeal of Andros Townsend and Sylvain Marveaux has proven popular, which Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Stewart Downing have picked up around 8,000 new owners apiece.

At the back, investment in United’s options is increasing after four successive clean sheets. David De Gea has received over 16,000 transfers in – considerably more than the second most popular keeper, Mark Bunn, with 6,000 by comparison. Rafael (13,000) and Patrice Evra (7,000) are first and third for defenders, with Jan Vertonghen separating the pair after his double for Tottenham at Anfield last Sunday.

Stoke’s poor defensive record is highlighted when casting an eye on the transfers out. Asmir Begovic and Ryan Shawcross are top of the most unwanted lists, with 10,000 and 12,000 owners parting company with the Potters pair. Michu’s recent drought has persuaded over 19,000 to cast off the Spaniard, after he scored in just one of his last nine appearances, while injury concerns to the likes of Aaron Lennon and Adel Taarabt have seen plenty trade them out. Theo Walcott has departed 15,000 teams – a strange one, given his upcoming double.

Up top, Rickie Lambert has been shipped out in huge numbers. Over 44,000 have sold the Southampton striker after back-to-back blanks but with three home games in four, he still has the platform to prosper. Surprisingly, Van Persie is second ahead of a home match with Reading. Over 11,000 have shed their teams of the Dutchman, with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Le Fondre also sold on by similar numbers.