Fantasy Premier League Focus

After another interruption brought on by internationals, we’re finally edging towards the weekend’s deadline once again. As always, our regular look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game casts an eye over the upper echelons in the Scout League and assesses the goings-on in the transfer market, which seems to have somewhat slowed over the past fortnight:

Scout League Standings

Sanjeev Karki remains at the top of the Scout League after a 39 point haul last time out. His decision to captain Juan Mata harvested a 12 point haul, while Christian Benteke and David Luiz were his only other performers in a Gameweek that many of us were delighted to draw a line under. Nevertheless, Sanjeev sits in second place in the overall rankings on 1,948 points.

Paul O Gorman climbed to second in the Scout League courtesy of a 49 point haul in Gameweek 30. Despite a four-point armband haul from Robin Van Persie, Paul’s rise in the ranking was thanks to clean sheets from Stoke pair Asmir Begovic and Marc Wilson, while Leighton Baines also returned defensive points in Everton’s 2-0 win over City. Mata and Rickie Lambert also produced as Paul moved to fifth overall on 1,936 points.

Kelvin Travers slips to third, then, after registering 35 points. United’s David De Gea joined Baines in producing defensive returns, while Mata was the only player to pick up attacking points for Kelvin. In the overall rankings, however, he moves up to seventh spot on 1,935 points.

Site regular Evs is a non-mover in fourth spot, having also scored 35 points in the previous Gameweek. Another of our featured players to suffer from Van Persie’s blank against Reading, Evs had three defensive players – De Gea, Wilson and Baines – to thank for over half his points. He is fifteenth in the overall standings, having accrued 1,923 points so far.

Finally, Dan Jones completes the top five. Dan – another site regular who posts under the name “Jonah” – racked up 40 points last time, with Baines and Lambert’s hauls helped by Cesar Azpilicueta and Daniel Sturridge. Dan is now up to nineteenth spot in the overall ranking but still has his wildcard left to play; somehow, that may just come in handy round about Gameweek 33 time…

The efforts of our top five keep Fantasy Football Scout at the top of the best leagues. Once again, the FFS Members sits in second spot – just 4.4 points behind. Evs is second in that league, with world number one Julian Zipparo leading the way. He scored 30 points in Gameweek 30, with Mata and Lambert the only players to produce; nonetheless, Julian still has a 15 point advantage at the top of the overall standings and sits on 1,963 points.

Market Trends

Either through injury or rotation, a lack of consistency in goal has affected many a team right now and the transfer market reflects Fantasy managers’ thinking – the security of starts offered by David De Gea, Asmir Begovic and Mark Schwarzer makes them the top three keepers, with the Australian also benefitting from a double Gameweek 33. Indeed, the double has persuaded many to load up on Arsenal defenders despite Arsene Wenger’s recent rotation policy – Nacho Monreal is far and away the most sought-after option at the back, with over 19,000 snapping up the left-back, while Per Mertesacker (13,000) and Carl Jenkinson (11,000) have also acquired plenty new owners. Fulham’s Sascha Riether mirrors the latter’s popularity after producing attacking returns and bonus in each of his last three.

In midfield, Santi Cazorla lead the way. Over 38,000 managers have snapped up the Spaniard – with a home game against Reading and a double Gameweek 33 around the corner, interest has only increased after Theo Walcott’s groin injury. Eden Hazard’s 14 point haul against West Ham last time out has persuaded over 29,000 to take the plunge – with a double Gameweek 33 on the cards if Chelsea lose to United in the cup, his appeal will surely increase.

Everton’s Leon Osman is also proving popular. Goals in two of his last three, allied with a two-match suspension for both Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar has seen 26,000 Fantasy managers snap him up – his highest tally of transfers in by some distance. Three goals in six games have seen Morgan Schneiderlin’s cut-price appeal convince over 19,000 new owners, while Liverpool new boy Philippe Coutinho has earned over 24,000 transfers in after impressing since arriving from Inter.

Up top, it’s all about Dimitar Berbatov. Four goals in his last five appearances have earned the Bulgarian over 35,000 new owners – not far off double any other forward; factor in an impending double Gameweek 33 and a price tag of 7.0 and it’s easy to see why. Wayne Rooney is next in line with almost 15,000 picking up the United man as he continues to keep Robin Van Persie in the shade, while over 13,000 have acquired Christian Benteke, Olivier Giroud and Luis Suarez, though the latter is just a single caution away from an automatic two-match ban. Rickie Lambert’s mid-price appeal and remarkable consistency has earned him 12,000+ transfers in.

In terms of transfers out, Marouane Fellaini’s two-match suspension has seen over 96,000 part company with the Everton man. Michu’s poor form make him second on the unwanted list; having scored in just one of his last 10 appearances, and with a blank Gameweek 33 also to consider, the Spaniard has departed over 27,000 teams over the past fortnight. Steven Pienaar’s ban has also seen the South African sent packing by 24,000+, while injuries picked up on international duty have lost Theo Walcott and Steven Fletcher 23,000 and 26,000 owners respectively.

Robin Van Persie has also been shipped out by plenty – over 23,000 have got rid of the Dutchman, with a budget-friendly trade to Rooney holding appeal. Jason Puncheon and Branislav Ivanovic have tumbled in popularity due to a recent downturn in game time – Puncheon has started just one of the last four under Southampton new boss Mauricio Pochettino, while Ivanovic has failed to feature in the last three in all competitions for Chelsea.