Fantasy Premier League Focus

Our weekly look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game arrives once again this evening. As always, we cast an eye over the main protagonists for the Scout League crown while also assessing the busy transfer market as Fantasy managers load up on double Gameweek options ahead of the weekend’s deadline:

Scout League Standings

Kelvin Travers keeps his spot at the Scout League summit after a 57 point return. Kelvin handed Gareth Bale the armband and also had Robin Van Persie, Juan Mata, Shaun Maloney and Leighton Baines all to thank as he moved to 2,277 points overall – retaining his spot as world number one. He has seven double Gameweek players in his 15 man squad but has already made a transfer this week.

Julian Zipparo remains in hot pursuit after a 56 point haul in Gameweek 35. He also captained Bale, while Van Persie, Mata and Baines were joined by Glen Johnson in picking up the points. Julian now sits on 2,275 points, which is second in the overall standings – he has four players with a double, though has also made a trade so far.

Matt Martyniak closed in on the duo after a 62 point haul last weekend. Again, captain Bale, Mata, Van Persie and Baines were amongst his main men, while Jose Enrique also chipped in as he moved up to 2,273 points – third overall and just four points off the summit. Matt currently has four double Gameweek 36 assets but is yet to make a trade this week.

Site regular Evs is another non-mover in fourth after a 60 point return in the Gameweek gone by. He also handed Bale the armband, while Van Persie, Baines, Adrian Mariappa and Eden Hazard all registered four points or more. Evs is now on 2,262 points, fourth in the overall standings, and has six players with a double already on his books, though has already made a transfer.

Jimmy Smith is the only new name in the top five. He produced a 70 point performance last time out – captain Bale, Van Persie, Baines and Maloney were joined by Christian Benteke as Jimmy shifted up into 12th spot in the overall standings. He currently has eight players for the double, though will be worried over Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa after the Honduran was subbed off with a groin problem against Tottenham on Saturday.

Once again, Fantasy Football Scout lead the way for best leagues – we’re 19.6 points ahead of our nearest challengers, the FFS Members league. Julian, Evs and Jimmy take up the first three spot there, with T.I. and M.P. completing the top five.

For contributors, Andy has climbed to the top spot after an 83 point haul in Gameweek 35. Captain Bale, Van Persie, Benteke, Maloney, Baines, Theo Walcott and Asmir Begovic all helped as Andy climbed to 735th spot in the overall standings.

Market Trends

Unsurprisingly, Fantasy managers are all over the upcoming double Gameweek, with many willing to take a final throw of the dice as the season winds up. Romelu Lukaku’s 15 point haul at Southampton last Saturday has the bandwagon in overdrive – over 84,000 have acquired the West Brom forward ahead of his pair of fixtures against Wigan and City.

Carlos Tevez (38,000) and Sergio Aguero (24,000) have also proven popular options for our three man frontlines, while Arouna Kone and Jermain Defoe are next in line from the double Gameweek options, with 24,000 and 23,000 new owners respectively. Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke’s Gameweek 35 exploits have propelled the pair onto Fantasy radars – despite a single fixture apiece, they have been snapped up by over 40,000 and 25,000 after both registered their highest points hauls of the season in the Gameweek gone by.

In midfield, the double Gameweek options dominate. Gareth Bale (60,000) is by far the most popular, while Yaya Toure (33,000) is attracting more interest than any City midfielders, with Samir Nasri and David Silva somewhat lagging behind. Shaun Maloney has been party to 23,000 transfers in, while Michu and Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Juan Mata are all acquiring plenty new interest.

At the back, the attacking potential offered by Pablo Zabaleta, Jan Vertonghen and David Luiz has the trio head and shoulders above any other defensive option – the City defender is proving particularly popular, with over 19,000 new owners snapping him up. Joe Hart is the keeper of choice heading into City’s double, with his owners hoping he has shrugged off the back spasm sustained in Saturday lunchtime’s win over West Ham.

For transfers out, Luis Suarez continues to shed owners at a significant speed. Over 469,000 FPL managers transferred out the suspended Liverpool striker last week – this time round more than 81,000 have moved him on to free up funds for the double. Dimitar Berbatov and Rickie Lambert’s recent droughts have persuaded over 50,000 to part company with the pair, while Robin Van Persie is next in line, despite his flourishing form – 21,0000+ have moved on the United forward.

Marouane Fellaini (44,000) and Santi Cazorla (28,000) have been the two most unpopular midfielders after failing to produce in recent weeks, while Sunderland’s Stephane Sessegnon (30,000) has also been sent packing after receiving a three-match ban against Villa on Monday, which puts him out for the season. Further back, United pair Patrice Evra and Rafael (11,000+) and David Gea are being sacrificed as Fantasy managers look to bring in premium priced options in defence, while Leighton Baines has also been shifted on by plenty ahead of this weekend’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.