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Gameweek 14 – Best Punts

Despite only one of my punts producing goods last week, it was the most pleasing Gameweek for me. Many of the community turned their noses up at my pick of Glen Johnson and that is fair enough. His form for Liverpool had been poor and he hadn’t scored since December 2012. However, as I predicted, his pace allowed him to beat his man and nod in Rickie Lambert’s rebounded shot. Not only did he score but the leaky Liverpool defence kept a clean sheet so Johnson served up an incredible 15 points after bonus. Jefferson Montero was ineffective for Swansea and Andy Carroll threatened without any product but last Gameweek belonged to Johnson. Here is the first of two articles this week as I endeavor to reach last week’s heights. All Fantasy Premier League ownership and price figures are correct as of November 30th.

Brede Hangeland

Club: Crystal Palace

Position: Defender

Price: 4.8

Ownership: 0.9%

I am a big fan of Brede Hangeland. His physique makes him nearly impossible to beat in the air which means he is useful at the back and also a threat from set pieces. After arriving from Fulham in the summer Hangeland has not been first choice for Palace, but with Damien Delaney out injured the Norwegian is set for a little run of games. Believe it or not, despite playing a mere 588 minutes, only Mile Jedinak and Frazier Campbell have scored more Premier League goals than Hangeland this season for Crystal Palace. Hangeland opened his account in the opening Gameweek against Arsenal, notching from a corner and added a second goal in Gameweek 9 against West Brom, again from a set play. Statistics-wise, out of the three set pieces Hangeland has been involved in from an attacking perspective, he has scored twice. That is an incredible ratio and highlights his threat going forward. This Gameweek, Crystal Palace welcome Aston Villa to Selhurst Park. Ron Vlaar is in contention for a return but if he doesn’t make it then Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore will play at the heart of the defence. The average percentage of aerial duals won between these three is a mere 55.2% which is awful compared to Hangeland’s 75%. Whoever marks Hangeland is likely to be in for a torrid night. Dwight Gayle is a fox in the box, and should Hangeland win a header and not score, Gayle will be looking to latch on to rebounds, as he did against Liverpool. This makes assists a possibility for Hangeland as well as goals.

Palace fans are incredible and the stadium will be rocking for another evening fixture. Villa have been struggling for form lately, scoring only three times in their last nine games. Crystal Palace’s defence hasn’t been magnificent this season, only keeping two clean sheets.  However, their form seems to be on the way up. Super skipper Mile Jedinak is leading the upturn, with goals in the last two, and after beating Liverpool and managing a solid point against Swansea, they will be full of confidence. Hangeland is an incredible threat from set plays and a favourable fixture against a weak Villa side makes him an enticing option this week.

Leon Osman

Club: Everton

Position: Midfielder

Price: 5.1

Ownership: 0.7%

I am prepared for this week’s midfield punt to fall flat, even more so than I was Glen Johnson. However, I have a gut instinct that Osman is the man this Gameweek. The main reason he is a punt, as well as his less than 1% ownership, is because of his uncertain starting place. Samuel Eto’o has been playing behind Lukaku in recent weeks, apart from against West Ham, when Osman scored. However, as the games come thick and fast for the Toffees I think the Cameroon international may be rested. Eto’o played the majority of the match against Wolfsburg whereas Osman came on as a sub (albeit in the first half). Then Eto’o started again against Tottenham last weekend and after a lacklustre performance was substituted for Osman in the 61st minute. Eto’o has played a lot recently and his fatigue was clear to see against Spurs so Osman deserves to start this Gameweek.

Everton’s midweek clash sees them return to Goodison and square up against Hull City. Statistically Hull have been the worst Premier League side this calendar year and after a close loss at the weekend Everton will be raring to get back into action. Hull have only kept two clean sheets in their last 12 fixtures so a goal-happy Everton side will be ready to exploit this. Osman’s statistics are impressive. An 89% passing accuracy on average means he is always close to bonus points and he creates more than one goalscoring chance each game. Osman’s goal threat, however, is more appealing than his assist potential. Osman himself has a goalscoring chance every 54 minutes and has had 10 attempts in his nine appearances this season. He loves to drop to the edge of the penalty box and this is where his goals come from. Romelu Lukaku is also enjoying a good spell of form at the moment, with two goals in his last three matches, and if Osman can link up well with him there could be assists this week, too. He is a workhorse and, should he start, he could profit against a weak Hull side.

Robin van Persie

Club: Manchester United

Position: Forward

Price: 12.4

Ownership: 1.9%

I couldn’t believe Robin van Persie’s ownership when I looked – a mere 1.9%! For a previous Premier League top scorer that is outrageous. But after a thunderbolt against Hull, Van Persie may be getting his mojo back. Louis van Gaal was quick to praise the striker for his performance last weekend so the fit-again Falcao shouldn’t pose a threat to his starting place. This Gameweek, United face Stoke City at home. Van Gaal’s side are gathering momentum, sit fourth in the league and have only lost one of their last eight.

Van Perise has had a fairly quiet season so far but has been cracking shots off. He has mustered 29 attempts in total this season with over half of them on target and an incredible 25 in the box. The fact that Van Persie has got so many shots off in the box shows that he still has his predatory instinct. He has scored from a set piece as well as taking free kicks and corners. The loss of Angel Di Maria, to a hamstring injury,  will be a blow for United but they still managed to net three without him last time out so don’t let the loss of the Argentine put you off the Dutchman. Robin van Persie is a top class striker, proven on the highest of levels and gaining confidence and form. With an outrageously low ownership he could launch you up your mini-league should he explode.

thepuntmaster Twitter - @thepuntmaster Freelance journo and FPL addict. Everton fan.

33 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Another great trio...who will be this week's Johnson? 😉

    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      When are the picks up, Jonty?

    2. djenzio
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      cue another GJ goal 😉

    3. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Big, bad, BREDE

  2. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks Jonty... If you have enjoyed these the past month give me a bit on this month's community article poll-

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/12/02/the-midweek-team-news-13/?hc_page=2#hc_comment_8981300

    Good luck this gameweek everyone!

  3. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Get them all!

  4. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    For a moment I thought Fulham got promoted....

    1. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Ha me too! Double take.

  5. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    *Does Costa -> RVP(C)*

  6. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any duff news?

    1. Crystal
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Will be assessed, that's all that was said

  7. Woy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Tempted to Tadic > Osman now but I think i'll save FT.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Osman isn't a guaranteed starter.

  8. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hangeland...wow.

    Nathan Dyer is my best punt this week, although his ownership is probably too high to be on here.

  9. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Can you keep a record of your average PPP (Points per player) for the season so far and for the previous week? It would be a good indicator on just how good you are.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I don't think that's necessary, just enjoy his posts 🙂 Punts are long-shots after all so many won't return. I think it would be unfair to judge him on that.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Flair is only achieved through success!

        Punting is like golf, we all have it in us to make the perfect shot, the skill is in increasing the chances of making the shot.

  10. fjasefjes
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on rooney for tonight?

  11. obatrealmad
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    on wildcard,already did about 3 teams in 2 days.....the rvp and aguero front two is what I might settle on.
    wondering if to make him captain over aguero.

  12. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    RvP would have tempted me, but 2m more than Rooney?

    No thanks

    Hangeland has burnt me before and Osman not nailed, but seems to have some form

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Falcoa if he starts ?

  13. Wishdom Teeth
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hangeland to score like johnson 🙂

  14. Silky_Smooth ~
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    My punt is Hererra 🙂

  15. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Puntmeister picks Glenn Johnson in GW13.

    In other news, blind squirrel finds nut and stopped clock tells right time twice a day!

  16. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    This guy....

  17. Cousin Greg
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    nice punts puntmaster.
    Whenever i took punt on your advice it worked.
    Dawson, Tomkins , Moses etc etc.

  18. Leeroy357
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    I have 2 FT's this week and don't want to make any changes (I wildcarded 2 weeks ago) and I don't foresee any required changes for next week either, I really like my team.

    The only maybe is that I have Costa. Should I swap to Rooney just for 1 week and then swap back? If I am not using the transfers anyway then it makes sense. Is there a better option for this week? Can afford any striker (bar RVP) and have Aguero and Welbz.

  19. Margarido
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Adam Jonhson vs City should be in there.
    My punt!

  20. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea when kolorav will return

  21. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    I went for RVP(C) puntmaster. Don't let me down 🙂

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      🙁

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Sorry 😉

  22. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Just did Rooney to bony for a hit.may as well.the game is a bit of fun at the end of the day.no guts no glory.