After Glen Johnson’s heroics last weekend my midweek punts failed to live up to his high standards. For the first time ever none of my punts came off. Defender Brede Hangeland didn’t threaten from set pieces and a defensive error from his colleague Damien Delaney saw Christain Benteke ruin any clean sheet returns. Robin van Persie played a passive role in Manchester United’s match, an all too common theme this season. I was most pleased with Leon Osman’s performance as he had a shot cleared off the line and impressed for Everton, however he failed to capitalize on opportunities and didn’t bring home the bacon. Here are Gameweek 15’s best punts with ownership figures correct as of November 4.
Vlad Chiriches
Club: Spurs
Position: Defender
Price: 4.7
Ownership: 0.1%
There was only one option for me this week in defence. Over the past couple of fixtures Vlad Chiriches has really stood out from the crowd. He is an attacking defender who manages to put deadly balls into the box without committing himself forward and consequently being left exposed at the back. This Gameweek’s fixture will be a relief for Spurs. After facing Chelsea and Everton in the last two Pochettino’s men welcome Crystal Palace to White Hart Lane. Despite their matches being tough over the past two games, the Londoners did beat Everton, though were thrashed by Chelsea in the midweek round of fixtures. Tottenham are improving under boss Mauricio Pochettino and new arrivals are finding their feet as they rise up the table. A lacklustre Crystal Palace side, who have failed to score four times this season, should pose little threat to the Tottenham backline.
What makes Chiriches so appealing is his assist potential. These articles must sound a little like a broken record lately with so many defenders being highlighted for this but it really can make the difference between first and second place in your mini-league. In only just over 400 minutes Chiriches has attempted 16 crosses and created three goalscoring chances. He likes to run forward and receives a pass in the final third just over every ten minutes. As previously mentioned, Chiriches avoids getting caught out of position and it is rare for him to attempt to get in behind his full-back. Not only does this make it more likely for Spurs to keep a clean sheet but increases the chance of defensive bonus points. He makes a recovery every 13 minutes and has made 20 interceptions so far this term. This defensive solidity combined with pinpoint crossing makes him a great punt this week.
Sone Aluko
Club: Hull
Position: Midfield
Price: 4.6
Ownership: `0.1%
I was incredulous when I saw that Aluko was classed as a midfielder on the Fantasy Premier League game. He came on to replace the injured Diame against Everton and scored Hull’s goal on Wednesday night. Diame is set to miss out on this Gameweek’s meeting with West Brom and Aluko should keep his place. He is set to play just in behind Nikica Jelavic, although it is worth bearing in mind that Abel Hernandez has returned to training this week.
Aluko is a monster in the air and wins knock-downs for fun – if he can be in the right place at the right time there will be goalscoring opportunities. West Brom have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight and have lost some of the defensive form they were finding early on in the season. Hull have been struggling for goals but with the return of Jelavic this seems to have been sorted and Aluko will want to make sure of this.
He is also sure of shot, with six out of ten of his efforts finding the target. There is also strong assist potential with his eagerness to cross. A favourable fixture for an in-form striker classed as a midfielder – perfect!
Christian Benteke
Club: Aston Villa
Position: Forward
Price: 7.9
Ownership: 0.5%
Benteke was the obvious choice for this Gameweek’s punt. He is finally back playing again after injuries and suspensions and his importance to the Villa side is huge. When on the pitch he is involved in half of Villa’s goals, although it is worth pointing out that the West Midlands side don’t score many goals. Just like all the other punts this Gameweek, Benteke has found game time hard to come by in recent months, playing a mere 369 minutes this season. However, whilst on the pitch he has wasted no time getting shots off – with 13 attempts this season, he averages out at a chance every 28 minutes. Benteke is not one for assists, though. He is a selfish player that is only interested in scoring goals. This was clear to see midweek as he charged at Palace’s defence, refusing to square the ball to a team-mate and instead netted himself with a classy finish. While his lack of assists limits his Fantasy prospects to some degree, his eagerness to score more than makes up for it.
Sunday afternoon sees Aston Villa play Leicester at home. Nigel Pearson’s side have been in poor form lately, not winning since the 5-3 thriller against Manchester United in Gameweek 5. Furthermore they haven only kept two clean sheets this season. Captain Wes Morgan is suspended for this weekend’s game and there will be a lack of stability in the back four. Benteke’s ruthlessness in front of goal should prove too much for Leicester.
9 years, 3 months ago
Sooo tempted to get Benteke in for a punt this week. May well do. Think you've a good selection here. Skrtel and Caulker my pick of the other differential defenders this week - exceptional attacking stats combined with good fixture.