Sky Sports Focus – Gameweek 17

With double Gameweek 16 behind us, we refocus our attentions on the key stats in the Sky Sports Fantasy Football game. As always, we cast an eye over the Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, bonus point beneficiaries and current market trends before taking a look at the Scout team and our plans for Gameweek 17.

Gameweek 16 Man of the Match Awards

These were the players that caught the eye of the Sky Sports reporters from last weekend’s fixtures achieving the Man of the Match award (worth an additional five points).

Three goalkeepers, two defenders, ten midfielders and five forwards picked up the accolades this week. Eden Hazard earned his fifth MoTM over the double bringing him to within two points of fellow midfielder Cesc Fabregas – those who stuck with Hazard (like myself) are slowly reaping the rewards. A special mention goes to Danny Ings and Sergio Aguero, who caught the reporters’ eye in both fixtures to reward their owners – Aguero now has four MoTM awards, just one behind Hazard.

Gameweek 16 Bonus Points

Six goalkeepers achieved bonus points from collecting five or more saves. Brad Guzan was the man to have between the sticks over the double – the American conceded only one goal, kept a clean sheet, grabbed a MoTM award and picked up save bonus to earn a total of 15 points. Robert Green still leads the way for keepers with 14 bonus points.

In defence, 17 players grabbed bonus, 12 for tackles and eight for passes completed. Sylvain Distin, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling all collected bonus twice over the double with the United centre-backs picking up passing in both – testament to Louis Van Gaal’s new style of play. Liverpool centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel are the top performing defenders in terms of bonus with 14 additional points so far.

In midfield, there were 33 beneficiaries in total: 22 for tackling and 23 for passes. A number of midfielders earned bonus twice over the double but a special mention to Cesc Fabregas and Marouane Fellaini who picked up bonus three times in the two fixtures to earn themselves an extra six points. Morgan Schneiderlin is still bossing the bonus points overall with 28 extra points.

Fantasy Football Scout members can access all information regarding bonus points using player stats and clicking the Sky Sports tab.

The Transfer Trends

Top Transfers Out

Diego Costa’s suspension at home to Spurs spelled the end for 13% of Fantasy managers, although the Chelsea striker has been confirmed to start by Jose Mourinho away to Newcastle tomorrow lunchtime. Angel di Maria and Morgan Schneiderlin were absent due to injury and look like missing the coming weekend’s action once again. Graziano Pelle and Raheem Sterling have been short of form recently, though Sterling did pick up a MoTM and an assist over the double, perhaps hinting to a return to his best.

Top Transfers In

It’s hard to argue against any of these players finding their way into our Fantasy teams. Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard are, of course, the heavy hitters in real form at the moment and look primed to continue their run of points. Swansea’s deadly duo Wilfried Bony and Gylfi Sigurdsson have also been in good form and have clearly been targeted for their good run of fixtures.

My Team

Fabianski
Bertrand Hutton Robertson
Hazard Downing Sigurdsson Sterling di Maria
Aguero© Costa

ITB: 1.1m
Transfers remaining: 25/40
Last week’s points: 131
Overall points: 833
Rank: 1,827

Notes
A decent haul at last for my team, largely due to Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling and, of course, Sergio Aguero. As my captain, Sterling picked up MoTM in the first encounter then an assist in the second before my armband switch to Aguero for his 20-point haul at the Stadium of Light worked wonders.

As for future plans, I have my eye on Wayne Rooney, Aaron Ramsey and Yaya Toure. Rooney has always been a Sky favourite and has been in great form in between his injuries – if he can keep himself fit, I can see him racking up a lot of points in the near future. Ramsey and Yaya have both started to up their game in recent weeks and a check of the member stats will help to back up that argument – both also regularly contribute passing bonus to help them tick over.

Captain plan
For Saturday, I’m sticking with Sergio Aguero at home to Everton. Although there are a number of decent options that day, I don’t think you can look past his form at present.

On Sunday, I’m considering handing the armband to Stewart Downing for his home tie against Swansea. Although I’m not expecting fireworks from the Hammers midfielder, the fact that he features on the first day of Gameweek 18 (away to Sunderland) plays a part in my planning.

The other option is to just keep it on Aguero and go with only one captain. On the upside, this would mean he’s my skipper for a plum away fixture at Leicester next weekend, so it’s a question of quality over quantity. I’ll most likely make the decision based on Aguero’s Everton performance.

If you fancy the three captains option and want to take advantage of Monday night’s match, then a Saints player looks the best option considering they play on Saturday in Gameweek 18.

The Fantasy Football Scout League

Once again, we’re running our own Fantasy Football Scout League this season and we’re currently toping the Private League rankings once again. With a £1,000 prize to the winner, you’d be mad not to get involved. To join, visit Sky Sports Fantasy Football and key in League Name: FFScout, League Code: 8009000.

The Fantasy Football Club

This Friday The Fantasy Football Club show, where you can catch Fenners and Merse at 18:30 SkySports One HD where they will be discussing the upcoming week’s Fantasy Football, quizzing former Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger and asking ex-Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar for his #One2Eleven.