Digest

The Digest – Gameweek 7

Alexis Sanchez explodes into form with a hat-trick against Leicester. Tottenham’s momentum is building after sweeping aside City, whilst the big hitters are finally starting to deliver. Here’s our thoughts on Gameweek 7 in this week’s Digest…

The Player

A stunning hat-trick in Arsenal’s 5-2 thrashing of Leicester finally announced Alexis Sanchez’ return to Fantasy form this season.

After a sluggish start, mainly brought about by his exertions for Chile in this summer’s Copa America, the Gunners’ wide man eventually translated his superb underlying statistics into Fantasy returns to reward those who patiently stood by his abilities as a heavy-hitter.

One look at last season’s returns highlights Sanchez’ explosive, yet erratic, showings. Somewhat surprisingly, the former Barcelona man produced returns in just 15 of his 35 league outings, blanking on 20 occasions, yet still racked up 16 goals, eight assists and 207 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points in his debut year at the Emirates.

Clearly, then, Sanchez will frustrate us and has the potential to embark on barren runs but has such a strong upside that, as Saturday’s 20-point haul demonstrated, going without him can be a dangerous tactic.

With Arsene Wenger now believing that his star player is finally back to his best, it’s little wonder that Sanchez is the second most transferred-in player since the weekend, as Fantasy managers belatedly scramble for a piece of the action.

The Team

An outstanding comeback win over City on Saturday stretched Tottenham’s unbeaten run to six matches as Mauricio Pochettino’s men moved into sixth spot after seven Gameweeks.

Encouragingly for Spurs and Fantasy managers alike, the club’s form at both ends of the pitch bodes well for future returns. Kevin de Bruyne’s early strike at the Lane is the only goal Pochettino’s side have conceded in the last four, with clean sheets accrued against Everton, Sunderland and Palace over that period. The summer addition of Toby Alderweireld at centre-half, allied with the decision to move Eric Dier into the double-pivot has paid off handsomely in terms of improving resilience, and the duo’s potential at both ends of the pitch was highlighted after they both bagged a goal in the 4-1 thrashing of Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

Crucially for Pochettino, his attack finally seems to have found their form. Spurs went into the weekend having scored just five goals in the first six fixtures but ran riot against City. Harry Kane finally opened his account for the campaign, whilst fit-again Christian Eriksen – who was afforded his first start since Gameweek 2 – has now earned an assist in each of his last three outings. With Erik Lamela chipping in with a goal and assist, and Heung-Min Son’s energy boosting their pressing game in the final third, the north London outfit are starting to click.

The upcoming schedule – which sees that face Swansea, Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea in the next seven – is by no means easy but, as evidenced on Saturday, Spurs look to have the form and momentum to prevail.

Talking Point

Sanchez and Kane’s return to form was mirrored by Daniel Sturridge as the Liverpool striker netted twice in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

Finally back in first-team contention in the previous Gameweek, Sturridge thrived alongside the dynamic Danny Ings as Brendan Rodgers kept faith in his 3-4-1-2 formation. Tellingly, Sturridge played from start to finish against Tim Sherwood’s side, suggesting he’s fast approaching full match sharpness after months on the sidelines.

After a number of weeks where the big hitters have failed to justify their hefty price tags, is the tide starting to turn? So far, the Fantasy games have been dominated by Leicester pair Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy whilst Dimitri Payet has wasted no time in bringing his Marseille form to the Premier League.

Last weekend served a timely reminder, though, that top class talents will prevail and keeping faith in the premium picks can pay off. As Sergio Aguero (NEW, BOU, NOR) and Eden Hazard (SOU, AVL, LIV) both prepare for three home matches in the next four, their loyal owners will be hoping that the duo take their cue from last week’s events and start to justify their premium price tags.

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907 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sterling Chap
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    How many hits have you taken this season and how have they worked out for you?

    1. Bøss ⭐
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      0, I've been quite fortunate using my wildcard at the right time and only picking nailed on players so I'm leading my mini league due to the two guys below me taking hits!

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Good skillz!

    2. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Only just taken my first one yesterday, I have my fingers crossed for next week.

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Good luck 🙂

    3. Sterling Chap
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I've only taken one and it was for KDB the GW just gone, so that worked out ok.

    4. littlebig
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Ì took two in gw5. Worked out well, scored 71 last week.

      Hits can work out well if, say you buy 3 players for hit of 8 pts, if those 3 go on to score, say 20 - 30 points over next 3 weeks.

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        That's I look at hits - the value the player will return over time or next few weeks especially if they have good fixtures

    5. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      2, but I look at hits as a long-term thing. I took 20+ pts. in hits last yr and still finished in top 10k.

      They're an amazing tool, like a table saw...but used incorrectly, it can take your hands off.

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Chilling words but true 🙂

  2. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    As a spurs fan, I very much enjoyed the write up abiut 'the team' abive. Doesn't feel like it happens that often.

    ...enjoyed it right up until the talk of upcoming fixtures...

  3. PurpleCobras
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Just had a crack at the Fantasy UCL game. Is there a FFS league set up?

  4. liberalfamilia
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    have Benteke and Wilson. Calls for a WC or should I just take a hit?

    Also have Francis, Pedro, Sterling, Coates. All worrying tbh but not sure..

    1. Bøss ⭐
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      If you can field a full team I wouldn't wildcard, just bench benteke and swap Wilson out

      1. liberalfamilia
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        considering Sturridge and Ings form right now, I'm not quite sure how nailed will Tekkers when he come back. The price fall gonna hurt me a bit.

    2. littlebig
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      do it if you think it will put you in good shape

  5. Fanta sea
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    REPOST:

    DDG I McCarthy

    Davies I Darmian I Monreal I Richards I Oxford

    KDB I Payet I Ayew I Sanchez I Mahrez

    Martial I Aguero I Ighalo

    Would you change anything? 0.2m in the bank.

    Here's one suggestion:

    1) Switch Darmian > Bertrand
    2) Switch Richards > Dawson

    I must add that in order to do number 2, I need to free up funds for the move which would mean making the first transfer. It's essentially, Darmian and Richards > Bertrand and Dawson

  6. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Myhill, Fabianski
    Bellerín, Azpi, Sagna, Francis, Cédric
    Shaqiri, Mahrez, Sinclair, Sterling, Alexis
    Agüero, Wilson, Gomis

    0.4 ITB, 2 FT

    in a bit of a mess, as you can see. should I play the WC? or just transfer out Wilson and Shaq for the time being? if yes, who all should I bring in?

  7. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    People say Lukaku is fustrating to own, then,, ain't Pelle more or less similar?

  8. Lingardium Leviosa.
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    has the Lavezzi thing been talked about? :O :O :O :O

  9. MITRO'S ON FIRE
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Does Milner to Lens/Norwich mid/Palace mid sound a sensible transfer for the next 5 game weeks?

    Norwich mid options are Hoolahan, Redmond and Brady. Whilst Placace options would be Bolasie, Cabaye or Puncheon.. Most likely.

  10. hales
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry, I posted this in older thread

    Thoughts on this wildcard?

    Myhill ,McCarthy
    Kolarov, Smalling, Cresswell, Sagna, Martin
    SAnchez, KDB, Tadic, Payet, Mahrez
    SAkho, Vardy, Lukaku

    Thx for any feedback

  11. Coffee-Geek
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    So I'm need of a couple of new defenders.... Any thoughts on Betrand?

    1. Mattdrid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hangeland nailed now?