Games

Sky Sports Focus – Gameweek 39

Next up this Thursday evening, we take our usual look at the Sky Sports game. As always, we assess the recent run of Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, bonus point beneficiaries, the transfer trends and also cast an eye over the Scout team and our future plans.

Gameweek 38 Man of the Match Awards

Listed below are 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).

FixtureMoTM
Man City vs StokeKelechi Iheanacho
Aston Villa vs SouthamptonDusan Tadic
Bournemouth vs ChelseaCesc Fabregas
Liverpool vs NewcastleAlberto Moreno
Sunderland vs ArsenalJan Kirchhoff
Leicester vs SwanseaLeonardo Ulloa
Tottenham vs West BromCraig Gardner

Gameweek 38 Bonus Points

Two goalkeepers picked up bonus this week – former Sky favourites Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone were the men in question. with the latter making six saves and keeping a clean sheet to earn a tasty nine points. With 14 points earned in just 16 outings, the Italian is hot the heels of the leading three keepers Petr Cech, Jack Butland and Heurelho Gomes, who all have 16 points apiece.

In defence, ten players grabbed bonus; six for tackles and five for completed passes. Swansea full-back Angel Rangel was the man to grab both despite his side losing by four goals. Simon Francis is the top scoring defender in terms of bonus with 28 points – nearly the equivalent of six clean sheets.

In midfield there were nine beneficiaries in total: two for tackling and seven for passes. As usual, Cesc Fabregas was one of those and his total of 62 bonus points means he is the fourth highest scoring midfielder in the game, despite registering just four goals all season.

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

NameTeamValue% of Managers
VardyLeicester7.315.2%
LukakuEverton8.85.15%
AgueroMan City104.28%
BarkleyEverton6.73.36%
OzilArsenal8.42.87%

Top Transfers In

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneTottenham9.39.09%
SanchezArsenal9.77.04%
AgueroMan City104.3%
AlliTottenham43.99%
EriksenLeicester7.73.77%

Top Five Captains Picked

NameTeamValue% of Managers
AgueroMan City1014.63%
KaneTottenham9.310.29%
SanchezArsenal9.75.97%
VardyLeicester7.35.21%
HazardChelsea95.13%

The average amount of transfers remaining amongst the top 10 Sky managers currently is 1.00, whilst the top 100 average is 1.43, the 1,000 is 1.964 and the top 5,000 is 2.2262.

Watchlist

Here I aim to highlight a few differential players with low ownership that I think could be good options in the coming weeks to help you climb the rankings. These will be looked at in three specific price brackets to cater for our available budget. These names evolve with fixtures and form and offer Fantasy managers a nudge in hopefully the right direction.

BudgetMid-PricePremium
DefenderJan Kirchhoff, 4.5m, 0%Alberto Moreno, 6.2m, 1.2%Laurent Koscielny, 7.8m, 5.3%
MidfielderAlex Iwobi, 4m, 0.4%Willian, 7.5m, 2.9%Roberto Firmino, 8m, 4.6%
ForwardJermain Defoe, 7.5m, 3%Andy Carroll, 7.9m, 0.8%Daniel Sturridge, 9.4m, 2.2%

My Team

Hart
Cathcart Walker Dier
Alli Ozil Mahrez Payet
Aguero Kane Sanchez©

ITB: 0.2m
Transfers remaining: 2/40
Last week’s points: 40
Overall points: 2,108
Rank: 704

Notes
Not a great week but decent enough, with captain Sergio Aguero earning me 14 points, whilst Joe Hart and Riyad Mahrez chipped in with seven points apiece.

I transferred out Craig Dawson for Kyle Walker on Monday night, which backfired instantly as Dawson’s leveller at the Lane cancelled out Tottenham’s clean sheet. Dele Alli is now out for the season after being handed a three-match ban for violent conduct earlier today, though I may just leave him in and focus my transfers on extra captains – one trade this week would allow me to have three armbands and opt for Chelsea coverage for Monday’s match with Spurs.

Captain Plan
I’m locked into Alexis Sanchez as my skipper for Saturday’s home match against Norwich – given the Chilean’s recent good form, I’m hopeful of some decent returns for this clash.

It’s no surprise that a switch to Sergio Aguero is on the cards for Sunday as Man City travel to St Mary’s and given that the Saints leaked two goals against Aston Villa last week I’m again hopeful this will bear fruit.

For Monday, I’ll be transferring out Aguero for a Chelsea asset as they square up to Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. As alluded to above, this works out well as Guus Hiddink’s side play in Matchday one away to Sunderland in Gameweek 40 and helps to give me three skippers for this week.

I’m still not certain on my likely Chelsea target, though Diego Costa, Eden Hazard or Cesc Fabregas look the best options, with the Belgian currently the front runner on the back of his brace at Bournemouth.

The Fantasy Football Scout League

Once again, we’re running our own Fantasy Football Scout League this season and are sitting in first place in the rankings at present. With a £1000 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 new host Max Rushden and Paul Merson at 18:00 SkySports 1 HD where they will be discussing the upcoming week’s Fantasy Football and running a feature on former England midfielder Joe Cole.

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1,031 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    drop 2

    A) mahrez

    b) coutinho

    c) kane

    on a and c right now as hoping coutinho has done all his resting...

    thanks

  2. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Why are people going negative bout Spurs? The second spot is still there for the taking. If Arsenal win vs Nor, gap is down to just 2pts.

    1. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      alli being out is why i think most people are, also playing for 2nd is quite the motivation of trying to win pl.

  3. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Not only is he backup keeper at Villarreal, but his name is Areola 😀

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      I love them latinas

  4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    here we go

  5. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Lanzini or Cresswell for the DGW?

    1. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      cresswell

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Ta

    2. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Might go for both

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Have Payet and getting Carroll

        1. Bellerinmondo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          Cresswell then

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 13 days ago

            Cheers

  6. Shrimpy
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Robles, Darlow
    Bellerin, Fuchs, Smalling, Delaney, Sakho
    Mahrez, Iwobi, Alli, Sanchez, Payet
    Sturridge, Aguero, Pelle

    1FT, 0.3 ITB

    Suggestions? Happy to do a -4 🙂

    1. FudgyBadger
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      pele + sakho > pva + defoe

      1. Shrimpy
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Thoughts on Deeney/Iggy?

  7. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    “It is difficult here against Villarreal. They have some good players. It was a very difficult decision to be honest [to go with Firmino up front ahead of Sturridge]. I thought about a lot of things. In the end I decided for a little more stability. In a 4-3-3, however you want, we didn’t play with Daniel until now. And so we thought for today this 4-3-3, 4-5-1, sometimes a diamond, it’s a very flexible style and it makes sense for the players to have played together before.” As for the suspended Sakho? “Kolo Toure and Dejan Lovren have played together, it is our situation. We could talk about Emre Can, Divock Origi or Hendo if you want, but they are not here. We have a really good side on the pitch and a very good bench so we can react in the game. Hopefully we will be successful!” - Klopp

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Nice 🙂

  8. Bellerinmondo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Disappointed tonight as a firmino owner. Likely he's rested at the weekend now?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Not sure. He could end up just doing his usual 65 minutes then subbed off and plays the next game. There hasnt been much evidence of Firmino being rested when hes fit. Klopp seems to like starting him.

      1. Bellerinmondo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Fingers crossed then

    2. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      See if he plays 90. Previously he's played 60 and then done the same in the league.

    3. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Not really, think he'll play 60 and start on the weekend

  9. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Crap. Got Firmino, Countinho, Alli, Mitro and Sakho to sort out with 1 FT >:(

  10. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    I was thinking that the CL group stages are rather dull and how to make them more interesting. One idea that I thought of was to have 4 groups of 8 teams as opposed to vice versa and the top 4 go through. So you still get 3 home/away matches plus one more that even be at a neutral ground.
    We'd get more interesting games and just imagine the last GW if 5 teams are vying for the final 2 places

    1. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      How many fixtures would each team play in this format in the groups?

      1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Play each other once so seven games in group stage

        1. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          Not sure extra games is the way forward tbh.. I don't see anything wrong with the current set up the only thing i would be in favour of is scrapping of the away goals rule.. would make for more exciting ties in the latter stages imo

          1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 13 days ago

            Away goals encourages more attacking football surely?

            1. KingNidge
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 13 days ago

              Not from the home team it doesn't.. especially late in games.. i think if it was done away with you would get two teams going at it in proper cup game fashion over 2 games

  11. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    ooof

  12. stilicho
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    One striker until the end of the season. Who's your pick?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Carroll

      1. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Ta

    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Lukaku dare I say?

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Him Sturridge and Carroll are all worthy picks

      2. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        That would bloody typical

        1. stilicho
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          *be

    3. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      I'm going to say Sturrridge

      1. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Ta

    4. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Yep, all look good, damn!

    5. Cov
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Sturridge

  13. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Vitolo goal!

  14. Sjaugen
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    FFS the sound is ahead of the picture on the televised game. Some production

  15. Slam
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Do we think Sturridge will start vs. Swansea? Or will he be rested yet again for the second leg

  16. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Man Vitolo loves the Europa League

  17. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Do you think Clyne will start this GW?

    1. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      I'de like to know this as well

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        🙁

  18. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    probably already been noted, but ironic that Toure gets a game because sahko took diet pills

    1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      It'd be even funnier if Kolo was the adviser/provider

      1. Back on the horse
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        I mean because Toure got done for taking them at City

        1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          I know that. My post didn't deny that 😳

  19. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Sevilla will win the Europa League. It's just what they do

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      They've not been as good this season without Bacca though. I think Liverpool will beat them in the final.

  20. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Best transfer of these two ?

    yaya > fabregas

    or

    sakho > PVA (have mannone)

    Tnks

  21. hurrrrr
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Thoughts on my wildcard team?

    Mannone - De Gea
    Smalling - Bellerin - Moreno - Cathcart - Van Aanholt
    Sanchez - Hazard - Payet - Firmino - Antonio
    Kane - Sturridge - Defoe

    12 DGW + Bellerin/Sanchez/Kane

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Nice

      1. hurrrrr
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Cheers.

        Considering downgrading Hazard and doing Defoe -> Lukaku..

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Cathcart-> Cresswell/Reid

      1. hurrrrr
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Not a fan of West Ham's defence. Cathcart is cheaper and has better fixtures.

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Kane twice?

  22. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    best front 3 until end of season?

    got the first two, but undecided on third

    andy, sturridge, lukaku/defoe/costa/watord

    thanks

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      defo defoe.

      1. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        for an ft i agree with you as it gives value elsewhere if you have aguero, but on wc i think its worth going someone else

    2. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      watford

    3. Cov
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Sturridge if you can afford him, Defoe if not

      1. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        ye already on sturridge and andy and then not sure on third slot, on a wc, could keep kane or aguero, but i think its worth punting on someone else

  23. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    WIs Barkley a good option for the DWG, considering his last one?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      All evidence would suggest not. Knowing this season though, he will score a hat trick

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        😀

  24. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    @Doosra (if you're around)

    Winston Reid or Ogbonna? Both the same price, does Reid carry more threat and safety of starts?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Of course Reid. Better goal threat, better for BAPS, more nailed.

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Cheers Jazz, nice tick 😉

        1. Jazz!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          Got jealous of yours so had to steal it 😆 😉

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Reid. Yes.

  25. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    I owned both Kolo and Sakho when they took and received bans for diet pills:lol:

  26. Cov
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    I'm considering triple West Ham midfield... Anyone else?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      No.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        What's with the green tick next to your nickname?

        1. Jazz!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          I feel more 'verified' 😉

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        This.

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Antonio, Lanzini & Payet?

      1. Cov
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Yes. Already have Lanzini and Payet. And need to take out Alli.

    3. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Nope

  27. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Willian or Barkley?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Willian for me.

  28. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    The GW37 planned team looks so beautiful, cannot wait!

    DDG
    Clyne Smalling PvA Cresswell
    Payet Firmino Townsend
    Carroll Sturridge Defoe

    😎

  29. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Start Coutinho or Lingard?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      C

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Decide after Coutinho's minutes today.

      I'd still Coutinho regardless personally, think he'll do a lot more even in a cameo v Swans than Lingard starting v Leicester imo. Jesse needs to improve a lot on their end product.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Thanks!

  30. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    I still haven't decided who to get in - van Aanholt or Reid. Getting Reid means tripling up on West Ham. I already have Payet and Lanzini. Who would you go for? Thanks for help. 🙂

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      PvA

    2. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Van Aanholt for me, sir. More to play for, solid recently and occasional goal 🙂

    3. OLEgend
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      PVA definitely

    4. Cov
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      PVA easily! I am going for PVA and Kirchoff in defence and might go for three WH midfielders

    5. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Thank you so much guys! PVA it is.