FanDuel

FanDuel Focus – Gameweek 5

Welcome to our regular lunchtime article looking at FanDuel’s games and key picks. Each round we’ll be putting forward a proposed eleven who we think should prosper in the Gameweek’s action, according to FanDuel’s unique scoring system.

There are three deadlines on FanDuel for entering line-ups into contests this weekend. The Friday night 8pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge marks the start of the games that cover all ten fixtures of the round. The Saturday only contests begin at 3pm, while Sunday’s four-match slate starts at 12 noon.

We’ve focussed on players from Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs in forward positions with all three having favourable fixtures, though their midweek Champions League exertions may limit their appeal.

Everton’s convincing second-half performance at the Stadium of Light has also put Toffees assets on our radar, ahead of the Goodison Park encounter with Middlesbrough.

For our-back-line, we’ve once again pinpointed some centre-backs that have tough opposition, which should see them make strong defensive contributions, a crucial factor in FanDuel where only goalkeepers gain clean sheet points.

To get started register for a free account via this link. When you sign up, enter the promocode “SCOUT” and FanDuel will refund your first paid entry fee, up to £10, as free entry credit if you don’t win cash.

There’s also a strategy guide available that examines which players to target in the various positions based on the average scores they would have accrued if the scoring was applied to last season.

My Team

Claudio Bravo £5m

Papy Djilobodji £5.5m

Steve Cook £7.4m

Curtis Davies £9.3m

Yannick Bolasie £7.7m

Dusan Tadic £9.9m

Christian Eriksen £10.1m

Kevin De Bruyne £15.3m

Alexis Sanchez £13m

Kelechi Iheanacho £6.6m

Romelu Lukaku £9.2m

Key Picks

Claudio Bravo marked his home debut for City with a clean sheet in the midweek clash with Borussia Monchengladbach, the Chilean keeper’s budget price-tag combined with visitors Bournemouth failing to impress in front of goal so far makes the ex-Barcelona shot-stopper difficult to overlook between the sticks.

We also like the look of Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg (£6m) who may be worth the extra investment as he looks for a third straight clean sheet in the Goodison Park clash with ‘Boro.

Sunderland’s summer signing Papy Djilobodji looks well-suited to the FanDuel scoring system, demonstrated by a 21.75 point average over his three appearances so far. The Senegalese centre-back made seven interceptions and six clearances in the defeat to Everton and at £5.5m should provide value for the visit to White Hart Lane.

Bournemouth may not be facing the suspended Sergio Aguero on Saturday but Steve Cook is still likely to be kept busy at the Etihad. Just three defenders have registered more than the centre-back’s 47 clearances, blocks and interceptions this term.

Curtis Davies continues to top that list by some margin (recording 84 clearances, blocks and interceptions in total). While in such resilient form he appears to be indispensable in the FanDuel format, with visitors Arsenal giving him ample opportunity to add to his impressive defensive statistics.

We’ve gone with Everton’s Yannick Bolasie in midfield based on his performance in Monday’s 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light, where the winger created five chances, earned an assist and had three attempts on goal. The ex-Palace player looks a potentially explosive prospect this Gameweek.

There’s lots tempting selections in the £9.5m to £10.5m bracket for the upcoming round, with Dusan Tadic among our differential recommendations. The Serb proved his capability of scoring well in FanDuel with a 34.25 haul in Southampton’s opening day fixture with Watford. After some disappointing performances, we’re hoping for a return to similar form here as the Saints host Swansea.

Christian Eriksen makes the cut after posting a score of 35.25 against Stoke. His two assists and three chances created shows the Dane is hitting form and we’re expecting the Spurs playmaker to be involved again for the visit of the Black Cats. Dele Alli (£9.8m) also demonstrated some of last season’s threat at Stoke, creating three chances and netting his first goal of the campaign.

Both Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla (£9.8m) and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (£9.1m) have had bright starts to the season and are worth considering for their favourable fixtures this Gameweek. However, we’ve managed to fit in their more expensive team-mates, who we believe are worth the extra outlay.

Alexis Sanchez, classed as a forward in FanDuel, has highlighted his goal threat on the road, scoring in back-to-back away matches for the Gunners against Watford in the league and PSG in Europe.

Kevin De Bruyne has created a table-topping 14 chances in the league this season and put in a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United last weekend. With Bournemouth visiting Gameweek 5 looks an ideal time to invest in the midfield maestro.

Being able to afford those two big-hitters was largely down to the bargain price-tag of City’s Kelichi Iheanacho. The young forward scored against Borussia Monchengladbach after opening his account for the term in the Manchester derby. He looks set to lead the line again in Ageuro’s absence.

We complete the XI with Romelu Lukaku, whose goal drought was broken in style with an 11-minute hat-trick on Monday night. The Toffees front-man now leads the league for shots-on-target (worth five points apiece in FanDuel), alongside Diego Costa.

This Week’s Games

The all-weekend time-frame has the biggest pot of the weekend, the £7500 Fan Favourite contest which has a £5 buy-in and a £750 first-place prize.

There’s also a £25 free game on offer which covers the full-round as well which is ideal for newcomers to test out the format.

Our own contest covers the Saturday matches, the Fantasy Football Scout Challenge is £1 to enter with a guaranteed pot of £150 available, this contest starts at 3pm on Saturday.

The main game for the Saturday only slate is the £1500 special, it has a £3 entry fee with £200 going for first place, the deadline is 3pm though late swap is available for players you select in the 5.30pm kick-off at Goodison Park.

On Sunday there is a similar contest available, also with a £1500 guaranteed and £3 buy-in.

You can register for a free account at FanDuel via this link. When you sign up, enter the promo code “SCOUT” and FanDuel will refund your first paid entry fee, up to £10, as free entry credit if you don’t win cash.

825 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SantiClaus
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Kane or Nacho? Just for this GW

    Basically spurs or city coverage

    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      See below. I think Kane.

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Nacho seems more likely to score to me

  2. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Foster
    Stones / Morgan / Valencia
    Hazard / Ozil / Firmino / Redmond
    Lukaku (c) / Rooney / Benteke

    Jaku / Capoue / Friend / Kone

    What do you think guys? Got a feeling Morgan and Valencia will both score this weekend 😀

  3. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    John stones +1mil itb or azpilcueta?

    1. eskild
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Stones

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Stones

    3. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Stones.

    4. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I'd have Walker/Baines if I could

  4. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Best placeholder for Kun for a week? Currently thinking Kame, but maybe Costa or Benteke? I already have Lukaku and Ibra

    1. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Kelechi.

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Nacho?

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I would go Benteke. But you will be tempted by Kane rather than leaving the cash itb

    4. Colonel Klink
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Who do you currently have as 3rd FWD?

      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        On wc

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Kane for sure mate.

      -He's just got off the mask vs Stoke.
      -Dembele back.
      -He's on pens and ye games being ref'd by someone who's given 3 or 4 penos out already this season....

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Sounds like sound reasoning. But Kane still didn't look good the other night if you watched him

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          You could say the same for Zlatan in his Europa match.... But nobody will judge him on that....

          This is an unbiased opinion anyway as I don't have Kane, but wish I did this week, as is captain him.

    6. SantiClaus
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Ye exact same conundrum foe me on my WC. I think it might be Nacho after watching Kane again midweek

    7. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks for all the replies guys.

  5. Colonel Klink
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    What are rough odds on Barkley starting? And maybe, like, doing well.

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      High and low

      1. Colonel Klink
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Those are not ideal odds.

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      60% and 30%

      I have him BTW.

      1. Colonel Klink
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        I'm planning to switch him to Snod and Negredo to Aguero next week. Worth just taking the hit for Snod now, as opposed to next week. Seems like he won't necessarily do worse.

  6. Sune
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Negredo > Benteke for -4

    Yay/Nay?

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Nah probably not

  7. ♤TeddyBear♤
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Chance of Kane being rested this weekend?

    1. RustyBz
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      1%

    2. Colonel Klink
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      There's apparently a chance. Can't give percentage.

    3. Moss
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      25%
      Some fans want Kane to be rested this weekend.

  8. Van_de_Fart
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Will there be a week 5 scout picks?

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      They are probably late because of the community champion not submitting his team on time.

  9. alsybach
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    shall I play Capoue (UTD) or Redmond (SWA).................? any ideas peeps?

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Redmond

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely Redmond.

    3. Fowler23
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I would play Nathan

  10. DÏLKS
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    If you could have one this week..:

    A) Sanchez
    B) KDB

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Same dilemma here.. I've dithered but finally gone KDB as it also freed up some cash

  11. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Pickford or Jaku on WC?

    1. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      I'm with Jaku

  12. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    So.. pick 2 out of these 3 heavy hitters

    a) Hazard
    b) KDB
    c) Sanchez

    1. bros
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A & C

  13. bros
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Will Collins be dropped this week
    Worth a -4 to change for Stones

    Thanks

    1. bros
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone?

      1. itsmeguneet
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        collins has played every minute of this season...I have collins in my teamsheet

  14. Legomane
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on next week's proposed transfers...current team:

    Cech, Heaton
    Walker, Collins, Pieters, Smith, Kone
    Hazard, Sanchez, Antonio, Redmond, Capoue
    Ibrahimovic, Defoe, Lukaku

    Ideals, want Liverpool, Arsenal attacking cover. Don't want to lose Haz BPS, but may just accept that...
    Defoe does have a couple of good fixtures gw6-7(8-9 not bad), but I am worried about Sunderland generally (esp with Kone in there too!).

    A. Defoe, Hazard, Sanchez >> Aguero, Mane/Firminio, Bolasie.
    0.3 (Mane) or 0.8 (Fir) ITB. -4pts

    B. Lukaku, Hazard or Sanchez >> Aguero/Bolasie
    0.3(haz) / 1.0(san) ITB, and no pts hit

    C. Ibra, Hazard >> Aguero, Firminio or Mane
    0.5(fir) / 0.0 (mane) ITB, and no pts hit

    D. Ibra, Sanchez >> Aguero, Ozil/Firminio/Mane
    0.0 ITB, no pts hit

    So many options, early post but may push the double/triple transfer button tonight to catch any rises (Mane in particular looks close and will certainly rise with a good performance v Chelsea)

  15. bros
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez

  16. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Would you keep or sell Tadic on WC active?

    1. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Sell.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. I'm leaning towards Cazorla

  17. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Zaha?

    1. WINNING!
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      A punt but, a good enabler for Kun if that's what you are thinking.

  18. Mr Pink
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero financing alternatives leave me with (at least) two options:

    A) Zaha/Bolasie/Puncheon & Lukaku

    B) Sterling & Benteke

    What say ye wise people?

    1. Mr Pink
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Midfield budget in A) is 6.9. Mirallas or others (Pereyra, Redmond, Snodgrass?) could also be options

  19. itsmeguneet
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    thoughts please !!
    Heaton (foster)
    bellerin-collins-valencia (mcAuley, holgate)
    antonio-hazard-capoue-sanchez (maloney)
    zlatan(c) - bony- benteke ...

    1. semiconductor
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Looks very good

  20. semiconductor
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Does that mid look so weak??

    Firminho sterling cazorla antonio capoue

    Ibra kun and lukaku

    1. itsmeguneet
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      decent

      1. semiconductor
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Not weak?

  21. _werre_
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Nacho or Lukaku for captain? Currently have it on Nacho.