FanDuel Focus – Gameweek 14

Welcome to our regular Friday lunchtime article looking at FanDuel’s contests and the key player picks, which this week also includes details of an exclusive offer for those yet to try out the game.

As usual, we will review the prize pots and entry cut-offs, while also offering some insight into a selection of player targets via my strongest lineup: the XI that will form the basis of my entries this weekend.

This week FanDuel have an offer for any newcomers keen to get involved for the first time.

Until mid-day tomorrow, there is a limited promo code available that gives the first 300 Fantasy Football Scout visitors the chance to gain a free entry with the opportunity to win some cash prizes.

You can receive £5 free credit to be used in this weekend’s contests.

Register before Saturday’s noon deadline and the bonus will be credited to your account by 12.05pm – that gives you a chance to enter the £5,000 Fan Favourite ahead of the 12.30 deadline for the first kick-off.

When you sign up, use the promo code SCOUTFIVER to claim your entry fee.

If you then decide to enter more competitions, the code also provides a 100% bonus on your first deposit, all the way up to £400.

As usual, there are three timeframes for entering line-ups into FanDuel contests this weekend.

Remember that, whatever you choose, you can use the late-swap function to scan the teamsheets and change any of your non-starters in your line-ups, right up until their kick-off time.

The weekend’s full ten-fixture slate starts with that first match at the Etihad on Saturday – 12.30 is the deadline here, then.

There’s also separate Saturday and Sunday/Monday slates.

The Saturday only games begin at 3pm with six matches including the early evening London clash as Arsenal travel to West Ham United.

On Sunday it’s an earlier start, as Liverpool make the trip to the south coast for the 1.30pm kick-off at Bournemouth.

Click here to register your account and don’t forget that exclusive Fantasy Football Scout promotion code so you can claim your free five pound credit.

If you miss out on that by registering after 12pm on Saturday, you can still enter the promo code “SCOUT” and FanDuel will refund your first paid entry fee, up to £10, as free entry credit if you miss out on a cash prize.

If you’re just getting started with FanDuel, we urge you to read on for this week’s player picks and also recommend that you take a look at our earlier strategy guide.

This examines the type of players to target in the various positions, based on the average scores they would have accrued if the FanDuel scoring was applied to last season.

My Strongest XI

Lee Grant £6.6m
Winston Reid £7.9m
Federico Fernandez £8.4m
Nicolas Otamendi £8.6m
Matt Phillips £7.4m
Gaston Ramirez £7.8m
Dele Alli £10.8m
James Milner £11m
Jermain Defoe £4.3m
Harry Kane £13.5m
Alexis Sanchez £13.7m

The Key Picks

Once again, we’ve opted to save funds in goal but remain confident that Stoke City’s Lee Grant can pick up ten clean sheet points this week. The Potters host a Burnley side that have mustered only 31 goal attempts in five away matches, scoring once. The veteran keeper is unlikely to pick up too many saves, then, but a fourth shut-out in seven would make his inclusion well worthwhile given his modest price tag.

Winston Reid‘s suspension against Manchester United was the third league match he’s missed for West Ham this season. Despite this, the centre-back sits sixth overall amongst defenders for clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI’s) registered.

The visit of Arsenal should see him improve on his average of two tackles and 13.5 CBI’s per match, as he marshals a Hammers rearguard that’s likely to be under pressure from the Gunners’ attack.

Swansea City’s Federico Fernandez has recorded over 20 FanDuel points in five of his eight outings this campaign. We expect the Spaniard to break that marker once again at White Hart Lane: 34 CBI’s over his last two matches ranks top of the league alongside Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake (£7m).

We’ve spent more on our backline than usual, with the encounter between Manchester City and Chelsea limiting the appeal of their big-hitting attacking options. It does, however, promise a key battle as Nicolas Otamendi attempts to shackle the league joint top-scorer Diego Costa (£12m).

City’s imposing centre-back is sixth in the FanDuel defender list for average points accrued with 22.77 a match. The Argentine also appears to shine against more potent attacks, scoring 27.25 points against Spurs and 36 points in the Manchester derby.

This season West Brom have notched four goals against both West Ham and Burnley at The Hawthorns. Watford roll up next, ensuring that Matt Phillips again finds a spot in our line-up.

Three assists and a pair of goals has helped the winger to a 32.25 average over his last trio of outings, while the Hornets arrive strewn with injuries and having slumped to a disappointing home defeat to Stoke City last time out.

Middlesborough’s Gaston Ramirez is another budget midfield option that boasts a favourable home fixture along with encouraging recent form.

His opponents Hull City have conceded 15 goals in their previous four matches so the Uruguayan, who claims a fair share of set piece duties, presents solid value. Ramirez’ ten goal attempts and nine chances created have delivered a goal and an assist to give him a 24.6 average over his last four matches.

Phillipe Coutinho’s injury has us looking elsewhere in the Liverpool XI ahead of their trip to the Vitality Stadium. James Milner‘s industrious playing style is ideally suited to the FanDuel scoring system, only Coutinho (29) and Yaya Toure (29.75 points over only two appearances) have bettered Milner’s average (28.5). Spot-kick duties are a key factor at play: Milner has already converted five penalties this season.

We’ve decided to double up on Spurs’ attacking threat for the visit of a Swansea City defence that will surely surrender plenty of goalscoring opportunities.

Bob Bradley’s rearguard are the fourth-worst side for conceding shots inside the box (127) this term. Though we put forward Christian Eriksen (£11.6) in the Weekly Shop, with our funds stretched, we’ve settled on Dele Alli as an able alternative. The midfielder has so far netted three goals and served up a second assist of the season at Stamford Bridge last time out.

After a five-match absence, Harry Kane has returned to net three goals in as many outings. The front-man has to be backed to extend this tally: the Swans have allowed their opponents more big chances (35) than any other side this season.

Veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe was the first name on our teamsheet given his bargain price tag.

Leicester City visit the Stadium of Light having conceded the joint most away goals (16) alongside Hull and Crystal Palace. The Black Cats have relied on Defoe as a focal point, and he has delivered, scoring seven goals from 33 attempts, while also providing a pair of assists.

Our final selection, Alexis Sanchez, mirrors Defoe’s number of shots from inside the box (26) this season. Only four teams have surrendered more opportunities in the penalty area than his opponents West Ham (119), making it difficult to ignore Sanchez. The Chilean is pricey, but he’s been the Gunners stand-out performer as both their top scorer with eight strikes and a key playmaker with four assists.

This Week’s Games

The full weekend contest against offers the most substantial prize pot: the £5000 Fan Favourite has a £5 buy-in with a £750 prize for first place. Don’t forget you can get yourself a free entry for this using the promo code detail earlier in the article.

There’s also a £1000 contest for Saturday, which has a £3 entry fee and pays out £100 to the top participant.

The Sunday Special is a £1400 pot with £280 going to first place, with a £7 buy-in.

Remember, if you register to play FanDuel before Saturday’s noon deadline you can receive £5 free credit to be used in this weekend’s contests.

When you sign up, use the promo code SCOUTFIVER to claim your entry fee.