FanDuel Focus – Gameweek 34

Welcome to our regular Friday article previewing the contests and prizes offered in FanDuel over the weekend’s windows – as usual we also propose an XI player line-up to help steer your selections.

We teamed up with FanDuel to offer a ‘last man standing’ Survivor tournament over recent weeks – congratulations and good luck to the 25 finalists as they head into the deciding round.

FanDuel also have a new Survivor competition commencing on Saturday. It’s £2 to enter and has a £500 prize for the overall winner. The contest again runs over four weeks – sign up here to confirm a place in the opening stage.

There’s only six fixtures on offer this weekend, but we still have three windows in which to enter line-ups. Both the full ‘slate’ and the Saturday-only contests kick-off at 3pm, with the four kick-offs that day all in that traditional time-slot.

On Sunday Manchester United travel to Burnley for a 2.15pm start before Liverpool host Crystal Palace at 4.30pm.

If you’re a newcomer to Fanduel, it’s worth checking out this pre-season strategy guide which highlights some of the key factors to consider when choosing a line-up.

My Strongest XI

David De Gea £7m
Martin Kelly £7.1m
Calum Chambers £7.4m
Ben Mee £8.8m
James Milner £9.3m
Andros Townsend £7.9m
Kevin Mirallas £8.6m
Gylfi Sigurdsson £11.7m
Alvaro Negredo £7.6m
Josh King £9.5m
Romelu Lukaku £13.8m

The Key Picks

In goal we’ve opted for David De Gea, with Manchester United offering strong clean potential as they have the best defensive record on the road this season. Jose Mourinho’s side have conceded only 13 goals and secured six shut-outs (including four over their last six) in 14 away fixtures ahead of the trip to Turf Moor. The Spanish stopper should provide value from a reasonable price tag, and the ten points available in Fanduel for keepers looks likely to be collected.

We routinely select centre-backs facing tough opposition in FanDuel as clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBIs), alongside tackles, are the main scoring actions for defenders.

Crystal Palace roll up to Anfield with the recently influential Mamadou Sakho ineligible to play against his parent club. That puts Martin Kelly in our sights as a route into a Sam Allardyce rearguard that has been well organised of late and should put up stubborn resistance against Liverpool. The defender has started the last three, registering 27 clearances for the South London outfit.

Up next in our back line, Calum Chambers is set to return for Middlesbrough away at Bournemouth. A robust 24 tackles and 68 CBIs has contributed to a 23.2-point average over his last six outings. The centre-back looks good value at the Vitality Stadium – a period on the sidelines reducing his price tag ahead of Boro’s must-win encounter.

Burnley’s Ben Mee continues to return impressive numbers – a 23.6 FanDuel average over his last six outings convincing us to find the funds for the centre-back in the clash with United. His 92 CBIs ranks top for defenders over the last six Gameweeks – a considerable margin ahead of the Cherries’ Steve Cook on 77 – while his 14 tackles over that period adds to his appeal.

We’ve opted to go for a four-man rearguard, although Liverpool’s James Milner could be deployed in a midfield role against the Eagles. A 24.1-point average this season has been boosted by the seven spot-kicks he’s converted, while 12 chances created and 18 tackles in his previous five league appearances demonstrates that he picks points up at both ends of the pitch. His versatility should prove useful in a Reds side weakened by injuries.

Facing Jurgen Klopp’s makeshift defence will be an in-form Andros Townsend, the Palace winger has served up an assist in each of his last three outings and has a pair of goals over his last six. That’s helped him build an average of 29.8 points in FanDuel over that period, including 23 tackles, to highlight the midfielder’s recent improved work rate.

Everton’s Kevin Mirallas makes the line-up following 20+ FanDuel points returns in each of his last four starts ahead of the trip to West Ham. The Belgian has produced a pair of assists from his 12 chances created, contributing to an average of 27.25 points over that run. Only Liverpool and Hull City (both 16) have conceded more big chances than the Hammers’ 14 over the last six Gameweeks.

Although Gylfi Sigurdsson has now gone five straight matches without attacking returns, the Icelander continues to be Swansea’s main threat – producing 18 goal attempts with seven shots on target. Paul Clement’s relegation-threatened side will be intent on picking up a much-needed victory as they host Watford and Sigurdsson’s involvement in over 50% of their goals this term suggests his performance will be key to securing those points.

Middlesbrough are in a similar situation down in the drop zone – Steve Agnew’s outfit will need to push for a win at Bournemouth. Front-man Alvaro Negredo has tallied ten goal attempts in the box over the last four Gameweeks, returned a pair of goals and a 20-point FanDuel average as they fight for survival. The Spaniard will be Boro’s main weapon against a Cherries defence that have conceded nine goals in their previous three fixtures.

Eddie Howe’s side won’t be easy opposition, particularly with Josh King in such consistent form. The speedy forward has provided returns in seven of his last ten matches, notching nine goals and an assist. In his previous three at the Vitality, a hat-trick against West Ham was followed by an assist for Swansea’s visit and a goal against Chelsea, altogether providing a 46-point average in FanDuel.

Lastly, we’ve settled on Romelu Lukaku over a potentially injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic for our final slot in the front three. We’re hopeful the Toffees striker can replicate his impressive home form on his travels – he’s netted 12 goals over the last ten rounds, but only scored once in the four away matches that has included. Hosts West Ham may have kept Swansea out in their last run-out at the London Stadium, but 11 goals conceded in their previous four hints that they remain brittle in front of their own fans.

This Week’s Contests

The six-match window involves the largest pot for the round. The £2,500 Fan Favourite contest has a £500 first prize, a £5 buy-in and 120 of 588 entries winning prizes.

The Saturday Special is a £300 contest that’s spread among 24 of 118 potential line-ups and requires a £3 entry fee.

On Sunday, the main pot is the £777 Special. This costs £7 to join, and 29 of 131 entries receive pay-outs.

Remember there’s also a £500 prize for the winner of FanDuel’s four-week Survivor contest, which launches on Saturday. It’s £2 per entry, and there are 294 slots available to UK residents. You can register for a free account at FanDuel and enter the tournament via this link.

You can register for a free account at FanDuel via this link.

You must be over 18 years of age, resident in the UK, and of legal capacity to register with FanDuel and open an Account. If you sign up, always play responsibly.