FanDuel

The Weekly Shop – Gameweek 34

Welcome to the latest instalment of the Weekly Shop, where, once again, we scan the player list of our partner game FanDuel to bring you some of the key assets on offer in the upcoming round.

Before that, we should acknowledgde that it’s the final of our Survivor contest this weekend with 25 left standing in the tournament. Well done to James Cox for topping the leaderboard from last weekeend with a score of 317.75 points – his four-man back-line paid off with Harry Maguire (42.25 points) and Leighton Baines (31.75 points) the stand-out picks.

There’s another chance to enter a Survivor competition as a four-week contest kicks off on Saturday with a £500 pot on offer for the overall winner. There’s a £2 entry fee – you can build a line-up and enter the tournament here.

Despite there being only six fixtures on the full weekend ‘slate’, there are still match-ups that promise healthy FanDuel returns on offer.

Crystal Palace travel to Liverpool having lost only once in seven outings – that record maintains our interest in Sam Allardyce’s budget options throughout his squad. The Reds have netted 12 goals in their last five matches at Anfield, so it seems we also have to consider Jurgen Klopp’s attack in this fixture.

West Ham picked up a first home clean sheet in five clashes when they beat Swansea City, so we consider their defence as they welcome an Everton side that are winless in five road trips. The Toffees’ convincing home form hints they could break that poor away run, particularly with their star asset enaged in a race for the Golden Boot.

Elsewhere, Swansea City are in desperate need of a victory. The Welsh side host a Stoke City outfit that could prove to be obliging opponents since they’ve lost four of their last five away encounters – both could offer kindly priced assets for what could be an edgy but eventful contest.

The Better Buys

We start by casting our eye over the top end of the market to analyse the players who have the form and fixture to warrant inclusion – even when their selection requires significant investment.

In goal, we’re considering a pair of premium-priced options that have the potential to score heavily.

Only Jordan Pickford (30) has more saves than Artur Boruc’s (£8.2m) 29 over the last six matches, helping the Bournemouth shot-stopper average 17.5 points in FanDuel. Eddie Howe’s side have conceded nine goals in their last three but that was against Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs, and two clean sheets prior to those bodes well for a shut-out as Middlesbrough pay a visit to the south coast.

While Tom Heaton (£8.2m) appears unlikely to keep a clean sheet in the encounter with Manchester United – three in five at home indicates Burnley’s resilience at Turf Moor. The stopper should at least make plenty of saves – he’s recorded 20 over his previous five performances to pick up a strong average for a keeper of 18.1 points. Jose Mourinho’s men may also lack the energy to breakdown Sean Dyche’s rearguard on Sunday followng tonight’s Europa League clash with Anderlecht.

Everton’s Phil Jagielka (£8.4m) has scored in three successive matches. While a fourth straight goal seems improbable, he’s picked up at least 44 points in each of those outings to demonstrate he’s also turned in strong defensive displays.

The centre-back ranks top over four matches for the key FanDuel metrics of clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBIs) – tallying 62, including 45 clearances over that time-frame. Those underlying numbers make his improbable goal threat an added bonus.

We’re expecting Watford’s Jose Holebas (£8.2m) to pick up points at both ends of the pitch in the trip to Hull. A 19.7 point FanDuel average over his last six appearances includes 15 tackles and nine chances created. The Greek ranks fourth for goal attempts among defenders, with 27 this term, while he also boasts four asissts.

Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (£11.7m) might have blanked five times in a row, but he is still the struggling side’s main goal threat – the midfielder scored 23.25 points in FanDuel last time out with three shots on target at Watford.

Paul Clement needs to elicit a more telling performance against a Stoke City outfit that offers the opportunity for a vital win. The Icelander’s dead-ball deliveries should be an important weapon – the Potters have conceded the joint-most attempts (33 along with Burnley) from set plays over the last six Gameweeks.

Philippe Coutinho (£13.4m) remains the most appealing midfield pick from a Liverpool side still missing Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane. The Brazilian has created nine chances and netted a trio of goals over his last four matches to average 29.8 points. Compatriot Roberto Firmino (12.9m) has delivered returns in each of his last six outings, with his three goals and four assists making him an enticing forward option to consider from the Reds for the Eagles’ visit.

Middlesbrough roll up to the Vitality Stadium with their list of fixtures dwindling fast, which should push Steve Agnew into implementing a more proactive approach than of late. That could leave space for a favourably-priced Josh King (£9.5m) to exploit – the forward has established himself as the most reliable Bournemouth asset with attacking points in six of his last eight matches (delivering seven goals and an assist).

Although Romelu Lukaku’s (£13.8m) form away from Goodison Park is a concern, the Everton striker is difficult to overlook on a reduced slate. A visit to the London Stadium is a good opportunity to break his poor run away – the Hammers have yielded 30 big chances in front of their own fans this term – only Hull City and Swansea (both 34) have a worse record.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s (£12.5m) excellent away record makes the Swede a stand-out pick in the trip to Burnley. The United forward has scored in seven of his last eight road trips, notching nine goals and an assist. Promisingly, only Hull (160) and Sunderland (159) have conceded more chances at home from inside the penalty area than the Clarets (136) this season.

The Poundstretchers

We now turn to the more budget-friendly section of the player list to pinpoint some of the picks that can offer value and also provide some points for our final tallies.

Again we consider a couple of goalkeepers who have caught our attention. David De Gea (£7m) looks underpriced away at Burnley. United have four clean sheets in six away (conceding only twice). We’d expect Jose Mourinho’s back-line to turn in another resilent performance and hand their Spanish stopper the ten points on offer to keepers for a shut-out in Fanduel.

Stoke have failed to score in their last five away matches ahead of their trip to the Liberty Stadium, which puts Lukasz Fabianski (£7m) on our radar for the keeper’s jersey. The Pole has a healthy 16 saves over his last three outings.

Jurgen Klopp faces some injury issues in his defence, with doubts around both Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip’s fitness. Liverpool’s coach has suggested that Joe Gomez might make a first appearance of the season – the youngster would be battling Palace’s Christian Benteke and is available for a bargain £5m.

Stoke City provide a defender who should accrue some CBI’s while dealing with the threat from Fernando Llorente and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s. Ryan Shawcross (£7.7m) has recorded 45 CBIs over his last four matches and has a 17.8-point average over his previous four away ties.

It’s worth checking West Ham’s teamsheet, with Winston Reid a potential returnee. If he fails to make it, James Collins (£7.4m) is still a reasonable price after scoring last time out. The centre-back also provided 13 clearances at Sunderland to help him to a 38-point haul. The Irishman’s registered 48 CBIs over his last four and should be kept busy against Romelu Lukaku.

Mamadou Sakho will miss the encounter at his parent club, which sets up a rare start for Eagles’ defender Damien Delaney (£6.7m). He should provide value as he attempts to help hold off waves of Liverpool attacks. After a cameo in the home tie with Leicester City, Patrick van Aanholt (£7.5m) is also set to make the first XI after a stint on the sidelines. He has averaged 17.3 points per match over his last four starts.

Junior Stanislas (£7.1m) was welcomed back into Bournemouth’s starting XI against Spurs and could start again against Boro – the midfielder has an 18.5 average this season in FanDuel

Relegation-threatened Hull are likely to go all out for a win – Tom Huddlestone (£7m) should be on penalty and direct free-kick duties during Watford’s visit and has a 17 point average over his last six appearances. At £7.3m, Kamil Grosicki is another intriguing midfield pick from the Tigers, having produced four assists in as many home matches.

Meanwhile, Oumar Niasse provides a viable forward option from Marco Silva’s outfit, with an average of 65 minutes per goal over his last five appearances at the KCOM stadium.

Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend (£7.9m) has picked up an impressive 29.8 average over his previous six outings with two goals and 23 tackles. The winger has served up an assist in each of his last three and should help pose some problems on the flank at Anfield as he attempts to supply front-man Christian Benteke (£8.9m). The Belgian is also worthy of selection as a differential pick, considering he’s back at his old club with a point to prove and has netted three goals in four matches.

Middlesbrough’s desperate need to find goals is demonstrated by Alvaro Negredo’s (£7.6m) 13 attempts over their last four clashes. The forward has scored in each of his last two starts from four shots on target to score 28.75 and 34 points.

Another Spanish striker who is also a tempting prospect as his side battles to avoid the drop is Swansea’s Fernando Llorente, available for 8.6m. While he’s missed their last two home matches, a brace and 41.5 FanDuel points in his last outing at the Liberty shows his potential to cause some damage against Stoke.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a run-down of the contests on offer this week in Fanduel. As usual, I’ll also select my strongest XI for the weekend fixtures.

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479 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Valdes and Vert to De Gea and Chambers for -4?

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      yes

      1. Mattymo23
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Origi to Negredo as well to make it as -8

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Verty to Gibson

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

    Is it worth getting DDG for a hit this week ?( i have pickford as a keeper now )

    1. Jedi_Reed
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah, I think so. It's what I'm contemplating. He's got Swansea next week as well, so that also needs to be taken into consideration.

    2. TwiggsJameson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I was thinking exactly the same. Valdes -> DDG would be good for the rest of the season.

      1. Lsplayer
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        planning to Wc next week is it still worth getting him fot the next week only ? thinking to have Caballero/pickford when WC for the rest of the season

        1. TwiggsJameson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          I think Bravo has got his place back from Cab. Perhaps get Forster?

          1. Lsplayer
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Good idea Thank you , and do you think Costa will start The last 3/4 games if chelsea win the league befoe GW37

  3. SM001
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Heaton
    Baines, Gibson, Robertson
    Zaha, Ali, Sigi, Sanchez
    Lukaku, Kane, Negrado(C)

    Foster, Holebas, Carrol(Swa), McCauley

    G2G?

    1. SirMarcusRashford
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Siggy to Townsend/Zaha ?

      1. SM001
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I have Zaha already. Would 2 palace be overkill? Sigi > Townsend for -4 points?

  4. Mozart_s Balls
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    bottomed so trying again:

    Should i play Davies (away vs. Palace) or get Gibson (for Mee) -4?

    1. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Bavies, unless you don't have Kane and need to free up a Spurs spot. You'll just wana remove Gibbo after anyway, awful fixtures follow

  5. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Good to go...

    DDG
    Valencia, Alonso
    Zaha, Alli, De Roon, Clayton, Alli
    Kane, Ibra, Lukaku

    Baines, Davies, Mawson

    1. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ye. (c)? Clayton hehe, well worth a go - could be the one who emerges with random goal and assist 😀

      1. Scratch
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Probably boring Ibra but i'll keep an eye on Anderlecht

        1. Individual
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Cool

    2. Scratch
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Oops Sanchez instead of Alli #2

  6. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who's the best Boro defender for 4.4m? George Friend?

    1. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Friend still lacks fitness, if Fabio is fit he could miss out.

      On the other hand, Fabio is not certain to start.

      Chambers could be the surest bet, but he also lacks fitness...so I don't know 😀

      Anybody out of that bunch other than Gibson is a risk at the moment.

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I know it's a tough one need to ship out Nyom for one of them though

    2. Junior ⚽
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Chambers

  7. Darklord_bg
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Fabio to Gibson for a hit?

    Latest news on Fabio have been uncertain and even if fit, there is also Friend who could play LB.

  8. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    What transfer to make? 2.0

    Heaton
    Alonso Chambers Davies
    Alexis Alli Coutiniho Siggy King
    Kane Lukaku

    Robles Nyom Crouch Pennington

    Don't want to drop siggy

  9. Junior ⚽
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    With Valdes out is it worth getting a biro defender?

    1. Darklord_bg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Gibson only.

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

    What celebration will Jagielka do this week?

  11. Goodricke
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    When to Tripple captain? this week on Ibra/Negredo, or save for Sanchez in a few weeks

    1. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Sanchez I reckon

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Best go with your own gut. Some will say Ibra , some Sanchez
      I would wait for Sanchez or even a single gw player in 38 ?.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Assume you will BB in 37

  12. MGD
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Bench 2:

    A) De Roon (Bou, SUN)
    B) Baines (whu)
    C) Tadic (che)

    Thanks 🙂

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      C

      1. MGD
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        1 more 😀

    2. SirMarcusRashford
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B C

    3. CJDW
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      AC

    4. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      BC

  13. Tiote on Peyote
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else think it's madness to be taking a hit for Ibra before tonight's game? Not just the risk of injury tonight but if Utd get through his starting place is no way secure for the double, Swansea after, or even the 37 double.

    I feel there's disappointment afoot.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I think he's had his rest now and he'll play most if not all games til the end of the season but it would be a blessing if Utd got knocked out tonight

      1. Tiote on Peyote
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        They have 4 games in 10 days, no way he plays them all considering Mourinho knows he can trust Rashford.

        1. Tiote on Peyote
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Assuming they get through tonight of course.

        2. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          I'm not convinced but only time will tell

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Of course. There is no advantage at all of doing it before the game.

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Of course it's madness!!

    4. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Whatever , it's lunacy to have brought him in before tonights game

    5. KickIt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No point is saving money on players you wont keep in your WC anyway

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly this. One rise won't change his Selling Price.

  14. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Those with WC still left:

    WC GW35 or GW36?

    Discuss! 🙂

    1. HazardAGuess
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      WC for GW35 as I also have TC, which I'll probably play in GW36.

      1. My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I don't have TC anymore but I'm leaning towards GW35 as well... Player prices will be cheaper then, plus Soton has a great fixture in 35 so tripling up is not an issue, and can save a FT to have 2 FTs for GW37 which can be useful in case of injuries...

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          True with Soton, but not so much with most of the other teams.
          Previous seasons have showed cheapies will appear as if from thin air , hope still the case...

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      36 , fixtures change from 35 till the end.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Unless you still have TC of course

        1. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah the question is obviously for those with WC but no TC left... Forgot to mention that...

      2. My Name Is Prince
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Only Arsenal that I'd be concerned about in GW35, but I don't know if I want anyone besides Sanchez or Ozil anyhow... And I have Sanchez now so I'd have him anyway probably...

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      GW35 here, as I've also got TC chip to play. Balancing DGW'ers with GW35 players is proving problematical however, i'm contemplating using an FT for Ibra (C) in GW35 to Kane for GW's 36-38.

  15. Mayo for Sam
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Best move here,

    A Valdes > De Gea (-4) (Have Valencia)
    B Save & play Pickford
    C Holgate > Friend (-4)

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B, who says DDG will play both games?

  16. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    How much does Valdes being out hurt Middlesbrough's chances of a cleanie?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A bit but I'd still invest in a defender

  17. I Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Negredo (bou, SUN) -4
    B) Origi (CRY)
    C) Pedro (SOU)

    Considering Origi -> Negredo for a hit (taking me to -8) overall and benching Pedro. If I don't do the move I'll play Origi or Pedro.

    1. CJDW
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      not worth for -8 imo, just play pedro

  18. OneDennisBergkamp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Has anyone tried building a wildcard GW37 team yet??

    Any templates?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      depends on budget

      Alli, Haz, Sanchez, Sane, Ward-Prowse
      Kane, Gabbi and Ibra (or Kun/Jesus)

      and the best D you can afford something like this for me

      Pickford, Jak (SGW'ers)
      Vert, Mustafi, Alonso, Yoshida, Holgate (SGW'ers)

      1. OneDennisBergkamp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        looks like that would be alot to spend?

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          TV in the region of 108m needed. I'm going to have to downgrade somewhere (104m TV), but plenty on here will be able to afford it.

  19. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Sorry for all the questions..but why does everyone seem to thing Valencia will only play one game?

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Likely to play tonight and then MU have 3 more fixtures by end of next week
      I have him and also expect only 1 in the dgw
      Hope not the case

  20. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Hey please help me out here, really need some opinions!

    Grant (Foster)

    Valencia - Gibson - Alonso (Maguire, McAuley)
    Zaha - Alli - Hazard - DeRoon (Siggy)
    Benteke - Kane - Lukaku

    1. Foster to DDG for free and start DDG?
    2. Worth to AoA with that front 8?
    3. If yes, which two defenders to start?
    4. If no, which one midfielder to bench?