Games

Sky Sports Focus

Friday delivers our article for Sky Sports Fantasy managers, where we take a look back at the last ten fixtures before helping with your preparations for the forthcoming Gameweek.

We’ll examine the recent run of Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, the bonus point beneficiaries, transfer trends and our Watchlist, before moving on to look at our current Scout line-up and review our future plans.

Gameweek 13 Man of the Match Awards

These were the players who caught the eye of the Sky Sports reporters and earned an extra five points as a result.

FixtureMoTM
Stoke vs LeicesterPeter Crouch
Swansea vs BrightonAnthony Knockaert
Huddersfield vs West BromRajiv van La Parra
Newcastle vs BournemouthSimon Francis
Southampton vs BurnleyNick Pope
West Ham vs LiverpoolMohamed Salah
Tottenham vs Crystal PalacePaulo Gazzaniga
Man City vs ArsenalDavid Silva
Everton vs WatfordLeighton Baines
Chelsea vs Man UnitedCesc Fabregas



Mohammed Salah was the only player of significant ownership to make an impact and the Egyptian’s massive 21-point haul will have delighted his 45.1% of owners.

Priced at just 9.4, there seems to be no valid reason for not owning the game’s highest-scoring player.

David Silva (7.5%) was the next most selected player to make an impression. Valued at 10.6m and managing just one goal and MoTM all season, you could be forgiven for thinking he was overpriced.

But Silva is the game’s eighth highest-scoring player, thanks to his regular passing bonus and seven assists to date.

Gameweek 15 Bonus Points

The table below lists all those players who have currently earned 18 points or more in bonus points over the season.

members

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
OtamendiMan City8.610.0%
SchindlerHuddersfield69.3%
AgueroMan City12.85.9%
LascellesNewcastle6.85.0%
JonesMan United7.54.9%



Four centre-backs make the top five for swaps out. Nicolas Otamendi and Christopher Schindler account for nearly 20% of transfers as defensive reshaping is top of the priority list. Both will miss out through suspension to return for the following Gameweek.

Top Transfers In

NameTeamValue% of Managers
WardBurnley6.26.8%
KaneTottenham12.94.9%
GomezLiverpool6.54.9%
De BrunyeMan City11.54.1%
StonesMan City8.94.1%



Stephen Ward is the most highly sought player as Burnley’s defence continues to impress, while Joe Gomez’s performances and regular bonus points also bring him into the spotlight as the preferred option in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool backline.

Average Transfers Remaining

Top 10 – 14.10
Top 100 – 18.11
Top 1,000 – 19.32
Top 5,000 – 20.92

Top Five Captains Picked

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneSpurs12.932.1%
LukakuMan United12.419.9%
AgueroMan City12.87.6%
De BruyneMan City11.53.4%
LacazetteArsenal11.83.3%

Watchlist

Here I aim to highlight a few differential players with low ownership who I think could be profitable options for the coming six Gameweeks.

Three specific price brackets will be used to cater for our available budgets.

The players will evolve with fixtures and form, and offer Fantasy managers a nudge in the right direction.

BudgetMid-PricePremium
DefenderAndreas Christensen
6.5
0.3%
Charlie Daniels
7.5
4.6%
John Stones
8.9
4.8%
MidfielderPascal Gross
7.3
6.3%
Wilfried Zaha
9.3
3.6%
Eden Hazard
11.8
3.8%
ForwardTammy Abraham
8.6
6.1%
Josh King
10.3
1.6%
Daniel Sturridge
11.1
0.4%

My Team

Pope
Stones Otamendi Femenia Jorgensen
Hazard De Bruyne Salah Richarlison
Lukaku Kane

ITB: 0
Transfers remaining: 25/40
Last week’s points: 102
Overall points: 864
Rank: 1,019

Notes

Another nice jump in rank, by around 1,000 places, was mainly down to Salah’s contribution, who bagged us 42 points as captain against West Ham.

Nick Pope’s 14, after his 22 (as skipper) the week before, made him probably my best transfer of the season to date, at least for immediate returns.

De Bruyne, with 11, and Richarlison, with eight, also played their part and the only real blips were the lack of a Man City clean sheet for the second successive week having doubled on their defence. Our expensive front two also misfired, of course.

Looking forward, I’m happy with my line-up overall, having established a nice mix of the top teams’ heavy-hitters.

Having said that, they need to start performing.

Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, in particular, have been fairly lacklustre in terms of output, but have the fixtures and the captaincy matchdays to make amends.

Two budget defenders have emerged as options in recent weeks. Andreas Christensen (6.4) and Joe Gomez (6.5) have the potential to offer great value, and if I were flush with transfers, I would consider something like John Stones, Kiko Femenia and Martin Jorgensen to Phil Jones (7.5) (when fit), along with Christensen and Gomez.

That would leave me with a formidable back four, albeit a risky one given their security of starts and, in Jones’ case, fitness concerns.

Ultimately, having only 25 swaps remaining and a busy Christmas schedule ahead means this remains out of reach. I’ll just have to monitor the situation from afar for now.

Captain Plan

Sat 18th – Lukaku (vs NEW)
Sun 19th – Richarlison (vs WHU)
Mon 20th – None

Weekly Articles and Podcast

As well as the weekly Focus article, we talk through the week’s action and upcoming plans with FFS posters Buffrey and Lewis on our regular podcast – the latest episode can be found here.

The Fantasy Football Scout League

After winning the League of Leagues for each of the last four seasons, we’re looking to defend our crown in 2017/18.

Get your teams in – the name is FFScout and the pin number to join is 8300422.

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1,223 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Does Davies and Jesus -> Daniels and Lukaku look good for 2 FTs?

    Elliot
    Davies Stones Ward
    Salah Silva Richarlison Choupo
    Kane Morata Jesus

    Krul; Duffy, Loftus-Cheek, Mbemba...2 FTs and 1.1 mill in the bank

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      yes

    2. Sterling Chap
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yeh, although I read Ibra is back in the squad, so could impact Luk's mins (I'm an owner btw)

  2. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    There ain’t any news suggesting Jones is 100% out. How did he get a red flag all of a sudden?

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Because the FFS institution has become a laughing stock?

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        *FPL

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      This. There hasn't been a direct quote since the vague one a few days ago

    3. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Good question

      Apparently there was NO question asked abt him to Mourinho during presser today - which doesnt make any sense to me

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Likely to miss out is not a red flag in my book

        It’s an orange one

        1. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Agreed. But the flags are a nonsense. Why isn't Kane flagged, for example? Pochettino put him in the same category as Alli and Lloris. 😕

          Just wanted to give the OP some actual information is all.

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 4 months ago

            I posted that before you 🙂 but that news update was from yesterday I realized afterwards

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        That was yesterday, and even it was today 'likely to miss out' doesn't warrant a red flag

    4. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      "Defender Phil Jones, who aggravated a thigh injury while on international duty with England, is out while Michael Carrick remains unavailable due to a mystery illness."

      http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/zlatan-ibrahimovic-paul-pogba-

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Mourinho said that or it’s just written in some article?

        1. Dr Van Nostrand
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          No direct quotes just in the article

    5. Sterling Chap
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Pre-emptive flagging.

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      *checks Marks team*

    7. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I dunno, I'm having a hard time this season believing Jones, of all people, can get injured. He's one of those John Terry/Ivanovic types who will try and play every game, even if in pain, and Jose loves characters like that.

  3. xHolmesyx
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Hi guys, I'm in a bit of a dilema on what transfer to do, please help?

    Gk: Ryan
    Def: Maguire, Ward, Davies
    Midfield: Silva, Richarlison, Hazard, Rlc
    Forwards: Vardy, Jesus, Kane (c)

    Bench: Elliot, Carroll, Cedric, Otamendi.

    1FT 0.1ITB.

    Is Otamendi And Jesus for Daniels and Kaku worth a -4?

    1. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Risky, could pay off but wouldn't take a hit with that starting 11

  4. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Elliot, Speroni
    Daniels, Moreno, Mee, Duffy, Long
    Sane, Salah, Richarlison, Zaha, RLC
    Morata, Kane, Lukaku

    0 in the bank?

    Defense is weak right now but in 2 weeks Richarlison will be downgraded and defender upgraded.

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Didn't mean to have the '?' beside the amount left in the bank, it's not a question, I know I'm broke! 🙂

    2. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Who are you going to downgrade Richarlison for? I think he's as good value as there is right now

      1. The Rock
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Grob possibly. Fixtures toughen up for 3 weeks for Rico (GWs 14-16), after that who knows he may come back in for Zaha then.

        I haven't decided but I like both right now and with Jones out I'm not bringing him in on a WC, this injury should only last a week but who knows with Jones. Maybe I will just go without Jones and keep a cheap defense.

        1. La Gazzetta
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Fair points. I think I'll hold Richarlison through the fixtures. I thought he looked good against Chelsea when I watched that game so I have confidence he will get something in one of those games. Not sure if his price will suffer over that spell (if that's important at all)

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Which one out this week:
    Bavies, Cedric, Jones??
    Also, Jesus to Morata -4?

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

      Cedric out first
      Not yet

      1. La Gazzetta
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Agree with this

      2. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks!

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

    Lots of Zlatan excitement around I see
    All I can recall is that MU looked far more fluid without him
    Interesting days ahead I guess

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Still scored 28 goals and is a great options to have. Different to Lukaku in many ways.

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

        Yep. But not great for Lukaku then
        A year older , a bit slower than slow , hmm

        1. The Rock
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Agree with you. Lukaku will still be number 1 striker. Maybe Ibra for cup comps and odd game around xmas.

  7. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    @liam_twomey

    2h
    Conte has some serious stubble: "My wife suggested to me that I try with a beard for the first time. We can see tomorrow if it brings luck or not" #cfc

  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Jones Red Flagged - goal & baps incoming......

  9. Kermit Special
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Morata or Kane C? Tough decisions

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I think Morata will do well, considering him above Lukaku and Kane tbh.

      1. Kermit Special
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Same. Lucky to those that have all 3. Think I will go with Morata as a safe pick and C differential.

  10. samy888
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Daniels or Moreno !!

    1. The Rock
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels.

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I really don't get the daniels love? Two CS thus far. Granted, attacking.

        Tbh Moreno isn't all that either....

        I don't know which, sorry.

        1. Transferred Out
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          RMT says Gomez over both

    2. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Moreno by a fair distance

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    300: Rise of An Empire - not much blood & guts......

    1. Dr Kenneth Noisewater
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B...bu...buut... gratuitous sex scenes!

      What more could you expect from a Hollywood blockbuster? A plot?! Pfft.

  12. Transferred Out
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Any Luiz owners worried after Conte's presser that he will be starting on the bench?

  13. Hardly Athletic
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    2FT, 0.0ITB and no wildcard. Team currently is:

    Elliot - Foster
    Alonso - Duffy - Zanka - Britos - Mbemba
    Salah - Silva - Sterling - Richarlison - TCarroll
    Kane - Jesus - Firmino

    Thinking of doing:

    Britos > Daniels
    Sterling > Zaha
    Jesus > Lukaku

    Worth a 4 point hit?

    1. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Could be but depends if Sterling will play.

  14. pol
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    on a wildcard:

    A- Jones Surman
    B- Dann Grob

    1. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm on wildcard and think I'm going Jones, Surman and Gross if that helps

    2. Nidhalho
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      A

  15. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Abraham, Murray or Wilson?

    Also tempted by King but he's an injury doubt.

    1. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      If I was going with a cheap forward I'd pick Murray. If you don't have any other Brighton that is

      1. Lyonnais
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        thx!

    2. samy888
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I go for niasse

    3. Sterling Chap
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Murray (Abraham owner here)

  16. youzef
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    WC Team
    Pope
    Daniels Baily Mee
    Salah Richarlison Gross Sane
    Firmino Kane(C) Morata
    Bench: Speroni Gomez Bruno RLC

    Any suggestions?

    1. La Gazzetta
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I don't think I'd go Firmino on wildcard. Either 3 heavy hitters up top or a cheap forward for me

      1. youzef
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Think Vardy is a better alternative?

        1. La Gazzetta
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          I've had both this year and don't think either are good value. I'd rather a 8-9mil mid I think. Both got me a few returns but it always felt like hard work

  17. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Moreno or Gomez?

    Mee or Ward?

    Thanks

    1. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Moreno
      Mee

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Reckon this. See below

    2. Gegenpress
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Moreno Ward

  18. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Worth using an FT to get Dunk in for 1st sub this week, even though he'll be 3rd sub next week? Hoping he's good cover if Sterling doesn't play

  19. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    #redflaggate

  20. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Too much:

    Ota,Haz,Vardy,Jesus ->Moreno,Sane,Kaku,Morata -8??

    1. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      mental

    2. Sterling Chap
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on the rest of your team. But -8 is kind of heavy

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

      Really ? Fancy Haz Vardy and Jesus to be on the board this week . Ota good going forward

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah... this two week break and all these news is getting to me. 😆

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Although Vardy is hopelessly out of form.

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

          Same doing my head in 🙂

    4. Gegenpress
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Sexyyy

  21. Sterling Chap
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Got a potential x5 non-starters & x1 guaranteed non-starter. So reckon a hit needed. How about this... Davies/Mbemba > Moreno/Mee (-4)

    Yay or nay?

    Elliot* (Krul*)
    Davies* Kola Jones* Otamendi** (Mbemba*)
    Sane Silva Salah(vc) (Carroll King)
    Abrahams Kane(c) Lukaku
    0.7ITB / 1FT

    1. Gegenpress
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Jones will be out I reckon

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        That's ok. It would leave me with Mee, Moreno & Kola. Then Jones would go to the bench and Carroll (for a guaranteed haul of 2 pts, would roll on)

    2. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  22. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Current defence ...

    Jones / moreno / mee / naughton / long

    0.5m in the bank.

    Best transfer ?

    a) naughton > daniels

    b) long > dunk

    Tnks.

    1. Pumpkinhead *non-expert*
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      B would give you 5 starting D

  23. supersham
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Haz?

    1. Nidhalho
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I Think he's fit

  24. Nidhalho
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Should I get Hazard for a hit or keep Eriksen... Already have Kane btw

    1. Ode
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No

  25. Gegenpress
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?? Who should I captain - options are in *

    Pope

    Moreno* Daniels Ward*

    Alli Sterling Richarlison* Salah*

    Vardy Jesus* Aguero*

    Bench: Elliot Jones RLC MBEMBA

  26. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy, TC & Davies ➡️ Azpi, Sane & Niasse

    Worth (-8)?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No

    2. Gegenpress
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes!

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Long term it's worth it imo

  27. _____JR_____
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you pick between Hazard and KDB for the upcoming fixtures if you had no cover for either?

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

      Haz

    2. Ode
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Silva

    3. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Haz easily. Sane if City cover.

  28. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Should I WC out this team?

    Fabianski - Elliot
    Kolasinac - Otamendi - Yoshida - Mee - Long
    Salah - Eriksen - Silva - Atsu - Carroll
    Kane - Aguero - Abraham

    Thanks guys!

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I would personally.

  29. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Jones seems out for this game and with the busy schedule coming up, is it time to say goodbye?

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

      Yep imo. Brought him in early this week like an idiot. Will bite the bullet he's out

  30. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    So guys, a question.

    Lets say I've set my team up. C, vc, the lot.
    I then, last minute decision, make a transfer. Taking out my C.
    Does the transfered in player per automatic get the the C when the transfered out player had it before?

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

      Yep

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Thought so, great.
        Cheers!