With our regular focus on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) completed last week, we’re now left to scan the Scout’s progress in the Sky Sports game. Listing those at the top of our leagues, we examining the recent transfer trends and look forward to another Fantasy Football Club this evening…

Scout League Standings

Paul Hennessy is the new leader of the Scout League, ousting regular table toppers – Jonathan Lenharth, Ben Salter, Mark Hayles and Niels Koopman to claim top spot with a points tally of 294. That’s enough to see him claim fourth place in the game overall, 12 points behind the overall Sky Sports leader in the chase for the £25k first prize.

Those now familiar names give chase with Jonathan Lenharth’s “BetterThanLastYear” ranked second in our league and fifth overall, just 2 points behind “Hennessy’s Heroes”.

With such strong competition at the top, it’s perhaps no surprise to see that the Scout League has opened up a lead in the League of Leagues table. We’re now 19 points ahead of the chasing pack and with a top ranking in the Fantasy Premier League game, and the overall leader – Asriel Chen – this has been an outstanding start to the season for Scout community members.

If you’re playing the Sky Sports game and have yet to join our league, you can sign up to the FFScout League with this Pin: 8004519.

Market Forces

There’s been few surprises in the Sky Sports marketplace over the international break. With no price rises to concern and fuel changes, Robin Van Persie has been free to edge his way up the most picked rankings, despite the murmurings over his knock over in Holland. Van Persie was part of 11% of the total transfers in this week – more than any other player. Having fired a hat-trick last time out, Van Persie is now owned by over 35% of Sky Sports managers, compared to 23% back in Gameweek 1.

Van Persie’s rise in ownership is still dwarfed by the appeal of Eden Hazard. The Belgian commands over 38% ownership, rising from just 16% back in Gameweek 1 – sparked by his volley of assists in the opening weeks.

However, it’s been Michu’s incredible climb in popularity that has been the most marked – from just 6% ownership back in Gameweek 1 to just under 20% going into his trip to Villa this weekend. Carlos Tevez has also enjoyed a similar surge, rising from 16% ownership back on day one, to 29% going into the Britannia visit. Interestingly, however, with 4.2%, Tevez has been the most transferred out player this week with Sergio Aguero’s return to fitness perhaps a concern.

There’s also interest at the other end of the ownership scale, where a number of differentials lurk that could allow astute Fantasy managers to gain an advantage. Only 1% of Sky Sports managers have so far taken a risk on Dimitar Berbatov (7.5) – a surprise given the likelihood that the Bulgarian will not only score his fair share of goals for the Cottagers, he’ll also be a very strong contender for regular man of the match awards as the headline act in Martin Jol’s side. A points haul against the Baggies this weekend could see Berbatov emerge as a player who could prompt a change of thinking.

The Fantasy Football Club – 10pm Tonight

Ray Wilkins moves crab-like into the Fantasy Football Club studio to lay his football brain before Fenners and Merse in tonight’s Fantasy Football Club. Steve Sidwell joins the boys on the phone prior to Fulham’s home meet with West Brom and they’ll also be the usual “ITK” input – including the lowdown on those players most likely to claim the “Holy Grail” – a goal, assist, man of the match, passing and tackle bonus – in a single match.