Scout League entrants continue to push for the top prize in the Sky Sports game, with Pascal Evans’ twin assault on the top prize now in full swing. We doff our caps to the leading runners and riders, examine the latest movements in the game’s transfer market and look ahead to the latest episode of the show that brings Fantasy Football to our TV screens…

The Scout League

Pascal Evans’ reign at the top of the Scout League continues as he stretches his legs and gains an eight-point advantage over Simon Davis’ “Nags Head Rovers” in second. What’s extraordinary about Evans’ consistency this term is that both his teams are now in our top six, behind the likes of Lewis Nicklen, Chris Pearce and Paul McAnulty – all former leaders.

Evans’ “Covport2” now sits in fourth in the overall standings but the gap to the top has narrowed, somewhat – he is now just 73 points behind in the race for the £25k top prize. Given his momentum right now, you wouldn’t bet against him closing further in the coming weeks.

With Evans’ two entries amongst the eight teams in the top 20, the Scout League is just over 15 points ahead in the Private League rankings.

In terms of the contributors, my Sky Sports campaign has been boosted of late, lifting me into the top 200 with a 35th spot ranking in the Scout League, to make me the current leading contributor on 1480 points.

A reminder that 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. We have a home cinema system, worth £600, available to the winner.

Market Trends

Robin Van Persie’s goal and assist returns in the win over Everton were enough to reinstate him in the Fantasy thinking, ensuring that the Dutchman has been the most transferred in player this week. Almost 37% of transfers have involved the acquisition of Van Persie, following several weeks where we’ve seen the trend lean the other way after he produced a couple of blanks. Indeed, there were still almost 20% of transfers made this week that saw Van Persie sold on, although it’s clear that confidence has been restored somewhat following the haul against the Toffees. Van Persie remains within 47% of squads in this game.

Luis Suarez has felt the pinch in terms of ownership ahead of Liverpool’s blank Gameweek. Despite fetching handsome returns in the rout of Swansea last time out, the Uruguayan has been party to 40% of the transfers out made this week. While 26% of transfers have seen Suarez acquired, there’s a clear loss of ownership in evidence, with the trade back to Van Persie seemingly a popular route.

Significantly, however, based on form over the last four Gameweeks, Suarez remains strong: he has scored 30 points over that period in the Sky Sports game, a total only matched amongst the forwards by Wayne Rooney. Daniel Sturridge lies fifth in those form rankings, with 23 points from his last four Gameweeks – a factor which is perhaps convincing Suarez owners to cash in. With 20.5 points per million, however, Suarez remains the top value striker in the game.

Mirroring trends in the Fantasy Premier League game, Gareth Bale has attracted plenty of interest from Sky Sports managers, with over 16% of transfers in seeing the Welshman signed up in the last seven days – more than any other midfielder. Surprisingly, Bale’s ownership is still simmering at just about the 15% mark. Bale is the most in-form player in the game based on the last four Gameweeks – collecting no less than 36 points in that spell, four points ahead of Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko.

The Fantasy Football Club – Tonight 10pm

Batten down the hatches: midfield bad boy, Lee Bowyer, is the latest signing for the Fantasy Football Club. He’ll be joining Fenners and Merse in the changing room for tonight’s show at 10pm on Sky Sports One. A reminder that, if you miss the show this evening, you can view a repeat on Sky Sports Two at 9am the following morning.