Our weekly look at the goings-on in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game is rolled out this afternoon. As always, we name-check the top five in the Fantasy Football Scout and FFS Members leagues, with both striding away from the pack after last weekend’s games, while we cast an eye over the hectic transfer market as Luis Suarez’s suspension forces Fantasy managers to reassess their frontline options:

Scout League Standings

Kelvin Travers keeps his place at the Scout League summit after a 72 point haul last time round. Captain Robin Van Persie returned 34 of those points, while Juan Mata, Ben Davies and David De Gea all chipped in as Kelvin moved to 2,220 points – retaining his spot as number one in the overall rankings, too.

In second spot is Julian Zipparo after a 77 point return in Gameweek 34. He also handed Van Persie the armband and had Luis Suarez, Mata and Norwich skipper Russell Martin to thank for his haul. Having been deposed from top spot by Kelvin a fortnight ago, Julian is closing in on a return again; now up to 2,219 points, he is just a single point behind the overall leader in what has become a fascinating battle for this year’s crown.

Holding steady in third spot is Matt Martyniak. He produced 79 points in the previous Gameweek thanks to captain Van Persie, Suarez, Mata, Bacary Sagna and Guy Demel – Matt is also third in the overall rankings on 2,211 points.

A familiar name is in fourth position. Evs was the highest scoring manager of our top five after racking up 84 points last weekend – captain Van Persie, Suarez, Eden Hazard, Sagna, Davies and De Gea all chipped in as Evs moved up to fourth overall on 2,202 points.

Paul Van de Kerkhof completes our top five courtesy of a 78 point return in the Gameweek gone by. No surprise to see he also handed Van Persie the armband, while Kevin Nolan, Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney, De Gea and Sagna were all amongst the points as Paul climbed to 12th overall on 2,178 points.

Thanks to the performances of our top five, Fantasy Football Scout have established a 24 point lead at the top of the Best Leagues. Once again, our nearest challengers are the FFS Members, who now hold a 16.6 lead over the league in third – the top five members are Julian, Evs, MP, Jimmy Smith and the wonderfully named Boris “Pepin” Michev.

For contributors, Anorak climbs to the top after a 90 point haul last time out. Captain Van Persie, Suarez, Walcott, Sagna, De Gea, Joey O’Brien and Jonny Evans all produced as Anorak moved to 1,398 in the overall standings.

Market Trends

Unsurprisingly, Gareth Bale is the most-wanted player this week after his return from a brief ankle injury harvested a goal and assist against City last Sunday. The Welshman has acquired over 187,000 new owners and with a double Gameweek 36 just around the corner, there will be no shortage of Fantasy managers lining up for a piece of the action. Stephane Sessegnon is the next most popular midfield option – the Sunderland man has been transferred in by over 36,000 after notching in back-to-back Gameweeks, while Chelsea due Juan Mata (21,000) and Eden Hazard (12,000) are also on the radars ahead of their double.

Up top, the market has been busy on the back of suspensions to Luis Suarez and Olivier Giroud. Frontlines are quickly being reorganised and Carlos Tevez has proven the most popular replacement – over 124,000 have snapped up the City forward in light of his upcoming double. Jermain Defoe has also received plenty interest on the back of his stunning strike against City on Sunday – the Tottenham forward has received over 41,000 new owners though there remains questions marks over his starting role for the north London outfit.

Villa’s Christian Benteke has been transferred in by in excess of 32,000 FPL managers, while a double Gameweek 36 has boosted Romelu Lukaku’s appeal, with 27,000+ turning to the West Brom frontman. Daniel Sturridge has earned 26,000 new owners as a result of team mate Suarez’s absence and is expected to lead the line for Liverpool over the final four Gameweeks.

At the back, Jan Vertonghen’s upcoming double, allied with his recent attacking displays, have helped the Tottenham man to 14,000 transfers in. Per Mertesacker is next in line (12,000), while Pablo Zabaleta, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz and Joe Hart have also been targeted by plenty prior to their respective double Gameweeks.

For transfers out, Luis Suarez owners have been quick to react to his suspension. Over 267,000 have rid their sides of the Liverpool forward and with current ownership of 29%, that pace looks set to continue. Olivier Giroud’s three-match ban has caused 46,000 to act, while Dimitar Berbatov (20,000) and Wayne Rooney (12,000) have both been sent packing after recent droughts.

In midfield, Santi Cazorla has been the man making way for Bale. The Arsenal playmaker has exited over 80,000 teams – head and shoulders above any other candidate. Marouane Fellaini (25,000), Moussa Sissoko (24,000), Steven Gerrard and Michu (both 21,000) are next in line; those who have shifted the Swansea man may regret their decision ahead of his double Gameweek. United full-backs Patrice Evra and Rafael are the top of the most unwanted list at the back, with 8,000 and 7,000 transfers out respectively, while Leighton Baines (6,000) has also been moved on as managers free up cash and turn to the likes of Vertonghen for the double.