There’s a new approach to our weekly look at the Sky Sports game this season. This time out, we’ll be assessing the previous week’s data – including which players picked up Man of the Match (MoTM) bonus points – and current market trends before examining the forthcoming Gameweek to present a recommended captain strategy.
Gameweek 1 Man of the Match Awards
Firstly, let’s take a look at the stand out performers from last weekend’s fixtures and, in particular, the allocation of the valuable Man of the Match award (worth 5 points).
| Fixture | MoTM |
| Liverpool vs Stoke | Daniel Sturridge |
| Arsenal vs Aston Villa | Gabby Agbonlahor |
| Norwich vs Everton | Ross Barkley |
| Sunderland vs Fulham | Brede Hangeland |
| West Ham vs Cardiff | Mohamed Diame |
| West Brom vs Southampton | Luke Shaw |
| Swansea vs Man Utd | Robin Van Persie |
| Tottenham vs Crystal Palace | Paulinho |
| Chelsea vs Hull | Oscar |
| Man City vs Newcastle | Edin Dzeko |
| Chelsea vs Aston Villa | Eden Hazard |
There are few surprises on show, with goalkeepers missing out once again. Asmir Begovic can feel somewhat hard done by after producing a string of world class saves in the 1-0 defeat at Anfield – even so, Daniel Sturridge earned the award from the watching Sky Sports journalist. Elsewhere, the list reveals further bias towards midfielders and forwards, with nine of the 11 allocated to these positions: Luke Shaw and Brede Hangeland are the only defenders on show and both benefited from clean sheets in 1-0 wins.
Gameweek 1 Bonus Points
Four goalkeepers achieved the first set of bonus points from collecting five or more saves. Popular pick Simon Mignolet was the highest scoring keeper overall with a clean sheet, saves bonus and a last minute penalty stop earning him an impressive day one haul of 12 points. Tim Krul, David De Gea and Begovic were the others to register five or more saves last weekend.
In defence, 11 players fetched bonus, six for tackles and five for passes completed – interestingly, no defender earned both with Sunderland’s John O’Shea getting closest, missing out by just two successful passes, having won five of his tackles.
As usual, the bulk of the bonus points arrived in midfield with none on show amongst the forwards. There were 22 midfield beneficiaries in total: 11 each for passing and tackling. Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Ramires was undoubtedly the bonus darling on show. He picked up the passing and tackling bonus in both of his Gameweek 1 starts, bringing his points total to 12 despite failing to register a goal or assist. Ramires earned passing bonus on just one occasion all season in 2012/13.
Liverpool’s Lucas and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey also show a 100% record having earned four bonus points in their first starts.
The Transfer Trends
Top Transfers Out
| Name | Team | Value | % of Managers |
| Oxlade-Chamberlain | Arsenal | 5 | 3.79% |
| Luiz | Chelsea | 7.4 | 2.56% |
| Bale | Tottenham Hotspur | 8.9 | 2.31% |
| Zaha | Manchester United | 4.9 | 2.29% |
| Koscielny | Arsenal | 6.9 | 2.26% |
The recent knee injury sustained by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has lessened his appeal and led to an exodus with 3.79% of Sky Sports managers transferring him out – more than any other player to date. Laurent Koscielnys red card has seen him ejected by 2.26% managers, while Wilfried Zaha’s failure to impact on David Moyes’ teamsheet at Swansea has led to 2.29% looking elsewhere.
Top Transfers In
| Name | Team | Value | % of Managers |
| Shaw | Southampton | 5.3 | 3.97% |
| Barkley | Everton | 4.3 | 3.89% |
| Rose | Tottenham Hotspur | 4.7 | 2.92% |
| Oscar | Chelsea | 7.6 | 2.58% |
| Hangeland | Fulham | 5.4 | 2.41% |
Luke Shaw’s point haul of 15-point man of the match display caught the eye of Sky Sports managers, with 3.97% transferring in the Southampton full back ahead of their home clash with Sunderland. Likewise, budget friendly options Ross Barkley, Danny Rose and Brede Hangeland have all been popular trades going into Gameweek 2 following encouraging opening tallies. From those, Danny Rose looks to have great potential, with a price tag of just 4.7m having seemingly assumed the left-back role at the Lane.
Gameweek 2 Proposed Captain Strategy
Each week we will look ahead to the upcoming fixtures and pick out a couple of captain options, one with the potential for maximum points using a transfer; the other with a view to setting ourselves up for the following Gameweek without using a trade.
Captain Option 1
You have a captain playing in Saturday’s fixtures and use a captain change to switch to one taking part in Sunday’s encounters. You then use a transfer to change your captain to a player taking part in Monday’s match.
Our Strategy:
Christian Benteke → Sergio Aguero → Robin Van Persie
As Chelsea do not feature in Gameweek 3 and United do not play until the following Sunday, you would have to transfer out Van Persie prior to Saturday’s matches to have the opportunity for two captains in Gameweek 3. However, with no Monday fixture, there is no option for three skippers.
Captain Option 2
You have a captain playing Saturday and use a captain change to a player playing in Sunday’s matches.
Our Strategy:
Christian Benteke → Sergio Aguero
Although you would not have a captain playing in United’s meet with Chelsea on Monday, this strategy would be set up perfectly for Gameweek 3, with Man City playing at home to Hull City. This would allow you to make a captain change, without using a transfer, for Sunday’s matches.
The Fantasy Football Scout League
Once gain, we’re running our own Fantasy Football Scout League this season and, from Gameweek 1, it’s topping the Private League rankings. With a £1000 prize to the winner, you’d be mad not to get invovled. To join, visit Sky Sports Fantasy Football and key in League Name: FFScout, League Code: 8000112.
The Fantasy Football Club
If you missed Thursday’s show, you can still catch Fenners and Merse this evening at 18:30 Skysports One HD where they will be discussing the previous week’s Fantasy Football events with Jermaine Jenas, no less.
