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29 August 2014 2600 comments
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With Gameweek 3 up next, we asses our options in the Sky Sports game by bringing you the usual info – Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, bonus point beneficiaries and the current market trends – before taking a look at the Scout team and our plans for the week ahead.

Gameweek 2 Man of the Match Awards

Here are the players that caught the eye of the Sky Sports reporters from last weekend’s fixtures, achieving the Man of the Match award (worth an additional five points).

Fixture MoTM
Aston Villa vs Newcastle Alan Hutton
Chelsea vs Leicester Eden Hazard
Crystal Palace vs West Ham Stewart Downing
Southampton vs West Brom Youssouf Mulumbu
Swansea vs Burnley Jordi Amat
Everton vs Arsenal Olivier Giroud
Hull vs Stoke Nikica Jelavic
Tottenham vs QPR Erik Lamela
Sunderland vs Man United Lee Cattermole
Man City vs Liverpool Stevan Jovetic

Two defenders, five midfielders and three forwards picked up the awards last weekend. Budget defenders Jordi Amat (4.7) and Alan Hutton (3.8) staked a claim for consideration, with perhaps Hutton the better option due to his security of starts and a cheaper price. Mid-price Argentine Erik Lamela (6.9) looks one to keep an eye on after picking up two assists – fielded behind the forward in a fluid system installed by Mauricio Pochettino, he really caught the eye and looks a great option with only 7% ownership.

Gameweek 2 Bonus Points

Only two goalkeepers achieved bonus points from collecting five or more saves. Julian Speroni and Kasper Schmeichel were the pair in question, with Schmeichel churning out the most saves in the Gameweek with eight – the Leicester keeper is likely to keep a high save rate and offer a good chance for MoTM. If you’re considering a keeper change already then the Dane looks good value at 4.3m.

In defence, 12 players grabbed bonus – seven for tackles and five for passes completed. Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta came closest to achieving both, missing out by 11 completed passes.

In midfield there were 17 beneficiaries in total – nine for tackling and ten for passes. Central midfielders Dean Marney and Morgan Scheiderlin were the two to pick up bonus for both – Scheiderlin picked up 46 points in bonus last season and looks set to replicate that total once again.

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

Name Team Value % of Managers
Rooney Man Utd 9.4 2.57%
Sanchez Arsenal 6.5 2.26%
Giroud Arsenal 8.9 2.25%
Dzeko Man City 9.5 2.09%
Howard Everton 5.4 1.72%

Sky Sports Fantasy managers have been quick to restructure their front lines this week, with four of the top most most transferred out players plying their trade up front. Alexis Sanchez looks set to benefit as Arsenal’s lone forward as a result of Olivier Giroud’s lengthy injury absence, though, and those who parted company with the Chilean could quickly regret their decision.

Top Transfers In

Name Team Value % of Managers
Dier Tottenham 6.4 3.77%
Hutton Aston Villa 3.8 3.70%
Jovetic Man City 7.9 3.56%
Costa Chelsea 9.5 3.00%
Kaboul Tottenham 5.2 2.94%

Back-to-back clean sheets bring Tottenham pair Eric Dier and Younes Kaboul onto Fantasy radars, with the former’s pair of goals making him the most sought-after player in the Gameweek. Hutton’s 3.8 price tag, allied with two clean sheets and a MoTM display, has afforded the Villa right-back a place in many new teams. Stevan Jovetic’s brace against Liverpool makes the 7.9-priced City forward an obvious target for the visit of Stoke, whilst Costa’s new owners are sweating over his fitness after Jose Mourinho confirmed he is a “big doubt” heading into the trip to Goodison.

My Team

Fabianski
Moore Hutton Van Aanholt
Silva (c) Hazard Toure Ramsey Mutch
Rooney Costa

ITB: 0.4
Transfers remaining 38/40
Last week’s points: 80
Overall points: 160
Rank: 2,550

Notes
I’ve picked up 80 points two weeks on the trot and a reasonable rank to go with it. This is thanks, in part, to Alan Hutton and Eden Hazard’s MoTM displays both netting me 12 points – also a last minute change of heart meant after my captain Diego Costa banged in a goal, I switched the armband to Juan Mata rather than Wayne Rooney and the Spaniard also came up trumps. I then swapped out Mata for David Silva who unfortunately failed to return any points but hopefully sets me up nicely for the weekend, as detailed below.

The main concerns with my team currently are Yaya Toure and Jordan Mutch who are yet to contribute anything of note. Again, I’m going to hang fire for now and hope they repay the faith with Cesc Fabregas, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Raheem Sterling, Siem de Jong and Erik Lamela are winking provocatively at me.

Captain plan
David Silva is my captain for his match at home to Stoke and I will then switch the armband to either Aaron Ramsey or Raheem Sterling on Sunday. Of course, if I go with Sterling I’ll have to transfer him in for Silva after City’s clash with the Potters on Saturday.

It’s worth noting that even though the upcoming Gameweek is a fixture-less one, we can still use our allocated captain swap for free if need be, setting up up nicely when the domestic action resumes in a fortnight’s time.

The Fantasy Football Scout League

Once again, we’re running our own Fantasy Football Scout League this season and were hoping to top the Private League rankings as per usual. With a £1,000 prize to the winner, you’d be mad not to get involved. To join, visit Sky Sports Fantasy Football and key in League Name: FFScout, League Code: 8009000.

The Fantasy Football Club

This Friday, The Fantasy Football Club show with Fenners and Merse gets underway at 18:30 on Sky Sports One HD. The duo will be discussing the upcoming week’s Fantasy Football, quizzing former England forward Les Ferdinand, and also asking the uncompromising Terry Butcher for his #One2Eleven.

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2,600 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. arsms
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Looking for a budget forward 6m or lower. Thinking of a Sunderland striker but cant decide between:

    Fletcher?
    or
    Wickham?

    1. Game of Stones
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go Naismith

    2. My name is an echo
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sanogo

      1. FPL Daniel
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Inggs

    3. The Mandalorian
      12 years, 1 month ago

      The Nai

  2. Sif
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I miss sticking the armband on Suarez. Saved all this hassle :p

    1. Game of Stones
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, was so easy - Aguero might save us for all this hassle when he's fit though!

  3. Nice 2 Michu
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I

    1. sminkypinky
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Me too.

  4. Ser Football 42
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Good for GW3

    Courtois
    Caulker, Debuchy, Clyne
    Fabregas, Siggy, Sterling, Sanchez, Yaya Toure
    Costa, Rooney

    Thinking about putting in PVA or Hutton for costa

    1. Game of Stones
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Costa is fit to play vs Everton apparently so would stick with him

  5. SuperMario
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Begovic
    Taylor // Lovren // Terry
    Hazard // Ramsey // Siggy // Lamela // Young
    Rooney // Costa

    Myhill // Diouf // Chester // Moore

    Thinking: Young & Costa -------> De Jong / Cabella & Jovetic (free)

    1. SuperMario
      12 years, 1 month ago

      any alternative suggestions???

      1. Game of Stones
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Why sell Costa?

      2. SuperMario
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Hmmmm..

        What about:

        Lovren, Young and Costa -------> Coloccini, Albrighton and Aguero (-4)

  6. RyanC
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Locked, loaded and ready to fire.*

    http://imgur.com/tGXauNk

    *While watching City from behind the sofa.

    1. Game of Stones
      12 years, 1 month ago

      That's my worry as well...

    2. Wouter
      12 years, 1 month ago

      You reckon Costa will feature?

      1. RyanC
        12 years, 1 month ago

        If he doesn't, I'm confident in PVA getting enough points to justify not taking a hit to get Costa out.

        1. Nomar
          12 years, 1 month ago

          We can't score to save our lives, so guaranteed cleanie for PvA.

    3. Kerz
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Great team (minus Bartley 😀 ). GL mate

      1. RyanC
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Ha, thanks mate. Bartley was my poor Week One bench fodder selection. He's in there until WC week. 😉

        Good luck to you too.

  7. Ibralicious
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain, Aguero, Jovetic or Siggy? :/

    1. Emp
      12 years, 1 month ago

      jovetic

  8. FPL Daniel
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Even if fit it is still time to sell Costa...

    1. JJO
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Nah
      After next GW

    2. aehii
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I did -8 to ship out costa rooney for aguero adebayor. Did I do...wrong?

      1. aehii
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I keep replying when meaning to comment.

  9. Alejo - CFC
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Captain

    A)Rooney
    B)Dzeko
    C)Jovetic

    ?

  10. Im Not Marshal Foch
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hmm

    Courtois and Silva

    or

    Krul and Sanchez?

    On my W/c - Standard week 3 fayre

    1. Joggers Nipple
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Coutoius option

  11. Captain Shirokov
    12 years, 1 month ago

    DDG
    Terry / PVA / Clyne
    Mata / Ramsey(c) / Sterling / Siggy
    Roo / Costa / Dzeko

    (Marney, Wisdom, Moore)

    2 FTs, 0m in the bank.

    Stumped isn't the word.

    1. Game of Stones
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I would get rid of DDG

    2. LewanGOALski
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, I am in a very similar situation.. Completely no idea what to do with my 2 freebies 😐

    3. tw
      12 years, 1 month ago

      costa, ddg

      lose one or both of those imo

    4. Joggers Nipple
      12 years, 1 month ago

      DDG out only real need

    5. Kerz
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I honestly don't know... Given the news that came out 5 mins ago, about Costa being declared fit to play, I'm not sure you should use a transfer on him but then again, no certainty in him starting.

    6. FPL Daniel
      12 years, 1 month ago

      The best team in the world atm

  12. LewanGOALski
    12 years, 1 month ago

    2 FTs in my pocket.

    (A) DDG ➡ Krul

    (B) Costa ➡ Adebayor

    (C) DDG & Costa ➡ Krul & Adebayor

    ??

  13. Oliver Tockman
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the best bet for Liverpool coverage?

    1. Reedy
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Still Sterling I reckon.

    2. Licky
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling.

    3. mr messi
      12 years, 1 month ago

      You don't need 'coverage'. Especially from Liverpool.

  14. Keno
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Start Naismith or Young? This is prob Young's last chance to do something good to try and keep a spot on the United 11 I reckon, not sure about Naismith against Chelsea. Thoughts?

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Naismith scored v Chelsea last year. Plus he's good. The question re Young is not whether to start him, but when you transfer him out, before the weekend or after? He's yesterday's man, especially with Di Maria.

      1. Ibracadabra
        12 years, 1 month ago

        If you own Young and he's already lost 0.2m down to 5.3m very little risk in playing him this week against Burnley w/ Rojo yet to receive a work permit. If he starts one last time in the LWB role and puts in a decent cross a la his Aston Villa or Watford days, or dives to earn a penalty, you get a 5 point surprise and can then ship him out as Rojo gets his work permit, United change formation and/or Luke Shaw returns.

  15. Bubz
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Well I have been well and truly trolled by Mourinho. Already jerked Costa out. Ah well, might end up being a good thing.

    1. Mr Smith
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Didn't him being out depend in the subsequent training session following the presser? When did you get rid of him?

      1. Bubz
        12 years, 1 month ago

        About 15 minutes ago

        1. Mr Smith
          12 years, 1 month ago

          😯

    2. aehii
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Costa isn't that good really. I think adebayor will get similar points for 2m less.

    3. Kerz
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not such a bad thing, Adebayor is in good form and on penalties after all...

  16. Acquafresca
    12 years, 1 month ago

    So is this Peach guy a reliable source?

    Everyone keeping Costa now then?

    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      It's doing my nut in.

      I don't want to get price shafted and do the trade tomorrow.

      I may just get Jovetic anyway....

      1. Acquafresca
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah looking the safe bet isn't it...

        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Maybe mate, maybe.

          Issue is with that 40% ownership If he has a stormer it could cripple your rank in the same way not owning Yaya did last year. Not nice.

          Something to consider...

    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      yes,yes

    3. Kerz
      12 years, 1 month ago

      He's indeed reliable. I was gonna keep Costa before this news and I think it coming out only gave me more confidence in my choice...

  17. tw
    12 years, 1 month ago

    still remember the CL final.... even if Costa does start, could be he's not 100% and gets pulled off very early on

    1. Wouter
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Mhm, mentioned this earlier as well. Costa tends to not confess to being injured until he is on the pitch. Did it in the CL final and in the league decider against Barça.

    2. LewanGOALski
      12 years, 1 month ago

      hmmm, this is a good point actually...

      1. tw
        12 years, 1 month ago

        and he's got a bit of a history with this injury, just makes me generally nervous

  18. sminkypinky
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play Azpi or PVA?

    1. Mindless Freak
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Azpi.

    2. Reedy
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Azpi's unlikely to have a cameo if he doesn't start so should be a safe bet. But I'd go with PvA for the kinder fixture.

      1. Reedy
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Actually I'm not sure about that...if/when Luis does get thrown into the mix, might he just play the 2nd half, Azpi the 1st? I don't know. I'd play PvA anyway.

        1. sminkypinky
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers Reedy

          1. Reedy
            12 years, 1 month ago

            No probs...hope some of my rambling helped 🙂

      2. sminkypinky
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah just the fixture I'm thinking. Che have the harder game but is it silly to bench heitä defender ever?

        1. sminkypinky
          12 years, 1 month ago

          *their

        2. Reedy
          12 years, 1 month ago

          It's not ideal but for one week I'd do it...before swapping him out (if required; or deciding to stick).

  19. Mindless Freak
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Play Schurrle or Costa? Have a feeling Costa will still only make a cameo appeareance.

    1. sminkypinky
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Then go Schurrle. I probably would if i heard nothing definite of Costa starting.

  20. Joggers Nipple
    12 years, 1 month ago

    F it!
    Done the WC

    Krul/Elliot
    Clyne/ NTaylor/ Hutton/ Dummet/ PVA
    Fabregas/Hazard/ Ramsey/Siggy/Sterling
    Rooney/Costa/Naismith
    0.6 in the bank

    A. Fabregas to Silva?
    B. Costa to Jotevic?
    C. Anything else?

    Thanks.

  21. Daniel Levy- Not the Chairm…
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Take a hit and do Costa +Silva --> Jovetic/Dzeko and Hazard??? Could just wait till next week and do it.

  22. CluckinGreat
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcarded - here goes
    Guzan
    Dier, Clyne, Jones
    Lamela, Ramsey, Siggy, Silva
    Ballo, Jov, RVP

    Myhill, PVA, Wanyama, Dummett

    1. Joggers Nipple
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Krul better than Guzan, better fixtures

    2. Emp
      12 years, 1 month ago

      dummet has best fixture of any of your defenders this week definitely wouldnt bench him... dont like ballotelli we dont even know if he is going to be a regular starter

      1. CluckinGreat
        12 years, 1 month ago

        i gone and dummet :os

        Balo is my risk - differential i hope! need to catch up i'm sat mid table at the moment 🙁 bad start

  23. Emp
    12 years, 1 month ago

    play two out of vert, terry and clyne? Bench schurrle or tadic ( already have fab if that matters)

  24. The Mandalorian
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero came on for Jovetic last weekend, interesting!

    1. LewanGOALski
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Apparently you didn't watche the game...

    2. beric
      12 years, 1 month ago

      No he didnt

  25. Matamatician
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Jovetic or Aguero??

  26. Lingardium Leviosa.
    12 years, 1 month ago

    "Costa is fit to play against Everton"

    Said fit

    Not start.

    Even if he starts he'll probably limp off before halftime leaving Costa owners to cry.

    you dont recover from a hamstring injury in less than a week

    just saying

    peace

    1. MJ6987
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Who said it was a hamstring?

    2. Licky
      12 years, 1 month ago

      There are different degrees of hamstring injuries, it wasn't torn.

      1. PlayPercentage
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, but Costa had a hamstring problem at the end of last season.
        As a Costa owner, I fear he hasn't fully recovered.
        I'm getting rid.

  27. Daniel Levy- Not the Chairm…
    12 years, 1 month ago

    If Costa ends up not being fit tomorrow, Mourinho will almost definitely go back to his old stratergy of trying to sneak a goal, and then sit back and defend.

    1. QPR expects... glory!
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I think he'll be doing this anyway.

      Would be a trifle embarrassing if playing open football Chelsea concede a couple and the players on the scoresheet are a pair of former Chelsea strikers Boreinho deemed not good enough or surplus to requirements...

  28. Oliver Tockman
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is Balotelli likely to start? Adam Lallana? Need Liverpool coverage so either of these two.
    Thanks for the advice.

  29. QPR expects... glory!
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Are people with Costa interpreting 'fit to play' as meaning 'will start'?

    Reading the tea leaves I think it's far more likely to mean 'will be on the bench and used if needed'?

    With ECL coming up and the transfer deadline on Monday night I don't think Mourinho will risk him for more than a cameo appearance knowing that if he gets injured he'll have little chance of replacing him.

    1 pt special and a lot of disappointed owners coming up?

    1. Joggers Nipple
      12 years, 1 month ago

      seems a international week excuse, prob will start, off after 60 mins, Jose says still not fit enough for internationals

    2. tw
      12 years, 1 month ago

      well based on this, it sounds to me like he'll make the bench at best. or am I interpreting it wrong?

      Mourinho on Costa '..If the reaction is positive he could be on the bench, if not, we don't select him. At the moment, I don't know".

  30. MJ6987
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Glad we have had confirmation that Costa has been passed fit.

    Was wavering about a hit!

    1. tw
      12 years, 1 month ago

      based on Mou's quote though, I think he'll be on the bench then

      1. Ibracadabra
        12 years, 1 month ago

        ‘He has to try a light training session to see if the reaction is positive. If it is we take him to Everton to play or be on the bench; if the reaction is not positive today then obviously we don’t select him.'

        "to play OR be on the bench," is the key. He'll likely start otherwise we will be transported to 2009 and Didier Drogba time.