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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. Beautiful Game
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Fabregas, Ramsey, Sterling, Sigurdsson, Albrighton
    Aguero, Rooney, Costa

    Who to get in place of Costa? Have 1ft and nothing itb...

    Thanx in advance!

    1. Eboue
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Adebayor

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

      You need someone who will get the jobetic done.

    3. bdwhite91
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Adebayor, Balotelli

  2. Cooper123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    12 years, 1 month ago

    If I can get rid of Costa for Aguero, surely that's a better option that Jovetic?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Long term yes.

    2. MJ6987
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Big price difference though. Take that into account.

  3. FPL Daniel
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Van Gaal on Di Maria: "I think he is ready to play"

    Can't wait to see how they will line up.

    1. bdwhite91
      12 years, 1 month ago

      awfully

    2. The Machine
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Di maria Mata Someone

      Rooney

      If di maria starts this week probably

      1. SW6
        12 years, 1 month ago

        No RvP 😯

        1. The Machine
          12 years, 1 month ago

          maybe LvG will start him but he looks a bit crap atm

      2. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        12 years, 1 month ago

        What about RVP?

        1. The Machine
          12 years, 1 month ago

          is he even ready though? i wouldn't start him but i can't speak for LvG

          1. andy85wsm
            • Has Moderation Rights
            12 years, 1 month ago

            He's already started so guess so

      3. Eboue
        12 years, 1 month ago

        RVP?

        1. FPL Daniel
          12 years, 1 month ago

          I am worried about Mata game time. Someone from Rooney, RVP, Mata has to be plated outside of his best position or be benched. I see Mata as the most vulnerable .. .

          1. Eboue
            12 years, 1 month ago

            I think Rooney will pushed to the left eventually.

  4. Coach Sweaty
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is it a punt too far to bring in Riviere for Costa for a hit? Watched the Villa-Newcastle game last weekend and while he looked to be a skillful enough forward, he didn't really convince me that he can be a consistent finisher. Having said that, the fixtures are kind to him...

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Far too much of a punt imo. Unless you're wildcarding soon

    2. Walsh
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Don't reckon Riviere will be a good fantasy prospect as long as he is playing up top all alone. He needs a strike partner, so I would monitor for now and possibly bring him in if Pardew changes formation. I prefer Pelle right now.

  5. Acquafresca
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Right then Costa has to go.

    Do I conform and go Jovetic,

    or go the maverick way of Ade/ Balotelli?

    1. JasonG123
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go Adebayor unless it's only for this week then get Jovetic.

    2. FPL Daniel
      12 years, 1 month ago

      maaaaaaaverickkkkkkkkkkk

    3. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure Adebayor is very maverick. Balotelli on the other hand...

    4. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Why does he have to go?

      Max 1 week out right?

      1. Acquafresca
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Flag will cause mass sales over int. break, not risking it.

        I'll buy back after City and Arsenal games

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

          Fair point I guess, and presumably you have one of Haz/Fabs also?

          I'm in the same boat and between Jov, Ade, Kun & Studge. Tricky!

          Which way you leaning?

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

        Yep, and then SWA.

    5. Walsh
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Don't know how maverick Ade is of a choice, but Balotelli would fit that criteria. If you don't have a Spurs midfielder I'd prefer Ade. If you do, then I'd prefer Jovetic. Although, after last weekend, this weekend screams blank for Jovetic to me. Just one of those things.

    6. Kerz
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Jov

  6. JasonG123
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Which would you do?

    (A) Costa to Adebayor for -4.
    (B) Play Costa
    (C) Play Wisdom

  7. MJ6987
    12 years, 1 month ago

    First sub (may well come in for Costa)

    A. Wisdom (swa)
    or
    B. Marney (MUN)

    1. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Marney.

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

      Wisdom I think, although I normally go with the attacker.

      I think united will keep a cleanie this week.

    3. Eboue
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sort of like crocs or sandals with socks. I'd go Marney.

    4. MJ6987
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks

  8. FPL Daniel
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lallana is fit but not match fit, Ballo coming, what is gonna be first 11 for Liv? What do we predict? About mid and forwards only. Markovic also. I am worried about Sterling and Cout game time. Sturridge even. Something like:

    Gerrard Hendo
    Sterling Studge Lallan
    Ballo

    ...?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure Sturridge will be no.10. More likely to be 4-3-3 with Sturridge wide?

      Henderson Gerrard Lallana
      Sterling Balotelli Sturridge

      Maybe?

    2. MJ6987
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Will be a different team for PL and CL.

    3. Beautiful Game
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sturridge and Lallana interchange places maybe...

    4. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      ----------------------gerrard------------------
      henderson------------------------coutinho
      ----------------------sterling------------------
      -------------sturridge-----balotelli---------

      1. FPL Daniel
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Nailed it AP. THanks

  9. CCaddy
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone else think this could be the usual mind games by mourinho? And Costa could actually start tomorrow

    1. beric
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Certainly might happen

    2. snowman
      12 years, 1 month ago

      No

    3. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Always a possibility

    4. SEASIDER
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I think he will start on the bench. If they are struggling they will bring him on. If not then Mourinho can pull him out of the Spain squad and say he was always injured.

      1. snowman
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly this, i think this is all spain squad dependant

    5. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      if he's trying to avoid letting Costa go play with th Spain squad, it's better not to play him

  10. Dain Bramage
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who out of Colback or Rodwell would you prefer (transfer week 4)
    Cheers

    1. Walsh
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Rodwell

      1. Dain Bramage
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Walsh

  11. Olivier Bernards watch
    12 years, 1 month ago

    anyone know if carney will play?

  12. Mid-Table Obscurity
    12 years, 1 month ago

    repost
    members stats are from opta right?

    1. Hubert
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  13. Olivier Bernards watch
    12 years, 1 month ago

    *Marney

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      12 years, 1 month ago

      reply fail. I'm on fire.

    2. MJ6987
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Was that meant for me?

  14. DIegoCosta19
    12 years, 1 month ago

    is this good to go for a WC

    Krul
    Colo Hutton Kolarov
    Ramsey Sterling Siggy Fab
    Jove Studge Rooney

    bench

    Rodwell Dier Wisdom

    shall i get dummet for colo and save 0.5?

    and recommended changes

    can get a 4.5 mid and dummet and so have 1m for other areas

    1. DIegoCosta19
      12 years, 1 month ago

      ..............

    2. JasonG123
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Kolarov: never buy, never bench.

      1. DIegoCosta19
        12 years, 1 month ago

        what?

        1. JasonG123
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Picking Kolarov is a little short sighted, He will score well this week, but probably won't play next week.

    3. Dain Bramage
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Hutton has tough fixtures after this week

      1. DIegoCosta19
        12 years, 1 month ago

        and ill play dier for him

        1. Dain Bramage
          12 years, 1 month ago

          He' could lose his place soon! I have Vlaar and he's going next week

  15. snowman
    12 years, 1 month ago

    everyone who owns costa getting rid then? Surely he will be back after international break

    1. Olivier Bernards watch
      12 years, 1 month ago

      i'm keeping.

    2. MJ6987
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping I think.

    3. A Defender's Nightmare
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I don't know anymore.

    4. snowman
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Same, going to keep and just swap GK, i have a FT so just thinking whether to get rid of him for short term or not

  16. Mesh
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play out of these 2? :-

    A. Chambers
    B. Bruce

    1. A Defender's Nightmare
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Chambers

  17. A Defender's Nightmare
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is Costa ➡ Jovetic/Adebayor/Sturridge worth 4-point hit?

    1. Walsh
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

      1. A Defender's Nightmare
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Who's your pick, Walsh?

        1. Walsh
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Depends a lot on what you would be doing with the funds but I have both Sturridge and Adebayor in my team. I like them both, Liverpool have great fixtures after this weekend and Sturridge has had solid stats although lacking a bit in end product and Ade has been also getting great stats and is on penos to boot. Both are good choices I think. Jovetic I am still too unsure of in the medium-term with the Dzeko and Aguero question marks.

          1. A Defender's Nightmare
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers, Walsh. 🙂

    2. lifes a pitch
      12 years, 1 month ago

      i think so personally. im tryin to get Aguero-4 without making too much of a mess

      1. A Defender's Nightmare
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Can't do that with 1 hit. 🙁 Who's your pick out of those 3 I listed?

        1. lifes a pitch
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Ade

    3. Kerz
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Depends who would come on from your bench if he didn't play. If you have a decent player coming in, then no IMO. Can't see someone like Adebayor making up that difference.

      1. A Defender's Nightmare
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, Hervey. 🙂

  18. SPorting
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone got two cheap mids or did we all go for the Big Four?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Big 5!

    2. The Machine
      12 years, 1 month ago

      If you consider siggy cheap then yeah

    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      does Siggy count as the big four?

  19. Dušan Citizen
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Will Aguero rise in price tonight?

    1. The Mandalorian
      12 years, 1 month ago

      no

  20. beric
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Shit rooney is the early kick off. I dont wanna captain him then, so jovetic or ramsey...own dzeko as well, who would you pick?

    1. Walsh
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey

      1. beric
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Thats who im favouring, cheers

    2. beric
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Or even siggy

    3. Dušan Citizen
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I love when my captain plays first 🙂

      1. beric
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Eurgh i hate it

    4. Acquafresca
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey

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

      Didn't we agree the Early Fixture captain fail was a 'myth' last year 🙂 ?

      1. beric
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Its not that i think itll make him do worse, i just hate having my captain play already, like jk says below its fun having them in the last game

    6. lifes a pitch
      12 years, 1 month ago

      y not?

    7. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone Rambo

      I always like having my (c) play in the last match, you always have hope

    8. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      have a tiny but still nagging doubt he'll play centre mid too

      1. MJ6987
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Ramsey plays CM

  21. bdwhite91
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Ship Costa out or just play Naismith?

    Naismith Mutch Chester is my bench

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Probably Naismith depending on who you could bring in

      1. bdwhite91
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Nothing in the bank. It'd be for a hit

  22. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    12 years, 1 month ago

    A) Jones + PvA

    or

    2) Clyne + Rose

    ???

    1. Walsh
      12 years, 1 month ago

      2 by a mile

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        12 years, 1 month ago

        If it makes any difference I also have Bertrand

  23. chrisjdgrady
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys. Should I just play Naismith (or keep him first sub)? Used my 2 free ones for little fixes before all this Costa stuff happened:

    Bego
    Clyne Colo PVA
    Ramsey Mata Sterling Lamela Siggy
    Rooney (c) Costa

    Gilks Naismith Ferdinand Chester

    Thanks

  24. lifes a pitch
    12 years, 1 month ago

    who will be main striker at Liverpool ??

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sturridge

    2. gers23
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Il go Balo with Sturridge wide

  25. troller
    12 years, 1 month ago

    this defense good enough:

    coleman dummett dawson wisdom hutton

  26. gers23
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Start Costa with Fletcher first sub

    Or

    Costa to Jovetic/Dzeko

  27. amol
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Best long term forwards?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero

  28. Butters_lfc9
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Im thinking of moving in Costa,Dzeko and Jones> Aguero,Adebayor and Dummet for -4 leaving me with
    Begovic
    Dummet-Ferdinand-Naylor
    Mata-Ramsay-Hazard-Sigurdson
    Rooney-Aguero-Adebayor
    Gilks-Moore-PvA-Marne

    Thoughts?

  29. Twelve years a slave
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Bye the Costa injury is worse than being let on by Jose
    When searching for a replacement he wouldn't want to appear desperate, would put prices up

    1. Captain Shirokov
      12 years, 1 month ago

      On the other hand, he could make is seem worse than it is to force Roman into signing another striker.

    2. A Defender's Nightmare
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Hey Trigg, you reckon it's worth taking him out for -4?

      Jovetic, Adebayor, Sturridge are my 3 options.

    3. Acquafresca
      12 years, 1 month ago

      You still favouring Jovetic as his replacement??

      I'm still kinda unsure. Stoke might be tougher than people expect.

  30. Sir Michael Taker
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Worth noting that a certain hamstring injury suffered by Costa at the back end of last season saw him rushed back for Champs Leage Final where he lasted about 5 minutes before looking completely unfit for Spain throughout the World Cup. I'm sure the staff at Chelsea know better than me but surely with the international break coming he cannot be risked at all versus Everton