With an international break looming, we have the opportunity to bow out of domestic action with money in our pocket. We turn our attention to Mondogoal’s weekend contests, then, and assess the player market in a bid to identify where our squad funds should be spent in order to put us in the running for prize pots.
Mondogoal is a brand new daily and weekly Fantasy Football game which, in addition to the Premier League, covers all the major top-flight leagues – Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer (MLS). You can play games for each one, or even global contests that span across all the leagues. Mondogoal also supports contests for Champions League and Europa League in midweek.
Mondogoal is backed by last season’s top two, Manchester City and Liverpool and, only this week, they extended their list of partners to include West Ham United. Russell Brand is doubtless mulling over his Mondogoal selection as you’re reading this.
Russell and yourselves should check out our strategy guide for some tips on getting started and take in our selection guide.
For now, though, here’s our picks for this coming weekend, where Mondogoal have two new contests available to play every week. The “Weekly £1k Guaranteed Prize Pot” costs £5 to enter, whilst the “Weekly Free Kick” is FREE TO ENTER and pays out a total of £100 prize money amongst the highest scoring managers in the Gameweek. If you’re new to Mondogoal, the latter game looks the ideal risk-free way to get to grips with the nuts and bolts of the scoring system.
Saturday’s Picks
The midweek European football means that several matches are switched to Sunday. Nonetheless, there are plenty of options presented to Mondogoal managers when constructing their Saturday contest squads.
Liverpool’s Anfield meeting with West Brom, on paper, looks a bountiful source of points although, given the form of the two sides, it may well be hard to call. Brendan Rodgers’ side have stuttering form, having suffered a midweek setback in Switzerland and will face a Baggies unit buoyed by a their 4-0 drubbing of Burnley last time out. I’d still fancy Raheem Sterling (12.2m) to be a major influence for Liverpool, having scored 12.10 points per game, but won’t be backing the hosts’ defence in light of their current form. West Brom starlet, Saido Berahino has the confidence to cause the home rearguard problems and may even be worth a punt at 9.1 million following his Burnley brace.
Manchester City will be well backed to earn the points at Villa Park, with Paul Lambert’s side smarting from consecutive 3-0 defeats. City failed to convince against Roma in the week and may suffer a hangover, but I’d still reserve a spot for at least one of their key attackers. Sergio Aguero (11.8m), with an impressive 10.22 ppg, has to be the prize asset, while David Silva can be acquired for 11.3 million. Value looks hard to find from this one, then, although Vincent Kompany, at 7.1 million, is an option if you trust Manuel Pellegrini’s backline.
There are bargains to be found elsewhere to help fund the big purchases. Leicester’s home clash with Burnley looks to offer potential and, with the Clarets notching just a single goal in six league outings, I have to fancy Nigel Pearson’s defence. Liam Moore can be acquired for just 5.2 million, while stopper Kasper Schmeichel also looks good value at just 5.6 million. Up front, Leonardo Ulloa remains the star attraction with 9.43 ppg to this point. He’ll set you back a reasonable 7.9 million, although I’ve an inkling that Jamie Vardy will also be a factor – he can be snatched for just 6.9 million.
Elsewhere, Will Buckley could keep his starting role for Sunderland against Stoke, having looked lively against the Swans last weekend – the former Brighton winger will set you back just 5.9 million this time around. Providing he shakes off a minor thigh problem, Victor Moses looks set to be the pivotal figure for the Potters – with back-to-back assists, the Chelsea loanee demands an 8.2 million price tag but boasts an impressive 9.23 ppg thus far.
Ashley “Jazz” Richards looks to be tailor-made as a Budget pick at the back for Swansea. He’s set to start against struggling Newcastle due to Angel Rangel’s suspension and is available for a mere 4.8 million – an ideal option if you’re reserving funds.
Finally, Hull City are, once again, a decent source of mid-price options. Abel Hernandez has to be the pick: the Uruguayan already has two strikes to his name for the Humberside club and will lead the attack against Palace on Saturday. He can be acquired for 6.9, with the in-form Nikica Jelavic another option to consider at just 7.3 million. In midfield, Mo Diame should also be considered – he’s also impressed with a pair of goals in three Hull starts and is available for 6.3 million.
Sunday’s Picks
A quartet of matches boasts an array of Mondogoal talent, with Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge meeting with Arsenal arguably the headline act.
Once again, it’s a risk to look beyond Diego Costa, given his emphatic 15.52 ppg record this season. It will take a hefty 14.5 million to tempt him into your squad, while Danny Welbeck, fresh from a midweek hat-trick, is on offer for 11.6 million for Arsenal. Without Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta, the Gunners may suffer to get to grips with the Chelsea midfield and Oscar, at 10.9 million, may well be the option to explore here. The Brazilian reveled in the “number 10” role against Villa and has sneaked 9.11 ppg this season.
Once again, Manchester United provide a conundrum – some erratic performers at the back suggest that they will need goals to earn the points from Everton at Old Trafford. Similarly, the visitors have the leakiest defence in the league – a factor which suggests there will be goals in Sunday’s encounter.
While the eyes are drawn to Radamel Falcao at 8.9 million, team-mate Robin van Persie is perhaps the safer bet here with spot-kicks and set-pieces a factor: the Dutchman is also available for just 8.9 million and that looks strong value. Romelu Lukaku (11.1m) will doubtless provide the threat for the Toffees but I’ve an inkling that Aiden McGeady will start and cause United problems – he’s available for just 6.6 million in midfield.
Mondogoal seem to have immediately latched on to the potential of Southampton’s Sadio Mane – pricing him at 12.9 million for the Saints’ trip to White Hart Lane. In contrast the prolific Graziano Pelle is an attractive option at 8.9 million, while Dusan Tadic is available for 8.4 million. Certainly at least one of this trio look worth backing, given the form of Ronald Koeman’s side.
Similarly, West Ham demand our attention for their Boleyn Ground meeting with struggling QPR. Stewart Downing has sparkled so far and is set to torment the R’s backline from his new role at the tip of the Hammers’ midfield diamond. Even at 10.6 million, Downing looks value, having delivered an impressive 10.27 ppg to this point.
Diafra Sakho is another who is worthy of inclusion in our lineups – with three league goals in as many league starts, the Senegal striker’s raw pace is sure to trouble Harry Redknapp’s side and at just 8.0 million, his price is no obstacle. I’m also backing the West Ham rearguard for a first clean sheet of the season – Aaron Cresswell, with plenty of attacking intent, looks a bargain at 5.6 million while James Tomkins, at 6.0 million, will be a major threat from set-plays.
