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6 August 2015 2692 comments
Paul Paul
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With less than 48 hours left until the season gets underway, we’re rolling out a reminder of our Sky Fantasy Football league for 2015/16. Having won the League of Leagues for the past three years, we’re looking to defend our crown and make it four seasons running come next May.

Over the summer, we’ve commissioned our resident Sky Sports expert d1sable to pen a number of articles for your perusal which will hopefully aid your quest for a lofty finish.

First of all, we analysed the Sky Sports Player List. Breaking it down by position, we assessed what’s on offer amongst the Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders and Forwards.

We’ve also cast a close eye over the numerous Formations available to Fantasy managers and looked at the most successful set-ups in the season gone by.

After that, we delved into the Man of the Match data, looking at both the players and positions which are likeliest to benefit from the watching Sky Sports reporters. With that in mind, we also predicted who we think will be rewarded this time out.

Earlier this week, D1sable also went back over the Captaincy rules and highlighted what he considers to be the best armband tactics for the opening couple of months.

Tomorrow, he’ll return with his new team ahead of Gameweek 1 to help guide you through the first round of fixtures.

If you’re looking to get involved, we’ve set up an official Fantasy Football Scout league – the name is FFScout and the pin number to join is 8009000.

Once again, there’s a cool £1,000 to the Fantasy manager who finished at the summit of the Scout league. Last season, the Scout League winner Geoff Pryor also clinched the overall top spot and walked away £30,000 richer.

We’ve set up a community article to exclusively deal with Sky Sports Fantasy teams. Those looking to get involved with the discussion should click this link.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Damn you Mane, downgrading you was wonderful . Using cash helped a lot

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      What happened to Mane?

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Nothing

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Ah its Daniel.. i dint recognise him with the new avatar. Move along.. nothing to see here 🙂

    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      He's gone for you now. Time to move on.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        He scored, but he is at that awkward price 8m when you have Wally and Hazard it's little bit too much to afford 3rd mid @8m without crippling your team too much

  2. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    West Ham back on the menu.

  3. Richd
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    So is Walcott risky?

    I need to save 0.5 mill somewhere...

    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      He is but I'm willing to take that risk. Easy transfer to Ozil id it doesn't look like it will work out

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Whats the risk. Gametime, or just crap ? 🙂

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      He is, IMO. I am going Rambo...

  4. chilli con kone
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    It's probably been covered in depth but for the first 3 game weeks atleast...

    A. Mata
    B. Depay

    Mata

    + proven FPL point score
    + scored well when playing RW at the end of last season
    + looks to have pens
    - may be shifted if Utd sign pedro

    Depay

    + playing centrally
    + set piece potential (Will he take free kicks off Rooney?)
    + ridiculous amount of attempts on goal last season
    - no PL or higher level experience (other than a couple of internationals)

    All opinions much appreciated

  5. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    ..................Panti
    .......Kosc - Huth - Cedric
    Mane - Fabs - Ozil - Memphis
    ...Sakho - Aguero - Benteke

    Henn; Francis, Bentaleb, Coates

    1. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Nice.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Too much United.

      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        haha silly man..truth be told I could do Memphis > Chadli and use the money in defense

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        He is a fan obviously. don't listen to him man, go with Utd. IT will be fun for you sure

        1. sinik
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Depay has that certain something about him..built for the PL already..think the acclimation won't be too bad IMO

    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty nice that actually

    4. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Not worried about haz?

      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        not with so many other point sources tbh..can't do a Haz-less draft without Kun IMO

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah true, looks very nice

    5. Coaly
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      i have almost exactly the same

      my third striker is 1m cheaper and spent it in defence, and different 5.0 keeper

      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        so Deeney/Wilson and Fabianski?

        1. Coaly
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Yep (Wilson)

  6. FredrikH
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    A) Milner - Kane - Baines
    B) Sterling - Benteke - Clyne

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      So much B

      1. FredrikH
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Why?

  7. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Will aguero start on monday? Cheers

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I think so.

      1. The Machine
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Certianly wont then

        1. Camp No No
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          😆

    2. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Unlikely but will probs get 30mins IMO

      1. ralfb
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Enough time for a brace 😉

    3. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Start on the bench, IMO.

    4. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      No imo

    5. waitinginthelonggrass
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I see a pattern here.

    6. Frank Black
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Goal from the bench.

  8. Ragabolly
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    It's come down to Sterling vs Benteke for me.. Any thoughts?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Don't get why you are comparing midfielders to forwards?

      1. Ragabolly
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Okay, the bigger picture is:

        Sterling + Deeney vs. Richie + Benteke..

        1. chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          I like Richie and Tekkers personally

      2. Laserface
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        think harder

        1. chilli con kone
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Why don't you post something useful

    2. GaGa Over Gazzaniga!!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling imo(sure to start gw1 maybe in a more advanced position)...not sure about benteke's match fitness!!

  9. Ray In Bruges.
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Is a punt w/ Falcao mental?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yes imo.

    2. The_Colonel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      no punts in gw1

    3. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Doosra has him.

    4. Ray In Bruges.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      But if Jose believes....

  10. Think
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Which one is better ?

    A

    Pants Schem
    Koscienly - Kolarov - Cedric -jenkinson -Mings
    Sterling - Cazrola - Henderson - Chadli - Walters
    Rooney - Pelle - Lukaku

    B
    Pants Scheme
    Koscienly - Richards - Cedric -jenkinson -Mings
    Hazard - Cazrola - Walters - Puncheon - Sinclair
    Rooney - Pelle - Lukaku

    1. JWF
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      In other words:

      A: Kolorov-Sterling-Henderson-Chadli
      B: Richards-Haz-Punch-Sinclair

      Probably A just but having no Chelsea attack seems a brave move.

  11. Hitman
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Picking a team at the start is so hard!!
    I faff around for ages switching/swapping my team 1,000,000 times then my wife throws together a team and will probably start better than me... so annoying at least i always finish well and normally win my mini leagues but FFS if only i started well than i might end up in the top 1000.

    Anyone else have this problem?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds like a unique problem.

    2. Razer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I do. Your wife's team is always better than mine.

  12. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    This dugout bid is ridiculous-hardly anyone else in draft room so taking forever-it would be better to just auto pick it instantly based on ranking......

    1. il Brutto
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      They should have enabled the autopsic option and it would go fast.

      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        I'm guessing they haven't done anything so we will have some dead teams.....

  13. st4rt__
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one -

    A) Milner & Sakho with £5.5m ITB to upgrade Rooney to Aguero when I feel the need.
    B) Mane & Benteke with £2.5m to still upgrade Rooney to Aguero when again, I feel the need.

    The rest of my XI would be -

    Ruddy
    Azpil - Cedric - Francis (Coates, S. Taylor)
    Hazard - ? - Santi - Mahrez (Fletcher)
    Rooney - Pelle - ?

    1. The_Colonel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      B but I would invest the extra money.

      1. st4rt__
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        You'd pick B and still invest £2.5m?

        1. The_Colonel
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Yes, I would at least upgrade Saylor and get a 2nd keeper

  14. Theatre_Of_Screams
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please:

    Panti (Hennessey)

    Francis Morgan Mertesacker (Coates, Gomez)

    Hazard Mane Depay Hendo (Wanyama)

    Rooney Kane Pelle

  15. Couti & the Below5th
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Probable Starters Update https://goo.gl/zn1Wyp

    What pre-season game-time did your fantasy football picks get? Find out here!

    1. The_Colonel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Great. Thanks

  16. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool signs "the next Odegaard".

    http://www.empireofthekop.com/2015/08/06/liverpool-sign-14-year-old-wonderkid-dubbed-the-next-martin-odegaard/

    ffs, Martin Odegaard is just 16-year-old and already there is "the next Odegaard". Let the kid first become a man and show if he can be something, then find the next him, if ever.

    1. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Right now Odegaard himself is "the next Odegaard" (literally, because his father also was an international footballer). There can't yet be next him. Just can't.

  17. Steirish
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Please RMT

    Ruddy / Butland

    Azpi Mert Huth / Coates / Francis

    Ozil Sterling Mane Hazard / Wanyama

    Rooney Benteke Wilson

    Any suggestions welcome

  18. schlupptheweek
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    I've had to sacrifice Sterling to Yaya to afford Benteke.

    All aboard the Yayawagon.

  19. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    With 90 minutes played today, do you think Mane will start 2.5 days later?

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah GB. Doesn't take much stamina to wipe Newcastle

    2. The Machine
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      No chance

    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      It would be ridiculous if he doesn't

    4. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yes.

    5. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Koeman wouldn't use his best midfielder in a dead rubber game to then bench him in the league, imo.

  20. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Wish I could find .5 more to get Sakho

    1. Jayblue
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Post your team and lets find out

    2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Similar position man. Thinking of putting in Clyne instead of a striker.

  21. Jayblue
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Best choice for captain(gw1)?
    1. Hazard
    2. Rooney
    3. Walcott
    4. Benteke
    5. Mane

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      3

  22. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Aguero could start, yes.

    Definite 20 min or so cameo.

    I would say if they DIDN'T have Chelsea the next week then it would be much more up in the air but since they do and he didn't have a pre-season then he needs match sharpness.

    1. sinik
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      reply fial

  23. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Okay, so a bit of a weird team but I think I'm going to broadly roll with it to start with.

    Butland (Hennessey)
    Azpi Mertesacker Cedric Clyne (Targett)
    Sterling Ozil Hazard Walcott Mane
    Kane (Ighalo Jerome)

    4-5-1. Ideally, I would like to remove Clyne and play a 3-5-2. Or get a better team's defense for 5.5m. Any suggestions?

    1. Jayblue
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Resting all your hopes on kane as a sole striker. Brave

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah. Risky.

        I'm not opposed to wildcarding in GW3 so that's something I can do if it turns out badly.

        Biggest thing is - I don't find value in the strikers right now.

        Aguero, Costa, Sturridge - injured.
        Rooney - Expensive. If I'm spending 10.5m, I'd rather get Silva at 10m.
        Kane - If he performs even 75% of last season, he'd justify his value.
        Benteke - May not start the first couple of games.

        I'm in for Sakho. Can't find the money though.

    2. ralfb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Iazpi to ivan and kane to tekkers?

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Don't see the point. Kane is nailed on. Benteke may take a week or two to be fit to start.

        Kane also settled in his side while Liverpool/Benteke is an unknown.

  24. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Hey parm fancy another game of whitewash?

    Lets see if i can break my prvious record of 9-0

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Smashed you last season IIRC.

  25. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Any Kane love? I wanna know I'm doing rght thing doing Kane over Costa and Roon

    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I have him.

      1. Ange Ball
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        you playing him or benching him?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          😯

        2. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Benching him? Whaaaat?

      2. waitinginthelonggrass
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        But do you love him?

        1. Bubz
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah

        2. Ange Ball
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Will do if he gets me hatrick

    2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Picked him too.

      Not doubting at all.

  26. super zlatan
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    What's best?

    A) Walcott. (Double up with ozil)

    B) sterling

    1. Kerz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling

    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Walcott

    4. ralfb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I have all 3

    5. THEJOKERreturns
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Any suggestions are welcome.

      Myhill / Guzan

      Azpi Mert Cedric / Bassong / Cameron

      Ox Fab Mane Milner / Johnson

      Rooney Kane / Wilson

    6. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      B

  27. rocrocodile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    As long as I plan to wildcard in GW 4-5, is it really worth it to go expensive in defense? I lean towards gambling on 5 x 4.5, and just pray for some clean sheets. Would free up some decent funds to get the heavy hitters up front.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      If your defense is settled afford you to leave it later. Bad defense forces you to make early WC

  28. Yome
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    I don't have Pelle or Mane. Should I be worried?

    1. Kerz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Depends who you have in their place.

      1. Yome
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling and Kane/Sakho

        1. Kerz
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          What's the rest out of interest?

          1. Yome
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 8 months ago

            Rooney Kane Sakho
            Hazard, Wallcot, Sterling, Milner, Wanyama

            1. Kerz
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 8 months ago

              Very nice.

              1. Yome
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 8 months ago

                Cheers, can"t have them all

          2. Yome
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 8 months ago

            Defence is Kos, Cedric, Huth, Jones, Mings

    2. Richd
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      You can't be scared of every player!

    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Be afraid

  29. Kerz
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    I just found out that Cedric represented Portugal more than 70 times at the youth level.

    How the feck is that even possible?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Lots of internationals?

    2. Ludo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      He had a lot of free time I guess.

  30. PB-THE-VET
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Can i get my last rmt? Really is last

    Ruddy rudd

    Ivan kosc cedric huth staylor(saving .5 here - dont need 5 def)

    Fabs sterling mane ritchi waynama

    Roo kane benteke

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Looks fine.
      0-0 in 1st game would hurt.