Our midweek regular comes around once again this evening, as we take an early look at those players currently under consideration for our squads across weekly and daily Fantasy Football games.
We’ve divided this early scouting into two sections. The “Better Buys” will look at the key players for the week ahead, generally assessing those in-form assets who are braced for a promising fixture. The “Poundstretchers”, on the other hand, are the Gameweek prospects that should offer excellent value – often one-week punts, whose lower price tags enable funds to be spent on the big-hitters elsewhere in our lineups.
In this week’s article, we take a look at what’s on offer in this week’s two featured games FantasyBet, and PlayON…
Better Buys
Despite conceding twice at Arsenal, Stoke stopper Jack Butland (FantasyBet 4.5m, PlayON 6.7m) was the highest scoring goalkeeper last week in PlayON, with 1950 points. A record of 27 saves over the first five matches, including ten at the Emirates, shows the keeper has the potential for high-scoring Gameweeks even without a clean sheet. The Potters welcome Leicester City to the Britannia and with the Foxes attack in menacing form, there should be plenty of save points from Butland at least.
Bournemouth may have conceded in every match so far but this weekend they face an out-of-sorts Sunderland side that are fully capable of providing them with a first top-flight shut-out. At a cut-price 6.1m in PlayON and 4.5m in FantasyBet, the Cherries shot-stopper Artur Boruc could be worth investment alongside Simon Francis (PlayON 6.6m, FantasyBet 4.5m) – the full-back is a key player in Eddie Howe’s team and has served up two assists already this term.
Aleksandar Kolarov (FantasyBet 5.5m, PlayON 8.5m) is in consideration for Man City’s home clash with West Ham. Not only has he been part of a defence that has picked up five successive clean sheets, the full-back sits top for goal attempts (nine) and second for key passes (eight) amongst defenders, highlighting his points potential at both ends of the pitch.
With doubts still hovering over Sergio Aguero’s fitness for the weekend, picking the correct assets from City’s midfield could be crucial. David Silva (FantasyBet 10m, PlayON 14m) recovered from injury to start against Juventus but has competition for a place in our teams from the more budget-friendly Kevin de Bruyne (FantasyBet 10m, PlayON 12.2m), Raheem Sterling (FantasyBet 9.5m, PlayON 12.1m) and Yaya Toure (FantasyBet 8.5m, PlayON 12.5m). All could do well, so doubling up looks a viable tactic.
A spectacular second goal of the season against Man United sees Christian Benteke (FantasyBet 8.5m, PlayON 11.6m) claim a place in our plans. The Liverpool striker is afforded a home fixture against a Norwich side that are yet to keep a clean sheet, and, having netted two of his side’s three goals so far, seems the Reds’ likeliest source of goals.
Poundstretchers
Newcastle host a goal-shy Watford side that have scored only once in four and a win against the newcomers would alleviate some of the pressure on Steve McClaren after a poor start at the helm. A more organised defence is likely to be the manager’s priority, and Tim Krul (FantasyBet 4.5m, PlayON 6.7m) has turned in some impressive performances, averaging five saves per appearance so far.
Norwich failed to score at Southampton on their last away trip and travel to Merseyside to face a Liverpool defence that will be intent on making amends after shipping three goals in each of the last two Gameweeks. Joe Gomez (FantasyBet 4.5m, PlayON 6.3m) offers a budget route into a backline that kept three successive clean sheets in the opening fixtures.
Jordan Amavi (FantasyBet 5m, PlayON 6.8m) is our pick from Aston Villa’s backline after earning an assist in his previous home appearance. Tim Sherwood’s side will be looking for a second clean sheet of the season as West Brom make the short trip to Villa Park – the hosts will be confident of keeping out their opponents, who sit second-bottom for shots on target and have drawn blanks in three of the opening five fixtures.
Matt Ritchie (FantasyBet 6m, PlayON 8.2m) has failed to translate his excellent Championship form to the Premier League so far, though a home clash with Sunderland could prove the catalyst for a turnaround. The Cherries are without the injured Max Gradel, who assisted three goals in his last two appearances, and Ritchie’s creativity will be key to breaching a defence that’s conceded 11 goals already. Callum Wilson, who has four goals in three, could offer even better value at 5.5m in FantasyBet and 7.8m in PlayON.
These are the players on my radar ahead of this weekend’s weekly contests. On Friday, I’ll be back with a further look at both this week’s partner games – FantasyBet, and PlayON – as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
