Next up, we take time to check out the Premier Punt game this Friday afternoon as as I reveal my plans for the upcoming round of fixtures.
This Week’s Games
Once again Premier Punt have three big guaranteed pots on offer for Fantasy managers this week.
The largest contest is a £350 game for a £5 buy-in – this one still currently has some overlay and up to three line-ups can be entered. There’s also a £100 pot for a £10 fee and a £200 contest for £20.
For the top of the table clash between Leicester City and Manchester United, there’s also a free £25 single game in which three sets of five players can be entered. These contests focus on one match, have a unique scoring system and are quick to enter. It’s a tricky one to call, though, as United have the tightest defence in the league, while the Foxes have scored 28 goals, the best in the division. It’s always good to check out a format while it’s free, so why not have a go?
My Team
Jack Butland (6.8m) is my keeper this week as Stoke roll up to Sunderland on the lookout for a sixth clean sheet in seven. In defence, I’ve gone with three full-backs that all offer an attacking threat and have a good chance of clean sheet points. Hector Bellerin (7.9m) travels to Norwich, Alberto Moreno (7.5m) welcomes Swansea to Anfield, while Joel Ward (6.2m) offers a budget route into a Crystal Palace defence that host Newcastle.
In midfield, Mesut Ozil (11.8m) is first on the team-sheet – a midweek goal against Dinamo Zagreb indicates that his run of form shows no signs of stalling at Carrow Road. Crystal Palace lost 1-0 to Sunderland in their last home fixture and they may need Yohan Cabaye’s (7.9m) set-piece skills against Newcastle after only picking up two wins at Selhurst Park this campaign.
Southampton visit the Etihad this week and I’m hoping that Kevin de Bruyne’s (10m) form will improve with the return of Sergio Aguero and, possibly, David Silva, after the Belgian has blanked in three of the last four. An away trip to Bournemouth looks promising for Ross Barkley (9.7m), who now has more goals and assists than he managed last season after playing a part in three of Everton’s four strikes against Aston Villa.
Fellow Toffee, Romelu Lukaku (11.4m), is nailed-on in my line-up after producing seven goals and three assists in his last seven. Likewise, Harry Kane (13.4m) has nine strikes in six for Spurs after netting against FK Quarabag on Thursday night. Finally, Odion Ighalo (7.4m) could prosper against a Villa side that conceded four last weekend.
The Bottom Line
I earned a respectable joint tenth place finish in the big £350 pot with 59 points – although that was just two points off winning most of my stake back, I had to settle for recovering £2.33.
Congratulations go to Martin Pilley, who scooped top prize with 72 points – Ross Barkley was the stand-out pick and Toby Alderweireld’s goal also helped him prevail. I fared better in the £2 contest, in which I had teams end up in joint third and joint fifth, giving me winnings of £6.55 to leave me on £203.22 for Gameweek 14.
This Week’s Stake
The standard three teams go into the £350 pot, while I will consider those bigger entry fee games on Saturday morning. After success last week, I put a team in the £2 contest and also enter three line-ups into that free single game between Leicester City and Manchester United for the chance of winning some of the £25 pot risk-free.
Stake – £17
Current Balance – £186.22
If you would like to take me on in the £350 guaranteed pot or try out PremierPunt’s unique single fixtures game sign up here.
