We take our regular trip to the Weekly Shop this evening, assessing the player lists of our partner games to pinpoint the likely targets that will make up our weekend lineups.
The player analysis is split into two sections: I’ll break down the key targets that no squad can do without in “Better Buys”, before seeking out those one-shot “Poundstretcher” prospects that can provide us points, whilst freeing up funds.
For this week’s selection, we’re scanning the players lists in our two partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt.
Better Buys
In six league matches at Old Trafford this season, United have conceded just once and Louis Van Gaal’s defence looks set to continue that resilient run with the visit of a blunted West Ham. David De Gea (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 8.2m) is certain to start and requires less outlay than the Red Devils’ only other guaranteed backline regular Chris Smalling (FantasyBet 6m, PremierPunt 9.5m).
Against Swansea, Liverpool picked up a second clean sheet in six league outings under Jurgen Klopp last weekend. After selecting Alberto Moreno (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7m) in the Poundstretchers category, we hand the Spaniard a promotion this time around on the back of his maximum bonus haul against Garry Monk’s men. With a trip to struggling Newcastle up next, Moreno’s raids down the flank could finally come to fruition as he looks to add to a single assist so far.
Sadio Mane (FantasyBet 8m, PremierPunt 11.6m) looked lively in the defeat at the Etihad and created the Saints’ consolation in a 3-1 loss. The Senegalese midfielder has three goals and six assists this season and, having netted against Liverpool this evening, may well add to that tally with Aston Villa visiting St Mary’s. Dusan Tadic (FantasyBet 7m, PremierPunt 10.4m) is a viable alternative – the Serb comes in cheaper than his team-mate and is currently leading on overall points.
Romelu Lukaku (FantasyBet 8m, PremierPunt 12.1m) has been labelled as inconsistent in the past but five goals in four shows the Belgian is almost indispensable at the moment. The Capital One Cup clash with Middlesbrough, who conceded for the first time in seven matches at the Riverside, demonstrated that Lukaku’s flourishing understanding with Gerard Deulofeu (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt Forward 9.5m) has even made doubling-up on the Toffees’ attacking assets against Crystal Palace an enticing option.
Poundstretchers
Aston Villa have scored just once in their last three away trips, so investment in Southampton’s defence looks to offer value this weekend – in spite of this evening’s 6-1 home hammering at the hands of Liverpool. The cheapest route into the Saints backline is keeper Maarten Stekelenburg (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.8m), who has made 12 saves over the last four Gameweeks.
Watford have been defensively impressive in front of their own fans this season, keeping four clean sheets in seven home encounters. Given that only Arsenal, Manchester United and Palace have scored at Vicarage Road, visitors Norwich could struggle to make a breakthrough and we call upon Nathan Ake (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 6.4m) as our preferred pick – the left-back gets forward more than the other Hornets defenders and picked up an assist in the recent home clash with West Ham.
Arsenal’s injury crisis could see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (FantasyBet 6m, PremierPunt 8.4m) handed a start at home to Sunderland this weekend. With Mesut Ozil in such fine form, the former Southampton wide man could get amongst the points if the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla are indeed ruled out. Another budget friendly midfielder from a top-team is Dele Alli (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.3m). Back in contention for Tottenham’s trip to West Brom after serving a one-match suspension last weekend, he offers a cut-price route into an attack that had scored thirteen times in the last four Gameweeks.
It’s difficult to look past Watford for cut-price forward options. We highlighted Odion Ighalo’s (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 8m) record last week and the Nigerian duly delivered with a goal and an assist. Strike partner Troy Deeney (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 8m) has quietly been on a scoring run himself and, having netted in four in the last five, he offers an in-form option for the visit of Norwich.
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups heading into the weekend. I’ll return on Friday with a further assessment of this week’s partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
