Next up this busy Friday afternoon, we take time to check out the Premier Punt game as I reveal my plans for the upcoming round of fixtures.
This Week’s Games
Premier Punt have four big guaranteed pots in the weekly category, with the largest contest being a £350 game for a £5 buy-in – it’s possible to enter three line-ups and there’s also a £50 pot for the same entrance fee. They have now also set player limits on the £100 pot, up to 11 spots are available for a £10 fee and there are eight places in the £20 contest for a chance to win £150.
They also offer the single-game format for each of the ten match-ups, which are quick and easy to enter with only five players needing to be selected and an unlimited budget. The fixture at the Britannia has picked up the most stakes so far – Stoke have recorded five clean sheets over their last seven matches, while City have failed to score in each of their last two away trips so could struggle here, particularly with Sergio Aguero sidelined yet again.
The other stand-out single game on Premier Punt is the Monday night clash between Everton and Crystal Palace – there’s a £25 free-roll pot available and up to 3 line-ups can be entered.
My Team
Manchester United boast the meanest defence in front of their own fans ahead of the visit of West Ham. The Red Devils have conceded a single goal in six at Old Trafford, so I’ve spent more funds than usual on my back-line to find David De Gea (8.2m) and Chris Smalling (9.5m) places in my team.
Watford look good for investment at both ends of the pitch for their home encounter with Norwich. Four clean sheets in six at Vicarage Road bodes well for defensive options so I’ve gone with Nathan Ake (6.4m), while Troy Deeney (8m) and Odion Ighalo (8m) are the most in-form strike partnership in the league – I’ve settled on the former as a contrarian play.
I then turn my attention to Liverpool after their midweek victory over Southampton, Alberto Moreno (7m) is not only a cheap route into the defence but should have plenty of opportunities to get forward against Newcastle. James Milner (9.7m) finds a spot in midfield after scoring two penalties in recent weeks. To be honest, I would prefer Philippe Coutinho but there’s too much doubt surrounding his availability.
Arsenal may be winless in three outings and in the midst of an injury crisis but they should have enough quality to see off Sunderland at the Emirates. The reliable Mesut Ozil (12.4m) finds a berth, then, and I also turn to the fit-again Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (8.4m) as a differential. Kevin De Bruyne (9.7m) may be facing a tough Stoke defence but at that price the Belgian looks undroppable after heavy involvement in City’s recent goals across all competitions.
Jamie Vardy travels to Swansea looking for a twelfth successive league goal and remains great value at just 7.5. Harry Kane (13.1m) is the final piece of the puzzle – although the Spurs forward blanked against Chelsea, seven goals in the four matches prior to that suggests more points are on the way in the trip to West Brom.
The Bottom Line
A 13th place finish in the big £350 pot with 62 points was frustratingly just two points off earning some winnings. Ryan Sharp bagged top spot – Kevin De Bruyne as captain (26 points) and Junior Stanislas (12) made up half his 76 points. I had better luck in the single game contest between Leicester and United, a joint-third and seventh spot finish saw two of my line-ups in the money spots, bringing in £4.12 and leaving me on £191.46 overall.
This Week’s Stake
After narrowly missing out in the big pot last week, I rein in my spending a little and enter two teams into the £350 pot. I also put the line-up above in the “Challenge a Pundit” £2 contest. After the success last week, I also enter three line-ups into the £25 free single game at Goodison.
Stake – £12
Current Balance – £179.46
If you would like to take me on in that £2 challenge a pundit game or try out PremierPunt’s unique single fixtures game sign up here.
