[sbu_large_image] Tips + Guides
4 December 2015 1513 comments
James H James H
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After breaking down the changes to our Watchlist rankings for the defence and midfield over the past few days, it’s now time to turn our attention to the latest movements among the forwards. There are no changes at the top, with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku still edging out Tottenham’s Harry Kane, though Daniel Sturridge returns lower down after scoring twice in his first start under Jurgen Klopp in midweek.

With Everton still in the midst of a favourable stretch (CPL, nor, LEI, new, STO, TOT) on their schedule, Romelu Lukaku remains at the summit. The Belgian has five goals and two assists from his last four league outings, and while his price in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has risen to 9.0, that still looks outstanding value while the fixtures remain so favourable. The former Chelsea striker currently lies second in this week’s Captain Poll ahead of Monday night’s home clash against Crystal Palace.

While Tottenham’s Harry Kane blanked against Chelsea in Gameweek 14, Spurs’ generally favourable run of fixtures (wba, NEW, sot, NOR, wat, eve) mean he stays in second spot in our latest refresh. The 9.6-priced England international had been in red-hot form before last weekend, scoring seven goals in his previous four matches, and appears likely to be a leading contender for the captain’s armband for the two plum home fixtures against Newcastle and Norwich over the next few weeks.

Sergio Aguero drops down in the rankings after he was ruled out of City’s trip to Stoke by Manuel Pellegrini earlier today. The City boss is hopeful that his star striker will be back for midweek Champions League duties and with two hugely favourable home clashes (SWA, SUN) to come over the next few weeks, the Argentine could yet prosper if he can recover in time. With Wilfried Bony fit and available, though, acquiring the Argentine certainly doesn’t come without risk attached, with his minutes likely to be managed even if fit.

The extraordinary run of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy keeps rolling on, although with the fixtures over the next six Gameweeks more favourable for Lukaku and Kane, the Foxes front man stays in fourth position in our rankings. Claudio Ranieri’s side do face a reasonable match up in Gameweek 15, travelling to struggling Swansea, but their schedule thereafter (CHE, eve, liv, MCI) could limit the output of the now 7.5-rated England man.

Watford’s Odion Ighalo has certainly been one of the surprise packages of the season, and the Nigerian leads the way amongst forwards for shots from inside the box (13) and penalty box touches (31) over the last four Gameweeks. Available at a meagre 5.8 in FPL, the former Udinese attacker looks a great option in the short-term, with Norwich and Sunderland up next for Watford, although the schedule thereafter (LIV, che, TOT, MCI) stiffens up considerably.

After serving his one-match suspension, and with only two difficult fixtures in the next six (AVL, cpl, TOT, ARS, whm, nor), Southampton’s Graziano Pelle moves up a couple of spots this time around. It is a concern the Italian has only registered five shots from inside the box over the last four Gameweeks, along with the fact confidence may be low at St Mary’s following the demoralising 6-1 home defeat to Liverpool in the Capital One Cup. Nonetheless, history has shown the former Feyenoord striker can be relied upon for a steady stream of attacking points, particularly against the weaker sides in the league, so the 8.2-priced forward should remain a reliable option for Fantasy bosses.

Anthony Martial remains in contention based on the fact Man United have the most favourable upcoming schedule (WHM, bou, NOR, sto, CHE, SWA) according to our Season Ticker. The France international is unlikely to attract much investment given he hasn’t scored since Gameweek 6, while he’s only managed three goal attempts in his last four appearances. Setting us back just 7.8 in FPL, and with four home fixtures and a favourable trip to Bournemouth on the horizon, the former Monaco attacker should soon be back amongst the goals.

While Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud looks a strong option for Gameweek 15 with the Gunners entertaining Sunderland, the fact he’ll be a rotation risk for the favourable home clashes against Bournemouth and Newcastle over the festive period means he remains towards the bottom of our rankings. Theo Walcott is closing in on a first-team return and may even be available for the weekend, so the 8.9-valued Frenchman appears unlikely to be a viable option.

Daniel Sturridge
(10.1) returns to our Watchlist on the back of his impressive performance against Southampton on Wednesday night. Although Jurgen Klopp has a plethora of options in attack, Sturridge’s deadly eye for goal could well prosper over the next few fixtures (new, WBA, wat, LEI, sun, whm) despite the fact he’s very unlikely to last 90 minutes as he builds up his fitness.

Having only scored his first Premier League goal against Stoke in Gameweek 10, Watford’s Troy Deeney has since bagged another three goals, while he also has four assists to his name this season. The Hornets captain comes in at 5.1 in FPL, 0.7 cheaper than his strike partner Ighalo, and is a real differential, with his current ownership standing at just 2% in FPL. For those who favour playing with a 3-5-2 formation, the 27-year-old looks the ideal man to fill that cheap third forward slot, given he can easily be benched when he faces a difficult fixture.

  1. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Coutinho to be out only for this week or will he be back next week?

    What a nightmare KDB + Vardy --> Aguero + Coutinho (-4) has been for me...

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Should be back but they said he'd be fit this week....

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Sess!

    2. Zizoulicious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      That's what Aguero does to people 🙂

    3. drughi
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Thats really bad luck especially as I see vardy and KDB doing good this week.

      1. chinmusic
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        It's not bad luck to transfer in an injured player

        1. drughi
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          true but it's bit of bad luck with aguero also out and KDB and vardy scoring so well at the same time. Risky transfers it was

    4. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Doing reverse?

  2. I Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Really wish I did Sanchez to Hazard instead of Coutinho.

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      1 point either way.

      I'd actually still prefer Coutinho.

  3. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Kun and Cout out.

    Ouch!!

  4. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Quite a few captain contenders this week? Who do you think out of these?

    Giroud
    Lukaku
    Ozil
    Hazard

    I'm thinking Giroud or Haz just for the +Punt points? 🙂

    1. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku

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

      Ozil

  5. boc610
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    big asterix next to sturridge is that he has an hour, 65 mins tops to do damage before hes taken off

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      But he's perfectly capable

      He's 2nd on my list of players I'm scared of not owning this week

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        whos first?

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Just the hat trick then.

    3. drughi
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      His goals/minute is reaaly good though. Aguero type explosive

    4. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Good punt

  6. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    So with Kun out (again),

    Do I buy either
    A - Kane
    B - Ighalo

    For a -4,

    Or play Deulofeu and bench Kun?

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Play Deu.

  7. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Agüero > Kane/Lukaku/other worth a -4 or play Lingard?

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

    Think I'm going to bench Coutinho and play Alli.

    Looks highly unlikely Coutinho will start. Don't want to risk a 1 point cameo.

    Correct decision?

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

    2. Zizoulicious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think there will be a 1 point cameo. 60 mins+ or nothing

    3. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, I'd take a cameo from Coutinho vs Newcastle over Alli.

      1. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        And this ^^ as well

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

        Why? Alli playing no.10 vs a leaky WBA side?

        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Alli unlikey to be #10

          Dembele more likely there I have been told

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

            I think the team in the team news section makes more sense?

        2. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          He's playing no.10?

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

            See team news

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Hmm, well in that case maybe, but if Coutinho gets 45+ minutes, I'd fancy him to do better. Newcastle are terrible.

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

                I'd definitely play Cout if I thought hed get 45 mins. But surely it's 15 mins or none? Klopp didnt sound too optimistic. Maybe il just field him and see what happens.

                1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                  • 15 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  High upside, or safety.. I'm a lunatic so I'd play Cout, but I've never come 1st in this game either so maybe I'm not the best to follow 😉

    4. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      No way

      He can come on for 10 mins and still destroy Newcastle

  9. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Whatcha reckon lads?

    Sanchez ->

    A) KDB
    B) Hazard
    C) Ramsey

    C) enables Eriksen/Coutinho next week

    DDG
    Bellerin, Kolarov, VVD, Moreno
    Sanchez, Barkley, Mahrez, Bolasie
    Lukaku, Kane

    Hennessey, Simpson, Surman, Aguero
    Bank 0.1m, 1FT

    1. Cevap
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

  10. Zizoulicious
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I love the idea of bringing Sturridge in, but the reality is that he plays 60 mins max or even starts in the bench!!

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      In 60 mins, he will do plenty of damage

      1. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Very true

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      still capable of a brace minimum 😉

      1. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed, was it a straight swap from Aguero for yourself?

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Vards

          1. Zizoulicious
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Brave but could be great! I will ponder over it

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      2 goals in a few minutes away to Southampton.

      1. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Stop it.. I'll end up making a transfer I regret 😮

    4. MITRO'S ON FIRE
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I'm doing this

  11. hustler7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Current team for this weekend:

    Hennesey
    Walker Moreno Simpson Cresswell
    Coutinho* KDB Mahrez Ozil
    Kane Lukaku

    Bench: Butland, Wanyama, Aguero*, Wollscheid. 0.4 ITB

    Already did Sanchez to KDB last night.

    Should I:
    A) Transfer out Augero for -4 to Ighalo or someone else?
    B) Just play the above and if Coutinho is out just play Wanyama?

  12. Rendabomb
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Wildcard team, how's it look?

    De Gea - (Hennessey)
    Moreno - Zouma - Alderweireld - (Coates) - (Bennett)
    Hazard - Özil - De Bruyne - Mahrez - (Wanyama)
    Lukaku - Vardy - Ighalo

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Double Leicester with their upcoming fixtures and Wanyama on the bench looks a bit ropey, and no Aguero is always a risk. Also I don't like Coates and Bennett - I think there are better options at a similar price

  13. ZakAFC_
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Will Cedric play this weekend?

    1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Should do. Yoshida is dire

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

      Considering he got beat like a rented mule a couple times vs Liverpool i would say theres a chance he doesnt.

  14. Cak Juris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Damn u klopp give hope to coutinho's owner one week ago

  15. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    With Rooney Out..

    I am thinking Darren Fletcher to Lingard for (-4) and bench Coutinho this week

  16. Attaka
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    With Coutinho out that leaves me with the simple (or not so) choice of either

    A) Simpson (swa)
    B) Drinkwater (swa)

    Do I go Leicester DEF or MID?

    1. Aladdin Sané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Simpson...Swansea don't score many and Drinkwater's attacking gains aren't usually great.

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

  17. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez -> Firmino or Hazard?

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Not Hazard.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        This.

      2. Sz21
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        why not??

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          1 goal in 17 games for 11m and playing for a parked bus?
          I'll pass...

      3. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Surely he can't keep blanking? I guess Firmino is a differential too and would allow me to bring Aguero in quite easily if I have to.

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

    Time schedule on Coutinho? Back next week??

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      He's not even ruled out for this week.

      1. Costa in Wengerland
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Yes but he might not start , i dont think JK will take a risk , he said he can wait.

  19. Iain Dowies Love Child
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Guess it comes down to Barkley or Hazard - what d'ya reckon?

    1. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard about to turn the corner.

  20. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Side looks decent enough going into the weekend now I hope.

    Schmeichel
    Toby, Moreno, Kolarov
    KDB, Ozil, Hazard (c), Mahrez
    Vardy, Kane, Lukaku

    Butland, Ward, Francis, Westwood

    2.1m, 0ft

  21. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Right. Im using the ' turn back in time ' chip

    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Wish I could use it on this place to before it went insane.

  22. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Wait Coutinho got ruled out as well?

    1. BabyB
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      pretty much, yes.

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Not ruled out. Just sounds like he isnt ready

    3. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      No

    4. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      He might do a cameo

    5. MITRO'S ON FIRE
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Not entirely, but it doesn't sound good.

  23. Mark-O
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Lol at those who bought Coutinho last week on a rush.

    And this week too.

    Just kidding.

  24. Judas
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:

    Ayew (LEI)
    Mahrez (swa)
    Deulofeu (CPA)

    -Not sure I can bench Mahrez due to ownership, Ayew's stats are so poor and Deulofeu was on fire in midweek

    1. Artorias
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Tough..Ayew out of those three

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ayew

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ayew for me

  25. BenjaniMwaruwari
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Ugh Any thoughts on Begovic > Anyone for a hit (My only keeper).

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      DDG or Lloris

      1. BenjaniMwaruwari
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  26. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Guys Coutinho wasn't 100% ruled out, just a muscle feeling slightly weird if I understand correctly

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I will still play him...either 0 or 90 mins I think

  27. Irish Madridista ⭐
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Ooooooh chat sh!t get the hell out of my team Jamie! 😈

    Welcome, oh injury-prone one...

    I skipped the Aguero-craze, now to reap the benefits with my own Sturridge-craze :mrgreen:

    1. BabyB
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      i want to to do this but this quote scares me

      Klopp #LFC "@DanielSturridge obviously did well in last game. Plan was 55-60 mins. He felt each muscle after game"

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        "....which was normal" no?

        1. BabyB
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          dunno, the bbc didn't include that if he said it!

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

      Nice!

  28. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    So who for Sanchez then?
    Barkely Hazard Silva (own KBD and Lukaku if that matters)

  29. JaydenLFC87
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Has Aguero & Coutinho been confirmed out???

    1. Costa in Wengerland
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero yes , Cout no

    2. drokkeh
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      aguero yes, cout - sounds like it

    3. Darwen
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero - confirmed out
      Cout - not confirmed out

  30. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Not owning a Pool player is a pain this week as they're the obvious (c) picks but can't justify selling anyone to make room

    Really struggling to know who to go for

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Well if you have a midfield spot..

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        not this week I don't

        Ozil, Mane, Mahrez, Deulofeu

        Can't justify Mane out before Villa at home

        It's possible next week though

        1. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Sturridge if you are happy to suceedd to hugely or fail miserably

          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            can't really sell Lukaku, Kane or Ighalo though can I?