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
West Ham’s lengthy injury list looks good news for Stoke’s prospects ahead of their head-to-head at Upton Park this weekend. With Manuel Lanzini joining Dimitri Payet and Diafra Sakho on the sidelines, the Potters will be optimistic of registering a fifth clean sheets in six away matches. Jack Butland (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 6.7m) is averaging over four saves per appearance on the road and looks poised to earn the points once again.
Newcastle have scored the fewest goals (three) on the road this campaign and roll up to White Hart Lane, where Spurs boast the second-best home defence in the top-flight. A goal, an assist and five bonus points over the last three Gameweeks has launched Toby Alderweireld (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 8.2m) to second in the overall defenders leaderboard, just two points behind Chris Smalling (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt 9m).
After the Tuesday night Champions League victory, Kevin de Bruyne (FantasyBet 10m, PremierPunt 10.1m) has now reached twenty appearances for Manchester City, scoring nine goals and serving up as many assists over a bright start that has confirmed his Fantasy pedigree. The Belgian scored the opener and created the following two goals in the 3-1 win over Southampton in City’s previous home match and, with Sergio Aguero potentially missing once again, he looks the safe option as they welcome managerless Swansea side to the Etihad.
Harry Kane (FantasyBet 9.5m, PremierPunt 13.6m) has not scored in the last two but a home tie against a defensive Chelsea side and a trip to the Hawthorns were not fixtures that promised much. Prior to those two blanks, the frontman scored seven goals in four matches and the visit of a Newcastle outfit that has conceded 14 times in their last four away matches provides a chance to return to form.
Poundstretchers
Leicester have been quietly improving at the back in recent weeks on their march to the top of the table. Kasper Schmeichel (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 6.8m) now has three clean sheets in six matches and will not be fazed by the visit of a disjointed Chelsea team that have scored a single goal over the last four Gameweeks.
Sunderland’s upturn in form, with two wins and a pair of clean sheets in the last three Gameweeks, is partly down to Sam Allardyce’s move to a three-man backline. The new system has allowed Patrick van Aanholt (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.7m) to operate as a wing-back and serve up a goal and assist in four appearances under the new manager, suggesting he could still earn attacking points should in-form visitors Watford find the net.
We retain our faith in Alberto Moreno (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.7m) and Dele Alli (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.8m) after selecting both as budget options last week. The former was unlucky to have a goal wrongfully disallowed at Newcastle, while Alli netted from the number ten position in Spurs’ draw at the Hawthorns. Both remain as cheap enablers and, with home fixtures against West Brom and Newcastle respectively, could get amongst the points this weekend.
Stoke’s impressive season was lacking in goal threat but in Marko Arnautovic (FantasyBet 6m, PremierPunt 8.5m forward) and Xherdan Shaqiri (FantasyBet 7m, PremierPunt 7.8m) they have a burgeoning partnership of creative talent that provided two quality first half strikes against Man City. A trip to West Ham, who have kept a single clean sheet in seven at Upton Park, offers the duo an opportunity to link up effectively once again. A brace for Arnautovic meant the Austrian now has five goals and two assists, whilst Shaqiri’s pair of assists suggests the Swiss international is finally settling at the Britannia.
Rather than repeat our praise of Odion Ighalo (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.5m) and Troy Deeney (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.5m) every week, we’re going to propose a couple of inexpensive forward differentials. Arouna Kone (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.6m) may be overshadowed by the new-found consistency of Romelu Lukaku (FantasyBet 8m, PremierPunt 11.6m) but the Ivorian is capable of substantial scores, as evidenced by his 20-point haul at home to Sunderland in Gameweek 11. An explosive forward with five goals and four assists to his name, he looks worth considering at those prices as the Toffees head to Norwich.
Crystal Palace’s strikers are still yet to score this campaign but Connor Wickham (FantasyBet 6m, PremierPunt 6.9m) could soon break that duck after recently returning from injury. The summer signing has now started the last three and his pair of assists in the previous home clash indicates his improvement ahead of the visit of a Southampton side that have conceded 10 times in their last three league and cup matches.
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.
