Next up this 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 three big guaranteed pots in the weekly category – the largest contest has a £400 pot with a £5 entry fee and it’s possible to enter three line-ups. There is also a £120 pot, up to 13 spots are available for a £10 fee and there are 10 places in the £20 contest for a chance to win a share of £180.
They also offer a unique single-game format for each of the 10 fixtures this weekend – these contests are quick to enter with no budget and only five picks needed, with at least one player from each team. This week there is a £25 free game for the match at Dean Court – Bournemouth’s victory at Chelsea should give them confidence as they host a Manchester United side that have been hit hard by injuries in defence.
My Team
Stoke’s recent defensive record of six shut-outs in eight cannot be ignored as they travel to a West Ham side depleted of four of their main attacking choices. I’ve gone for a double-up on the Potters options, then, with shot stopper Jack Butland (6.7m) and centre-back Philipp Wollscheid (5.8m) forming the basis of the backline.
I’ve picked Alberto Moreno (7.7m) once again, the full-back is capable of picking up points at both ends of the pitch as Liverpool host West Brom. Toby Alderwiereld’s (8.2m) threat at set-pieces earns the Belgian the final defensive spot – the visit of a Newcastle outfit that has scored only three times on their travels so far shouldn’t pose too many problems.
In midfield, it’s the usual suspects. Mesut Ozil (11.8m) has scored or assisted at least once in each of the last ten and the German is likely to continue that run in the visit to bottom-placed Aston Villa. I wanted at least one Manchester City asset as they host managerless Swansea – Kevin De Bruyne (10.1m) is 3m cheaper than David Silva (13.1m), so gets the nod. Despite a tricky home clash with Chelsea, Riyad Mahrez (9m) is handed a spot in the centre of the park after netting a hat-trick against Swansea last weekend. As a differential I’ve gone with Dan Gosling (6.8m) from Bournemouth – the midfielder has had plenty of chances over the last four weeks (12 attempts, with nine inside the box) leading to a place on Jonty’s Goals Imminent table.
For my frontline, I’m expecting Harry Kane (13.6m) to rediscover his scoring boots after back-to-back blanks, while Olivier Giroud’s (12.3m) midweek hat-trick at Olympiacos bodes well for the trip to Villa. Arouna Kone (7.6m) is the other frontman; the Ivorian should be able to add to his tally of five goals and four assists as Everton travel to promoted Norwich.
The Bottom Line
I didn’t have too much luck in the big pot last week – a total of 45 points was only enough for a 31st place, with a blank from captain Harry Kane writing off any chance of winnings.
Mark Brackley took the top spot with 65 points – Riyad Mahrez was his top scorer, while a double-up of United defenders helped net the £122.50 top prize.
A fourth place finish in the single game that covered the match at Goodison Park at least recovered some of my stake, with the £2.50 leaving me with a balance of £179.96.
This Week’s Stake
Once again I place two teams into the big £400 pot and also enter a team into the Challenge a Pundit’s £2 game. After another high finish in the free single game, I go also go with three entries there.
Stake – £12
Current Balance – £167.96
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.
