The Christmas coverage continues with a scan of Premier Punt’s festive competitions, along with a catch-up on my progress in my ongoing quest for Fantasy Football profit.
There are three big guaranteed prize funds for the Boxing Day fixtures on PremierPunt, the largest contest has a £350 pot with a £5 entry fee and it’s possible to enter three lineups. There is also a £100 pot for a £10 fee and for the high-rollers there’s a £20 contest for a chance to win a share of £150. The Challenge the Pundits contest is only £2 to enter and the team below will be going into that contest.
They also offer a unique single game format for each fixture, these contests are quick to enter with no budget and only five picks are needed with at least one player from each team. There’s a free £25 pot for the match at Anfield this week as Leicester attempt to extend their lead at the top. The Foxes are looking for a fifth consecutive away win, having scored three goals in each of their last four on the road. While Liverpool will be without Martin Skrtel and have won only three of eight home matches this campaign.
My Team
Jack Butland (7m) may have conceded twice to Crystal Palace but seven clean sheets in nine matches prior to that slip-up means the shot-stopper continues to offer value, especially when they’re hosting a Manchester United unit that have made just 88 attempts on goal away from home, the fourth worst in the league.
I’ve gone for Aaron Cresswell (7.4m) from a West Ham back-line that are looking for a fourth successive shut-out as they travel to Aston Villa, who have failed to score in five of eight outings at Villa Park. Swansea’s goalless stalemate with the Hammers provided a third clean sheet of the campaign, all have arrived at the Liberty Stadium and a visit from West Brom offers the chance of another, the Baggies have had just 37 shots in the box on their travels, less than Newcastle and Norwich (both 45) so Ashley Williams (7.4m) finds a berth. Eric Dier (7.9m) completes the defence, slightly cheaper than Toby Alderwiereld (8.2m), the defender has scored three goals at White Hart Lane in a deep-lying midfield role so could prosper with Norwich visiting White Hart Lane.
The first pick in midfield, Riyad Mahrez (9.1m) is an easy decision following the Algerian’s seven goals in his last three away outings, the Foxes winger should be in the points again at Anfield. Dele Alli (7.9m) is a much cheaper option than Harry Kane (13.5m) and had a stand-out performance at Southampton with a goal and an assist. Mesut Ozil (11.9m) remains undroppable, his remarkable consistency continued with a pair of assists against Manchester City meaning the German has returned points in his last eleven league outings.
Kevin de Bruyne (10.2m) is the final midfielder, the Belgian’s form has dropped off after failing to contribute in five of City’s last six, the ex-Wolfsburg player prefers home comforts though, with three goals and four assists in seven league matches at the Etihad so could re-ignite his season against Sunderland. Sergio Aguero (16m) also has a chance to improve on his seven goals so far, City will be keen to bounce back from the defeat against Arsenal and the Argentine should be fitter after a 62 minute run out at the Emirates.
Alongside City’s front-man I’ve gone for two in-form budget options, Jamie Vardy (7.7m) failed to notch at Everton but two assists demonstrate that the league’s top-scorer is also a creative force. Odion Ighalo (7.3m) continued a remarkable record for the year, a brace against Liverpool the fourth match in a row the Nigerian has netted, bringing his league tally to 12, a trip to Chelsea no longer looks a daunting prospect for the Hornets striker.
The Bottom Line
After a successful result last week it was back down to earth with just £1.35 returned from the single game covering the match between the Saints and Spurs. In the big pot my 46 points was far off the top spot, FPL Coach won with Branislav Ivanovic, Odion Ighalo and his captain Riyad Mahrez the main contributors to a score of 69 points. I’m now on £216.43 going into the busy festive schedule.
This Week’s Stake
I place two teams into the big £350 pot and also enter a team into the challenge a pundit’s £2 game. I also enter three line-ups into the single fixture game at Anfield for £2.
Stake – £12
Current Balance – £204.43
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.
