With rest and rotation a major factor over the frantic festive spell, those deploying lineups in weekly Fantasy Football games will need to roll the dice ahead of Gameweek 19. Fortunately, we’ve done some of the analytical leg-work for you, assessing the player lists of our partner games to pinpoint the likely targets that will make up our own weekly squads.
As always, 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 once again scanning the players lists in our two partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt.
Better Buys
Although West Ham conceded a first goal in four matches last weekend, courtesy of a Jordan Ayew spot-kick, Adrian (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 7.4m) was still integral to maintaining their unbeaten run. The Spaniard secured a fifth successive draw by making six saves and also picked up a bonus point, suggesting he could be on for a healthy return if a resurgent Southampton can be held at bay at Upton Park.
I’m looking to West Brom for a key member of my defence. The Baggies started the season displaying the typical characteristics of a Tony Pulis side by keeping six clean sheets in the opening ten Gameweeks. Since then, they’ve conceded in every match, though the recent victory over Arsenal, followed by draws with Spurs and Liverpool, suggests that Pulis is stabilising matters. Craig Dawson (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 7.6m) has netted twice so far this campaign, demonstrating his threat from dead-balls. More significantly, West Brom will face a Newcastle side that have conceded 71 attempts from set plays – only Crystal Palace and West Ham (74 apiece) have allowed their opponents more. In addition, the Magpies boast the worst away scoring record on the road, having netted just five times on their travels.
Liverpool’s erratic season continued last weekend, with victory over table-toppers Leicester earning a first win in four matches. Although Philippe Coutinho (FantasyBet 8m, Premier Punt 10.9m) failed to get in the points, he proved a troublesome presence in the Reds attack, producing five attempts and three key passes against the Foxes. Having scored three and served up an assist in his last trio of away performances, the Brazilian should be considered as Jurgen Klopp’s men visit a Sunderland side that have conceded 11 over their last four outings.
Up front, I’ve got to back Arsenal against a Bournemouth side that’s likely to be weary following a gruelling home encounter with Palace on Boxing Day. The Gunners have to retaliate after their humbling at Southampton and Olivier Giroud (FantasyBet 8.5m, Premier Punt 13m) has to be their main source of goals against the Cherries. The Frenchman may not have scored at St Mary’s but he’s still notched 10 times already this term, netting just under every 100 minutes in the league since September. Furthermore, Eddie Howe’s men have conceded 32 goals on the road – only Newcastle and Sunderland have allowed more.
Poundstretchers
Crystal Palace kept a fifth clean sheet of the season at Dean Court, their second in three matches. Wayne Hennessey (FantasyBet 4m, Premier Punt 5.5m) has been beaten no more than once over the last nine matches and has also picked up a save point in each of his previous four appearances. Swansea travel to Selhurst Park having blanked in five of their last eight outings, making a double-up with Scott Dann (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 7.8m) or the more budget friendly Joel Ward (FantasyBet 4m, Premier Punt 6.1m) a tempting move.
I’m also considering the fixture at Carrow Road as a potential source of defensive points, given the lack of goal threat from both attacks on show. The likely keepers involved – Declan Rudd of Norwich and Villa’s Brad Guzan – look worthy options. You can snap them up for just 4.0 in Fantasy Bet, whilst in Premier Punt you can acquire Rudd for just 5.0m, making him the preferred choice; Guzan will sent you back a less appealing 6.4m.
Liverpool’s turbulent results could be blamed on an unsettled side littered with injuries. This has, however, allowed Alberto Moreno (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 6.7m) to nail down a starting spot and while the Reds have only kept two clean sheets over the last nine, the full-back has strong underlying attacking stats that could turn into points before too long. Holding off a Leicester City for the first time this season could mark an upturn in shut-outs, whilst, encouragingly, Jurgen Klopp’s side have conceded just 17 attempts in the box over the last four Gameweeks – only Manchester United have allowed fewer in the same spell.
My budget target in midfield takes me back to East Anglia to acquire Norwich City playmaker Wes Hoolahan (FantasyBet 4.5m Premier Punt 7.9m). Rested for the Boxing Day trip to White Hart Lane, the impish architect will be back to play a key role in a vital clash with struggling Aston Villa.
Up front, it’s difficult to look beyond Stoke City’s Bojan (FantasyBet 5m Premier Punt 7.3m). The Spaniard is part of an enterprising Potters attack which will drop in at Goodison full of confidence following the win over United on Boxing Day. Everton have kept just a single clean sheet in front of their own fans and, with Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri also in form for Mark Hughes’ men, I can see Bojan continue the run that’s brought him three goals in his last six outings.
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups heading into this week’s fixtures. I’ll bring you up to date on my progress in our partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt – in my articles next week, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
