We make our way to the Weekly Shop this Monday afternoon, 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

A home tie with Norwich provides an opportunity for Jack Butland (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 7.4m) to re-establish some defensive resolve after Stoke conceded in back-to-back matches for the first time since September last time out. After two away trips, the Potters are back at the Britannia, where they’ve kept out both Manchester clubs and Chelsea in the last four league fixtures in front of their own fans. Furthermore, the Canaries have failed to net in three of their last four on the road and may struggle against the busiest shot-stopper in the division.

Three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions may finally mark the point of the season where Chelsea’s defensive assets return to Fantasy prominence. The champions now welcome a West Brom outfit that has three blanks in six on their travels, including a 1-0 defeat to Swansea in their last away match. Branislav Ivanovic (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt 9.7m) demonstrated his ability to procure large hauls with a goal and assist in the home clash against Sunderland just before Christmas, whilst an assist for Diego Costa’s opening goal against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup also indicates the Serbian’s improving form.

Marko Arnautovic (FantasyBet 6m, PremierPunt 9.2m Forward) appears to enjoy home comforts this season, with four goals in as many appearances at the Britannia. The Austrian has been integral to Mark Hughes’ side over recent weeks, with a goal and assist at Everton meaning he’s has had a 50% involvement in Stoke’s last 10 goals. Visitors Norwich, meanwhile, are the only team in the league not to have kept an away clean sheet, conceding 22 times on their travels.

Bojan Krkic (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 8.2m) is also worth considering from the Potters. Two goals and a pair of assists over the last four makes the Spaniard a cheaper alternative to Arnautovic, with both players rested in the weekend FA Cup fixture with Doncaster.

A weekend cup strike against Norwich saw Sergio Aguero (FantasyBet 13m, PremierPunt 16m) score in successive outings for the first time this term. After providing an assist in the Capital One Cup semi-final with Everton, as well as setting up Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal against the Canaries, it looks like the Argentine is finally over the injury that has seen him miss seven league matches this season. City have averaged 2.9 goals per home match so far and welcome an Everton side that have managed two shut-outs in the last 14 Gameweeks.

Poundstretchers

Wayne Hennessy (FantasyBet 4m, PremierPunt 5m) remains the go-to keeper for those who prefer to spend funds on outfield players. The 3-0 loss to Chelsea was the first time in eleven league outings that Crystal Palace conceded more than a single goal – indeed, Alan Pardew’s side roll up to basement-dwellers Villa on the back of three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks.

Swansea may have dropped out of the cup at Oxford United but with Alan Curtis making 10 changes, the first team should be refreshed for the visit of fellow strugglers Sunderland. Three consecutive shut-outs prior to the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford suggests it may be worth investing in their defence, then, with Ashley Williams (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 7.6m) the stand-out candidate, having picked up maximum bonus points for each of those clean sheets. Team-mate Angel Rangel (FantasyBet 4m, PremierPunt 5.5m) has emerged as a budget option and picked up an assist in his last home appearance, though, whilst further up the field, we’re keeping faith with Gylfi Sigurdsson (FantasyBet 7m, PremierPunt 10.8m). The playmaker was highlighted in our previous Weekly Shop article and, having notched against United, could do well again here.

Bournemouth have now failed to net in three league matches and welcome a West Ham side that have been resilient of late. Nonetheless, before the goalless draw with Crystal Palace in their last match at Dean Court, the Cherries scored three against Everton and put two past Manchester United in front of their fans. Their midfield provides some budget enablers in the shape of Junior Stanislas (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 6.2m) and Dan Gosling (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 6.9m), with both getting amongst the goals in recent outings.

We’re putting forward Andy Carroll (FantasyBet 6.0m, PremierPunt 7.8m) as a budget differential after the Hammers frontman has shown some form of late. A substitutes appearance against Wolves in the FA cup resulted in the ex-Newcastle player setting up Nikica Jelavic’s late winner and, after scoring in his last two league matches, he could prove the difference once again in the visit to Bournemouth.

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.