We pay our second visit to the Weekly Shop within the space of a few days this afternoon, as we assess 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 player lists in our two partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt.
Better Buys
Leicester’s first goal in four league matches, courtesy of a late header from Robert Huth (FantasyBet 4m, PremierPunt 6.7m), reflects how Claudio Ranieri’s side have been relying on their defence to secure points in recent weeks. The Foxes travel to Aston Villa looking for a fourth consecutive clean sheet and the form of Kasper Schmeichel (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 6.6m) – who saved all five of Spurs’ shots on target last night – could be crucial, with Riyad Mahrez (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt 9.3m) and Jamie Vardy (FantasyBet 7.5m, PremierPunt 7.7m) failing to maintain their early-season displays.
For Tottenham, an eighth clean sheet of the campaign was on the cards until Huth’s late midweek winner. Mauricio Pochettino’s troops will be sorely disappointed to have conceded just an eighth goal at White Hart Lane, with only Manchester United and Arsenal shipping fewer at home. The visit of a Sunderland side that scored four at Swansea will be another test of concentration but they should be worth backing against the Black Cats, particularly those defenders who pose a threat at the other end of the pitch. With that in mind, Toby Alderweireld (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 8.2m) looks a good pick, with two goals and a trio of assists to his name this term.
After a run of eight matches without a victory, West Ham recorded a third straight win with a convincing 3-1 display at Bournemouth, masterminded by the insuppressible talents of Dimitri Payet (FantasyBet 7.5m, PremierPunt 7.5m). The midfielder followed up a cameo appearance at Liverpool by bagging a goal and assist at Dean Court and, after missing seven league matches, has re-found his form almost immediately ahead of a trip to Newcastle – a side he’s already scored twice against earlier in the season.
Despite last night’s blank, I’m keeping faith in Sergio Aguero (FantasyBet 13m, PremierPunt 16.0m) for City’s home encounter with Palace. The Argentine missed the creativity of David Silva (FantasyBet 10m, PremierPunt 13.4m) against Everton and the Spaniard is expected to return to the starting XI after being afforded a late sub appearance against the Toffees. City should have too much firepower for Alan Pardew’s men, who have lost to basement-dwellers Villa and conceded three at home to Chelsea in their last two matches.
Poundstretchers
Fraser Forster’s (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 5.0m) first appearance of the season coincided with a second clean sheet in nine matches for Southampton. The shot stopper was not tested too much by the unusually quiet Watford frontmen in midweek, but, having picked up 13 clean sheets last term, his return could make investing in the Saints backline viable once again. Matt Targett (FantasyBet 4m, PremierPunt 5.0m) made a rare outing and picked up an assist for Shane Long’s (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.2m) opener. The budget defender was utilised at left wing-back as Ronald Koeman employed a 3-5-2 formation and could also be worth selecting for the visit of West Brom if he can retain that starting spot. It’s perhaps worth noting that the likes of Spurs also played with 3-5-2 formations to combat the Hornets, though Koeman has trialled that system on a handful of occasions already this season.
Bournemouth may have capitulated to the Hammers but were showing some signs of defensive resilience, having conceded just four goals in their previous six matches. A visit from fellow newcomers Norwich gives the Cherries a decent chance of picking up a fourth clean sheet in eight, given that only West Brom have had less shots in the box on the road than the Canaries. Charlie Daniels (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 7.0m) scored from the penalty spot against the Baggies just before Christmas and has also provided two assists for Eddie Howe’s side, highlighting his potential in the final third.
Newcastle’s six-goal thriller with Manchester United suggests we could see another high-scoring match with West Ham next up at St James’ Park. We’ve already proposed Dimitri Payet as a route into Slaven Bilic’s in-form side but Michail Antonio (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 5m) could offer even better value – in his last four outings, the midfielder has served up two goals and four assists. For the Magpies, Georginio Wijnaldum (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt 7.9m) picked up his first returns in six matches against United, netting an eighth goal of the season. After recording 12 shots in the box over the last four weeks, the Dutchman could be Steve McClaren’s answer to the Hammers’ Payet.
After scoring in six consecutive outings, Odion Ighalo (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.4m) has now failed to net in back-to-back matches against Man City and Southampton. The forward – who has not gone three outings without a goal since August – travels to an out-of-sorts Swansea side that have just conceded four at home to Sunderland last night.
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.
