We head out to the Weekly Shop now, assessing the player lists of our partner games to highlight 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 focusing on the FantasyBet and DraftKing player lists.
Better Buys
Although the Stoke defence has been underwhelming of late, with a single clean sheet in eight matches, the potential return of Ryan Shawcross should boost their prospects of returns. Even if their skipper fails to make it, we reckon the Potters should still manage to keep out a visiting Aston Villa that have blanked in three of their last four matches. Jack Butland (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $4,100) offers a safe route into the hosts backline and is joint-top with Petr Cech for total saves (88) this season.
Despite conceding against Arsenal and Manchester City in their previous couple of outings, Leicester City have to be backed at home to Norwich this time out. The Foxes have five clean sheets in the last eight Gameweeks, whilst their visitors have failed to net in five of their last seven away matches. Christian Fuchs’ crossing from open play and set-piece duties have provided three assists already this term, making the Austrian full-back a sound option in both FantasyBet (4.5m) and Draftkings ($4,600).
It’s tempting to invest heavily in a Spurs side that host Swansea City, though it’s worth bearing in mind that the North London club have struggled in post-Europa league matches this campaign and face Fiorentina tomorrow night. Dele Alli remains at the bargain price of 5.0m in FantasyBet (and $6,100 in Draftkings) and with two goals and three assists in his last four appearances, the midfielder is an obvious one to consider. Mauricio Pochettino is likely to put the onus on winning the league match with the potential of a title push on the cards and Harry Kane’s (FantasyBet 9.5m, Draftkings $8,300) five goals in as many matches also makes it difficult to ignore. The Spurs top scorer is expected to wear a protective mask to cover a broken nose on Sunday afternoon.
Jamie Vardy (FantasyBet 7.5m, Draftkings $7,400) faces a Norwich side that arrives in relegation form, having picked up a single point in six league outings. The Foxes frontman is likely to be a very popular pick this week across the games – after a six-week barren spell, Vardy appears to have rediscovered his eye for goal and netted four goals in as many fixtures.
Poundstretchers
West Brom’s Ben Foster (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $3,700) has regained the keeper’s jersey from Boaz Myhill and looks a good value option in Draftkings in particular, having produced 18 saves in four starts since his return (with a point available for each save). Those shot-stopping abilities could help bring a third clean sheet in five outings for Tony Pulis’ side as they host a struggling Crystal Palace.
Kevin Wimmer (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $2,100) has earned two clean sheets in three starts for Spurs as a result of Jan Vertonghen’s absence. While the Austrian may not offer the same sort of attacking threat as his defensive team-mates, that bargain price is too good to overlook at home to Swansea on Sunday afternoon.
In DraftKings it’s worth considering Southampton centre-backs as budget options if you’re backing the Saints to keep a seventh consecutive clean sheet. Chelsea travel to St Mary’s having failed to score at Watford in their last road match but have shown some ruthless form since, putting five past both Newcastle and a weakened City team in the FA cup. Virgil van Dijk (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $3,000) and Jose Fonte (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $2,600) aren’t going to be providing many crosses, one of the main traits we look for in a DraftKings defender, but the duo could turn out to be effective enablers if funds are proving tight.
West Ham’s encounter with Sunderland at Upton Park affords us some tempting options. Aaron Cresswell (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $4,100) is not the most budget-friendly defender but still offers value – the full-back’s attacking forays have delivered a goal and three assists so far this season. Michail Antonio (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $4,900) has scored three in four at home and his five assists in nine outings indicates why the midfielder is rivaling the more expensive Dimitri Payet (FantasyBet 7.5m, Draftkings $8,000) in our attentions.
We also fancy Stoke pair Marko Arnautovic (FantasyBet 6.0m, Draftkings $4,700) and Xherdan Shaqiri (FantasyBet 6.5m, Draftkings $5,300) do bring in the points at home to basement-dwellers Villa. Arnautovic looks in line to recover from illness and has already notched against the likes of Chelsea, City and United at home, whilst Shaqiri grabbed an assist in the 3-1 win at Bournemouth last time out.
For cheap striker options we’re turning to the match at Vicarage Road. Bournemouth travel to Watford with both the promoted sides offering strikers that won’t break the bank. Cherries new boy Benik Afobe (FantasyBet 6m, Draftkings $4,700) has scored in both his away appearances since making a winter move from Wolves. For the hosts, Troy Deeney’s (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $5,500) brace against Crystal Palace reminded us of his spot-kick duties and the Hornets skipper could be a viable budget alternative to the out-of-sorts Odion Ighalo (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $6,600).
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups heading into the midweek fixtures. Tomorrow I’ll also bring you up to date on my progress in FantasyBet, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
