We pop out to the Weekly Shop for our final Wednesday article, as we analyse the player lists of our partner games to highlight the likely targets that will make up our own weekly squads.
As per usual, 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
Given that Crystal Palace have lost their last five consecutive home matches, conceding 12 goals in the process, they face a tough task to halt Leicester City’s charge for the title as the league leaders visit Selhurst Park this weekend. Against Newcastle, Kasper Schmeichel (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $4,000) kept a third clean sheet in four league outings, while investment in the usual outfield assets also looks set to continue returning points.
Craig Dawson (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $4,200) is expected to be fit for West Brom’s encounter with Norwich City as he looks to add to his three-goal haul this season. If the right-back misses out, though, Jonas Olsson (FantasyBet 4m, Draftkings $2,200) or Gareth McCauley (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $2,100) could be worth considering. Alex Neil’s side are struggling for goals, having failed to net in five of their last seven matches, so clean sheet points look on the cards for the Baggies’ rearguard.
Swansea may have fallen to defeat to in-form Bournemouth but Francesco Guidolin has overseen a revival in the Welsh side’s fortunes of late, picking up back-to-back wins prior to the encounter at Dean Court. A home tie with basement-dwellers Aston Villa is a promising opportunity for the Swans to distance themselves from a relegation scrap and they offer us strong options at either end of the pitch. Ashley Williams (FantasyBet 4.5m) has been the stand-out defender, picking up 20 points from seven clean sheets, whilst Gylfi Sigurdsson (FantasyBet 7m) has been the main goal threat, scoring seven times in 11 appearances since the turn of the year.
Harry Kane’s (FantasyBet 9.5m) season appears to be on an upward trajectory as Spurs head into the run-in with a chance of silverware. The forward’s double against Aston Villa leaves him one strike short of the 20-goal mark ahead of a home clash with a Bournemouth outfit that’s kept only three clean sheets on their travels. Encouragingly, Kane has produced double the number of shots on target than Sergio Aguero (12 to six) over their respective last four matches.
Poundstretchers
Watford’s win over Arsenal in the FA cup could kick-start their league form after a recent run of inconsistent displays. Considering that eight of the Hornets’ ten shut-outs this campaign have arrived at Vicarage Road, Heurelho Gomes (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $3,800) and his backline clearly prefer home comforts, and the visit of a Stoke side that have blanked in half of their last eight away ties bodes well for the Brazilian shot-stopper.
Kevin Wimmer (FantasyBet 4.5m) makes another appearance in the bargain picks – the defender helped Spurs to a first clean sheet in five at Villa Park and remains a budget route into the meanest defence in the division. Eric Lamela (FantasyBet 6.5m) may not have the allure of more obvious picks such as Dele Alli (FantasyBet 5m) and Christian Eriksen (FantasyBet 8.5m) but the Argentine is quietly having a productive season with three goals and five assists tallied so far. Over the last six, he’s recorded far more shots in the box (12) than Eriksen (five) and Alli three), despite registering less pitch time ahead of the home clash against Bournemouth.
Rafa Benitez’s appointment should make the Tyne-Wear Derby an even more compelling clash, with both clubs’ top-flight status hanging in the balance. Jermain Defoe (FantasyBet 5m) picked up an eleventh goal of the term to secure a valuable point for the Black Cats at Southampton – the veteran forward has scored five of Sunderland’s last seven away goals and appears the most likely to dent Newcastle’s hopes. Wahbi Khazri (FantasyBet 6m) also continues to impress – a total of 39 crosses, 14 chances created and 11 attempts on goal over six appearances suggests further points are incoming if he can shrug off a knock.
We now turn to a pair of assets from a West Brom attack that has been surprisingly prolific of late. Midfielder Craig Gardner (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $4,200) has scored twice and served up an assist over the last three, while forward Salomon Rondon (FantasyBet 6.5m, Draftkings $4,200) has recorded four goals and an assist in five starts for the Baggies. Both could prove good value with opponents Norwich yet to keep a shut-out in 15 away ties.
Diego Costa’s two-match suspension brings Bertrand Traore (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $3,300) into our thinking once again. The youngster was on the bench for the weekend defeat to Everton but having scored four goals and picked up an assist over five outings in the league and FA Cup for the Blues, he could be poised to lead the line as West Ham visit Stamford Bridge.
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.
