It’s time for a visit to the Weekly Shop now, as we analyse 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
Chelsea kept a fifth clean sheet in seven away ties at Aston Villa and are on the road once again this weekend, with a trip to the Liberty Stadium up next. Swansea have failed to score in around a third of their matches in front of their own fans – blanking in six of 16 outings – which boosts our faith in Thibaut Courtois (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $4,100). The Blues’ number one has picked up 12 saves over the last four and has a good chance for a shutout in a round where clean sheets could be thin on the ground.
With a single goal conceded in the last four, Manchester City have been the most resilient rearguard around in recent weeks. Nicolas Otamendi (FantasyBet 6.5m, Draftkings $3,400) missed the match against Manchester United so has returned three consecutive clean sheets and is our pick of defenders for the visit of West Brom. The Baggies were dispatched 3-0 at the Hawthorns on the opening day of the season and a similar scoreline is on the cards this weekend.
Kevin De Bruyne (FantasyBet 10.5m, Draftkings $7,700) netted in the midweek Champions League clash with PSG, making it back-to-back goals since returning from injury. Although Manuel Pellegrini will have one eye on the European return leg, City still need to secure a top-four finish and the Belgian could thrive against the Baggies if he retains a central role behind Sergio Aguero.
Two goals and three assists over the four Gameweeks indicates that Alexis Sanchez (FantasyBet 11m) has finally rediscovered his top form. A trip to West Ham will be a tougher test than last week’s clash with Watford but the Chilean’s 11 attempts and 13 chances created over those four outings – compared to Mesut Ozil’s six and eight respectively – makes him the more effective weapon of choice for those investing in the Gunners attack.
Although Southampton were nullified by Leicester City’s resilient defence last weekend, we’re keeping faith in Graziano Pelle (FantasyBet 8m, Draftkings $5,600). The Italian picked up three goals and served up two assists in two appearances prior to his King Power visit and with 14 attempts and eight chances created in his previous four league outings, will fancy his chances against a Newcastle defence with one clean sheet in 16 attempts.
Poundstretchers
Watford are on a dismal run of form, having found the net just once in five outings and could struggle again at Vicarage Road with the visit of Everton. Joel Robles (FantasyBet 4m, Draftkings $3,800) has recorded two clean sheets in seven appearances since ousting Tim Howard, though has limited his opponents to a single goal on three other occasions.
We’re backing Charlie Daniels (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $4,500) to bring in the points as Bournemouth make their way to Villa Park. Granted, the Cherries have been defensively dire in recent weeks but a clean sheet could be on the cards, bearing in mind that their hosts have failed to score in four successive matches. Daniels’ three goals and five assists highlight his potential at the other end of the pitch against the basement-dwellers.
The match at Upton Park throws up a pair of budget midfielders who have both scored in back-to-back matches. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $3,400) and West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $3,900) provide cheap routes into sides at the top end of the table, in a clash that should yield goals.
A hard-fought draw at West Ham suggests that Crystal Palace could be worth our investment this time around. The Eagles welcome fellow strugglers Norwich to Selhurst Park knowing that a win would take them six points clear of the Canaries and Yannick Bolasie (FantasyBet 6m, Draftkings $6,300) could be crucial to their prospects. Having produced both his double-figure hauls at home this season, the DR Congo international is an intriguing pick against a defence with one clean sheet in their travels all season.
Alexandre Pato (FantasyBet 7m, Draftkings $4,500) marked his Chelsea debut with a converted penalty and assist to bring the Brazilian onto our radars for the trip to Swansea. With Diego Costa still suspended and Loic Remy ruled out of the trip to Wales due to injury, the Brazilian offers a bargain route into a Blues frontline that have scored eight goals in their last three on the road.
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups. 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.
