Our Wednesday evening jaunt to the Weekly Shop arrives, as we cast an eye over the player lists of our partner games to pinpoint the likely targets that will make up our own weekly squads.
As always, we divide the player analysis into two parts: I’ll highlight 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
Watford have not been keeping many clean sheets of late, registering only one in seven league outings. Heurelho Gomes (FantasyBet 4.5m Draftkings $4,000), however, has leapt to the top of the goalkeeper leaderboard after recording two penalty stops at West Brom – the Brazilian has now made ten more saves this campaign than any other keeper. An average of 4.8 saves per match over the last 10 Gameweeks suggests the Hornets keeper should be able to keep out an Aston Villa side that have scored once in six away trips.
Sunderland moved out of the drop zone thanks to a goalless draw with Arsenal that provided a third shut-out in four matches. Sam Allardyce has clearly focused on defensive resilience for the run-in and another clean sheet is on the cards against a Stoke side that have failed to net in back-to-back matches. Patrick Van Aanholt (FantasyBet 4.5m Draftkings $4,000) has scored five goals this campaign and while none have arrived since January, seven attempts over his last four appearances shows the Dutchman is still getting chances.
Dimitri Payet (FantasyBet 7.5m Draftkings $8,200) picked up a tenth assist of the campaign at home to Watford last time out and continues to post impressive numbers, with 16 chances created and 11 attempts on goal over his last four run outs. West Ham should be fresh for the visit to West Brom after having a ten-day break since their previous match, while the Baggies picked up a hard-fought draw at Spurs on Monday night.
Alexis Sanchez (FantasyBet 11m Draftkings Forward $7,400) may have blanked at the Stadium of Light but a recent record of six goals and three assists in seven league appearances makes the Chilean difficult to ignore at home to a Norwich side with a single clean sheet on their travels all season.
It may be a week to play a five-man midfield or punt on some budget frontmen in our line-ups with big hitting strikers having limited appeal for various reasons. Manchester City travel to Southampton and Sergio Aguero (FantasyBet 13m) may well see reduced pitch time with a trip to Real Madrid soon after. Elsewhere, a Europa League semi-final with Villarreal also reduces the appeal of Liverpool’s attackers for their visit to Swansea, whilst Romelu Lukaku (FantasyBet 9m) may be playing at home to Bournemouth but is without a goal in five league matches. Harry Kane (FantasyBet 9.5m) looks a safer bet, though – the Spurs frontman has netted eight goals in seven and faces a Chelsea side that have only kept out Aston Villa in their last ten matches.
Jamie Vardy’s extended suspension could see Leonardo Ulloa (FantasyBet 5m) start once again if the Argentine can recover from a back injury that forced his withdrawal last time out. Shinji Okazaki (FantasyBet 5.5m) would be the most likely alternative, though be sure to check team news if you’re backing the Foxes to prosper at Old Trafford.
Poundstretchers
The Black Cats keeper Vito Mannone (FantasyBet 4m Draftkings $3,600) has been key to their recent solidity with back-to-back double-digit hauls making the Italian a tempting budget option to consider between the sticks for the trip to the Britannia.
Jamaal Lascelles (FantasyBet 4m Draftkings $2,400) appears to have cemented a spot in Rafa Benitez’s backline ahead of a home clash with a Crystal Palace side that will be focused on staying fit for the FA Cup final. The Magpies conceded just once in their two St James’ matches in Gameweek 34 and Lascelles also grabbed a goal in the first of those fixtures, earning a 14-point haul in the 3-0 win over Swansea.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi (FantasyBet 4.5m Draftkings $4,600) continues to be picked ahead of more established team-mates and has started six successive matches. Although the youngster’s form has dropped off, a pair of goals and as many assists since becoming a regular in the team still represents a decent return for a winger that provides a bargain route into an Arsenal midfield facing the Canaries at the Emirates.
Andy Carroll (FantasyBet 6m Draftkings $5,000) should be well-suited for the likely aerial battles at the Hawthorns. The Hammers frontman delivered a sixth goal in five outings in the trip to Watford last time out and looks to be finding his best form ahead of next week’s pair of fixtures.
Jermain Defoe (FantasyBet 5m Draftkings $5,100) arrives on our radar for Sunderland’s trip to a Stoke side that’s conceded four times in each of their previous three. The Black Cats top scorer seems to fare better on the road and has netted ten of his 13 goals away from home this season.
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.
