Selection
7 May 2016 2010 comments
James Barnes James Barnes
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All three of this week’s Picks have a couple of matches on their weekend agendas. This time around, Chelsea, Norwich and West Ham’s midfields supply us with a player apiece as we roll out a trio of overlooked Fantasy options for your Saturday morning consideration.

Willian

Following a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, Chelsea rebounded with a resounding 4-1 victory against Bournemouth and a spirited draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur, renewing our confidence in their offensive assets before successive trips to Sunderland and Liverpool. Eden Hazard’s resurgence (three goals in two) renders him the prime pick, yet Willian (7.0) – who notched a goal and assist in his last two starts – harbours promise as a cheaper route into the Blues’ attack.

In Chelsea’s previous quartet of encounters, Willian charted top among their midfielders for attempts (ten) and joint-second for key passes (six). In addition, only three midfielders around the league managed more shots inside the box (eight) during their last four outings, illuminating his goal threat beyond free kicks.

Considering that the Blues scored four goals in two of their last three road clashes, they’ll be relishing the prospect of facing a Sunderland defence that ranks joint-third-bottom for clean sheets (six) and second for shots inside the box conceded (308). As for their journey to Anfield, Liverpool will certainly have one eye fixated on the Europa League final on May 18, potentially allowing Willian to capitalise on any weakened team sheet.

Cheikhou Kouyate

Belying his role as an enforcer, Cheikhou Kouyate (5.2) emerged as one of West Ham’s most effective attackers across their previous two fixtures, registering a goal and two assists. If the underlying statistics are anything to go by, the Senegal international has been afforded the license to maraud forward as the Irons mount a last-ditch attempt at sealing a top-fourth berth, making him an intriguing alternative to the similarly priced Manuel Lanzini (4.9) ahead of consecutive home ties (SWA, MUN).

Kouyate placed joint-second for attempts (six), second for shots on target (three) and top for shots inside the box (five) among West Ham’s midfielders over their last four outings. Furthermore, he ranked top for penalty-box touches (18), tallying seven more than Dimitri Payet (11). Confirming that his recent output isn’t just an aberrance, Kouyate boasts five more shots inside the box (34) than any of his West Ham counterparts this term.

Ahead of their final two league fixtures at Upton Park, the Hammers’ attack is motoring at present and have scored at least twice in each of their previous seven. As such, they’re well placed to punish a Swansea rearguard that’s conceded the fifth-most goals (31) and fourth-most shots inside the box (171) in away clashes. Feeding into Kouyate’s primary strength, Man United surrendered the joint-fourth most shots inside the box (52) in their previous six outings, which bodes well for the Red Devils’ visit in a match that could prove decisive to the Hammers’ European prospects for 2016/17.

Robbie Brady

In the wake of three successive blanks, Norwich City – who currently sit two points adrift of safety – have no option but to go for broke in their back-to-back home ties against United and Watford this Gameweek. Alex Neil’s decision to reinstate Wes Hoolahan and Nathan Redmond last time out illustrated the Canaries’ adoption of a more attacking philosophy, which in turn augments the appeal of all-action midfielder Robbie Brady (5.4).

Across Norwich’s previous four outings, Brady mustered more shots on target (four) than any of his team-mates. The former Hull City recruit also served up eight attempts and the most key passes (seven), underlining his capacity for attacking returns. Taking the campaign in its entirety, Brady has amassed more attempts (52), key passes (53) and shots on target (18) than the rest of Norwich’s midfield contingent.

Although the Norfolk outfit have struggled in the final third of late, the fact that they recorded the seventh-most attempts (57) over their last four fixtures suggests they have still posed a decent threat. Notwithstanding Manchester United’s laudable home form, they’ve only managed five clean sheets on the road. Moreover, the Canaries will be encouraged that Watford have just three shut-outs to their name in 16 match-ups.

  1. Gunned Down
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Mignolet or Robles, who to play??

    1. LaLaLand
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      mig

      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        What if Ward plays?

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I'd play Migs, it will be the last day of the season that Klopp will rest the entire first team anyway

  2. LaLaLand
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    hovering just outside top 1000

    did Simpson KDB Kane > PVA Hazard Defoe for -8

    DDG (Robles)
    PVA Cresswell TFM (Kos Gabriel)
    Hazard Payet (TC) Lanzini Willian (Sanchez)
    Aguero Lukaku Defoe

    worth another hit for TFM > Smalling/Azpi?

  3. VRP
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    De Gea
    Cresswell - Moreno - Smalling
    Hazard - Firmino - Coutinho - Payet (c)
    Rashford - Lukaku - Carroll
    (Darlow - Sanchez - Bellerin - Simpson)

    2 questions:
    1) Should I use Bench Boost or Triple Captain?

    2) Should I take hits to trade out Coutinho and/or Lukaku?

    Cheers

    1. LaLaLand
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      TC
      No

  4. Mikkyf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Gomes
    Cresswell PVA lovren (smalling)
    Payet Barkley mahrez (Townsend)
    Deeney Lukaku sturridge

    A - go 4 / 3 / 3
    B - 3 / 4 / 3
    C - take a -4 hit and bring carrol in for sturridge & hazard in for mahrez

    Making all players DGW

    I'm 8 point behind leader and he has sturridge and mahrez, just my look they both go sik and out score my subs....

    ** looks like the consensus is that mahrez will have been on the sauce all week and sturridge is unlikely to play making option C much more inviting...

    Any more Advice guys?

    1. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn't bench Townsend this week if you can avoid it, could potentially outscore a DGW player with that fixture.

    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Whose consensus?

      1. Mikkyf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Last I heard he was still at vardys party with cognac and strippers

    3. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Don't think Mahrez drinks.

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        He does now

  5. jurgenklopp.8
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Sturridge (C) locked in....

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I sold him for a hit.

  6. Rhys85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Play Walker (SOU) or Bellerin (mci)?

    Currently on Walker, but both have assists in their pocket!

  7. Here's the manager
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Morning
    Darlow /Robles
    Cresswell Bellerin Gabriel Fosu Mensah Simpson
    Sanchez Payet Coutinho Milner Townsend
    Kane Aguero Defoe
    1.7 0 ft

    A Coutinho to Fabregas -4
    B Kane to Carroll -4
    C stick and bench Kane

    1. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      B).

    2. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      B

  8. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    couple of quick questions

    1) Valencia (united) or Reid...already have smalling
    2) willian or fab?
    3) payet or Hazard for TC?...chasing 10 points in ML

  9. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Damn it's fun making transfers.
    I've done 62 so far this season.

    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      57 here. -16, -8, -8, 12 in thelast 4 GWs 😀

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Keep them green coming!!! 🙂

    2. Paganoi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Wow. I've done 44 and having a borderline panic attack over it lol. -4, -4 and -8 over the last 3.

  10. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    If your TC plays less than 60 mins and gets a red card, that will mean a -6 right?

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Don't put it on Barry.

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Milner?

  11. Ally - Killie Til I Die
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Play Van Dijk or Daniels?

    1. Sylas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Daniels

  12. andrinho
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Transfer in:
    A) Van Aanholt vs Che. & Eve.
    B) Valencia vs Nor. & West Ham

  13. The Red Devil
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Buy one-

    PVA or Cresswell

    Sell one-

    Lanzini or Coutinho

    Already have 2 west ham, so can't keep both Cresswell & lanzini

    so, C & C not possible

    thanks!

    1. LaLaLand
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Cress
      Cout

      1. The Red Devil
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        apparently, you didn't read the second last line

        i said

        C & C not possible!

    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Try setting out the options more clearly.

  14. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Quick team set up check:

    DDG

    Cresswell / Simps / TFM

    Payet / Towsnsend / KDB / Firmino

    Kun / Carroll / Sturridge

    / Sanchez / Monreal / Delaney

    Not sure about benching Sanchez, but can't see another option?

    1. LaLaLand
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Bench KDB

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Over Sanchez? What's your thinking?

        1. LaLaLand
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Sanchez higher ownership and better form

    2. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Sanchez over KDB

    3. Rhys85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah he's the logical one to bench there, just hope he doesn't score. Not sure TMF will get significant game time.

  15. LaLaLand
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    hovering just outside top 1000

    did Simpson KDB Kane > PVA Hazard Defoe for -8

    DDG (Robles)
    PVA Cresswell TFM (Kos Gabriel)
    Hazard Payet (TC) Lanzini Willian (Sanchez)
    Aguero Lukaku Defoe

    worth another hit for TFM > Smalling/Azpi??

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I've taken a -8 and I'm reluctant to take another hit. Team looks very good as it is.

  16. bigbudgie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Here's a good one....how many minutes does ROJO get in 37 🙂

  17. Lionel Ronaldo
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Willing to take a punt. Milner -> Firmino for -4?

      I know either may not play both, but odds favour Firmino to produce something over the DGW, no?

      1. LaLaLand
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        No

      2. Dabooka
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        No, not for a hit

      3. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Noooool

      4. Lionel Ronaldo
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Cheers.

      5. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        the last Saturday morning of the season.

      6. Here's the manager
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Playing

        Darlow
        Bellerin Cresswell Simpson
        Sanchez Payet Coutinho Townsend
        Aguero Kane Defoe

        1. Dabooka
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Looking good for next week too

      7. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Thoughts please.

        A) Ryan Bennett (doubtful??)
        B) Fosu-Immensah
        C) Bellerin
        D) transfer one out -4 + 1.0 itb

        Already taken a -8

        1. Sylas
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          C

      8. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Anyone you would take Sturridge out for -4 this week?

        1. Sylas
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          I would personally keep him if I had him.

      9. mozza
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Play Fosu or bench him?

        1. VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          I'm benching him for Fuchs, so if you have a decent SGW'er to play ahead of him.

        2. For Fuchs Sake
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          I may take the risk, have Bellerin and Simpson as options, even if TFM gets 1 point, it's only 5 less that a CS from a SGW, risk and reward.

      10. Dragon Arcana
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Brady or Willian if money no object? Please and thanks!

        1. Arteta
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Willian

      11. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Would you play Rose or Simpson?

        1. Dragon Arcana
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          simpson with everton's form.

          1. Arteta
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            Cheers!

      12. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Thoughts on this. Didn't fancy any Chelsea players.

        Robles
        Smalling Cresswell PVA
        Payet Mahrez Coutinho Lingard
        Kane Aguero Defoe (C)

        Subs: Darlow Sanchez Gabriel Simpson

      13. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        How many points will Mane score against Spurs?

        1. twoplustwo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          He's on my bench at the moment

      14. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        80 pts ahead in my yearly ml
        168 pts ahead in my cash ml
        50 pts behind in another ml

        Punting on ruddy, kaboul, ivan, cress, fab, haz, milner, payet, defoe, martial and lukaka ...

        Time to have fun???

      15. Coffe and the city
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Who is prob gonna get more point btw Arnautovic and lennon ? thx for reply..

        1. VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Go with the DGW player, neither is very good this week though.

      16. wolves_simmo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Best defender for the rest of the season? Money no object.

        Already got PVA & Cresswell

        1. Tomlette Greggs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          maybe double up on either team.

      17. Higuita
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Rapid fire, start:

        A) Mignolet
        B) Robles

        1. Tabasco
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          A