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.

2,010 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. #Swish41
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Any of these worth a hit:

    A. Sanchez to Hazard (Sanchez my FT back next week)
    B. Bellerin to Smalling (to cover rivals - I'm 100pts clear

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I did A
      Getting back next week.

      1. #Swish41
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, think I will go with this!

    2. madame shelly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      100 should be clear enough to do what you like you'd think, no?

      1. #Swish41
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Hope so! Something major will have to happen to lose it now!!

        1. madame shelly
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          yeah, it's a very big gap with 2.5 weeks to go.

  2. Mikkyf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Townsend or Smalling?

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

      Play both

  3. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    There's a story (Google alexis sanchez) that there's problems with Arsene.
    Anyone concerned?

    1. Diva
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      The problem is he wants to play all the time. I'd be more worried if he didn't want to play...

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Not at all. If you believe that crap, you are soft in the head.

      1. FrankieTheGent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Im playing my bench boost and he's my only single week player because of gw38.
        Wouldn't want him to spoil my option of bringing in Brady for a full house

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      god no

    4. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Not even a little bit.

    5. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      If we believed everything on the internet...... 😉

      1. FrankieTheGent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Ok the Internet didn't write it.
        It's the medium i used to see stories written in the sun, telegraph, mirror.
        I find it a handy one stop shop.

    6. Kun Tozser
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Let the performance on the pitch do the talking

  4. ituura
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A)TC Payet this gameweek
    B) Sanchez GW 38

    Leading 30 pts in my minileague with the opponent coming closer every gameweek. He has both players, so I guess I would have to go with the more mainstream option...

    1. Fowler23
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A.

  5. Diva
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I've been mulling this over for two hours and I'm getting no closer to a decision. Anything here worth a hit?

    -------------------Robles
    ---Cresswell, Smalling, PVA
    Sanchez, Mahrez, Payet, Milner
    ---------Defoe, Aguero, Kane

    Darlow, Ozil, Simpson, Bellerin

    2.5m ITB

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      kun >> Carroll maybe

      1. Diva
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        That's one move I've been thinking about...

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Kane to Carrol easy

  6. Cristi@no R7
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    play kane or do kane >> deeney(-4)

    1. Diva
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I'd play Kane.

    2. Fowler23
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Play Kane

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Deeney

  7. keano
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Which one?
    a)Hazard +Defoe
    b)Fabregas+Carroll

  8. Tinmen
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, who's a better option to bring in?

    A) Smalling
    B) PVA

    1. Diva
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer A

  9. siweltrebor87
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Rival has Andy Carroll, Kane and (Vardy)

    I brought in this week Carroll and Payet, kept Kane but sold Aguero to pay for transfers.

    I have a slender 7 point lead in mini league.

    Do I use Triple C on Payet or Carroll.

    I suspect he will bring in a West Ham midfield this week but could easily be Noble instead of Payet.

  10. shimmeronhorizons
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    So, my bench boost team is:

    Darlow, DDG
    morgan, Toby, Azpi, Cresswell, Moreno
    Hazard, Sanchez, Payet, Coutinho, Iwobi
    Aguero, Defoe, Carroll

    0FT, £2.3m

    Should I:
    A. Take -8 hit for Toby --> Kaboul & Iwobi --> Firmino
    B. Take -8 hit for Toby --> PVA/Valencia & Iwobi --> Willian/Barkley
    C. Take -4 hit for Iwobi --> Townsend (as the headlines write themselves in GW38)?

    Thanks for the help

    1. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Pva willian

  11. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I'm not ITK and I don't do twitter.

    But IMO you are all mad considering keeping or buying Liverpool players.

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      surprised at 2 in the scout picks esp lovren

    2. Licky
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I'd agree, though someone like Ojo or Origi if he's given some time to get fit could be interesting.

    3. Eden Hazardous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Why mad at keeping the players we already have? 🙂

    4. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      This. I sold Coutinho just now. He'll only play 1 match. The Chelsea one. People thinking of them as playing even 2 matches in remaining 3 fixtures will be devastated.

  12. Lionel Ronaldo
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Please guys: play Sanchez or risk playing Milner?

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Milner

    2. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Milner

  13. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    is a -12 hit bit too much? leading my ML by 58 points

    1. bodgejob
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, time to conserve and copy the chasers

    2. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. Not at all.

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hit it up

  14. madame shelly
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    play Simpson or Bellerin ?

    1. bodgejob
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Simpson

    2. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Bellerin.

  15. Kent girl
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    TC Defoe and VC Payet... Crazy?

    Chasing down 50 point lead. Thanks

    1. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      If chasing yes although I prefer Carroll

    2. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Assuming rival has carroll go for it

  16. Dabooka
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Quick repost;

    Hazard / Oscar / Payet (C) / Towsend [Ayew]

    Stick with two Chelsea or swap Oscar for......

    1. FrankieTheGent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Both. Swap Oscar for willian.
      But yeah drop Oscar

  17. Eden Hazardous
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Next years team is going to be soooo difficult . No way I can have all of Sanchez , Hazard , Sturridge , Kane and Aguero in one team. 🙁

    1. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard will be off 🙂

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        No he wont.

      2. siweltrebor87
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Hazard joins Zidane at Madrid, I would bet.

    2. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge apparently won't be 1st choice.

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Klopp benches him cos he wants him to be 100% fot next season. 2nd best striker in England. Top 10 in the world imo.

  18. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else captaining Defoe?

    1. Dabooka
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I cannot bring myself to have him in my squad! #Toon

      Also his home record isn't as hot as his stats suggest

    2. Kent girl
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Currently on TC Defoe and VC Payet.... Might bottle it before KO though.

      1. Dabooka
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Dude, that's brave....

  19. twoplustwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Martial or Payet C?

    1. bodgejob
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Payet

      1. twoplustwo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, currently on that

  20. bodgejob
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Sturridge or Kane to Carroll?

    1. twoplustwo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I would yeah, probably for Kane

  21. mahone24
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Any of these worth a hit for Delaney (can't afford Ivan) and chasing 40 points
    A/ Azpi
    B/ Valencia
    C/ Kirchhoff (double SUN defence)
    D/ R Martin
    E/ start Delaney

    1. Dabooka
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A for an FT, not so sure about a hit.

      I always remind myself never to take a hit for a defender but the DGW probably means at least you'd break even. Your call but no clear right or wrong for me

  22. Coffe and the city
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    who is worth for -4, DDG or Cresswell?

    (Goalkeeper is Forster at present, and Rose, Simpson and Bellerin are for defender)

  23. DMil
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Upgrade Prodl (4.2) to which DGW defender? £1.7 itb and got Cresswell, PVA and DDG in goal. Struggling to find a solid defensive option this week, can't see many cleanies

  24. Park the bus
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Trying to decide between Willian and Fabregas. Most on here seem to be going Fab however Willian has better stats overall and in the detail. Anyone got any theories as to why Fab is more popular?

    1. HearMeRoar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I like Willian.

  25. HearMeRoar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Finally settled. Look okay?

    Robles*
    Lovren* PvA* Simpson
    Hazard* Willian* Payet* Lanzini*
    Aguero Carroll* Defoe*

    Hart; Sanchez; Bellerin; Gabriel

    1. IchegoFX
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      This looks good, sadly i'll take a -16pt hit for my team to almost look like yours. Lol! who is your capt?

  26. bigbudgie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Ridiculous to roll with triple WHU attack and double MUN defence??!!

    Looking at Lanzini Payet Carroll (c) Smalling Rojo

    1. Dabooka
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I dropped Lanzini as he rarely delivers, so he's due a hat trick!

  27. flippetyflop
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Unsure whether or not Ighalo to Carroll makes sense?

  28. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Sturridge to Defoe for -4?

  29. juicewagz
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Kane or Aguero out for Defoe so I can upgrade to Hazard?