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. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Last time, g2g?

    Robles
    Cress / Small / PvA
    Payet / Towns / Haz / Cout
    Lukaku / Defoe / Carroll

    Mignolet / Sanch / Bellerin / Sakho

    Only thing I would consider is Coutinho to Redmond for -4. But don't think it's worth the hit.

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      gtg

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

      I would Sanchez instead of Countinho. Not sure about his game time. He may play 90 against Chelsea probably.

  2. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    DDG
    Smalling PvA Cresswell
    Fabregas Townsend Payet Firmino
    Aguero Defoe ©©©arroll
    (Forster Clyne Özil Kosc)

    -12 | Good luck everyone! I'm off.

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

      Good luck dude, thanks for all the help. I will beat you this week 😉

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Nice team

  3. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Play

    1. Simpson - home vs Everton
    2. Bellerin - Away vs City

  4. Plontoon
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed...
    Too much to TC Carroll considering i have 3 west ham attackers?

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

      Probably better options.

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

      Whether you TC him or not, you will still have 3 West Ham attackers...

      1. Plontoon
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        not really, if i TC him i effectively have 4 west ham attackers. Thus, thinking about spreading the risk of a blank a little...

        1. Plontoon
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          (if you treat TC as only 1 extra player)

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

    finally decided to get rid coutinho for a hit...which option looks best

    A: cresswell + willian + kaku (-8)
    B: bellerin + fab + carroll (-4)
    C: reid + hazard + defoe (-8)

    Small margins...

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

      C

  6. Perthite
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Sorry for repost:

    Coutinho -> Hazard
    Kane -> Deeney
    for 8 point hit?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure about Deeney.
      But why not.
      You'll miss the risks in two week time

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

    3. Plontoon
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      not for deeney, only got points right at the end of the villa game

  7. Boss Hogg
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Ryan Bennett out, Cresswell in. -4

    Yes or no?

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

  8. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    A. Sanchez +4
    B. Willian

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      A.

      City without Kompany and then Villa next week.

      1. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        I'd be benching Sanchez

    2. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      a

  9. MelbSpurs
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Gtg? Already on -8 so I'm reluctant to take any further hits but I'd welcome opinions

    Robles
    Smalling, PVA, Cresswell
    Payet (TC), Lanzini, Hazard, Firmino
    Kun, Kane, Defoe

    Bench - Sanchez, Bellerin, Gabriel

    0.1ITB

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Great team.

      I'd play Sanchez over Kane, but it's a 50/50 thing.

      Good luck!

    2. Torres76
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Kane to Carroll ....join the train

      1. MelbSpurs
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Tempted but I'd have to lose Lanzini so I'd be taking a -16!

  10. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Simple question:

    A) Hazard -4
    B) KDB

    Cheers

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      A.

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

      Chasing go for A, leading stick with B I would say.

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

        Leading by 12 points...

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

          Go A then

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

          Also I'm guessing he has done something similar with a -8

  11. Grand Maester Juan
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    A) Coutinho > Hazard
    B) Milner > Hazard

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

      A. All you have to do is look at the last 8 weeks

      1. Grand Maester Juan
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers mate !

  12. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    any big news today?

    1. Boss Hogg
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Big News sounds like a feature on Sky.

      1. Boss Hogg
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        I'm Eammon Holmes, welcome to Big News.

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

      Tinman scores 200pt gameweek after Hazard scores 5 over 2 fixtures :O

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        TC? Im choosing between Hazard and Carroll.....

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

          Yeah, just because I'm chasing heavily though

          1. Gazpilicueta
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            help me decide!

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

              It's your call dude. It depends if you are leading and whether or not your opponent has each player. Tell me situation and I'll tell you my pick

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

        Haz 5 gls = 25 + 1 cleansheet + 2 appearances + 6 bonus = 36 pts. TC = 108 points

        So the rest need to score 92+ for a total of 200+.

        You can do it!

  13. Andy1
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Think my rival is going to bb this week. I have the following dgw players.

    Gomes
    Smalling
    Payet
    Lanzini
    Coutinho
    Defoe

    Is it worth a 4 point hit for another? Thinking cresswell or PVA?

    1. Bello Di Notte
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I think Cresswell would be worth a hit, for sure - perhaps not PvA.

  14. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Baines better option than Ivan?

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

      Tight. But I would get him. Gan on mop heed

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        neither imo

  15. Bello Di Notte
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Morning all,

    Current team:

    Mignolet/Robles
    Cresswell, Simpson, Bellerin (Gabriel, Walker)
    Sanchez, Payet, Mahrez, Mane (Lingard)
    Aguero, kane, Martial

    I'm thinking of taking an 8pt hit for Walker, Mahrez, Kane ---> Kone, Hazard, Carroll...

    Insanely good business or just insane?

  16. Krul Runnings
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Coutinho surely won't play 180 mins this GW. So:

    Start SANCHEZ over him, yes?

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

      I'd say....I don't know its too hard

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

      Coutinho for me. He might not play 180 but he should get 120 or so

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

        History doesn't bode well for this theory

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Cout

  17. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Here's my team:

    DDG
    Cresswell, PVA, Simpson
    Iwobi, Payet, Hazard, Towsend
    Ageuro, Defoe, Caroll

    Darlow, Sanchez, Bellerin, Mensah

    One transfer left
    1. Iwobi - Fabregas
    2. Iwobi - Wiliam
    3. Iwobi - Firmino
    4. Iwobi - Mahrez

    Cheers party people

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      1

    2. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      1 or 2

  18. Astronautovic
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Robles
    Cresswell kos fuchs
    Mahrez sanchez payet townsend
    Kane kun vardy
    Bench: forster daniels siggy targett
    What would u guys do?
    Sanchez to hazard
    Or maybe bring in caroll
    Or get some defender

  19. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Sturridge to...
    A. Deeney
    B. Costa
    C. Martial
    D. Or go have breakfast and leave the team alone.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I would stick with sturridge if I had him

  20. Cristi@no R7
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Any FPL money mini leagues for india?

  21. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Gtg?

    Robles
    Smalling Cresswell PVA
    Hazard Payet Townsend KdB
    Aguero Carroll Deeney

    Darlow Sanchez Bellerin Gabriel

  22. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Am I get this right?
    My rival in ML is 20 pts up so when I take a hit to take DGW player for SGW player make sense because I will have 2 chances for points and its like -2 hit only right? So I must take hits to field full 11 of DGW players. More chance to get points and only -2 per player.
    Im thinking Clyne -> PVA and Delaney -> Azpi/Ivanovic maby KDB -> Willian/Fabregas

  23. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Which single week players do you think are going to score highly??

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Townsend

  24. fatherted
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Migs or Robles for this wk?

  25. albie.s
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Playing BB...
    Currently second in my cash league (10 points behind)

    Current squad:
    Hart // Hennessey
    PVA // Bellerin // Alderweireld // Simpson // Williams
    Sanchez // Mahrez // Payet // Firmino // Iwobi
    Carroll // Kun // Sturridge

    1. Williams // Iwobi // Mahrez ---> Valencia // Willian // Lanzini
    2. Williams // Iwobi // Kun ---> Valencia // Hazard // Defoe
    3. Any other suggestions??

  26. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else concerned with Defoes home record? Not convinced with him but can't see better options (got aguero and Carroll)

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I would have Sturridge over Defoe even with gametime issues and I'm Defoe owner.

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        I am tempted by sturridge, which do u prefer

        A Kane Delaney to Defoe cresswell (bench bellerin for next week
        B Kane bellerin to sturridge cresswell

        1. S.Kuqi
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          B for me

          1. Pat Bonner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks for the help

  27. Psakhotherapy
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    rival will almost certainly captain payet this week. i'm chasing quite a big lead, should i tc payet or hazard?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Has to be hazard

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

        thanks pat

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

      Burn the fat - Hazard

  28. Farnborough's Finest
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Evening lads. On the way to see the temper trap in Brisbane. Need some advice on a transfer before I commence drinking. Cresswell or PVA worth bringing in for Simpson for a hit?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yes cresswell

      1. Farnborough's Finest
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers

  29. Mesh
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    1. Play Robles or Gomes
    2. Play Simpson or Bellerin

  30. youzef
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Fuchs and Mahrez to =>

    A) Baines and Willian for a -8?
    B) Martin and Hazard for a - 8?
    C) Ivanovic and Fabregas for a -8?
    D) Willian or Fabregas for a -4
    E) Do Nothing.