Games
12 May 2016 1205 comments
Tom Fenley Tom Fenley
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We visit the Weekly Shop for one last time this season, as we analyse the player lists of our partner games to pinpoint the targets that will mainly populate our own weekly squads.

As always, we divide the player analysis into two parts: I’ll assess 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

Despite their late capitulation at Upton Park, Manchester United still have a slim chance of taking a top-four spot this weekend. Only Leicester City have netted past David De Gea (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $4,400) over the last five at Old Trafford and the visit of a Bournemouth side that have guaranteed their top-flight status for next season provides a strong chance of a fifth clean sheet in six in front of their own fans.

Arsenal have already clinched a Champions League berth for next season but the opportunity to finish above rivals Spurs (should Mauricio Pochettino’s men lose at Newcastle) is more than enough incentive ahead of their home encounter with Aston Villa. Three straight clean sheets prior to the draw with Manchester City gives little hope for a Villa side that have failed to score in five of their last seven on the road. Hector Bellerin’s (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $4,200) five assists this campaign places him second amongst defenders and illustrates his license to forage forward down the Gunners’ right.

Alexis Sanchez (FantasyBet 11m, Draftkings Forward $7,500) is Arsenal’s form attacker after producing a goal or assist in eight of his previous ten. The Chilean scored a 13th goal of the season at the Etihad and 11 attempts over the last four points towards more returns against Villa. We’re also looking at a double-up with Olivier Giroud (FantasyBet 8.5m, Draftkings Forward $5,900) for Sunday’s showdown. Arsenal may yet finish above Spurs in second and with Danny Welbeck ruled out, the Frenchman will be looking to build on his goal and assist at the Etihad.

An impressive solo goal against Liverpool was Eden Hazard’s (FantasyBet 10.5m, Draftkings $5,600) fourth in as many matches. A total of nine attempts and seven chances created over that run indicates the Belgian has shaken off the malaise that had so strangely subdued one of the most effective players of last season. Chelsea may only be playing for pride against champions but Leicester will find it difficult to stop the Blues midfielder in current form.

Southampton’s Sadio Mane (FantasyBet 7.5m, Draftkings $6,100) braces himself for a plum home clash with Palace. The Senegal international has bagged five goals in the last four and looks likely to recover from the illness that forced him off at Spurs last Sunday afternoon.

While United’s resilient defence has been epitomised by their Spanish keeper this season, Anthony Martial (FantasyBet 7.5m, Draftkings $6,400) has been their main asset at the other end of the pitch. Three strikes in his last couple of appearances brings the summer signing’s tally to 11 league goals and makes the Frenchman a stand-out pick for the Cherries’ visit.

The pursuit of the Golden Boot generally is a motivating factor at this point of the campaign. Jamie Vardy (FantasyBet 7.5m, Draftkings $7,200) is likely to shrug off the hamstring cramp sustained last weekend and visits a Chelsea defence with one clean sheet in 13. With eight goals in six, Sergio Aguero (FantasyBet 13m, Draftkings $7,900) travels to Swansea as City look for the win that will confirm a top four, whilst Harry Kane (FantasyBet 9.5m, Draftkings $7,700) has netted six times in his last four on the road as Spurs roll up to relegated Newcastle.

Poundstretchers

Including those big-hitters suggested above may leave little funds for the fringes of our teams and with the final Gameweek often ending in a goals frenzy, it’s difficult to pinpoint clean sheets. Top-scoring keeper Heurelho Gomes (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $3,700) hasn’t been recording many shut-outs of late but, given that eight of the Brazilian’s 11 clean sheets have arrived at Vicarage Road, he could be in line for a shut-out as Big Sam looks to hand some youngsters pitch time after Sunderland secured their safety in midweek.

Arsenal’s tie with Villa at the Emirates looks the likeliest source of defensive returns. Central defender Gabriel (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $2,400) provides a cut-price route into Arsene Wenger’s back-four and looks set to start with Per Mertesacker sidelined. Alex Iwobi (FantasyBet 4.5m, Draftkings $4,800) has failed to build on an explosive start to his Arsenal career but seven attempts and four chances created over the last four could see the youngster end the season on a high.

Southampton have lost only once in nine outings and should record a fourth consecutive win as they host a Crystal Palace side with one eye on the FA cup final. Dusan Tadic (FantasyBet 7m, Draftkings $6,600) has turned in his most impressive form of the campaign in recent weeks, with two goals and six assists over the last four. Forward Shane Long (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $6,000) has also been one of the Saints’ most consistent performers, returning five goals and four assists over his last ten appearances.

Troy Deeney (FantasyBet 5m, Draftkings $5,400) may have been overshadowed by strike partner Odion Ighalo (FantasyBet 5.5m, Draftkings $5,400) earlier in the season but the Hornets frontman has scored three goals in as many matches and assisted his Nigerian team-mate in the loss at Norwich. Only Newcastle have conceded more away goals (41) this term than upcoming visitors Sunderland (40) as Watford look for a win in what may well be Quique Sanchez Flores’ final match in charge.

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 conclude my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.

  1. Daaf
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Does Martinez his sacking change Everton's prospects?

    1. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, for next season

      For now? It's worse

      1. Ziegler1988
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Don't see how it's worse. Atmosphere would have been toxic at Goodison if he stayed for the last match

        1. St. Joseph
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Dont see its better either, sacking a manager in the last gw with nothing to aim for. Could have waited until its done.

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Should improve them hopefully

  2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Which of these to swap Mane for?

    1. Payet
    2. Mahrez
    3. Kane

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez.

    2. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Neither

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Humph. Well, maybe I'll just go with the team as is and cry when SOU thumps CPL.

    3. _Gunner
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      2 for me.

      Mind helping me below?

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        One sec.

  3. InSaneMan-e
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Last comment on previous page
    Need some help please. Which transfer do you prefer?

    Current team of :
    Ddg (Darlow)
    Creswell bellerin Pva (lovren, fosu )
    Payet Couts Pedro hazard (lenon)
    Kun martial deeney

    A: Pedro +Kun ->Sanchez Giroud (-4)
    B: Pedro + martial -->mane+giroud (-4)
    C: Pedro -->mane
    D: other (please suggest)

    Thanks

    1. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Get sanchez

      But dont lose kun

      1. InSaneMan-e
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Damn. Affordability...
        Don't wanna get rid of Haz

  4. HerbyCR
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hola amigos!

    Hoping everybody did alright last DGW!

    Couple of questions guys:
    1. Will Firmino get minutes, shoud I replace him for Tadic?
    2. Will Studs play? If no, better option is:
    a)Kane
    b)Mané
    c)Giroud

    Already have Kun and Martial.

    Muchas gracias!

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      1 maybe, yes
      2 doubt it, B or C

      1. HerbyCR
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for your help mate! So no Kane at all?

  5. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Current team: 1FT 0 itb

    DDG Hart
    Simpson Moreno Bellerin TFM Reid
    Hazard Sanchez Coutinho Mane Payet
    Carrol Lukaku Martial

    What is the best use of my FT? Get Giroud maybe? Or even take a hit for Tadic +Giroud?

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Whoa, lots invested in keepers. Obviously play DDG.

      If you are OK with taking a hit, I would do so for a defender and an attacker. As it is, Bellerin is your only solid option in DEF, so play 3-4-3, take a hit for either Giroud or Long and ship Carrol and your most expensive defender for someone with return potential (or a cheapo Everton with something to prove).

  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    sigh what a horrible gw...after taking 20 gw's to catch up my ML....it all came down my decision of hazard/defoe vs. willian/carroll......went for the latter as i wanted carroll as TC....sigh

    38 points behind ML...any hope? will need a crazy differential..have similar teams 🙁

    Rival:
    mannone
    valencia bellerin azpi
    hazard sanchez (c) payet iwobi
    carroll martial kun

    ME:
    darlow
    smalling bellerin gabriel ---- pva as first sub if willian doest play
    sanchez payet willian coutinho -- milner
    carroll martial kun

    A: coutinho >> tadic/mane and hope for the best? he will captain sanchez, and i can captain mane? although sanchez is such a better option 🙁

    B: coutinho + milner >> tadic + mane (-4) and hope for saints 6 goals lol

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      On such choices are ML won and lost. I did the former plus Payet.

  7. drughi
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling all season to even break top 200k and then 3-4 good gameweeks and I'm up to 69k. Not a great rank but atleast decent.

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Game has gotten pretty competitve over recent years, so yeah even a 5 figure ranking is decent. I'm stuck way out on just over 300K, which kind of ruins my chanches of getting 3 straight low 5 figure ranking finishes but at least I know where I made key mistakes this season.

      1. drughi
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I did alot of mistakes this season but it's easy to say in hindsight. My judgement on mahrez was the first one followed by bad wildcard team.

  8. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    AOA.
    Mignolet (Darlow)
    Bellerin Smalling (Cresswell, Clyne, Simpson)
    Sanchez(c) Payet Lamela Willian* Milner
    Martial Aguero Carroll

    I think Willian, Milner & Mignolet won't start...

    Willian&Milner to Arnie&Mahrez for a hit. Y/N?

  9. jurgenklopp.8
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Carroll > Benteke
    B) Brady > Ojo

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. @FPLMason
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Whom from sunderland's usual starting 11 should we expect to be bench?
      I presume by Allardyce's comments that Watmore should feature, surely?

  10. madame shelly
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    In our ML table, this month's leader has 120 points but took a -20 this week, therefore I believed he should be showing 100 points in the table ? But he shows 120 for the month (ie 1 GW so far)

    What have I got wrong ?

    1. Ziegler1988
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hits don't count first GW of a month

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      It never shows hits in the table for the weekly score, but the overal score will have the hits taken into account.

      1. madame shelly
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        overall score is the same as total. hits not taken off, for definite!

  11. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hi. At the moment my team is looking like

    Cech, (DDG)
    Bellerin, Rojo, Rose, (Morgan), (Cresswell)
    KDB, Hazard, Payet, Lanzini, (Townsend)
    Deeney, Ighalo, Defoe
    £11.8m itb

    I thinking of:-
    a> Defoe > Aguero
    b> Lanzini > Sanchez
    c> Payet/ Defoe > Aguero/ Sanchez -4

    Thoughts please?

    thanks 🙂

    1. @FPLMason
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

  12. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil confirmed out?

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Press conference tomorrow i'm sure

  13. Recoba
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If I send my resume to Everton and attach my FIFA career mode files along with my FPL history could I get the job? I play on legendary btw

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nah Doolittle is an Everton fan and he has vast experience playing Football Manager .

      1. Recoba
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I have experience, maybe not vast. I even own a Cahill shirt!

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I think you are setting your slights a little low if own a Cahill shirt . Have you considered taking over from LVG ?

          1. Recoba
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            As long as I can play Fellaini at ST

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              I would hire you

              1. Recoba
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Cheers

    2. faulksp
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Careful you don't get involved in a bidding war with the Villa

  14. cyclopropane
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Will ozil play, and is he a viable captain choice if one wants to avoid hits and use FT on a different player rather than ozil > sanchez

    1. Ziegler1988
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez has proven he's a much better captain choice than Ozil

  15. Art Vandelay
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Evening gentlemen.

    Looking to ditch Firmino as it seems he is unlikely to start. Tadic or KDB the better option. Also, is it worth ditching Carroll for Giroud for a hit as well?

    Cheers

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tadic and no

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers Timbo.

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

      Yes to both.
      Tadic and Giroud

    3. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Kdb,

      No not for a hit. Ure just swaping donkeys. For free, yes.

  16. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do with this lot? 1FT 0.1ITB

    Thinking Willian ---> Tadic

    ----------------Gomes-----------------------

    -------------Monreal - Azpi-----------------

    Ozil - KDB - Antonio - Payet - Willian

    -----Aguero - Lukaku - Defoe------------

    Subs: Migs - Nyom - Kaboul - Clyne

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, I agree. Willian likely to be out and Tadic a good, in form option with a nice fixture.

    2. Recoba
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Would be my move

  17. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Currently leading my ML by 35 points so I can afford to take a 4pt hit to ensure that I have a fully nailed on XV to play my BB with

    With that in mind who are the best nailed on MF and ST punts (total 14.7m) to have for this front 8

    Sanchez Payet Townsend Noble xxxxxx

    Aguero Lukaku xxxxxx

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe + xxxxxxxxxxxx

  18. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    How does 2 FTs.. Defoe + Fab -> KDB + Giroud look, giving me the below team? Any better moves?

    De Gea (Ruddy)
    Baines - Cresswell - Smalling (PVA) (Kaboul)
    Sanchez - Hazard - KDB - Payet (Lanzini)
    Giroud - Deeney - Lukaku

    1. kenzo.
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero + tadic....

  19. jam sandwich
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Up to my highest OR of the season, 1,384... I was at 1,695 all the way back in GW22.

    Question: Can I get a 3 digit rank with this team for GW38?

    De Gea
    Bellerin - Gabriel - van Aanholt
    Sanchez (c) - Payet - Hazard - de Bruyne
    Aguero (v) - Defoe - Long

    Darlow - Lanzini - Lovren - Fuchs

    1. Recoba
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think so. Looks better than my squad, I have similar hopes. Good luck!

  20. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on whether Mannone will play or will it be Pickford?

  21. drughi
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best 3 strikers to own for gw 38 ?

  22. BucketHead
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    To crown my ml....Defoe to ineacho or. Mahrez to mane.
    Or both for a hit???

  23. Keno
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Start Lanzini or Mahrez

    1. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Both

  24. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Apart from Sanchez is Tadic the best player to own next gw ?

    1. Big Sum
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      no

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        why not ? has form fixture and possibly second string palace

        1. Big Sum
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Kane, kun, vardy are fighting for golden boot. one of them is going to score big, that's what I think. Other than that, Tadic is an excellent player to own for this GW, but not the 2nd best IMO

        2. Postman Ty
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          surely mane is a better option.

  25. Pirlø's Pen
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    anyone put together a Euro team yet?

    De Gea
    Cedric Hector Rodriguez
    Kroos Alaba Siggy Hakan
    Griezmann Muller Ronaldo

    any opinions?

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      strike force incredible
      midfield shocking

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Perhaps tidy that defence? I don't mind your midfield that much.

      EUROS - Round 1(Second Draft):

      Sommer[ALB]
      Jordi Alba[CZE], Schär[ALB], Carvajal[CZE]
      Perisic[TUR](c), Sigurdsson[SWE], Grosicki[NIR], Weiss[WAL]
      Müller[UKR], Lewandowski[NIR], Janko[HUN]

      Rui Patricio[ISL]; Maczynski[CRO], Prödl[HUN], XhimshitiSUI]

      #nominativedeterminism 😉

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        do you reckon Carvajal will start? if so what a bargain.

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nah not yet.

  26. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Tadic(CRY) or Mahrez(che)?

    1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tadic

  27. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who'd you sell for Tadic/Mane:

    A. Mahrez
    B. Lanzini
    C. Fabregas

    ??

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      B

  28. drughi
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Play 2 out of

    A. Cresswell
    B. Lanzini
    C. PVA

    1. Postman Ty
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      oh lord get cresswell out of here. their defence has been disgusting and he hasn't been in the attacking returns nearly enough.

      1. drughi
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        yep leaning towards benching him but PVA and sunderland are safe now so could be a lazy performance from them away to watford

  29. Keno
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best fantasy site to use for when the Euros start? Will there be an official one?

  30. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Evening squires

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Go on Cheese son

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      *raises titfer*

    3. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I can hit the bottom of a page from half a mile away

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Impressive. 😉

      2. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Post again on the new page. Your post is quite important.