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. Scotty B
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    3rd post

    Mignolet
    Bellerin Toby Azpi
    Iwobi Payet Sanchez Lingard
    Aguero Carroll Lukaku
    Subs Ward Mahrez Creswell Kaboul

    2.3m ITB, 1 FT & 103 pt lead in ML

    Which option is better?

    A)Carroll > Martial for free
    B)Mignolet & Carroll > De Gea & Martial for - 4 works out on the money
    C) Iwobi > Tadic for free

    1. bitterandstout
        10 years, 1 month ago

        A and C for me..

      • The Fantastic Mr Fox
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        C

        1. DJ1000
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Defo c

    2. The Fantastic Mr Fox
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Would u go for an in-form Tadic vs Palace

      or a red-hot Redmond vs Everton?

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

        Tadic - something to play for.

        1. DJ1000
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Tadic every time

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

      best punt for last gw....38 points behind ML leader 🙁 he will likely captain sanchez...so play it safe and get 38 through other 10 players or take captaincy risk?

      mane? tadic? kun?

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

        benteke? 😉

        1. DJ1000
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Kun! Potential to be explosive against 2nd string Swansea

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

        If you have nothing else to lose then your best bet is to captain someone he doesn't own like Mane or Tadic

    4. Whats the Huth
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Very tough. Thinking of setting my team up like so....

      DDG.
      PVA. Cresswell. Apzi. Smalling.
      Fab. Sanchez. Payet. Hazard.
      Carroll. Grouid or Long (not decided yet)

      Bench. Gomes. Firmino. Defoe. Bassong.

      1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        too many chelsea players. Leicester aren't letting up

    5. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Advice greatly appreciated on this lot...

      Darlow
      Bellerin - Smalling - PVA
      Sanchez - Ozil - Hazard - Townsend
      Aguero - Carroll - Defoe

      Robles - Lanzini - Cresswell - Simpson
      1 FT + 4.2 ITB

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

        I would be tempted to do Carroll -> Giroud/Long/Martial
        or Townsend -> anyone

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

        carroll to giroud, or a cheeky benteke.
        Townsend to SOU mid

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

          or townsend to Ojo....

    6. AVIELD949
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Barkley or Mahrez out for Mane (or Tadic)?

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

        Barkley

    7. ducksfly2gether
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Is there any sort of 'winners league' for those that place 1st in public leagues?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        lol

        1. ducksfly2gether
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Well FPL should do that to reward the winners. 1st place in all public classic leagues should be eligible to join a 'champions league' the following year.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            FPL want less work, not more.

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

              TM, how about Brady+Firmino -> Sanchez+Tadic for -4, and I keep Fabregas for any absentees?

              Will have:

              Hazard, Payet, Tadic, Sanchez, Fabregas
              Carroll, Aguero, Defoe

              Still looks too much of a mess?

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Much better. So many forwards can hurt you if Carroll/Defoe fail.

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

                  Opponent got Sturridge, Kane, Firmino, Josh King (and winning my ML is my biggest aim - I am leading by 21 as of now) - so as long as he gets hurt along with me, I am fine 😉

                  1. TorresMagic™
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 16 Years
                    10 years, 1 month ago

                    Rival will sell Sturridge and maybe Firmino.

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

                      Yeah and buy Long & Mane most likely

            2. Jimmers
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Are they not paying ye enough? 🙂

          2. Yank Revolution
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Why not just limit it to OR from the previous season? Top 5 to 10 k in a LMS style tourney from Week 1 onward!

      2. Bøss ⭐
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        that would be cool! I'm currently number one in the world for the mighty Faroe Islands lol

    8. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A. AOA with Lanzini
      B. PVA

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

        A. AOA with Lanzini

    9. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      DUCKSFLY2GETHER's post above reminds me: our own Saniul is ranked #1 in India ...Juuuuuuuuuuuhuuuuuuuuuu

      #1 in LAWRO main and #139 overall - what a cracker of a season he has have!

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

        He's a legend of team Oranje!

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

      What are Mahrez owners doing?

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

        Hoping he explodes all over Chelsea's candy asses

      2. Spencer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I don't have him, but if I did, I'd keep and play.

      3. Slam
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆 Thanks you two

    11. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Which striker to get rid of?

      A. Lukaku
      B. Deeney
      C. Carroll

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

        What more Lukaku needs to do get out of your team? You mods are just too hard to please 😉

        1. Spencer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Remembering Lukaku's last game hatrick against Man United...

          1. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Remembering his last 10 games

            1. Spencer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              True! 🙂

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        A or C

        1. Ratatouille
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          A

          1. Spencer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks guys

    12. AVIELD949
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Currently midfield of Towsend, Mahrez, Barkley, Sanchez, Payet. Who out for Mane?

      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Townsend or Barkley

    13. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What transfers are you guys making?

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

        Don't know

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

          This

      2. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Olllie (c)

        GNNNE GHAW

      3. odannyboys
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        willian to tadic.

    14. Lateriser 12
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What zeee fooook does one do with ze Defoe!

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

        Ze Defoe needz to go to ze Euros

        I am keeping faith in his starting - his start = goals, as Watford got the worst defense in the league

        1. Lateriser 12
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ze hattricko?

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

            Wunderbar....Zuuuuuuuhuuuuuuuuuuu!

            1. Lateriser 12
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              whiskey?

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

                Nope, ze wasser only

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

      Please fill in the gaps

      Martial & Best Nailed On DF punt for GW38 (money no object)

      Giroud & Best Nailed On 6.2m DF punt for GW38

      Any ideas would be welcomed

    16. Team Zissou
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Any reason not to do Sturridge -> Martial?

      1. Ratatouille
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        None

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

        No

      3. Team Zissou
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Good! Cheers 🙂

      4. cantcatchabreak
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        LVG is manchester uniteds coach

    17. Sonder
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      RMT

      De Gea, (Darlow)
      Bellerin, Gabriel, Smalling, (Cresswell, PvA)
      Sanchez (C), Payet, Eriksen, Lanzini, (Firmino)
      Kane, Aguero (VC), Rashford

      0 FT, no more chips

      All good to go? Or are there any glaring need for a hit?

      1. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Rated. 3 star.

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

        It's passable.

    18. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Lukaku the ultimate GW38 punt? Martinez gone, Norwich dead?

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

        Ultimate in what way?

      2. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lukaku has been acting dead for a while now himself

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Exatcly

      3. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        ok.

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Bad mood?

          1. Lateriser 12
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            not really. you?

            1. Royal5
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Question answered 🙂

    19. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard to Tadic
      Lukaku to Aguero

      Doesn't exactly inspire me. Do we think Palace will score?

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

        Why get rid of Hazard?

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

          Only way I can get in Aguero for less than -8

    20. BB-8
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hearing Defoe won't start. Which one gets the most points?

      A. Defoe
      B. Lanzini
      C. Arnautovic -4
      D. Long -4

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

        Hearing from where?

        1. BB-8
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Twitter/ Big Sam's comments

    21. Slam
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A) Iwobi(AVL) + Van Dijk(CPL)
      B) Long(CPL) + Olsson(eve)
      C) Long(CPL) + Van Dijk(CPL) -4

    22. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What happens if you don't register next season but then register the season after? Does it just miss a season on your gameweek history or does your account get deactivated?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Miss a season.

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

          Cheers TM.

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

          Cheers. I was looking around for an example and couldn't find one.

    23. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at transfers and whether to use all out attack or not... Comes down to this.

      A. Loris and PVA
      B. Darlow and Lanzini

      1. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        a.

        1. n-doggg
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ta

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

      Season's biggest trickster gotta be Gomes - so many folks here, including me, bought him

      and Watford had have 3 CS since boxing day - 3 CS in last 20 frickin matches. Goddamn those 2 penalty saves!

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

        Moreno mate.

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

          Gave me CS when I needed (GW37) 😉

      2. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        ab ra ca da bra?

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

          I know...what were we even thinking? Yes, some of the folks here got those 2 peno saves but couldn't have seen them coming!

    25. Lateriser 12
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      CALM DOWN GUYS

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

        NO U

    26. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      PVA + Defoe -> VVD + Long?

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

        Yeah

        1. Lateriser 12
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          naughty

      2. Zombie
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I don't recommend selling Defoe - he is gonna do whatever possible to get to Euros

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

          Source?

    27. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This is brilliant 😀

      (BILD) Xhaka: "Why do I want to continue having my 34 shirt at Arsenal? It's perfect for me, 3-4. That's where we'll finish every year."

      1. Lateriser 12
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        LOL

    28. Pie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Does such a website exist in which you can input all the teams in your mini-league and it will update the scores in real time during the matches next Sunday? Thanks in advance.

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

        FFFix rivals section

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        No, you can make an excel sheet but still need to change each players points.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          or above.

    29. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Me
      Mignolet
      PvA / Smalling / Bellerin
      Sanchez / Townsend / Payet / Hazard
      Lukaku / Carroll / Defoe

      Rival 1 -16pts
      Mignolet
      Gabriel / Bellerin / Fosu Mensah
      Payet / Sanchez / Barkley / Lingard
      Aguero / Carroll / Costa

      Rival 2 -21pts
      Cech
      Monreal / Valencia / Toby
      Antonio / Mahrez / Ozil / Drinkwater
      Kane / Sturridge / Aguero

      The obvious big worry is Aguero.
      A) Take -4 to bring in Aguero and lose Hazard
      B) Take -8 to bring in Aguero and accumulate money from elsewhere

      Any thoughts? I just closed down a 35pt lead and opened up this gap, so I really want to bring it home. Help me guys 🙂

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

        Or go without Kun, just take a FT...

        Coutinho --> Tadic/Mane

      2. TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I think on paper my team is better than both of theirs anyway. They have more issues than me with Ozil, Costa, Milner, Valencia. Even Monreal and Gabriel could be swapped with Gibbs and Chambers...

      3. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        a) works if you don't think rivals will get him.

    30. Powers106
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      How does the tiebreaker work? ML rival and I both are tied at 2,154 points, he's first, I'm second. Not sure why. But it is gonna be a heckuva GW...he won last year, I need to win by just a single point or I am going to have to listen to it all offseason.....

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

        Transfers

        1. Powers106
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          yeah, he has 43 to my 45 ... thanks!!