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.

1,205 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Scotty B
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      A and C for me..

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

      C

      1. DJ1000
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Defo c

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

      Tadic - something to play for.

      1. DJ1000
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Tadic every time

  3. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      benteke? 😉

      1. DJ1000
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Kun! Potential to be explosive against 2nd string Swansea

    2. Ziegler1988
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      too many chelsea players. Leicester aren't letting up

  5. JAC THE CAT
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

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

    2. jurgenklopp.8
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

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

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

        or townsend to Ojo....

  6. AVIELD949
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Barkley or Mahrez out for Mane (or Tadic)?

    1. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Barkley

  7. ducksfly2gether
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

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

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      lol

      1. ducksfly2gether
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months 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
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          FPL want less work, not more.

          1. Zombie
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 2 months 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
              • 17 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

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

              1. Zombie
                • 13 Years
                10 years, 2 months 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
                  • 17 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Rival will sell Sturridge and maybe Firmino.

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

                    Yeah and buy Long & Mane most likely

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

            Are they not paying ye enough? 🙂

        2. Yank Revolution
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

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

  8. n-doggg
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A. AOA with Lanzini
    B. PVA

    1. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A. AOA with Lanzini

  9. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      He's a legend of team Oranje!

  10. Slam
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    What are Mahrez owners doing?

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

      Hoping he explodes all over Chelsea's candy asses

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

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

    3. Slam
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      😆 Thanks you two

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

    Which striker to get rid of?

    A. Lukaku
    B. Deeney
    C. Carroll

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

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

        1. Jimmers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Remembering his last 10 games

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

            True! 🙂

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A or C

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

        A

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

          Thanks guys

  12. AVIELD949
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

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

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Townsend or Barkley

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

    What transfers are you guys making?

    1. Syd.
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Don't know

      1. Epic Fail
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        This

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

      Olllie (c)

      GNNNE GHAW

    3. odannyboys
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      willian to tadic.

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

    What zeee fooook does one do with ze Defoe!

    1. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months 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
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Ze hattricko?

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

          Wunderbar....Zuuuuuuuhuuuuuuuuuuu!

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

            whiskey?

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

              Nope, ze wasser only

  15. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

    Any reason not to do Sturridge -> Martial?

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

      None

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      No

    3. Team Zissou
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Good! Cheers 🙂

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

      LVG is manchester uniteds coach

  17. Sonder
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Rated. 3 star.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      It's passable.

  18. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

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

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ultimate in what way?

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

      Lukaku has been acting dead for a while now himself

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Exatcly

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

      ok.

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Bad mood?

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

          not really. you?

          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Question answered 🙂

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

    Hazard to Tadic
    Lukaku to Aguero

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

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

      Why get rid of Hazard?

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

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

  20. BB-8
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Hearing from where?

      1. BB-8
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Twitter/ Big Sam's comments

  21. Slam
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months 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
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Miss a season.

      1. Voodoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers TM.

      1. Voodoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

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

  23. n-doggg
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      a.

      1. n-doggg
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Ta

  24. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Moreno mate.

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

        Gave me CS when I needed (GW37) 😉

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

      ab ra ca da bra?

      1. Zombie
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months 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
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    CALM DOWN GUYS

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      NO U

  26. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    PVA + Defoe -> VVD + Long?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

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

        naughty

    2. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

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

      1. Epic Fail
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Source?

  27. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      LOL

  28. Pie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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, 2 months ago

      FFFix rivals section

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

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

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        or above.

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

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

      Coutinho --> Tadic/Mane

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

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

  30. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months 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
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Transfers

      1. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

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