Welcome to our first visit of the season to the Weekly Shop, where we will help guide your selections for daily and weekly Fantasy Football squad building, paying particular attention to our partner games.
As with last term, 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 with points whilst liberating crucial funds.
This first trip to the Weekly Shop sees us focus on both FanDuel and DraftKings contests that cover the Saturday 3pm and 5:30pm kick offs.
Better Buys
As we mentioned in our recent strategy guide, In FanDuel’s scoring system goalkeepers are the only players who are rewarded for clean sheets, with 10 points awarded for a shut-out.
In addition, they also earn three points for a save in FanDuel and two points in DraftKings, so busy keepers with a chance of securing a clean sheet are ideal picks. DraftKings also offers five points to a goalkeeper on the winning side, which can make the more expensive stoppers far more attractive.
Even so, in Tom Heaton (Fanduel 7.4, DraftKings $4900) newly promoted Burnley have a keeper who averaged a save every 27 minutes and, in his last top-flight campaign in 2014/15, he had the Premier League’s third best save record. A clean sheet and even a victory look on the cards with the Clarets hosting a Swansea side without the threat of Andre Ayew and with Gylfi Sigurdsson struggling for match sharpness, following an extended pre-season break.
Defenders may not fetch points for clean sheets in FanDuel but they do benefit from making other contributions such as clearances (one point in FanDuel), interceptions (1.5 points in FanDuel, 0.5 points in DraftKings) and blocked shots (two points in FanDuel), as well as attacking contributions including creating chances and shots on target (five points in FanDuel, one point in DraftKings).
This makes centre-backs with a goal threat an ideal pick up with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk (DraftKings $4500), one of Gameweek 1’s stand-out options. He comes with a hefty FanDuel price tag of 9.0 but with an impressive match average points score of 23.21 last term, he could be worth the outlay for the visit of Watford.
We turn to the South coast outfit once again for our first midfield pick of the campaign, Dusan Tadic (FanDuel 10.5, DrafKings $7200), who looks to have established himself at the point of a midfield diamond in Claude Puel’s new-look Southampton side.
The Serbian ended the previous term in fine form, picking up six assists and a pair of goals in the last five matches. With seven points for an assist and three for chances created, the midfielder would have registered an average of 22.26 points per match in FanDuel last season. With set pieces and penalties in his locker, he looks set to prosper once again and is particularly appealing in DraftKings, where crosses are worth 0.75 points. Last term he registered an impressive 116 crosses.
Another reliable FanDuel midfield asset with a favourable fixture is Crystal Palace’s Yohan Cabaye (FanDuel 10.7, DraftKings $7400). With an average score of 29.60 in FanDuel, he was last season’s seventh highest average points earner. If he starts, the Frenchman could offer decent value for the visit of West Brom.
Kevin De Bruyne (FanDuel 14.0, DraftKings $9300) looks set to prosper in both formats.
Only Riyad Mahrez and Mesut Ozil would have registered more FanDuel points than the Belgian’s 30.68 per match in 2015/16. In the long-run, the arrival of Pep Guardiola is expected to improve the Belgian’s returns but instantly the opening day encounter with Sunderland looks tailor-made for De Bruyne to profit. His pitch-time, post Euro 16, could be an issue but the potential to inflict damage and reap points looks strong even if limited to an hour.
It’s also difficult to see beyond his team-mate Sergio Aguero (FanDuel 14.0, DraftKings $10,600) against the Black Cats. Last season he would have averaged 28.33 points a game in FanDuel, while 12.4 points per game in DraftKings highlights why the Argentine is almost impossible to ignore, regardless of price tag.
Poundstretchers
There’s actually real opportunities over the opening weekend, with some surprise names on the teamsheets due to injury and rest, both FanDuel and DraftKings have an array of players that appear to offer exceptional value.
Steve Mandanda’s arrival at Selhurst Park is likely to see Wayne Hennessey (FanDuel 6.1, Draftkings $4100) drop to the bench at some point in the campaign but with the France International lacking match fitness we’re backing the Welshman to start between the sticks when Crystal Palace entertain West Brom. He’s very kindly priced in DraftKings in particular and the Eagles have a good chance of a shut-out against a Baggies side who have suffered an uninspiring pre-season, with goals typically difficult to come by.
With Ashley Williams now departed, Swansea will likely hand a Premier League debut to Mike van der Hoorn and he’s been undervalued in both FanDuel (4.0) and DraftKings ($2800) as a result. His appeal in the latter is limited to perhaps the utility slot at best but in FanDuel, he looks a decent enabler along with team-mate Jordi Amat (4.2) who could also start should Federico Fernandez be ruled out.
At Middlesbrough, boss Aitor Karanka has built a well-organised defence, which should allow George Friend (FanDuel 6.3, DraftKings $4000) to thrive in his left-back role. He registered 2.3 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per match in the Championship last season.
There’s also Antonio Barragán who looks set to claim a centre-back role – he’s been handed a price of just 4.0 in FanDuel, with DrafKings granting him a far steeper price of $4100. However, they have apparently underpriced Ben Gibson at $2700 if you’re after another enabler.
Also at the back, Southampton’s Matt Targett is set to profit from Ryan Bertand’s absence through injury in the home clash with Watford. He’ll cost you just 5.1 in FanDuel and a reasonable $4200 over in DraftKings.
FanDuel have also been thrown by Jan Vertonghen’s apparent injury – Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that he’d be in contention at Everton and he can be acquired but the game still has him flagged and available for just 5.7.
Yet another‘Boro target, Marten De Roon (FanDuel 6m, DraftKings $4,800) is one to watch as a budget midfield option. The combative Dutchman looks primed to pick up plenty of tackle and interception points from his defensive midfield berth.
Southampton signing Pierre Emile Hojberg, is another midfield enabler, available for just 4.0 in FanDuel (DraftKings $4500). At such a rock bottom price the ex-Bayern Munich player should offer excellent value and is expected to start against Watford. A 88% pass rate last season while on loan at Schalke 04 hints that he could be a key FanDuel asset once established in the Saints’ starting line-up.
In DraftKings, suppliers of crossed balls are worth considering even against stronger opposition, with direct balls into the box established as the main route of attack. Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri (FanDuel 8.9, Draftkings $6200) and West Brom’s James McClean (FanDuel 6.2, Draftkings $5300), are prime examples of midfielders that tend to prosper in DraftKings and should build up a healthy tallies when they face Manchester City and Crystal Palace away respectively.
I also feel the DrafKings have been very kind on Wayne Routledge, pricing him at just $4100 – he’s notched five goals in pre-season for the Swans and should start at Burnley.
In attack, value is more difficult to find, although Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu looks keenly priced in both games (5.7 FanDuel, $6500 in DrafKings). He looks set to start against Spurs and has glittered in pre-season in a false nine or central striker role.
Crystal Palace’s Connor Wickham (7.0 in FanDuel,$5400 in DraftKings) and Stoke City’s Mame Biram Diouf (7.0 in FanDuel and $5100 in DraftKings) also catch the eye if you really want to scrimp at the business end of the pitch.
This Week’s Contest
FanDuel have set up a free-for-all contest available in the lobby for Saturday’s 3pm and 5:30pm contests.
We’ve already set up a Fantasy Football Scout contest that offers a total of £200 in prizes as well for these kick offs. This costs just £1 to enter and is available for 230 entrants – the top 57 places will collect at least £2, with the winner earning £25 and runner-up collecting £15.
You can register for a free account at FanDuel via this link. When you sign up, enter the promo code “SCOUT” and FanDuel will refund your first paid entry fee, up to £10, as free entry credit if you don’t win cash. Further games covering other matches over the first set of Premier League fixtures will also be launched later this week.
All UK players that register a new account on DraftKings and opt in to receive emails will get FREE entry into its Premier League Kick Off Special contest, which has a £40,000 ($55,000) pot and covers the Saturday 3pm and 5:30pm kick offs. Players only need to register an account to claim – no deposit required.
