FanDuel
16 September 2016 825 comments
Tom Fenley Tom Fenley
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Welcome to our regular lunchtime article looking at FanDuel’s games and key picks. Each round we’ll be putting forward a proposed eleven who we think should prosper in the Gameweek’s action, according to FanDuel’s unique scoring system.

There are three deadlines on FanDuel for entering line-ups into contests this weekend. The Friday night 8pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge marks the start of the games that cover all ten fixtures of the round. The Saturday only contests begin at 3pm, while Sunday’s four-match slate starts at 12 noon.

We’ve focussed on players from Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs in forward positions with all three having favourable fixtures, though their midweek Champions League exertions may limit their appeal.

Everton’s convincing second-half performance at the Stadium of Light has also put Toffees assets on our radar, ahead of the Goodison Park encounter with Middlesbrough.

For our-back-line, we’ve once again pinpointed some centre-backs that have tough opposition, which should see them make strong defensive contributions, a crucial factor in FanDuel where only goalkeepers gain clean sheet points.

To get started register for a free account via this link. When you sign up, enter the promocode “SCOUT” and FanDuel will refund your first paid entry fee, up to £10, as free entry credit if you don’t win cash.

There’s also a strategy guide available that examines which players to target in the various positions based on the average scores they would have accrued if the scoring was applied to last season.

My Team

Claudio Bravo £5m

Papy Djilobodji £5.5m

Steve Cook £7.4m

Curtis Davies £9.3m

Yannick Bolasie £7.7m

Dusan Tadic £9.9m

Christian Eriksen £10.1m

Kevin De Bruyne £15.3m

Alexis Sanchez £13m

Kelechi Iheanacho £6.6m

Romelu Lukaku £9.2m

Key Picks

Claudio Bravo marked his home debut for City with a clean sheet in the midweek clash with Borussia Monchengladbach, the Chilean keeper’s budget price-tag combined with visitors Bournemouth failing to impress in front of goal so far makes the ex-Barcelona shot-stopper difficult to overlook between the sticks.

We also like the look of Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg (£6m) who may be worth the extra investment as he looks for a third straight clean sheet in the Goodison Park clash with ‘Boro.

Sunderland’s summer signing Papy Djilobodji looks well-suited to the FanDuel scoring system, demonstrated by a 21.75 point average over his three appearances so far. The Senegalese centre-back made seven interceptions and six clearances in the defeat to Everton and at £5.5m should provide value for the visit to White Hart Lane.

Bournemouth may not be facing the suspended Sergio Aguero on Saturday but Steve Cook is still likely to be kept busy at the Etihad. Just three defenders have registered more than the centre-back’s 47 clearances, blocks and interceptions this term.

Curtis Davies continues to top that list by some margin (recording 84 clearances, blocks and interceptions in total). While in such resilient form he appears to be indispensable in the FanDuel format, with visitors Arsenal giving him ample opportunity to add to his impressive defensive statistics.

We’ve gone with Everton’s Yannick Bolasie in midfield based on his performance in Monday’s 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light, where the winger created five chances, earned an assist and had three attempts on goal. The ex-Palace player looks a potentially explosive prospect this Gameweek.

There’s lots tempting selections in the £9.5m to £10.5m bracket for the upcoming round, with Dusan Tadic among our differential recommendations. The Serb proved his capability of scoring well in FanDuel with a 34.25 haul in Southampton’s opening day fixture with Watford. After some disappointing performances, we’re hoping for a return to similar form here as the Saints host Swansea.

Christian Eriksen makes the cut after posting a score of 35.25 against Stoke. His two assists and three chances created shows the Dane is hitting form and we’re expecting the Spurs playmaker to be involved again for the visit of the Black Cats. Dele Alli (£9.8m) also demonstrated some of last season’s threat at Stoke, creating three chances and netting his first goal of the campaign.

Both Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla (£9.8m) and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (£9.1m) have had bright starts to the season and are worth considering for their favourable fixtures this Gameweek. However, we’ve managed to fit in their more expensive team-mates, who we believe are worth the extra outlay.

Alexis Sanchez, classed as a forward in FanDuel, has highlighted his goal threat on the road, scoring in back-to-back away matches for the Gunners against Watford in the league and PSG in Europe.

Kevin De Bruyne has created a table-topping 14 chances in the league this season and put in a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United last weekend. With Bournemouth visiting Gameweek 5 looks an ideal time to invest in the midfield maestro.

Being able to afford those two big-hitters was largely down to the bargain price-tag of City’s Kelichi Iheanacho. The young forward scored against Borussia Monchengladbach after opening his account for the term in the Manchester derby. He looks set to lead the line again in Ageuro’s absence.

We complete the XI with Romelu Lukaku, whose goal drought was broken in style with an 11-minute hat-trick on Monday night. The Toffees front-man now leads the league for shots-on-target (worth five points apiece in FanDuel), alongside Diego Costa.

This Week’s Games

The all-weekend time-frame has the biggest pot of the weekend, the £7500 Fan Favourite contest which has a £5 buy-in and a £750 first-place prize.

There’s also a £25 free game on offer which covers the full-round as well which is ideal for newcomers to test out the format.

Our own contest covers the Saturday matches, the Fantasy Football Scout Challenge is £1 to enter with a guaranteed pot of £150 available, this contest starts at 3pm on Saturday.

The main game for the Saturday only slate is the £1500 special, it has a £3 entry fee with £200 going for first place, the deadline is 3pm though late swap is available for players you select in the 5.30pm kick-off at Goodison Park.

On Sunday there is a similar contest available, also with a £1500 guaranteed and £3 buy-in.

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.

825 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Koflok
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So Gray > Iheanacho?

    1. Gizzachance
      10 years, 1 month ago

      yeah

    2. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wildcarding next week? If not then how will you get Aguero back?

      As it turns out I'm 0.2m short of gray > nacho but feel that saving a more valuable to get Kun next week.

  2. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Captain check?

    1. Yome
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Haz

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra

    3. Make United Great Again
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra of Nahco. My thinking is Nacho is a differential in himself so safer to go with Ibra

      1. Make United Great Again
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Or*

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Makes sense

    4. F4L
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Alexis

    5. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ihena(c)ho

    6. PvA
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'd never captain a goalkeeper

    7. PvA
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra

    8. Rains of Castamere
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Still undecided, ahhhhh!!

    Captain = 1. Zlatan or 2. Alexis
    1FT = A. Gray>Nacho or B. Save for Kun

    On 1A at the mo

    1. Yome
      10 years, 1 month ago

      2A

    2. Gingio Ze Roberto
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on 2. B at the moment : -P - thoughts?

    3. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Save unless wildcarding. You'll want kun next week so unless you can get him with one FT Nacho is effectively starting -4 down.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        10 years, 1 month ago

        True... BUT Gray will drop tonight and cost me 0.1, hmm?

    4. Simon Says...
      10 years, 1 month ago

      2A - if Nacho scores he'll pay back whatever hit you need to take next week to get Kun in.

  4. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If you could pick any midfielder, irrespective of price, for this week (and next, if you wish to factor that in), who would it be?

    Top 3 choices?

    I'm stuck between Hazard, Sanchez, KDB, Nolito.....

    Thanks!

    1. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      KDB
      Sanchez
      Nolito

      in that order.

    2. Mick J
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely De Bruyne – but for me that would mean going without Agüero from next week, which seems risky.

      1. Hungry Singh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not worried about KDB minutes, after cramp v Utd, and then 90 vs Gladbach.....?

  5. bennyp
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gtg?

    Heaton (foster)
    Baines - valenica - morgan (friend amat)
    Haz(c) - bolasie - tadic - antonio - capoue
    Ibra - costa (gray)

    0ft and 3.5itb

    Any moves??

  6. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio is showing as rose on FPLStats but he's still 7.1 on FPL?

    1. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's only risen once.

      1. Christina.
        10 years, 1 month ago

        *twice

        1. devils advocate
          10 years, 1 month ago

          You're right sorry.

          To the op, for every two rises since you've owned the player, you gain 0.1 mil.

          Eg. You transferred him in at 7.0mil.

          He rises to 7.1mil, he stays at 7.0mil in your team.

          He rises to 7.2mil, he increases to 7.1mil in your team.

          And so on.

    2. SW6
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's 7.2, your selling price is 7.1

    3. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No I don't have Antonio. I'm putting him in my WC team but he's showing as 7.1, shouldn't he be 7.2 now?

      1. Christina.
        10 years, 1 month ago

        his cost is 7.2

        refresh

        1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I have. Still 7.1 for me...

          1. Christina.
            10 years, 1 month ago

            ..i suggest you buy him then.

            NOW!

          2. Mick J
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Hurry but then!

        2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          10 years, 1 month ago

          He's gone up now! Dammit - knew it was too good to be true.

  7. VS10_
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wenger says "Cech will be back in goal", but "there won't be many changes". Giroud has a knock.

  8. Gotta Wijnaldum points
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone think the Che Liv game tonight may be called off due to the heavy rain?

    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      As long as we find out before 7pm....

      1. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'd imagine they'd have covers though.

        1. Gotta Wijnaldum points
          10 years, 1 month ago

          it's more the localised flooding i'd be worried by

    2. PvA
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hope not

      1. PvA
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Apparently it'll stop raining in London after 4

    3. Simon Says...
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ha! I'm about 2 miles from Stamford Bridge and it's spitting at most.

      1. Gotta Wijnaldum points
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Good stuff!

  9. GWK 5 - Mark v Jonty - who will win?
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mark v Jonty

    Mark and I are once again going head to head in FanDuel.

    So far its 1-0 to me and I’m £10 up as well after getting into the money slots thanks to a certain Belgian Everton striker.

    Who will win this week’s contest?

    (In FanDuel only gk get clean sheet points and underlying stats are key – which means defenders against tough sides actually do better)

    Here’s my Man City heavy offering (I’m actually thinking of swapping Kane to Rooney but for now this is it)

    Bravo
    CDavies Cook Mee
    Eriksen Cazorla Sterling KDB
    Lukaku Kane Iheanacho

    And here’s Mark’s

    Bravo
    Mustafi CDavies Kaboul
    Hazard Tadic Gueye KDB Zaha
    Lukaku Iheanacho

    1. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You win easy.

    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Let's remove the spines.

      Jonty

      Cook, Mee.
      Eriksen, Cazorla, Sterling.
      Kane.

      Mark

      Mustafi, Kaboul.
      Hazard, Tadic, Gueye, Zaha.

      1. Whazza
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lol not even close

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

        Don't underestimate Gueye - an underpriced machine in FanDuel.

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

          I would reconsider your Mustafi pick, Mark.

          Can't see him having as many defensive actions as Jonty's cheaper options against high volume attacks, no clean sheets for DEF, Mustafi isn't an attacking threat either.

    3. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Can't believe you've backed my man Sterling here. You must be worried about his FPL haul, clearly,

      Brave to back Spurs with two imo. Will be tired I reckon.

      1. Football Weekender
        10 years, 1 month ago

        No concerns about Sterling potentially being rotated for Sané this weekend Mark?

      2. Bolivian Seaman
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Sunderland will have a better midfield as well. I think hazard could win it for you. I'd pick townsend as well

      3. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Just covering all bases 😉

    4. Delhidynamo
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mark is a favourite unless austin starts pen hogging again

    5. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't matter, you're both worse than my effort 😎

      Bravo
      Coleman, Davies, Dann
      De Bruyne, Gueye, Barkley, Redmond, Mané
      Iheanacho, Nolito

      £2.6m ITB just for flair

      1. Bolivian Seaman
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Danns a good shout, redmond to townsend for me

    6. tets mcgee (Ha La Land)
      10 years, 1 month ago

      i think mark will equalise

      1. tets mcgee (Ha La Land)
        10 years, 1 month ago

        zaha is key

  10. Saul Gillman
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Am I crazy to keep Coutinho over getting Sterling in for this week?

    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'd probably go Firmino over Coutinho and both over Sterling.

    2. PvA
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No, trust in Coutinho

      1. Saul Gillman
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers lads

        1. PvA
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ya welcome

  11. Sune
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Negredo --> Tekkers worth a -4?

    Did Barkley --> Antonio yesterday.

    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't think so, though I have Benteke and think he'll do well.

    2. Simon Says...
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Do it.

  12. Lizard Lips
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Foster/Jankupovic
    Shaw/Valencia/Stones/Evans/Friend
    Hazard/Barkley/Redmond/Ramirez/Capoue
    Lukaku/Zlatan/Gray

    2FT £5.8m ITB

    HELP!!! What would you do?

    (A) Ramirez and Gray > KDB and Ihanacheo (c) then WC GW6?
    (B) Ramirez and Gray > Firmino and Benteke then Ibra to Aguero GW6?
    (C) Something else.

  13. Gimli son of Gloin
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Sup, got myself a free transfer.. should I ship Sissoko or save the FT for getting Aguero back in the coming weeks? Leaning save, he should start vs Sunderland and could do well enough.

    1. Maarrrr17
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah save? I think he'll play and sunderland have really been woeful.

      1. Gimli son of Gloin
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah. The only silly punt on a well played WC last week, I may as well give him a chance to do something for me. Will assess over the coming weeks who of Snod/Bolasie/Zaha is a the best replacement.

  14. Maarrrr17
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Over the next 10 game weeks or so.....Firmino or Sterling?

    Have no Man city or Liverpool cover atm.
    Aguero will be back in my team for swansea.

    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Firmino.. Klopp will have those guys wrecking teams over the next month and Sterling will be in and out of the side I think.

    2. ameenkw
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Firmi for me ..

  15. camarozz
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have no man city attacking cover till kun comes back.
    Hazard to kdb for free and (C) him v b'mouth... Just for two wks. Money itb for kun and WC intact.

    1. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely. Smart move imo.

  16. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gray >> benteke worth a hit? gray to fall in price. Was initially planning to use my WC but thinking of holding it for a bit longer. have 1m itb

    foster --- jaku
    valencia stones pieters --- pieters souare
    antonio firmino ozil hazard --- capoue
    ibra kaku gray

  17. TheSteel
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Shortest post before new post ever, that last one

    1. kalmoffit
      10 years, 1 month ago

      There's still a viable group posting on the article prior to that.

  18. PvA
    10 years, 1 month ago

    All out attack is useless right and bench boost/triple C are much better to use in a double gw, right?

    2nd guessing myself using it this week now

    1. Whazza
      10 years, 1 month ago

      true

    2. halstho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeh, use it whenever, largely useless anyway.

  19. Kun Tozser
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Which 4th and 5th mid combination do you prefer:

    Lallana + Romeu

    Pereyra + Zaha

    1. kalmoffit
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A as I'd just play Lallana

    2. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Much more upside in B imo.

    3. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry just realised you won't be playing your 5th mid will you?

      If that's the case then A is the best option given pools fixtures, but in saying that I think Pereyra will be a dark horse and score some major points after the MU match.

  20. rohan
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Posted on last page. Thoughts on this ?

    Foster.
    Valencia . Stones. Fuchs
    Hazard. Firmino. Capoue. Sanchez(c)
    Zlatan. Lukaku. Nacho
    Bench - Jaku Ramirez Friend. Lenihan.

    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Like it.

  21. Moose™
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hi folks, need some suggestion.

    Foster

    Shaw Williams Evans

    Hazard Ozil Firmino Antonio

    Ibra Lukaku Benteke

    Sub: Pickford Capoue Amat Kone

    1FT, 0.1ITB
    A) Should I be worried that I have no City or Spurs coverage?

    B) Should take a hit swap Firmino with Eriksen/Sterling?

    C) Get Iheanacho in for Tekkers?

    D) Ibra for Captaincy?

    1. Black Belt Jones
      10 years, 1 month ago

      (A) No, you've plenty of decent attackers there.

      (B) No, seems like a sideways or even backwards move for a hit.

      (C) Probably better to save your FT to plan ahead for Aguero's return next GW.

      (D) Very possibly... I'm on Hazard at the moment but toying between the two!

  22. Slyder93
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Play heaton or foster?

  23. TheSteel
    10 years, 1 month ago

    No Spurs or City. Nothing can go wrong

    1. PvA
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No Spurs, no problem

    2. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I don't have any either and I'm a little worried. More about city than spurs.

      Hopefully my team is strong enough to counter them.

      Would hate not to maintain my current OR.

  24. Long Juan Silva
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling to see any viable options to replace Bojan other than Siggy, who has bad fixtures.

    1. Carlton P
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Snoddy or bolasie

    2. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Keep him.

      He'll come good and Stokes fixtures are great.

      Bony has talked up the potential partnership with Bojan so he must be in the teams plans.

  25. Sergeant Garcia
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play?

    A) Zaza (wba)
    B) Capoue (MUN)

    1. Long Juan Silva
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Always the striker

      1. Sergeant Garcia
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers 🙂

  26. 8ball
    10 years, 1 month ago

    captain lukaku, ibra or hazard?

    1. TheSteel
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Zlatan

    2. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ibrahimovic.

    3. S.Agueroooooo
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ibra
      luk
      haz

      in that order, i could easily change my mind though

    4. devils advocate
      10 years, 1 month ago

      When in doubt think like Zlatan would and captain Zlatan.

  27. The Nuttmxn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any changes needed? Transfers would be for a hit.

    Foster
    Valencia, Evans, Stones
    Redmond, Bolasie, Capoue, Sanchez, Hazard
    Costa, Ibrahimovic

    (Jakupovic, Gray, Mee, Friend)

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I will if you will.see below.

      1. The Nuttmxn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Tempting.

  28. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gray to Kane for a one week punt?
    WC Tonight

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      10 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    2. The Nuttmxn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I like it 🙂

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

        Cheers

  29. Nicks93
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gray to Nacho (-4) worth a punt?

    WC GW6

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking yes.let's live a little.

  30. DA Minnion (Former great)
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gray to iheanacho for a hit
    Wildcarding this coming week.

    1. makaveli123
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Don't do it!

    2. Mookty
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Already did it but without the hit. It depends on the rest of your team cos you will bench someone in place of Gray I guess.

      1. Mookty
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Just look at their history for all time:

        Date Match Result Score Competition
        01 Dec 1987 AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City W 0-2 League Division Two
        13 Feb 1988 Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth W 2-0 League Division Two
        19 Nov 1988 AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City W 0-1 League Division Two
        06 May 1989 Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth D 3-3 League Division Two
        08 Sep 1998 Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth W 2-1 League Division 2
        13 Feb 1999 AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City D 0-0 League Division 2
        17 Oct 2015 Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth W 5-1 Premier League
        02 Apr 2016 AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City W 0-4 Premier League