Thursday finds us occupied with the Weekly Shop, where we bid to help guide your selections for daily and weekly Fantasy Football squad building, paying particular attention to FanDuel’s player list.
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 and free up some crucial funds.
If you’re new to FanDuel, be sure to check in with our strategy guide, which will help you get to grips with their scoring model, as well as passing on some key tips for success.
Let’s now look at the week at hand and offer a run down of the players piquing our interest, starting with the big name signings.
Better Buys
Arsenal are showing signs of defensive improvement, leading us to consider Petr Cech as an option in goal. Arsene Wenger’s men secured a second shut-out of the season in the convincing 3-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates.
Their settled rearguard improves Cech’s (£7.3m) chances of a clean sheet as the Gunners travel to Burnley on Sunday. Rested for the midweek Champions League visit of Basel, he will be fresh and remains reasonably priced for the match-up at Turf Moor.
FanDuel’s scoring does not reward defenders for clean sheets, so our sights are set on players who register actions such as clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI’s). That often means targeting dominant defenders in teams who are set to be on the back foot.
Virgil Van Dijk (£8.4m) certainly fulfills that criteria ahead of Southampton’s trip to Leicester City.
The Dutchman has recorded 76 CBIs so far this season – only Hull City’s Curtis Davies (£10.1m) has managed more (106). The Saints defender has also fired in five efforts on goal, a factor that could come into play, with the Foxes conceding a pair of headers in their defeat at Old Trafford.
Burnley’s Ben Mee (£6.9m) and Sunderland’s Papy Djilobodji (£7.4m) are joint second overall with Van Dijk for CBIs and both have the form and fixtures worth considering for inclusion.
The Clarets centre-back made nine clearances against Watford last time out and will be kept busy once again for Arsenal’s visit.
Meanwhile, despite the home defeat to Crystal Palace, Djilobodji picked up his best score of the campaign, a haul of 30.75 FanDuel points.
An impressive 17 CBIs and three tackles in that performance makes the Senegalese defender worth considering as West Brom drop in at the Stadium of Light.
Moving to midfield, we’re looking to Willian (£9.7m) as the value pick from an out-of-sorts Chelsea outfit.
The Brazilian has averaged 25.1 FanDuel points per appearance compared to the 22.79 points mustered by the more expensive Eden Hazard (£12.8m).
Willian’s 20 chances created (worth three points apiece) is level with Kevin De Bruyne’s output and that creativity will be a key weapon for the Blues’ trip to Hull City.
Liverpool’s form urges us to consider at least one of their assets in our line-ups for the visit to Swansea City.
Only Hull have conceded more shots from inside the box this season than the Swans, indicating that Jurgen Klopp’s side won’t be short on opportunities.
Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana are both available for £9.6m. They’ve made 11 and 10 penalty area goal attempts this season and, with those price tags, they look to be wiser investments than fellow midfielder Philippe Coutinho (£13.7m) and FanDuel forward Roberto Firmino (£10.5m).
Up front, Alexis Sanchez’s (£14.3m) four goals and three assists in four outings makes the Arsenal forward difficult to leave out of our teams for the trip to Burnley.
There is, however, another Gunner whose recent displays have cemented his place as a cheaper alternative – or even as a means of doubling up on Wenger’s forwards.
Theo Walcott (£9.7m) has averaged 26.88 FanDuel points compared to Sanchez’s 27.04 points. Having fired two goals in the impressive Champions League win over FC Basel, Walcott will head to Turf Moor brimming with confidence and seemingly reborn as an attacking prospect.
The Clarets won’t be pushovers on Sunday but, notably, only Sunderland (112) and Hull City (139) have allowed more goal attempts than Sean Dyche’s side (102).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£15.3m) may have missed out on goals and assists in the 4-1 win over the champions, but the Swede has to be backed to fare better with Stoke City due at Old Trafford.
Mark Hughes men sit second bottom and have shipped 15 goals over their six league outings thus far.
Starlet striker Marcus Rashford (£9.3m) looks set to retain his United starting role against the Potters and, after finding the net in his last three outings across all competitions, provides cheaper coverage for those who have lost confidence in the Ibrahimovic option.
Poundstretchers
Liverpool succumbed to yet another set piece goal to prevent Loris Karius (£5.7m) from earning a clean sheet on his Premier League debut, but the summer signing is expected to retain his start at the Liberty Stadium.
The German appears to be Klopp’s favoured choice between the sticks and, at that price, offers strong value in front of a backline that boasts some impressive defensive numbers.
Klopp’s men have conceded just 30 attempts from inside the box – only Chelsea can match that statistic.
As mentioned, in FanDuel, we often seek centre-backs that will be under the cosh – making them more likely to rack up points from defensive actions.
We certainly feel that Swansea City will be hard-pressed against a vibrant Liverpool midfield so we’re looking to Jordi Amat (£6.8m) once again.
The Spaniard has been our regular pick from Francesco Guidolin’s rearguard and has seen his price rise on the back of a 18.17 FanDuel average.
Mike van der Hoorn could also be an option, so be sure to check the teamsheets on Saturday’s early kick-off. Available for just £4.4m, the Dutchman earned his full Premier League debut against Manchester City and could retain his start in the Swans back four.
It’s Tottenham’s turn to host Manchester City this weekend, which has us look to their rearguard for options.
Surprisingly, Jan Vertonghen (£6.3m) has a budget price tag for Sunday’s encounter. The centre-back has made 67 CBIs this term and will surely be in the thick of the action against the league leaders, either from central defence or left-back.
Bruno Martins Indi (£6.1m) is our pick from a Stoke City defence that face a tough afternoon at Old Trafford. The towering centre-back will be tasked with shackling Zlatan Ibrahimovic, so should amass some big numbers for defensive actions.
His team-mate Joe Allen (£7.8m) was top for FanDuel points earned per million last Gameweek and also has to be a consideration. The Welshman scored and made eight tackles from a number ten role, and it’s his defensive attributes that make him an option against United.
Manchester City boast a pair of budget midfield players whose all-round abilities are well-suited to the FanDuel scoring matrix.
Fernandinho (£7.9m) and Ilkay Gundogan (£7.7m) are both cut-price options and should be heavily involved in the clash at White Hart Lane.
Kevin De Bruyne’s absence could also hand Leroy Sane a start. Available for £6.0m, the German presents an even cheaper, albeit riskier route into Pep Guardiola’s attack.
In attack, Jermain Defoe’s (£8.5m) brace against Crystal Palace last time out confirmed the veteran striker remains a factor. A tally of 49.25 points saw the Black Cats’ marksman rank top amongst forwards for points per million last weekend.
Four goals from seven shots on target illustrates that Defoe remains as lethal as ever; he is undoubtedly key to Sunderland’s prospects for the Baggies visit to Wearside.
Islam Slimani (£8.4m) made his Premier League debut for Leicester City against Burnley, resulting in a 48.5-point haul via a brace of headed goals.
The Algerian looks to be a worthy target as Foxes cover for the visit of Southampton. Certainly, he appears to offer stronger value than both Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) and compatriot Riyad Mahrez (£12.1m).
The Saints have their own striker in form. Charlie Austin is priced at just £5.9m in FanDuel this weekend which makes him a consideration for those scratching for funds or deploying three strikers.
