Welcome to the latest instalment of the Weekly Shop, as once again we scan the player list of our partner game FanDuel to bring you some tips for their upcoming contests.
With just four fixtures spanning this weekend, there’s likely to far more overlap between line-ups than usual. That implies there will be finer margins in the prize spots, as we attempt to fit in the high-scoring big-hitters alongside some astute differentials and budget assets.
We begin by analysing the fixtures to assess which areas to target when selecting from the eight teams on show.
Everton provide a set of sound options, both in goal and in attack as Ronald Koeman’s much-improved outfit seek a fifth consecutive victory at Goodison Park. The Toffees have scored 15 goals and kept three clean sheets in their previous four outings at home.
They welcome a West Bromwich side that lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns last time out, though we’re expecting Tony Pulis’ defence to bring in points on Merseyside despite the likelihood that they will concede.
As usual with Liverpool ahead of a favourable match-up at Anfield, there’s a case for including two or three of their attackers. This is certainly the case for the weekend’s smaller slate, with Burnley the visitors on Merseyside. Sean Dyche’s backline, which is likely to be stretched by waves of the home side’s attacks, also looks ripe for investment.
Swansea City travel to Hull City with both providing some intriguing prospects. The Welsh side have a playmaker that will doubtless be prominent across many line-ups, while Marco Silva is set to deploy several budget-friendly players that warrant our attention.
The Better Buys
We start by perusing the top end of the FanDuel player list, assessing the more dependable picks who carry price tags that reflect their form and pedigree. It’s these assets that are set for big hauls – straightforward selections that provide the foundations for the rest of our line-ups.
In goal, we’ve identified a clear frontrunner. Everton’s Joel Robles (£7.2m) is the top stopper by average this week – recording 16.42 FanDuel points per match over his 12 league appearances. The Spaniard has maintained a steady six clean sheets over the last ten Gameweeks, so the ten points for a shutout could again be in the offing against West Brom. Pulis’ men roll up having blanked in three of their last six away trips (at Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea).
As you may know by now, it’s actions such as tackles won, as well as clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI’s) that are the main source of points for defenders in FanDuel.
Based on those key metrics, Hull City’s Andrea Ranocchia (£8.0m) has emerged as a solid option over recent weeks.
The Italian is second for those valuable CBI’s (54) behind Bournemouth’s Steve Cook (56) over the last four rounds – and he’s also registered 12 successful tackles. Facing the imposing Fernando Llorente, fed by Gylfi Sigurdsson’s dead-ball deliveries, Ranocchia looks destined for an active and profitable afternoon at the KCOM Stadium.
Likewise, the Burnley rearguard will surely be fully occupied by Jurgen Klopp’s free-flowing Liverpool frontline.
Matt Lowton (£8.1m) edges it for us among the Clarets options. The right-back has returned a better rate of CBI’s (47) and tackles won (16) over their last four outings compared to centre-back Ben Mee (43 and nine respectively) who costs more at £8.5m. Lowton’s 21.25 point average is also superior to Mee’s 18 points per match over that period.
West Ham’s trip to Bournemouth provides us with a midfield option in the mid-price bracket who has produced some steady underlying numbers of late.
Manuel Lanzini (£8.3m) has tallied three goals and as many assists over his last seven run-outs. A respectable 15 goal attempts over the Hammers’ last six – as well as 10 interceptions and five tackles – suggests that the Argentine could produce us returns at both ends of the pitch.
Elsewhere, Ross Barkley’s (£11.3m) 14 goal attempts and 16 chances created over the last six for Everton have returned just a single goal and a pair of assists. That suggests an upturn in output could be imminent, with a 30.25 average over the last four presenting him as a strong pick for the Baggies clash.
Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson (£13.0m) has established a level of consistency that surely makes him shoo-in for most line-ups.
A 33.3 point average in FanDuel over his previous six outings includes three goals and four assists, with the Icelander producing attacking returns in seven of eight matches under new head coach Paul Clement.
Liverpool’s front trio all have their merits and deciding on who to plump for ahead of Burnley’s visit could well define our Gameweek.
Sadio Mane (£13.1m) will doubtless be a popular option, with a 23.41 average boosted by three goals and an assist against Spurs and Arsenal in his previous pair of Anfield outings.
Roberto Firmino (£13.3m) offers a strong average than Mane, recording 26.45 points per match. The forward has netted seven of his nine goals at home and with Burnley conceding more shots in the box away (157) than any other side, pairing two Liverpool attackers certainly looks wise.
The Clarets have also given up the most attempts from outside the area (120) and from set-plays (77), which puts Philippe Coutinho (£12.7m) firmly in our thoughts. The Brazilian has recorded 12 shots on goal over his last two outings, more than any other Premier League midfielder.
Up front, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku (£12.9m) is surely set to feature heavily across FanDuel line-ups. A 25.27 average makes the Belgian another obvious selection, particularly with home comforts in mind: Lukaku has scored in four successive matches at Goodison Park.
The Poundstretchers
We now move to the budget end of FanDuel’s player list, seeking the assets that can free up funds, while also providing value picks in their own right.
For goalkeepers, we pondered Simon Mignolet’s (£6.9m) chances of securing a clean sheet. However, Burnley have scored in six successive matches on the road and Liverpool’s fragility at set-pieces – and only one clean sheet in eight – makes us hesitant to select the Belgian.
So we’re looking instead to Swansea’s Lukasz Fabianski, available for just £6.8m, in a round where funds will be tight. The Pole is in the top six keepers for saves this season and has recorded 3.3 stops per match in away matches so far.
Winston Reid’s knock in Monday’s defeat to Chelsea will have us waiting on Slaven Bilic’s teamsheet for their Vitality Stadium trip, though the Kiwi is expected to be available. James Collins could come in as a straight swap should Reid miss out – the veteran has averaged 14.2 points over his last six starts and is available for £6.3m. Sam Byram (£6.8m) is another possibility if Cheikhou Kouyate (£7.0m) is shifted from right-back to replace Reid.
The Baggies defence will surely be tested by Lukaku’s pace and power, making Johnny Evans (£7.2m) a worthy option. He boasts a reasonable 17.5 average since returning from injury, including nine clearances last time out in the defeat to Crystal Palace.
Hull’s Ahmed Elmohamady (£7.4m) is a slightly cheaper alternative to Ranocchia but carries a greater attacking threat. The Egyptian has produced nine chances and 24 CBI over his last four starts, recording a 18.4 points average.
The Tigers midfield offers an array of budget friendly prospects. Kamil Grosicki (£7.6m) has supplied back-to-back assists, while Tom Huddlestone remains on our radar at £6.7m, despite the unfortunate own goal at Leicester last time out. Elsewhere, Evandro may return to start and provide value at only £5.8m: he’s created nine chances and tallied 12 fouls drawn over his last four outings.
For the Swans, Luciano Narsingh at £6m provides a cheap ‘enabler’ in midfield. The Dutch winger has provided two assists in five outings under Paul Clement and will be expected to retain his starting role on Humberside.
Everton’s Kevin Mirallas (£7.5m) has picked up an assist in each of the last two from the bench, so will surely be pushing for a starting role in against West Brom. The Belgian has returned a pair of goals and a couple of assists in his last six starts.
West Ham have kept a single clean sheet in 13 road trips this campaign, promoting interest in Bournemouth’s value picks.
Josh King (£8.5m) is the standout option from the Cherries attack. A forward in FanDuel, he has produced five goals from his last six starts, including the penalty at Old Trafford last time out. Ryan Fraser, at £7.1m, is also an option in midfield; the Scot has so far returned three goals and six assists for Eddie Howe’s side.
Lastly, we’re considering the potential of West Ham’s Andy Carroll (£8.5m) after he played the full 90 minutes against Chelsea on Monday. The target man recorded four goals in as many outings prior to his recent groin problems.
I’ll be back on Friday when I put forward my strongest XI for the weekend, while scanning some of the FanDuel contests on offer.
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