Selection
22 April 2017 1217 comments
James H James H
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After Marko Arnautovic delivered in spectacular fashion last weekend with a 12-point haul in Stoke City’s 3-1 win over Hull City, we’re hoping at least one of this week’s differential choices can produce another double-figure score.

With three teams facing double Gameweeks, we’ve turned to players from Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Middlesbrough, given the potential on offer.

Andros Townsend

Having produced two goals, three assists and nine Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points over his last six appearances, Crystal Palace midfielder Andros Townsend enters the double Gameweek in fine fettle.

The England international, who’s available at just 5.8 in FPL, has been a star performer for the Eagles over the past month or so, and now faces matches away to Liverpool and at home to Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 34, before a plum home fixture against Burnley a week later.

While they appear tough match-ups on paper, Liverpool do rank joint-first for big chances conceded over the last six Gameweeks with 16, while the fact Palace have won three of their last four at Selhurst Park suggests they can trouble an in-form Spurs.

Townsend’s underlying statistics illustrate his growing influence for Sam Allardyce’s side, registering 15 key passes over the last six Gameweeks, more than double the tally of any team-mate, and only bettered by Manchester City’s David Silva among all FPL midfielders.

Despite outscoring Wilfried Zaha by 42 FPL points to 36 over Palace’s last six matches, it’s Zaha who is proving more popular among managers.

The Ivory Coast international has been snapped up by 78,000 FPL bosses since Saturday’s deadline, compared to 33,000 for Townsend.

That’s seen Zaha’s ownership soar to 15.7%, leaving the 2.7%-owned Townsend as the differential option.

So for those Fantasy managers who are running out of time to make a late charge in mini-leagues, it’s arguably Townsend who provides the bigger upside of the two.

Stewart Downing

With Middlesbrough facing the most favourable fixtures of the three teams who have two matches in Gameweek 34, we’ve decided to roll the dice on midfielder Stewart Downing.

Steve Agnew’s side travel to Bournemouth this afternoon, before entertaining Sunderland at the Riverside on Wednesday night.

While goals have been hard to come by for ‘Boro all season long, managing just 23, those two match-ups are pretty appealing.

Bournemouth rank third for most goals conceded (11) over the last six Gameweeks, and second for shots conceded from inside the box (59) over the same period.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have only kept one clean sheet in their 15 away matches this season.

‘Boro attackers could be worth consideration as differentials this week then, with the 0.5%-owned Downing perhaps a dark horse.

Downing is one of only four players to start all five matches since Agnew took charge at the Riverside, and has created 10 chances, double the number of any team-mate.

Under Agnew, there has been an emphasis on getting crosses into the box for forwards Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede.

‘Boro rank second for crosses (126) over the last six Gameweeks, and as seen on Monday night, when Downing’s cross was volleyed home by Negredo, he offers significant assist potential.

So available at just 4.9 in FPL, Downing looks a possible option for maverick Fantasy managers.

Daley Blind

The knee injury suffered by Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo in Thursday night’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League means we’ve opted for Daley Blind as our final selection.

The Dutch defender has generally been out of favour under United boss Jose Mourinho of late, but with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, he looks to have a good chance of starting both matches in double Gameweek 34, when United travel to Burnley and Manchester City.

Blind’s lack of playing time means he’s owned by just 4.2% of FPL managers, but as a short-term option, he could well be worth a gamble.

The major advantage Blind possess is the fact he shares set-piece duties when in the side.

He has produced 14 successful corners this season, more than double of any team-mate, and has created a chance every 62 minutes, better than fellow defender Antonio Valencia (84).

Given he’s only made 19 appearances, the fact Blind has registered 12 FPL bonus points is hugely impressive, and priced at 5.2, he is also cheaper than both Eric Bailly and Valencia.

United have kept clean sheets in three of their last four league encounters, and with Burnley only scoring in three of their last five, Sunday’s clash looks promising from a defensive perspective.

The Manchester derby will present a far tougher challenge, but over the two fixtures, there’s every chance Blind will prove to be a worthwhile acquisition.

Mourinho’s side also face a very favourable home fixture against Swansea City in Gameweek 35, so particularly for Fantasy managers who still have their wildcard to play, there look enough reasons to take a short-term punt on the United man.

  1. 8ball
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Cech or Bravo for the rest of the season?

  2. WE GO FOR IT
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Captain:
    Negredo or Lukaku?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure myself.

      Anyone?

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        ML rival who is chasing has Lukaku mostly so I'm on him currently!

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Negredo for DGW surely

    3. JurgenRocks
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Negredo

  3. ANON.
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Valencia to Bailly worth a hit?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No

    2. Margarido
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No...

  4. Weilong7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    repost

    de gea or gibson? (had valencia)
    rashford or negredo?

    1FT in hand
    thanks

  5. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    53pts ahead of chaser with Benteke.

    Keep faith with Aguero or Benteke -4

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Faith

  6. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Captain:

    1. Negredo
    2. Benteke
    3. Zaha

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ben-Ten. 🙂

  7. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Would you make any further transfers? I haven't taken any hits yet.

    Grant
    Chambers Alonso Baines
    Zaha Son Alli Sanchez
    Lukaku Benteke (C) Rashford

    Foster de Roon Mee Brunt

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'd swap a keeper or Baines to DDG or Blind

  8. Viper
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    If you're rival who you are trying to catch (70 points) has Siggy and the rest of your mids/forwards are different, does it make sense to play or bench Siggy?

    Coutinho the alternative

    1. 8ball
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Play Coutinho

      1. Unsuccessful
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        As they are all different otherwise I wouldn't worry about not playing Siggy from a coverage point of view.

        Whether Siggy is generally better than Coutinho is a different dilemma

  9. vectorman
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    This captaining Negredo is insanity isn't it?.. Just under an hour to go and I've still got it on him, what is this madness? 😀

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He one time got 12 and then 9 in two consecutive games, so I'd be happy with 42 points

    2. Clump
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      DGW fever at its finest.
      I've captained him too. Borough can't score for love nor money!

    3. vectorman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I like your optimism Bob.. Lets keep those fingers, toes and everything else crossed he does it again.

      It's not actually Negredo I'm worried about, in fact I'd even say he maybe underrated. It's as you say Clump Borough, that's what is worrying lol

  10. Carlton P
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Kun > rashford (c)?
    Or lukaku(c), keep kun if chasing, only 20 points

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku!!!

  11. Gianfranco Zola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Blind the best defender to have this week for 5.2 or less?

    Already have Gibson and Valencia.

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      It's all guesswork. There will be surprised with the team sheets no doubt.

  12. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Anybody got any news on Chambers? Likely to start this week?

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Well he's fit so that good news for Boro and their go forward.

    2. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      would you get it for a hit though? or too risky and play Robertson?

  13. Bill78
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Should i go for coutinho or alli for this week???

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Coutinho

  14. jackhammer1
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to captain?
    A. Rashford
    B. Kane
    C. Negredo
    D. Zaha
    E. Sanchez
    F. Alli

    1. weaver93
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      b

  15. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who's everyone eyeing as GW35 captain?

    1. jackhammer1
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Kane or Gabbi

  16. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Start Siggy or Coutinho?

    1. 1NAM
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      both

  17. GHB
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Sane > Townsend -4 ??

    1. YoungPretender
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't be taking Sane out personally. Good fixtures and a DGW.

      1. GHB
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I've go to wildcard to put him back in - just Townsend for dgw and Burnley home is appealing

        1. YoungPretender
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Go for it then

  18. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Brunt -> Chambers for a hit? Or play Robertson vs Wat H ? Other 2 def are Alonso / Valencia.

    1. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No hit

  19. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Sanchez (C) Crazy?

    1. YoungPretender
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I don't think captaining Sanchez is ever crazy, though it depends who your other options are.

    2. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not crazy at all

  20. Weilong7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    kane
    lukaku
    negredo

    which one as cpt?

    1. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I have all three and am picking Negredo

  21. How's Your Gowl
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you bench?

    A) de Roon (bou, SUN)

    B) Alli (cpl)

    Cheers!

    1. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      de Roon

  22. Uncle Gamst
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Best captain please in your opinion gents?

    a) Lukaku
    b) Rashford
    c) Kane
    d) Zaha

    Many thanks

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going d because it seems a week for punts.

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks and good luck, TBH I only put Zaha in there as DGW and to test the water

    2. weaver93
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      c

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm.. thanks good to get some opinions 🙂

    3. jackhammer1
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Currently on rashford, but I really don't know

  23. Weasel51
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Walker > Blind -4?

    Wild carding next week anyway

    1. Aikon123
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      That's what I've done. Playing AoA with Valencia

  24. Viper
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Play Siggy or Coutinho?

    Coutinho has form. Siggy has pens..

    1. weaver93
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      coutinho

    2. YoungPretender
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Cout

    3. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      i'm back on forth on this.
      Siggy's stats are good and if Swansea score against Stoke he has to be involved. Stoke not good away from home.
      Just have a feeling Liverpool-Palace could be high scoring.
      Problem with Liverpool never know which mids are going to get the pts each week.
      Atm Coutinho starting but could easily be Siggy by deadline.

  25. KLOPPS GLASSES
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Do I play Mawson or DeRoon?

    1. YoungPretender
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      De Roon

    2. weaver93
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      de roon -just..

  26. Tinzelbat
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Really struggling this week any help would be greatly appreciated
    Should i

    A - dont make any more transfers hope that zlatan plays and if not clayton dg off my bench

    B - take out zlatan for another hit and bring in negredo

    Also who to captain kaku kane or negredo if i bring him in

    1. Weilong7
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      zlatan out for the season..

      1. Tinzelbat
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        So clayton off the bench or another -4 to get zlatan put -8 in total for negredo

    2. KLOPPS GLASSES
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B, I went Kaku

      1. Tinzelbat
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Okay thanks

  27. Rattus Norvegicus
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Will Valdes play at all this GW? Thinking of Guzan?? Straight swap

  28. GloryBXI
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    70 point lead in ML. Both ruvals have Zaha. Should I get him for a hit in to cover or not needed?

    Trade would be Snodgrass > Zaha and having to bench Siggy or Walker.

    1. YoungPretender
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Nah, play Siggy. He could easily outscore Zaha imo.

  29. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hello everybody.

    How is your team doing ?

    Are you all locked in?

  30. VDiesel26
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton
    Davies Alonso Valencia
    King Hazard Coutinho Alli Sanchez
    Kane Lukaku

    Jakupovic Olsson Anichebe Stephens 2.7m ITB

    Any hits worth taking?
    Considering Anichebe to Negredo (Not enough funds for Benteke) but then would have to bench King