FanDuel
12 May 2017 1444 comments
Tom Fenley Tom Fenley
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With just two Gameweeks remaining, we once again cast our eye over the player list of our partner game FanDuel. As usualy, we assess the various contests on offer and also put forward our strongest select XI for the round ahead.

There’s a free contest again this week – the Combo Free Play has a guaranteed £50 in prizes with £20 going to the winner. It’s in the Saturday to Monday window, which covers nine fixtures.

Elsewhere, we return to the standard three windows for FanDuel this weekend. The deadline for the Saturday to Monday contests is tomorrow at 12.30pm when Leicester City roll up to the Etihad.

The Saturday-only games start at 3pm when three matches kick-off. It also includes Arsenal’s teatime trip to Stoke City.

Contests are also available that cover the three Sunday encounters, beginning with Hull City’s visit to Selhurst Park and incorporating the Monday night match-up when Chelsea host Watford.

For newcomers to FanDuel, our pre-season strategy guide can help steer your selections when building line-ups for the upcoming games.

My Strongest XI

Thibaut Courtois £7.1m

Jeffrey Schlupp £7m

Chris Smalling £7.3m

James Collins £7.7m

Sam Clucas £7.9m

Cesc Fabregas £10.1m

Leroy Sane £10.6m

Kevin De Bruyne £13m

Christian Benteke £8.7m

Fernando Llorente £9m

Josh King £11.6m

The Key Picks

For our goalkeeper slot, it was a choice between Manchester City’s Willy Caballero (£7m) and Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea. We settled on the latter, with the Blues hosting a Watford outfit that have failed to find the net in eight of their last ten away fixtures. The Belgian stopper has kept back-to-back clean sheets, while only Spurs have bettered the eight shut-outs in 17 matches Chelsea have managed at home.

However, we will have potential Chelsea rotation in mind should they earn victory at West Brom tonight. Caballero could well get a late call once the Blues teamsheet is published prior to Monday’s kick-off.

We hesitated to include Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp in light of doubts he would be utilised as a centre-back again as James Tomkins and Scott Dann could return. However, the versatile defender may fill in for Andros Townsend on the left flank – providing an out of position defender for our line-up.

The Ghanaian has started five of the last six matches and averaged 19.85 FanDuel points over that period. Only Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal (£7.8m) has made more tackles (30 in seven matches) over the last six Gameweeks than Schlupp’s 27 in six outings.

Next up in our rearguard is Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, who is set to start at White Hart Lane as Jose Mourinho continues his rotation policy – the defender an unused substitute in the Europa League draw with Celta Vigo last night. The centre-back has made 50 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBIs) over his last four league appearances. Only West Ham’s James Collins has made more (57).

The Hammers defender completes our line-up after shining in Slavan Bilic’s three-man back-line of late.

Collins has recorded ten more CBIs over the last six Gameweeks than any other defender, registering 81 of those actions to record a 21.9-point average. West Ham host a Liverpool side that are top for away goal attempts, producing 282 over 18 road trips, so the Reds should keep Collins busy once again.

We’ve opted for Hull City’s Sam Clucas for their must-win match at Selhurst Park. The midfielder’s industry in the centre of the pitch has seen him return three successive scores exceeding 22 points in FanDuel. Over that trio of matches, he’s scored a goal from three shots on target and made 12 tackles and 13 CBIs, highlighting his ability to bring in FanDuel points in an end-to-end role for Marco Silva’s outfit.

As mentioned, Chelsea could have won the title by Monday evening when they welcome an out-of-sorts Watford to west London. But Cesc Fabregas represents a reasonably priced route into a side that may see some players rested.

The Spaniard’s form has improved markedly over the run-in – particularly at Stamford Bridge, where he’s produced three goals and nine assists in ten outings. A 36-point average in his previous six at home shows he’s become a convincing FanDuel prospect.

Manchester City hit five goals past Crystal Palace and should be unstoppable again as Leicester City visit the Etihad, with both first choice centre-backs potentially missing for the Foxes.

We’ve doubled up on Pep Guardiola’s fluid attack, with Leroy Sane providing a relatively inexpensive option compared to his midfield team-mates – the youngster has returned four goals and a trio of assists since Gameweek 22. Over his last six matches, eight of his ten attempts have arrived from inside the box, with six of those shots on target indicating the winger is getting into promising positions.

Kevin De Bruyne’s performance against the Eagles underlined his ability to run matches and suggested the Belgian will be a key weapon in the remaining matches. A goal and a pair of assists bought his tally to five and 18 respectively this season. The midfielder has produced 11 goal attempts and the 20 chances he’s created over four outings is the most of any player – they’ve contributed to a 36-point Fanduel average.

The first of our trio of forwards should be a serious menace in aerial battles against a side that tend to concede plenty of chances from headers and set-plays. Hull make the trip to Selhurst Park having conceded the third most headed goal attempts (91) and set-piece efforts (157) this campaign.

Sam Allardyce has likely planned to make the most of Christian Benteke as a target-man to exploit the Tigers’ weaknesses. He’s top for headed attempts with 47 this season, suggesting a 15th goal is on the cards.

Swansea City travel to a Sunderland side that have conceded 32 goals in 18 home matches – the Black Cats rank second for shots conceded in the box (170) and goal attempts from set-pieces (44) in front of their own fans. That is enough reason to pick frontman Fernardo Llorente, who will be spearheading a side intent on dragging themselves away from the relegation trapdoor.

The Spaniard has scored five goals in eight starts and his threat is boosted by the more pricey midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson’s (£13.1m) convincing dead-ball deliveries.

Bournemouth’s chief threat Josh King maintained his impressive record of recent returns with an assist at Stoke City meaning the forward has only blanked in two of his last 11 outings. Benik Afobe remains sidelined, which should allow King to continue in the lone forward berth for the visit of Burnley. His 14 goal attempts and eight chances created over the last six re-affirms his status as the go-to pick from the Cherries.

Sean Dyche’s visitors have suffered on their travels this term, conceding 33 goals in 18 matches from the most shots both in (206) and out of the box (152). They’ve also yielded the most set-play opportunities (109). Those numbers made King difficult to overlook.

This Week’s Contests

The largest pot this weekend is again the Fan Favourite, which has £2,500 in prize money. It’s in the Saturday to Monday window and is £5 per entry. The top 120 line-ups will collect winnings, with £500 for first spot.

On Saturday, there’s a £3 buy-in contest which has £300 up for grabs, with a £75 pay-out to the winner and 24 of the potential 118 entries making returns.

The Sunday/Monday window has a £777 game, with a £7 entry fee. First prize is £140 and the top 29 line-ups also take a share of the winnings.

Remember the Combo Free Play this week allows you to try out FanDuel without risking any cash.

You can register for a free account at FanDuel and enter the tournament via this link.

You must be over 18 years of age, resident in the UK, and of legal capacity to register with FanDuel and open an Account. If you sign up, please always play responsibly.

1,444 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Neo-Viper
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Baily to play both games?

    1. LeicesterA
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm hoping so now.

    2. MESSINHO
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Hope so, cuz I'm leaning towards to keep.

    3. Tibbs
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      imo now banned from Europa final don't see why he would be rested, yes.

    4. Alonso14
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      defo will now - no need to rest him

    5. Neo-Viper
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Two top of the page post!! Lucky....

    6. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Likely to.

    7. vectorman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      So you guys don't fear Jones or Smalling coming in for him?. As you say can't see why but

    8. Niemi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Played the two last, but rested this weekend IMO.

      1. Niemi
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Will play the last two*

        1. jam
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Good chance of this IMO

    9. Neo-Viper
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      decision has been made!
      Thanks people!

    10. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Probably not - but perfectly capable of getting a clean sheet and bonus points when he does play.

      I'm keeping. Certainly not worth selling for a hit IMO.

  2. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Hazard or get De bruyne????
    Thanks for any suggestions

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Keep if you have other City attack.

    2. MESSINHO
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Keep imo

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Waiting on presser, Aguero back in training so if any hint he will be starting alongside Jesus then will be keeping Haz and 2 ft's for 38 over KDB move.

  3. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Best use of FT this week? Cheers

    A. Kos -> Kompany
    B . Pedro -> Cesc
    C. Alli -> Sane

    Pickford
    Monreal / Kos / Yoshida / Holegate
    Sanchez / Alli / King / Pedro
    Jesus / Gabby

    Caballero / Hazard / Kane / Alonso

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe A

    2. umerlfc
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. _Ninja_
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers

    4. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

    5. thevikings
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I would play Caballero instead of Pickford.

      Maybe Kane instead in Gabby too. Other then that you got your bench right.

  4. Tibbs
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Still have BB and TC left (didn't realise last GW started on Friday night, fail!)

    Last GW of season who would you be putting the armband on?

    1) Siggy (assuming Swans need to win)
    2) Sanchez (assuming top 4 spot still available?)
    3) Costa/Hazard (party atmosphere at home last GW)
    4) Liverpool mid?
    5) Someone else

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      It's Friday this week too

      Make sure your BB is on

      1. Tibbs
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        logged on this morning to check especially.

    2. Alonso14
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      in the same boat mate, think we just gonna have to see how this week plays out!

  5. Alonso14
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone concerned about Kompany not being able to play 2 games in 4 days and/or limping off? I can get him or Otamendi..............help!

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I went Kompany but i have the same fear - just like his goal threat but Otamendi the safer pick

    2. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, Otamendi the sounder pick imo.

    3. Fowler23
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Stones is back

  6. La Vida Latte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Kompany will play both games?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Should

    2. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I think Stones, Otamendi & Kompany with share minutes.

      All 3 could get 2 games each.

      1. La Vida Latte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Hmmm... this is so tricky in the end of the season. I want to know if Kosc->Kompany is sensible. The best thing would be to save the transfer to 38, but I don´t want a dgw:er that only plays once.

  7. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Yah or nah:

    T.Carroll Blind to Sane B.Davies -4

    ??

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yes.

    2. MESSINHO
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Do it

    3. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Hell yes

    4. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Easy decision. Yes.

    5. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely

    6. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks

    7. H-Over United
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      100%!

  8. willgriggsonfire
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed, just, any last thoughts?
    Cech Caballero
    Monreal Alonso Kone Stephens Yoshida
    Eriksen Sanchez Hazard King Capoue
    Jesus Kane Gabbiadini

    0 ITB. Taken a hit already.
    Playing BB.
    Am I gtg?
    Was thinking between Jones and Yoshida but got the latter.
    Anything else you'd suggest?

  9. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    With Aguero back in first team training is it worth taking hits to bring in Jesus?

    I'm putting the armband on Sanchez should I just go without City attack?

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      They can play together

      1. Karan_G14
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Yea but 3 games in 7 days I'm not sure I trust Pep. Plus the points are always scattered with City attackers.

    2. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Keep.

    3. Tibbs
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Sunderland at home plus more nailed imo than Jesus means he gets my armband.

    4. MESSINHO
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Thought a lot whether I should take -8 hit to bring in Jesus, but decided to keep Tekkers.

      Sanchez C for me too!

  10. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Prodl wagon?

    1. BRONALDINHO
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I got him in my team. He's been due a goal I think 😀

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        😆

        Max baps guaranteed?

  11. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Davies to play both games?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    2. Niemi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Seems likely, but not 100%.

    3. Football Weekender
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Looks likely given Rose still isn't match fit at this point.

    4. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Most probably.

    5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He has a full week of training to get match fit. Could go either way.

    6. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Reports suggest one for sure, likely 2.

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Both this week for sure but not sure about the final day. I think rose will make the squad for Leicester and get a few mins at the end

  12. jam
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Not worth losing Zaha for a hit is it? Not much spare cash anyway.

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Hasn't done anything lately. A DGW player at least has one more game.

    2. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      keep unless you have a good alternative. CP game against Hull will be huge - they need a win

      1. jam
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        only Albrighton...

  13. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Gabriel to ?

    A Holgate
    B Holding

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Holding

  14. dando89
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Am I the only one who think Jesus has more chance of a haul with Aguero on the pitch as well?

    Jesus seems to make space for the midfielders to score when he's up front on his own, but Aguero can make space for Jesus when they are playing together?

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Started only one match together so, can't be so sure.

    2. HashAttack
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Probably - also would mean KDB playing deeper .. it would be the different between which one gets the armband

      Against CPL, Jesus was pretty anonymous and I don't see much difference against Leicester / West Brom defenders
      With Kun there, Jesus is free to pick up on all the scrambles etc.

      FPL has Kun down to 25% chance of playing ... so I assume he is going to be a no show?

  15. AA33
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Wenger on Koscielny and Oxlade-Chamberlain :

    on whether Koscielny has a chance after picking up calf issue against Man Utd match…
    He’s got a small chance. He was not far. He practised on Tuesday but it was risky to play him at Southampton.
    on the Ox’s injury…
    It’s a minor hamstring problem. It was tight, but it was more fatigue.

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170511/team-news-latest-on-koscielny-the-ox

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm still confident with Gibbs *bites nails*

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      How can he have a small chance but not be far off

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Wondering the same

  16. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Tadic punt? Boro down and Man U on hols

    1. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck

    2. Prøfeßör …
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      People (myself included) have been punting on him all season with no result. Do yourself a favour and pick someone better.

      1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        For example? I've got Firmino and he's 75% to play on BB week...probably needs shipping -4. I've got Haz Sanch Sane

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      😆 People never learn.

    4. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No.

  17. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Fernandez wagon?

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Been on it for weeks 😉 AKA Points wagon

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        😀

  18. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Playing BB this week as 99% of you are, thoughts on below greatly appreciated?

    Cech // Caballero
    Alonso // Monreal // Yoshida // Stephens // Holgate
    Sanchez // Hazard // Alli // King // JWP
    Kane // Jesus // Anichibe

    A. Hazard --> KDB
    B. JWP --> Albrightion
    C. Save
    D. Other

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. umerlfc
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A if chasing
      C otherwise

  19. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Need 4.2m def wagon asap?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Stephens, Holgate

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Tuanzebe if you have any faith in United

    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Holding

    3. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Kelly

    4. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Olsson or Kone or Stephens or Holding or Benalooney

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Benaloony 😆

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Bingo.

    5. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm happy to have Olsson. Probably I will end up not playing him anyway.

    6. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Koné if you´d like a DGW:er

    7. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all....

  20. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    (c) KDB or Jesus?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      (C) Kun

  21. Vlad Tepes
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Any updates on Rose? I want to do chambers --> davies.

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Will not play this weekend

    2. MESSINHO
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/863000423631867904

      I'm probably doing Gibson -> Bavies

  22. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    In history, has anyone's BB ever not activated?...The fear is real.

    1. BRONALDINHO
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I've had a few times my captain not updating this season. But that may have been me not clicking on "save" too

  23. boc610
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    so when all is said and done... the top scoring Gameweek 37 player will be Kun

  24. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on costa and Gabriel to Jesus and kompany for free?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No brainer imo

      1. MESSINHO
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        This.

      2. Rhodes your boat
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks 🙂

  25. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    4.2m or less def are so garbage.

    FPL need to change this for next year.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Holding is good if nailed

    2. Feloh
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      speak for yourself mate, got Stephens for the same price and he has been raking in the points senseless

    3. BRONALDINHO
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso at 4.2 next season then

  26. The Chief
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    1ft 1.3itb BB activated:

    1. Pickford to Cech
    2. JWP to Xhaka
    3. Save, pointless transfers

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      3 or 1

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Still cant decide between Jesus and Sanchez for captain 🙁

  28. Tshelby
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Think I will end up with playing my BB but Gabriel and Obiang will be on my bench shame I guess.. Just not worth another -8 imo

  29. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Bed time. Need to decide on this -8

    Daniels+JWP>Holding+Fabregas/Pedro

    65 ahead of nearest cash league rival who has Pedro

  30. Elvy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Pep Guardiola speaks to the media at 13:30 BST.

    http://bbc.in/2r7Cy5V