Sky Sports

Sky Sports Focus

Friday finds us turning to consider the Sky Sports game, as we cast our eye back over the previous Gameweek, before helping with your preparations for the forthcoming round of fixtures.

We’ll examine the recent run of Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, the bonus point beneficiaries, transfer trends and Watchlist, before assessing our current Fantasy Football Scout line-up and future plans.

Gameweek 26 Man of the Match Awards

These were the players who caught the eye of the Sky Sports reporters and earned an extra five points as a result.

FixtureMoTM
Burnley vs Man CityJohann Berg Gudmundsson
Bournemouth vs StokeXherdan Shaqiri
West Brom vs SouthamptonJames Ward-Prowse
Man United vs Huddersfield TownJuan Mata
Brighton vs West HamJose Izquierdo
Leicester vs SwanseaFederico Fernandez
Arsenal vs EvertonAaron Ramsey
Crystal Palace vs NewcastlePatrick van Aanholt
Liverpool vs Tottenham HotspurMohamed Salah
Watford vs ChelseaGerard Deulofeu

 

Mohamed Salah aside, it was a great week for differential options, with Aaron Ramsey (2.8%) the most owned among the latest award winners.

With just one week before Overhaul becomes active, differentials will be highly sought by those trying to break up the template squad and make a late climb up the ranks.

The aforementioned Ramsey certainly has the credentials, given his regular return of bonus points to subsidise any attacking output. As ever, it will be his pitch-time and injury record that will give Fantasy managers doubts.

Gerard Deulofeu is another name that may turn heads.

Owned by just 0.1%, the Spaniard has quickly impressed the Sky Sports reporters, having picked up the gong in both matches since joining Watford.

Flair players, in particular those who try to dribble past their opponents, have always been accolade-hoarders (think Eden Hazard, Wilfried Zaha and Salah).

The Barcelona loanee has previously struggled with consistency, though Deulofeu has so far suggested he has improved in this respect.

Gameweek 26 Bonus Points

Let’s take a look at any player to earn 37 points or more in bonus for the season.

members

Fantasy Football Scout members can access all information regarding bonus points using player stats and clicking the Sky Sports tab.

The Transfer Trends

Top Transfers Out

NameTeamValue% of Managers
TarkowskiBurnley6.17.6%
ChristensenChelsea6.46.7%
MahrezLeicester10.54.8%
SilvaMan City10.64.3%
GomezLiverpool6.54%

Top Transfers In

NameTeamValue% of Managers
HazardChelsea11.84.7%
HegaziWest Brom6.24.3%
AubameyangArsenal12.23.6%
DoucoureWatford73.4%
GomezLiverpool6.53.1%

Average Transfers Remaining

Top 10 – 8.7
Top 100 – 10.49
Top 1,000 – 10.19
Top 5,000 – 9.99

Top Five Captains Picked

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneSpurs12.927.5%
LukakuMan United12.415.4%
AgueroMan City12.88.8%
De BruyneMan City11.54%
SalahLiverpool9.43.8%

My Team

Pope
Jones Otamendi Kenny
Hazard Sterling De Bruyne Salah
Wilson Kane Ayew

ITB: 0.2
Transfers remaining: 9/40
Last week’s points: 83
Overall points: 2170
Rank: 180th

Notes

With David Silva missing from Manchester City’s Saturday morning teamsheet, I decided to go bit off-piste.

I was facing a week with just nine players as Andreas Christensen was already confirmed out, while Jonjo Kenny wasn’t expected to play. Sadly, this wasn’t the case and he went on to start and concede a damaging five goals at Arsenal.

So I rolled the dice on a couple of differentials just before the Overhaul.

In came Callum Wilson and Jordan Ayew, though neither managed to make an impression.

But I brought them in with this week’s fixtures in mind too, so I’m hoping that I can be rewarded before I focus my attention on the the rebuild.

I’m planning a further article looking at Overhaul options to help guide you – and myself – before Gameweek 29.

Captain Plan

Sat 10th – Kane (ARS)
Sun 11th – Salah (sot)
Mon 5th – Hazard (WBA)

Weekly Articles and Podcast

As well as the weekly Focus article, I’ll be talking through the week’s action and upcoming plans with Fantasy Football Scout posters Buffrey and Lewis on our regular podcast – the latest episode can be found here.

The Fantasy Football Scout League

Our Fantasy Football Scout League is currently topping the League of Leagues as we look to defend our crown in 2017/18.

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486 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Holding Matip
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud seems to be nailed for the next 4 GWs at least, r.e. Conte - anyone shipping him in straight away? I think he synergizes well with how Chelsea play and is a bargain

    1. rnrd
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Conte did not say anything about Morata absence lenghth didi he?

      1. Reuser
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Just that he "didn't know" when Morata returns.

      2. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        "1 month, 1 day, two months, rest of season" not explicitly absence, he may have been talking more generally about figuring out what is wrong with his back and fixing it.

        I reckon he will be out for a while.

    2. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not the best fixtures though.

  2. GreenArrows
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone have any concerns over Otamendi and Lingard pitch time this GW?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Own none of them, but would be concerned If I did

    2. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Think Ota plays and Lingard doesn't. Own both and am playing Ota and benching Lingard and selling next week

    3. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Concerned but playing

    4. Silicon Vialli
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Did Ota to VVD

  3. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Kun's going to go off if the game is anywhere near won isn't he. Maybe not best (C) choice

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Rarely played 90 mins prior to this season though

      Who would he come off for?

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Same goes for Salah and probably Kane...

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Well maybe not Kane...

    3. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Might be subbed at 60` either way. 🙁
      I'm keeping but not captaining.

    4. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Agree, if City go 3-0 up for example. Better hope he has been involved. Scenes if they go 3-0 and all he has to show is an assist

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Scenes when people didnt make him captain and he scores a brace before being subbed.

        1. walkman666
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          This is really the scenario. If City score early so that they have comfy lead, there is a pretty high probability that Aguero will be involved in the goals. It's a risk to captain him, and if owned, a risk not to captain him. Ultimately, just gotta take a risk at some level.

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    AP: “It’s a tough call at the top with Jay, Daniel and Salomon. We will see what I go with on Monday. All three look in good shape.”

    https://twitter.com/WBA/status/961959093895401472

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Id stay clear of them all anyway

  5. Hardly Athletic
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Best long term midfielder upto and including 6.2.

    1. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Delafeou

  6. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Repost Christensen update
    Conte: "Christensen, today he didn't train with us but he trained. Honestly, I hope to count on him with the game with West Brom because he is an important player"

    I'm selling.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Sounds very positive to me?

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Sounded less positive when he grumbled it. he said, in contrast, that Pedro is in contention to play. Plus I don't like that he used 'hope'.

  7. GreenArrows
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    gtg?

    Pope
    Otamendi Jones Duffy
    Salah (C) Sterling Son Lingard Walcott
    Kane Firmino

    Elliot Quaner Ogbonna Kenny

    1FT 2.3itb

    1. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yup. Good to have 2FT next week

  8. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    G2G in order to have 2 FT next week

    Hennessy
    Otamendi Alonso Daniels
    Salah (c) Sterling B.Silva Walcott
    Kane (vc) Firmino Wilson
    [Speroni - Lingard Mee Gomez]

    1. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      gtg

  9. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Two transfers to make come next week, who should be priority to ship?

    A) Otamendi
    B) Courtois
    C) Richarlison
    D) Lingard
    E) Jones

    1. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C&D

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      da

    3. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C & D

  10. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Repost.....

    What do I do? 1ft 1.3itb

    Ddg
    Alonso otamendi duffy
    Salah sterling son Walcott lingard
    Kane wilson

    Subs. Pereira,holgate,quaner,Christensen

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      save trade then attend to your bench next week with gw31 in mind

      1. PocketZola
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I was thinking Christensen to daniels or mee, bauer seems too punty

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          you can afford a 4.5m punt

  11. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys im in abit of a pickle and need some advice. My team is the following:

    Pope / Joel Pereira

    Smalling/ Francis/ Alonso Simpson/ Rangel

    Salah/ Lingard/ Sterling/Cork /RLC

    Aguero/ Firmino/ Kane

    (£0.4 ITB with 1 ft)

    Now the problem i face is Aguero is a good captaincy shout for this weekend and is getting points, but the rest of my squad is weak in a lot of places and even Pope is on borrowed time. Is it worth me doing any of the following?

    1. Aguero to Wilson, and Lingard to Walcott for -4
    2. Only do Aguero to Wilson and leave Lingard as he is away to Newcastle
    3. Aguero to Wilson and Cork to Walcott for -4
    4. Aguero to Wilson and Lingard to Mkhitayran for -4
    5. Other

    Thanks for your input guys i appreciate it so much!!

    1. PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save

    2. jamie1972
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save you transfer mate, give yourself 2 ft's over FA cup break with maybe a -4 to give you a mini WC to sort out Aguero/Lingard/Cork out cheaper, and better...

    3. grooveymatt65
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      yeah those free ft might help over the break tbf... thanks guys for the input 🙂

  12. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Worth a hit to get 3 defenders out?

    DDG
    Otamendi / Alonso / Duffy
    Salah / Sterling / Walcott / Mkhitaryan
    Wilson / Aguero / Firmino

    Bench: Elliot, Chamberlain, Ogbonna, Kenny

    0.3 itb 0 free transfers

    Alonso or Otamendi --> A different defender?

    Thanks

    1. PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Save

      1. Klip Klopp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Do you think Otamendi and Alonso will start?

        1. PocketZola
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yes

        2. GreenArrows
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Alonso yes, not sure about Otamendi

  13. jlut
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Really not sure what to do with this team, with 2FT and £0.2m ITB

    Fabianski Elliot
    Alonso Jones Maguire Duffy Mbemba
    Salah Sterling BSilva Son Lingard
    Kane Firmino Quaner

    Only want to use 1 FT so I can have 2 next week

    Perhaps Maguire --> another cheaper Leic DEF to save money?
    In the next few weeks I'd like to do Quanar -> Wilson but need to raise some money to do it

    1. TONEY HONEY
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Maguire to Mawson?

  14. Reuser
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero for 60 minutes or Aubayemang for 90 minutes?

    Tempted to take a punt on the 4.7% owned new boy........

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      nice

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      In a couple of games he will replace Firmino for me

  15. Futile Tinkering
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Why is there no news on Firmino's investigation? Hopefully the outcome will be announced after the deadline!

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      nooo why would you want that?

    2. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Probably coming to nothing as likely he didn’t actually say anything racist.

      Any news on Holgate’s retrospective for throwing him into the advertising hoardings?

  16. A19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen or Mané for a slightly differential Mid pick? I was thinking Eriksen first as I already have Firmino and Salah and then Mané for GW31

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen has better form lately

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I am tempted to bring Eriksen in after the derby. Unless Mane starts doing something soon, I have no interest in him.

  17. timmmuh
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    For this week, last starting spot:
    A) Davies (v Ars)
    B) Monreal (v Tot)
    Which do you think? Why?

  18. jamie1972
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Need to bench one

    a Wilson
    b Richarlison
    c Lingard

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      c

    2. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B - he's been out of sorts for too long. If you believe he is due (with Defoleu improving Watford attack), then C is choice 2. Good luck.

      1. jamie1972
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Ditching both next week so hopefully a last hurrah from Richa it is....

        And thanks for the memories (of about 3 months ago)

  19. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Wimmer > TAA or save?

    Adrian
    Wimmer - Otamendi - Alonso
    Salah - Ibe - Walcott - Sterling - Shaqiri
    Kane - Aguero

    Elliot - Quaner - Schindler - Duffy

    1 FT, 0.0 ITB

    1. el flacooo
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      save

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      save

  20. el flacooo
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    team is :

    adryan (foster)
    Danilo / daniels / alonso* (ogbonna/Simpson)
    Shakiri / Salah (c) / sterling / Mahrez *
    Firmino / Wilson / kane
    2 ft

    A: Alonso & Mahrez out > Fernandez & De bruyne (or Haz or Sanchez)
    B: Mahrez > Walcott

    Cheers

  21. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any update from Conte about Alonso this weekend?

    1. timmmuh
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      "No new injury news" from Conte presser ... per BBC

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No, he wasn't asked about him and didn't mention him. Morata out, Giroud in contention, Pedro in contention, Christensen has trained as he hope he plays.

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    How is it racist to claim that someone else has stinky breath?

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      who said that?

    2. Futile Tinkering
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe he heard "black" instead of "breath".

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Would make sense

    3. mookie
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Huh? He's investigated for that?

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Isn't the allegation that he said that as well as calling him something racist?

  23. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Arnautovic to Walcott a no brainer? Or would you consider to save transfer and play Son? The latter means that no hits will be needed to get Kane back in.

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Why are you getting rid of arnie now? He's back.

    2. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      save

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      save

  24. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So no injury news for Conte...

    Does this mean that as Alonso was "injured" at watford he is still injured for this WE?

  25. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Will Alonso start vs WBA?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      You'd have to think so - but certainly have Oggy and Duffy will need to be doing stretches from many a bench here just in case.

  26. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to play?

    a) Milli (Eve A)
    b) Lowton (Swa A)

  27. The Rock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Van Dijk is a better option than Mawson right?

    Only thing that worries me about him is rotation, but he hasn't played to many minutes this season so not exactly needing a rest? Hard to predict Klopp though.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He is if you are planning for GW31 etc. Good option anyway let's face it. They have the games, many at home, and he is a major set piece threat.
      But I like Mawson too and would definitely get if were not for the BGW clouding my judgment.

  28. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Mahrez on team bus heading to Manchester 😮

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      had to give up his seat at the back though, sitting next to puel way down the front

    2. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hat trick of OGs then a red card to stick the knife in?

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He's there to make it up to everyone. Doing the foot rubs. Offering the odd energy drink. Playing cards with the reserves. Bringing round a tray of tea and biscuits. Driver breaks hard and spills the tea all over Riyadh...leaving Puel and the lads to have a chuckle.

  29. timPgoodwin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Looking for advice on this Wild Card team (Yes I know I shouldn't have Wild Carded)

    Fabianski - Karius
    Mee - Hegazi - Daniels - Bauer - Robertsom
    Salah - Sterling - Mkhi - Walcott - Mili
    Kane - Aubemayang - Wilson

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Not sure on Robertson myself, but it packs a mighty punch potentially. Could you afford VVD?

      1. timPgoodwin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I am not 100% either, yeah I have £1.1m ITB so could get VVD with change.

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Do that - the team would look immense!

          1. timPgoodwin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Made the change, actually don't know which 3 defenders to pick, all of them bar Hegazi have good fixtures!

    2. timPgoodwin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      * £1.1m in the bank

  30. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    This is the week where Duffy and Mee both score towering headers.
    You know it.