Sky Sports

Sky Sports Focus

We now switch to focus on the Sky Sports Fantasy game and take a look back at the weekend action before preparing you for the forthcoming Gameweek.

We’ll examine the recent run of Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, the bonus point beneficiaries, transfer trends and Watchlist, before moving on to the Scout team and our future plans.

Gameweek 30 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 EvertonAshley Barnes
Watford vs West BromSalomon Rondon
Swansea vs West HamKi Sung-yueng
Tottenham Hotspur vs HuddersfieldSon Heung-min
Southampton vs StokeKurt Zouma
Leicester vs BournemouthSimon Francis
Liverpool vs NewcastleAlex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Brighton vs ArsenalGlenn Murray
Man City vs ChelseaDavid Silva
Crystal Palace vs Man UnitedNemanja Matic

Another big week for differential picks. Nemanja Matic was the only real exception, with 17% ownership, but the rest are all found in fewer than 5.5% of squads.

A few players have now thrown their hat into the ring for the restricted Gameweek 32 that looms.

Simon Francis, Salomon Rondon, Kurt Zouma and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all be expected to feature and may be worth a punt for those with more transfers than the average.

Gameweek 30 Bonus Points

Let’s take a look at any player to earn 40 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
SterlingMan City9.813.3%
FernandinhoMan City8.79.2%
AgueroMan City12.86.6%
JonesMan United7.55.4%
KaneSpurs12.94.8%

Top Transfers In

NameTeamValue% of Managers
LukakuMan United12.48.9%
SaneMan City10.35.8%
LingardMan United8.83.6%
AgueroMan City12.83%
DoucoureWatford72.9%

Average Transfers Remaining

Top 10 – 9.40
Top 100 – 9.85
Top 1,000 – 9.11
Top 5,000 – 8.56

Top Five Captains Picked

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneSpurs12.926.2%
LukakuMan United12.417%
AgueroMan City12.89.5%
SalahLiverpool9.45.3%
De BruyneMan City11.54.3%

Watchlist

Here I aim to highlight a few differential players with low ownership who I think could be good options for the coming six weeks.

Three specific price brackets will be used to cater for our available budgets.

The players will evolve with fixtures and form, and offer Fantasy managers a nudge in the right direction.

BudgetMid-PricePremium
DefenderMathias Jorgensen
5.7m
4.7%
Andrew Robertson
7.8mm
2.7%
Virgil van Dijk
8.9m
2.8%
MidfielderRajiv van La Parra
7m
0.3%
Aaron Ramsey
9.1m
2.6%
Mesut Ozil
11.1m
2.1%
ForwardOumar Niasse
7.4m
0.6%
Josh King
10.3m
1.5%
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
12.2m
1.9%

My Team

Karius
Davies Ward van der Hoorn Christensen
Walcott De Bruyne Salah
Benteke Kane Firmino

ITB: 1.2
Transfers remaining: 8/40
Last week’s points: 83
Overall points: 2475
Rank: 193rd

Notes

Another slight jump in rank, with the star of the show undoubtedly the cheapest asset in my team – Mike van der Hoorn – whose headed goal earned him (and me) nine points.

In fact, my defence is carrying my team at the moment, with Loris Karius and Ben Davies also picking up nine apiece.

Theo Walcott continues to toil, but I feel I have to keep him as a differential captain this week and then as a starter in the Gameweek 32 void. I’ll reassess after that.

You may have noticed a certain Belgian striker sneak his way into my team on Monday at the expense of Christen Eriksen.

I wasn’t expecting much to come of this move, but with Crystal Palace having four games to Spurs’ one, I felt I would go with the gamble.

Surprisingly, it’s already gone some way to working out, with Christen Benteke earning me ten points as captain from his first match.

I’ll continue to look for differentials and gambles as I move forward in a bid to cheer something other than Mohamed Salah points every week.

Captain Plan

Sat 10th – Walcott (BHA)
Sun 11th – Kane (bou)
Mon 12th – De Bruyne (stk)

Weekly Articles and Podcast

As well as the weekly Focus article, I’ll be talking through the week’s action and upcoming plans with FFS 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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504 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    which pair to have ,a or b

    a) ozil+lukaku
    b) aubameyang +pogba

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A out of those 2.

  2. weaver93
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any suggestions guys?
    (2.1m ITB ,2FT's)

    Adrian/Elliot*
    VVD,Duffy,Christensen Rosenior*
    Salah,Sterling,Son,Lingard.Walcott
    Kane,Firmino ,Depoitre*

    Looking at binning Depoitre to Mounie/Deeney

    thanks

    1. Big P
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Mounie first choice

      1. weaver93
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate

  3. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who will play ahead of Kongolo?

    A. Lowe
    B. Malone

    Is it clear or could it be either?

    It's for a draft league with Zanka, Schindler, Lossl taken.

    1. columbo
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I think Malone but not 100%. Why not try Flo for your draft league? Although admittedly he's also at risk of rotation

      1. chilli con kone
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Who is Flo?

        1. columbo
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Can't even begin to spell it. Their other full back

  4. Big P
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Punt on Mounie or Tosun?

    1. stat
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Mounie likelier to start

    2. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Any advice appreciated, Cheers!

      A) Sterling to Shaq
      B) Save
      C) Other

      Pope (Foster)
      Alonso Schindler Ward (Robertson) (Mariappa)
      Mahrez Salah Wally Lingard Sterling
      Kane(C) Firmino (Crouch)

    3. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling to David Silva?

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Sane

    4. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Got 2 FT and 8 playing in 31 (could get 11 without a hit). What to do?

      A. Sterling to Siggy/Stanislas/someone playing in 31 (already got Walcott)

      B. Sterling to one week punt (Mahrez or someone else)

      C. Elliot to Lössl/Pickford to prepare for gw 31. Van Dijk would come on as a sub if Sterling doesn’t play

      Will wildcard in gw 32.

      Thanks

    5. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Bottomed on previous page:

      Question: if I bring in player X using a FT prior to GW 31 and then also use the FH chip prior to GW 31, will I still keep player X in GW 32?

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah

    6. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Seems odd that there’s no mention of Pritchard in Wagner’s presser. Frustrating as I want to bring him in for Groß if fit.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        No news is probably good news in this instance.

      2. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Van La Parra is a good option too.

    7. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling owners keeping or selling?

      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        No idea

      2. Football Weekender
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Selling. Wish I had done earlier. The continuing uncertainty means he has to go for me. Also when you take into account B.Silva & Sane’s current form, he won’t start anyway imo.

      3. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Sold last week.

      4. william prunier
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Selling, value tied up means nothing if he is sat on your bench

      5. Vlad Tepes
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Sold last week for Mahrez. I don't think he will play on Monday, maybe he will be on the bench.

      6. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        tough one. I think I'm getting rid.
        If he is fit he will not play 90mins anyway.

      7. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Would you guys do Sterling to Mahrez for -4?

      8. Squad goals
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Sold last week for Son. But now I have the same problem with Son this week:/

      9. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I can sell now before I loose 0.1 value, and then buy him back for an extra 0.1, unless he drops 0.2

        Definitely want him in my team, so I might just sell him now and buy back when he's back in the xi. I'll loose 0.1 no matter what.

    8. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      GW 31

      Butland
      Ake VVD Schindler
      Salah Walcott Shaqiri VLP
      Firmino Wilson

      (-4) This will do right?

      1. stat
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yep, very similar to mine:

          (No GK)
          Ake Bauer Coleman
          Salah Walcott Shaqiri VLP Mane
          Firmino Wilson

          Who are you taking the 4 pt hit for?

        • WVA
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Nice, plenty, who was the -4 for?

          No hits for me,

          Pickford
          Ake Robertson Schindler Hegazi
          Salah Shaqiri Doucoure Milivojevic
          Firmino

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            -4 was Lingard to VLP - helped afford Butland and Ake

            1. WVA
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              Wasn't worth it in itself but maybe as its helped with the other two it will pay off!

            2. stat
                6 years, 1 month ago

                Why take a hit to get Butland vs MCI?

                1. stat
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    And Ake vs TOT

                    1. Miguel Sanchez
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      Sorry - am saving the FT this week so 31 I can make three changes for a -4 for this team.

                      1. stat
                          6 years, 1 month ago

                          Oh okay, sounds good. But I'm not sure if I'd bring in a GK on a hit

              • bench boost for every gamew…
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 1 month ago

                certainly alright

                still can´t see why Walcott is in that many teams, to me it looks like people forgetting he plays for Everton now and not Arsenal anymore. I may be wrong in the end, mind-)

            3. stat
                6 years, 1 month ago

                DDG

                Alonso - Coleman - Maguire

                Mane - Salah - Walcott - VLP - Shaqiri

                Firmino - Kane (C)

                Bench: Dunk, Wilson, Bauer

                G2G? Would you put Wilson as 1st sub ahead of Dunk?

                1. Buck The Trent
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Wilson

                2. bench boost for every gamew…
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  seems you won´t need your bench but i would prob take Wilson ahead, but Everton is not the most free scoring team there is to be found so who knows? It´s the week for walcotters to get their reward, next week it aint gonna give none, that is-)

                  1. stat
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      Also Defoe could start instead of Wilson

                3. Atwood
                  • 13 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  How many players is too many for BGW and how many is too few? Assuming not using free hit.

                  1. I Member
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    No such thing as too many. I'd want at least a minimum of 7.

                    1. Atwood
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      I wouldn't want too many players from those sides playing. Aside from Liverpool of course.

                      1. I Member
                        • 8 Years
                        6 years, 1 month ago

                        If you're wildcarding in 32 why wouldn't you want as many as possible? If you're not playing your WC immediately after 31 then fair enough.

                        1. Atwood
                          • 13 Years
                          6 years, 1 month ago

                          Yeah that's a fair point. You doing that, and then using your FH for the second DGW I assume?

                  2. DA Minnion (Former great)
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    12 is too many. Need at least 3 Liverpool.

                  3. Karan14
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    7 might be a bit less if you want to gain some ground on rivals. 11 might be too much if for hits.

                  4. Football Weekender
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    I’d say 5/6 is enough - 3x Liverpool, Shaqiri, Walcott/Siggy and possibly a Bournemouth MF/FW.

                    Captain Salah and you’re fine.

                4. Vlad Tepes
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Best players for GW 30-32? (Want to use WC 33). Team looks like this:

                  Fabianski, Elliot
                  Valencia, VVD, Zanka, (Masuaku, 3.9)
                  Salah, Mahrez, Mhiki, Pogba, Walcott
                  Kane, Firmino, (Crouch)

                  1 FT and 1.0 ITB

                  Cheers.

                5. Buck The Trent
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Start Adrian (BUR) or Pope (whm) ?

                  1. FCSB
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    start who has served you best

                6. FCSB
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  is sterling out worth a [-4] hit??

                  1. DA Minnion (Former great)
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    Depends who would be subbing in for him?

                    1. FCSB
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      shaqiri would come off the bench for him

                      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
                        • 11 Years
                        6 years, 1 month ago

                        Well shaqiri could nick something but wouldn't count on it. I'd get a Walcott or someone like that who plays in 31 and has a decent enough fixture this week. Two games should pay for the hit.

                        1. FCSB
                          • 8 Years
                          6 years, 1 month ago

                          i already have walcott... was actually considering siggy??

                          1. DA Minnion (Former great)
                            • 11 Years
                            6 years, 1 month ago

                            Yeah could work but wouldn't want both after 31. You would need to be using a wildcard soon after.

                            1. FCSB
                              • 8 Years
                              6 years, 1 month ago

                              yep plan is to WC in 32 over the international break... setting up for the DGW with a couple of FTs to play with.... thanks for your help mate... think i might punt on siggy

                              1. DA Minnion (Former great)
                                • 11 Years
                                6 years, 1 month ago

                                Good luck.

                7. The White Pele
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  do you think Willian will start or will be rested for CL?

                  1. WVA
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    If you don't have him don't bring him in
                    If you have him play him
                    Simple

                    1. The White Pele
                      • 6 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      thinking him to walcott.

                  2. WVA
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    I wouldn't

                    1. The White Pele
                      • 6 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      cheers

                8. Del Monte
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  If you were to free hit in GW31, what would your squad be?

                  1. Karan14
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    Butland
                    Coleman Daniels PVA
                    Salah Mane Walcott Shaqiri Stanislas
                    Firmino Benteke King

                    1. WVA
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      This but Ake over Daniels and Siggy over Walcott imo

                  2. SW6
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    I'd go big on L'pool, Bournemouth and Huddersfield getting results. Something like this:

                    Lossl
                    Ake - Schindler - Coleman
                    Salah - Mane - Shaqiri - Stanislas
                    Firmino - King - Mounie

                  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    Butland
                    Coleman Daniels Vvd shindler Dawson
                    Walcott shaqiri Salah
                    King Firmino

                  4. Holmes
                    • 10 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    Begovic
                    Schindler, Zouma, Tomkins
                    Mane, Salah, Shaqiri, Townsend
                    Firmino, Mounie, King

                9. SW6
                  • 11 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  You have to go down to the 13th most transferred in player so far this GW (Shaqiri) before finding someone that plays in the BGW. Gonna be a lot of hits and FH chips played in GW31 by 'semi-casuals' I think

                  1. Now I'm Panicking
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    The 30s = casual bashing time.

                    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      Lol, this.

                10. MrMajeika
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  struggling for best decision for my team. 1ft 1.8m itb and gonna wc gw32.

                  pope (elliot)
                  davies vvd mee
                  pog salah Walcott sterl Choupo
                  Kane firmino
                  (dcl ogbonna hegazi)

                  A) Pogba - mahrez
                  B) pogba to la parra
                  C) hold and bring in maybe stoke def and mounie next week

                  1. bench boost for every gamew…
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    i think b could be a smart move as Pogba seldom gets anything vs the good sides, but on the other hand a save could be beneficial in 31 to have a clearer view on things. on the other hand sterling won´t give you more than a cameo at best so maybe him instead? Or just play Ogbonna? I know West Ham not the most solid team but home to a team that just recently secured a place next year could be a factor, a factor i play at least.

                11. vardys party
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Pope
                  Vvd otamendi alonso
                  Sterling salah doucoure Walcott
                  Kane (c) firmino Wilson

                  (Eliott Mawson Masuaku Carroll)

                  2 ft 0.3m itb
                  A. Pope and sterling to lossl and Sane
                  B. Pope and sterling to lossl and siggy
                  C. Other

                12. Old Gregg
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Walcott or Siggy?

                  1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    both

                13. Karan14
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Pope
                  Alonso • Otamendi • Dawson
                  Salah • Son • Sterling • Walcott
                  Kane • Firmino • Niasse

                  (Elliot / CM / Daniels / Wimmer)
                  2 ft & 0.1m

                  Any better move than Sterling ➡️ Van La Parra & save other FT?

                  Gives me enough cash for Son & Niasse ➡️ Mane & King for free next week.

                  Appreciate your thoughts!

                  1. HNI
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    I personally did sterling to siggy as his chance creation has been immense even in away matches. At home eve play much better

                14. Don Kloppeone
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  This Sterling business is doing my head in! He's the sort of player that could explode even if he plays 20 minutes. He's unlikely to play 90 I think. Stoke desperately need points and are on the up so I don't think they'll let it be a walk in the park for City. Finally, even if Sterling plays, you have B.Silva, D.Silva, Sane, Aguero and Jesus who will all want in on the scoring....

                  Have I convinced myself enough to ship him out after having him for over 20 weeks? I have the fear!

                  If I do it, it will be to Siggy

                  1FT £0itb
                  DDG
                  Alonso, VVD, Fernandez
                  Salah, Hazard, Shaq, Sterling*
                  Kane, Firmino, Ayew
                  (Lossl) (Duffy, Mili, Tomkins)

                  1. HNI
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    Its pep. After some time out best he will get is bench apperance

                    1. ryacoo
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      Didn't Sané come straight back into the starting XI when he came back from injury?

                  2. DA Minnion (Former great)
                    • 11 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    He won't start. Simple .

                    1. Nascimento
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      Source?

                      1. Don Kloppeone
                        • 6 Years
                        6 years, 1 month ago

                        There is no source - this is Pep after all. But the thinking is that he hasn't had game time for a while so his playing time will likely be measured even if fully fit. The (unanswerable) question is if he plays then when will he come on and for who!

                      2. DA Minnion (Former great)
                        • 11 Years
                        6 years, 1 month ago

                        I m guessing how pep thinks. Hasn't even appeared on the bench last 3 games. Coming back from a hamstring . Won't rush him cos a game is very different from training plus he doesn't need him anyway the way the Silva s and sane going well.. Bench as best.

                        1. ryacoo
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 8 Years
                          6 years, 1 month ago

                          But how do we know Pep hasn't just been waiting until Sterling is 100% so he can bring him straight back?

                          He's been in full training for around a week and a half, so how bad can he be?

                15. HD7
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  G2G?

                  Team:

                  De Gea
                  VVD Vert Alonso Ogbona
                  Sterling Shaq Salah Mahrez
                  Firmino Kane Wilson

                  Subs: Elliot, Wilson, Obiang, Mbemba

                16. boc610
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Conte in his presser throwing bakayoko under the bus he parked against city

                17. Bubz
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Is Martina nailed on?

                  1. jpb333
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    nope. Baines might be back

                  2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    far from mate

                18. melvinmbabazi
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Sterling to Siggy/Walcott?

                19. Squad goals
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  As a Son owner i may be biased but this is my thoughts on him.

                  Its hard to tell what Poch thinks but Son is clearly their most in-form player with 3 goals of 3 Spurs goals. Imo Poch is keen on bouncing back instantly after their CL exit and Chelsea is lurking right behind on 5th. He even subbed out Alli when they needed goals. Can see Alli get benched for Lamela if Poch wants to keep Son in his 11.

                  Surely keep if you have decent bench cover?

                  1. Rainer
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    If that's what you think then definitely keep!

                  2. boc610
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    That sir is 'Confirmation bias' in all its naked glory

                    1. Squad goals
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 6 Years
                      6 years, 1 month ago

                      Haha, after all that he’ll probably get a 5 min cameo:D

                20. Aubaaaaa
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 1 month ago

                  Which will score more?
                  A. Mahrez Shaqiri
                  B. Mahrez Van La Parra -4

                  1. WVA
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 1 month ago

                    A