Next up this Friday afternoon, our partner game Yahoo are rolling out another big-money contest for Fantasy managers this weekend.
They have a Premier League £2.5k Saturday contest which takes in all six matches from 3pm onwards tomorrow, finishing with the 5.30pm encounter between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
It is guaranteed to run, costs £5 to enter and is a multi-entry game, which means you can select up to five teams. The top 125 places pay out – there’s a minimum win-back of £10, with £250 going to the first place.
Driven by Opta data, the Yahoo game has a unique scoring system which is ideal for those members of our community on the lookout for a Daily Fantasy Sports game.
If you’re new to Yahoo, you can sign up and claim a free £50 in credit to your account when you deposit just £5. Promo code: Fantasy50.
Before getting started on your lineup, it’s best to have a read over our Strategy Guide, which takes a look at the types of players who profit from the rule set.
FFS Strongest XI
Thibaut Courtois – £16
Marcos Alonso – £16
Harry Maguire – £14
Christopher Schindler – £13
Eden Hazard – £26
Pascal Gross – £19
Johan Berg Gudmundsson – £16
Rajiv van la Parra – £15
Nathan Redmond – £15
Riyad Mahrez – £25
Jordan Ayew – £18
The Yahoo scoring system – which awards goalkeepers points for wins or draws and earn double the number of points as defenders for a clean sheet – brings Thibaut Courtois into our starting line-up for the visit of Crystal Palace. The only top-half side at home in this six-match slate, Chelsea have won eight and drawn one of their last ten league matches at Stamford Bridge. Furthermore, they have served up seven clean sheets in nine in front of their own supporters.
Two goals and four clean sheets in his last five home appearances highlights Marcos Alonso’s potential for points at both ends of the pitch. Despite failing to find the net since Gameweek 22, the Chelsea wing-back is still this season’s top scoring defender, with six goals to his name. The underlying numbers also show that Alonso remains peerless when it comes to offering a goal threat from the back – he is also ranked top for shots (53), efforts in the box (32) and attempts on target (17) ahead of Saturday evening’s encounter with the Eagles.
A trip to struggling West Brom looks promising for Leicester’s Harry Maguire. The Baggies have scored just three times in their last five league outings, which bodes well for the Foxes’ prospects of a clean sheet. Meanwhile, Maguire’s goal threat is on the rise ahead of his visit to the Hawthorns – he’s the number one defender for shots (ten) and attempts in the box (nine) across the last four Gameweeks.
The number one defender for clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI) at home, with 140, and placed second for successful tackles (32), Christopher Schindler’s defensive contribution looks vital as Swansea make their way to the John Smith’s Stadium. Five of Huddersfield’s seven clean sheets have arrived at home, and they’ll fancy adding another shut-out, given that the Swans are ranked bottom on the road for shots (97), attempts in the box (49) and efforts on target (26).
Five goals and an assist in the last six Gameweeks underline the form of Eden Hazard as Chelsea host a Crystal Palace side without a clean sheet in six road trips. Delving into the data, it’s easy to see why the Belgian has been so influential of late – he’s placed inside the top five players for both shots on target (seven) and chances created (18) in that stretch. He’s also the league’s most fouled player (19) over Gameweek 24-29, boosting his Yahoo potential further.
Away to an Everton side that sit second-bottom for shots conceded in the box (42) and goals against (nine) in the last four Gameweeks, investment in the Brighton attack looks a wise move.
Playmaker Pascal Gross has supplied a goal and three assists over that timescale and is one of three players – along with another of our picks, Burnley’s Johan Berg Gudmundsson – to register double-figures for both shots (12) and key passes (15).
Gudmundsson – who registered 11 shots and as many chances created – also faces a porous defence – his hosts West Ham sit bottom for goals against (11) and shots on target conceded (28) in the last four Gameweeks.
Over this period, the pair have also chipped in with ten successful crosses, bettered only by Christian Eriksen’s 11. The Clarets’ midfielder also boasts strong ball-winning ability, with 10 interceptions placed third across Gameweek 26-29.
With Alex Pritchard remaining a doubt for Huddersfield’s encounter with Swansea, Rajiv van la Parra gets the nod instead. The Dutchman’s numbers over the last four Gameweeks showcase his potential value against a defence without a clean sheet in their last 11 on the road.
During that period, Van la Parra has scored twice and is the Terriers’ number one player for shots in the box (six), attempts on target (five) and crosses (12). Meanwhile, his work-rate is evidenced by 12 successful tackles, placing his third among team-mates.
A return to the Southampton starting XI over the last two Gameweeks has benefitted Nathan Redmond. The wide man is the league’s number one player for both successful crosses (seven) and chances created (eight) across those pair of matches, also producing three efforts on target and winning a trio of tackles. Up next, he visits a Newcastle defence that have conceded more shots in the box (48) than any side in the last four rounds of fixtures.
Riyad Mahrez is another player showing fine form over the previous two rounds fixtures. Returning to the Leicester starting XI in Gameweek 28 after his self-imposed exile, the Algerian has fired more shots on target (six) than any player and is second only to Harry Kane for goal attempts, by ten to 12.
Mahrez – who fired a late equaliser against Bournemouth last weekend – is ranked third among all players for crosses (24), successful crosses (five) and fouls won (seven) over that run and also chipped in with five successful tackles.
He’s already scored against his weekend opponents West Brom, who host the Foxes on the back of five straight defeats.
Jordan Ayew’s style of play is well-suited to the Yahoo scoring matrix. The Swansea striker has fired five goals in his last 11 outings, yet the underlying numbers showcase why he looks value for money for this weekend’s clash with Huddersfield – over the last four Gameweeks, he is ranked second overall for successful tackles (18), while only three players were fouled more often than the Ghanaian (ten).
As Yahoo allows late swaps up until each kick-off, our listed line-up may well be subject to change.
The Weekend Contests
As well as the Premier League £2.5k Saturday contest, Yahoo are also offering a Premier League £1k Sunday contest.
This contains both matches that day, as well as the Monday evening clash between Stoke City and Manchester City. It gets underway at 1.30pm on Sunday, when Arsenal take on Watford the Emirates Stadium.
This is also guaranteed to run, costs £5 to enter and is a multi-entry game, which means you can select up to two teams. The top 50 places pay out – there’s a minimum win-back of £10, with £100 going to the first place.
You can open an account and get started immediately.
If you register and deposit £5 or more, Yahoo will also give you a £50 bonus to be used as cash to enter paid contests.
Register here to claim the bonus.
You must be over 18 years of age, resident in the UK, and of legal capacity to register with Yahoo Daily Sports and open an Account. If you sign up, please always play responsibly.
