Sky Sports

Sky Sports Focus

We now turn to assess the Sky Sports game, as our focus article looks back at the previous weekend’s action before preparing you for the incoming 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 line-up plans.

Gameweek 31 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
Man United vs LiverpoolMarcus Rashford
Everton vs BrightonPhil Jagielka
West Ham vs BurnleyChris Wood
Newcastle vs SouthamptonJonjo Shelvey
Huddersfield vs SwanseaFederico Fernandez
West Brom vs LeicesterRiyad Mahrez
Chelsea vs Crystal PalaceWillian
Arsenal vs WatfordPetr Cech
Bournemouth vs Tottenham HotspurSon Heung-min
Stoke vs Man CityDavid Silva

Son Heung-min and David Silva both moved onto five awards for the season and sit alongside Mesut Ozil and Marko Arnautovic in the chasing pack, behind the top-four heavyweights of Mohamed Salah (ten), Kevin De Bruyne (nine), Eden Hazard (eight) and Harry Kane (seven).

Son looks a great option right now.  He’s owned by fewer than 5% of the game and has back-to-back scores of 19 and 17 points. With Harry Kane on the sidelines, a straight swap to the South Korean looks tempting in time for Gameweek 34 when Spurs return to Premier League action.

Gameweek 31 Bonus Points

Let’s take a look at any player to earn 45 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
KaneSpurs12.922.7%
AgueroMan City12.815.7%
SterlingMan City9.84.8%
LukakuMan United12.43.2%
GomezLiverpool6.52.9%

Top Transfers In

NameTeamValue% of Managers
JesusMan City12.113.4%
SonSpurs10.88.1%
FirminoLiverpool11.65.8%
SaneMan City10.35.2%
D SilvaMan City10.65%

Average Transfers Remaining

Top 10 – 7.60
Top 100 – 8.43
Top 1,000 – 7.94
Top 5,000 – 7.31

Top Five Captains Picked

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneSpurs12.925.4%
LukakuMan United12.415.3%
AgueroMan City12.89.6%
De BruyneMan City11.58.2%
SalahLiverpool9.46.1%

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
DefenderMartin Jorgensen
5.7m
4.7%
Andrew Robertson
7.8mm
3.1%
Virgil van Dijk
8.9m
2.9%
MidfielderRajiv van La Parra
7m
0.3%
Wilfried Zaha
9.3m
3.5%
Mesut Ozil
11.1m
2.1%
ForwardAlexander Sorloth
8.6m
0%
Cenk Tosun
11.1m
0.1%
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
12.2m
2.3%

My Team

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

ITB: 2.0
Transfers remaining: 7/40
Last week’s points: 50
Overall points: 2525
Rank: 256th

Notes

A poor week overall, with my Saturday captain Theo Walcott being hooked off early and Harry Kane repeating the trick on Sunday.

To compound matters, Ben Davies failed to feature and then Christian Benteke decided to put in a sub-par shift of 45 minutes – it was all frustrating to say the least.

Drifting from the safe options in a bid to make ground is fraught with danger, though, and I was well aware it could backfire. I just wish I had been given a sporting chance this week.

With the Harry Kane injury, I decided to act quickly, like many others, settling on Gabriel Jesus as my replacement.

The allure of the Monday night Stoke City match was too much. Jesus, disappointingly, only managed an assist that evening, but looks a good option to me for the rest of the season.

With Sergio Aguero nursing an injury and Man City progressing into the latter stages of the Champions League, I suspect Jesus will be used more often in the Premier League.

Captain Plan
Sat 17th – Salah (WAT)

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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527 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    When best to use FHC if don't have a W/C remaining?

    Thanks.

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

      Prolly in a dgw for you.

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

      I’m guessing one of the double gameweeks

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

        Yeah, trying to decide first or second. Guess it depends on players I own and fixtures...

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

          That’s right

        2. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Think that will only reveal itself once we know fc cup results and rescedules

    3. Patrick Bateman
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      35

      1. Patrick Bateman
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I'm starting to aggressively transfer now for GW34

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

    Bottomed

    Name one player worth taking a hit for this gw. (Already have 3 Pool; Walcott Shaq Cuco Wilson mariappa)

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'd consider Butland, Stanislas and Mounie.

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

        Don’t think any of em are worth a hit honestly

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Probably not but you'll be covering the men most likely.

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

        Butland for a hit?

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, good chance you'll get your points back with saves and if he keeps a clean sheet then happy days.

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

            Too big a risk for me 😛

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              You'll probably lose a point at worst, hardly a massive risk!

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

                Maybe I’ll do it last minute

  3. Bun Rab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is Mou just saying City are better and United were crap until he turned up? Or am i hearing this wrong? #eritage

    1. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeh basically said they've been shit for years but he's made them better. Funny

      1. Bun Rab
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        His modesty knows no boundaries!

  4. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Do we expect Tosun to start?

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

      Would have thought so

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah.

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Tosun to say

  5. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    José even going full defensive in his pressers now. #parkthebus #heritage

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

      He's been doing that for months now. Getting all defensive for no apparent reason. He's an entirely disagreeable person.

      1. Rik Waller
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I love him. But I hate his football

        1. Blame it on Traore
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Very little charm there anymore. He's lost his light-heartedness.

  6. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I’ve got 11 players this week with WC and FH still available. When would be best to utilise them over the next few weeks? Seems like most are WCing next week?

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

      yes

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      WC 32, FH 35.

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

      Think it is either gw32 or 33 for the wildcard - depending on your squad.

      I'm thinking 33 for my squad, as I can get a pretty decent team out next week (have Salah, Mane, Firmino, Sane, Auba) and can wait to be completely sure of how the dgw fixtures lie.

      Advantage of gw32 is you get to ship all your gw31 deadwood quickly, have 2 weeks to tinker and should hopefully have 2FT going into the dgw.

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

    I'm tempted by getting Baines in for a hit. Set pieces, hmm hmm.

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      considered it but would put me on a -8 (already on a -4) and my transfer out would need to be Kenny so i'm uncertain

      1. Blame it on Traore
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Kenny's unlikely to play though, surely?

        1. #FPLBhuna
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          you'd think so.. but even then (also own michael keane) and -8 for a 2nd everton defender just seems pure headloss given their away form..

          1. Blame it on Traore
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Oh christ! I understand, it n that case!

            1. Blame it on Traore
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 1 month ago

              *in

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

        I considered for a -12 total hit - would be taking him out for a non-playing def

        But decided -8 is plenty!!

      3. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Identical position here. Tempted to just go for it.

  8. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Martial to start this weekend?

    1. bitars
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      United dosent have i game this weekend so hi will def not play.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        oops, I meant against Brighton in the FA cup 🙂

      2. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        They're playing Brighton

    2. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      yes hell start against Brighton

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        cheers, I hope so

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

    I am temptet to go for one of the budget defenders of Newcastle.
    Whos the best option of Yedlin, Lejeune or Dummet?

  10. Dele
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I need some help on my final decision... my last slot...

    ZAHA or MOUNIE?

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha

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

        Thank you.

    2. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha

  11. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Should I use my FH for the BGW or hold till the DGW? Also have my WC,TC & BB still intact

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

      it all depends on your own individual teams and situations....

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        True I think I'm gonna have 7 out 2 guys in my ML (work league) are using thier FH chip not sure about 2nd and 1st (I'm 3rd)

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

          7 playing is around the average. not worth the FH although depends on who the 7 are but likely 3 pool etc...

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

      WC 33
      BB 34
      FH 35
      TC 37
      Thats my strategy

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        That's a nice method might follow suit myself

  12. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else looking to break the 100 point barrier this week? No? Just me then.... 😉

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

      Yeah, with a Mane captaincy 🙂

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Good luck with that

  13. henryleeds
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Reckon 8 players is enough for this Gameweek? both rivals have 7 but will proabably bring in another player.

    1. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      If you have the one of the lower teams that scores the hattrick...

    2. President Giggs
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely, I'm on 8 + Quaner. Think my ML rivals are all gonna FH as they're not prepared at all.

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      quality>quantity. 8 should be enough as long as that includes 3 Pool

  14. RashFraud
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    So King is injured again?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      according to who?

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

        FPL has him on a yellow “!”

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

      No! Same neck issue he had last game but came on from the bench. I think he starts tbh

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      just got him for -4. hope he get the hattrick

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

    Do you think TAA will start this weekend ?

    1. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I think he probably will

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah.

  16. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    going to be one delirious gw this gw 31 haha...

    can just imagine fpl managers celebrating players coming off the bench for them cheeky 1 pointers haha

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

      Yep. If Niasse comes off the bench for a 1-pointer I'm treating myself to an afternoon beer.

  17. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    anyone with a FH template?

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

      😀

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      They did an article on it.

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      salah, salah, salah, salah, salah, salah, salah, salah, salah, salah, salah

      Bench: mane, mane, mane, mane, mane and bobby firmino (8)

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

      Assuming you aren't serious ..... you're 2 weeks early for April Fools

      But because you asked:

      DDG
      Alonso, Vert, Mee
      Willian, Mkhi, Son, Mahrez, Gudmundson
      Aubameyang, Lukaku, Barnes

      You can thank me later ....

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

        That looks like my WC team 😮

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

          Yeh it was a joke 😉

          For a FH template for this week the OP only has to read any of the comments on the last couple of pages to form his own opinion as it's all anyone is talking about....

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

          And I specifically picked a full team of players NOT playing this week to make my point

      2. Bonus magnet
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        jumping on that!!! cheers

  18. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    ML rivals will probably use their WC on gwk 32 so should i use mine on gwk 33 so that i will know first their teams ?

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Their new players may score lots of points which you'll have missed.

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

        And vice versa.

  19. joersherman
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Got 9 players this week. Is Butland or Baines worth getting for a hit (or both)?

    1. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      different opinions around here. For me it's well worth the risk. I've probably made worse decisions this season so far. Don't expect to get massive returns though

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

      A hit is worth 4 points. Over a season you earn well over 2000 points, so the gamble is for less than 0.2% of your total season points.

  20. La Tortuga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Pickford
    Gomez Schindler Baines*
    Mane* Salah RLC Milivojevic
    Wilson Benteke*

    A) Baines, Mane, Benteke
    B) Baines, Zaha, Firmino
    C) Baines, Shaqiri, Firmino
    D) Other?

    Tempted by A but possibly missing out on the masses with Firmino. Talk me out of being a renegade. Feel like chasing, rather than safety.

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B to be safe, A for the differential.

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

      C doesn't really make sense

  21. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Do we know the likely DGWs?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      34 and 37.

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

        Cheers

  22. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    PVA or Baines?

  23. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Have people that were going to bring in King now turned to Mounie given the news? Or holding faith in King?

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

      Right now I think I'm going to hold faith. Just don't fancy Mounie.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Mounie vs Hennessey.

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      just took king for-4. big differential

    4. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      King is a risk now, imo.

    5. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      don't see the need to "hold faith" when Howe confirmed this morning, king should be fine?

  24. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    RP from earlier on worth doing a -4 hit for T Carroll,Siggy & Kane > Firmino,Shaqiri & Zaha it would give me 7 players and would look like this:

    Mariappa Robertson
    Ibe, Salah (©) Shaqiri, Zaha
    Firmino (VC)

    £3.2m ITB

    Any input is appreciated

    1. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      It's a yes from me.

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        I will hopefully it pays off, behind in my ML by a small margin 7 is enough yes?

        1. Prøfeßör …
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          I'd be tempted by Butland too but 7 is enough, yeah.

        2. Prøfeßör …
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Actually Stanislas.

          1. Lecky Legs FC
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            I'll give them two a miss don't fancy a -8 hit otherwise I would of had them in

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

      Do it

  25. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Nothing worth to take hit?
    VvD
    Salah-Richarlison-Stanislas
    Firmino-Wilson

    Thinking maybe Otamendi to Ake/Daniels atleast...

  26. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Which option is better
    A:Wilson for Kane
    B:Stanislas for Mahrez
    If b will lose 0.1,because I'll be bringing mahrez when wildcarding

  27. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    This week is going to be so boring.

    Average will be 20.

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

      If Salah doesn't deliver, possibly.

  28. kime67
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    king will outscore wilson

  29. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is Benteke a very bad option to consider for a 1-week punt?

  30. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Planning the following moves before I wildcard. Sound ok??

    Eriksen and Kane to stanislas and mounie - 4

    Fab Elliot
    Alonso vvd Dawson chilwell ogbonna
    Salah son eriksen Walcott Shaq
    Kane firm ayew

    Thanks