Opinion
2 May 2018 1024 comments
James H James H
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Our coverage of Gameweek 36 concludes as we run the rule over the key individual, the team and talking point to catch our attention.

Dusan Tadic keeps Southampton’s survival bid alive, and an impressive Crystal Palace sweep aside a hapless Leicester City to dismiss their own relegation concerns.

Meanwhile, Manchester City’s in-form attack stake a strong claim for the captaincy in Double Gameweek 37 as Harry Kane’s toils continue.

The Player

Like Adel Taarabt before him, Dusan Tadic is one of those players who never quite delivers on the underlying numbers.

Aside from Gameweek 8 of 2014/15, where he famously served up a goal and four assists in an 8-1 win over Sunderland, the Serbian has frustrated Fantasy Premier League (FPL) backers all too often.

Yet, as evidenced by his output at home to Bournemouth, the recent arrival of Mark Hughes has revived Tadic’s potential.

A brace in last weekend’s win means that the playmaker has scored three of his side’s five goals in five matches since the new manager arrived – equalling his output for previous boss Mauricio Pellegrino in the opening 31 Gameweeks.

Again, Tadic ticks all of the statistical boxes. Under Hughes, he leads all team-mates for key passes (12) and efforts in the box (seven), while he’s joint-top for shots and efforts on target.

Encouragingly for Hughes, Saturday’s vital win over the Cherries means that his side have netted twice in three of their last four, which includes hauls against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Now just a single point behind fourth-bottom Swansea, Southampton travel to the face the Welshmen in the second match of Double Gameweek 37, with a visit to Everton beforehand.

Given that they face Man City on the final day of the season, Tadic’s displays over those next two matches could determine the Saints’ survival plight.

Involved in 50% of Saints’ goals since Hughes took charge, he could be equally valuable to his recent Fantasy investors.

So far almost 34,000 managers have put their trust in more returns, with Tadic simmering at just over 100,000 owners making him an intriguing differential ahead of Friday’s deadline.

The Team

Similar to Tadic, Crystal Palace served a timely reminder that the relegation battle can play a major role in our thinking at this point in the season.

Largely ignored by FPL managers due to the lack of a Double Gameweek, the Eagles’ 5-0 thrashing of Leicester City was made all the more remarkable on a Saturday where seven of the first 12 teams to feature all failed to find the net.

With five individuals all getting on the scoresheet, as many as four Palace players delivered double-figures. Once again, Wilfried Zaha was the star of the show, claiming a second 14-point return in the space of three Gameweeks.

Roy Hodgson’s decision to switch the Ivory Coast international up front alongside Andros Townsend in Gameweek 31 has proved a masterstroke.

While Zaha has supplied four goals and two assists in that run, Palace’s team numbers underline their overall threat – across the last six matches, they rank among the top four sides when it comes to shots on target (30), big chances (18) and goals (13).

Understandably, with 12 teams playing twice in the next round of fixtures, many will again overlook the Selhurst Park side when it comes to investing for Double Gameweek 37.

Yet with clashes against Stoke and West Brom to finish the season, Hodgson’s regulars have the momentum to continue racking up the points and finally secure their top-flight safety.

Zaha is the obvious target, though fellow midfielder James McArthur looks has great potential for those shopping in the sub-4.5 price bracket. That’s before we even consider Luka Milivojevic who – via his dead-ball prowess – is second only to Mohamed Salah for points per million value (26.4).

Meanwhile, Patrick van Aanholt has once again justified his reputation as a provider of attacking points from the back. The Dutchman has claimed three goals in eight Gameweeks and is ranked top for shots (11) among defenders over that period.

The Talking Point

When Double Gameweek 37 was initially confirmed, Harry Kane was immediately locked in as the obvious choice for the armband and remaining Triple Captain chips.

A trip to West Brom, followed by the visit of travel-sick Newcastle, seemed tailor-made for the Spurs striker as he looked to chase down Mohamed Salah in the race for the Golden Boot.

We only had to look back to last season, where Kane scored five times in Double Gameweek 37, following that up with a final-day hat-trick against Hull, to remind ourselves of his explosive ability.

However, it seems like Kane didn’t get the memo.

After scoring six times in as many matches over Gameweek 23-28, he’s netted three goals in the subsequent eight.

Indeed, at Spurs alone, that’s a tally matched by Christian Eriksen and bettered by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli, with four goals apiece.

While many will point to the controversies surrounding Kane’s goal award at Stoke and the recent FA tweet, his lethargy dates back further than either furore; the striker has managed just a single double-digit return in his last 15 league outings.

On the plus side, Monday’s goal at home to Watford means that Kane heads into Double Gameweek 37 having scored in back-to-back matches for the first time since Gameweek 28.

Now just four goals behind Salah, he’s still very much focused on his battle to finish top scorer for the third successive season.

“It’s something I want to win – every striker in the country wants to win the Golden Boot, and I’m no different.

It’s nice to be back on the goal trail and I’m looking forward to the last three weeks of the season. I’ve got two in my last two Premier League games and my ankle feels good”.

Yet with Man City’s attack looking to chase down Premier League records, Kane no longer looks the automatic go-to option.

At a time where Raheem Sterling has 10+ points in each of his last three and Gabriel Jesus has scored in four successive league outings, our armband decision for this penultimate round of fixtures could prove decisive to mini-league success.

Not for the first time this season, Kane has failed to put minds at rest.

  1. Stinglikeabee
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian, gros and Salah out
    Arnie, Alli and Pogba in.

    Y or N

    1. Dele
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Nah

    2. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      All look good for a -4, maybe not a -8.

      1. Stinglikeabee
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks guys. Might just do gros and salah to Ericksen and Arnie

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      -4, Yes!

    4. theRealMoneyball
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not alli

  2. The Chief
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Holding Willian and Dilva.
    1ft 0.1itb

    Stick or twist (and to who?)

  3. Bring the Cavalry
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Any help would be appreciated!

    DeGea
    Valencia naughton Morgan
    Alli Son mahrez willian Grob
    Kane Jesus

    Ryan Barnes Simpson Tark

    A) Alli > Sterling -4
    B) Mahrez > Sane -4
    C) Grob > Gundogan -4

    Already done Firmino > Jesus

    1. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

      I'd ship Son before Alli.

    2. Gasa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely A. Sane might play less than Sterling, Mahrez has a nice GW, and Alli is to be avoided anyway

    3. theRealMoneyball
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Easy A

  4. EL tridente
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Will J ayew and arnie rise tonight?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't look like it.

      http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/

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

      Looks unlikely.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Thurs / Fri probs

    4. glufs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Jand Arnie Rise

  5. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Point predictions:

    lloris (wba a, new h):
    fabianski (bou a, sou h):

    smalling (bha a, whu a):
    mustafi (bur h, lei a):
    yoshida (eve a, swa a):
    vdh (bou a, sou h):
    baines (sou h):

    salah (che a):
    sane (hud h, bha h):
    dilva (hud h, bha h):
    arnie (lei a, mun h):
    kenedy (wat a, tot h):

    kane (wba a, new h):
    jesus (hud h, bha h):
    jayew (bou a, sou h):

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      kane (c)

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Srsly

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        procrastination.

        sorry lol

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      40+

    4. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      10
      8
      10
      6
      4
      8
      2
      4
      11
      6
      7
      5
      12
      15
      8

      1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Whatever that adds to

      2. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        128 with kane (c) i'd take that right now

        cheers for even bothering to reply lol

        1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Haha its okay. Yeah see how close that is to your actual score and get back to me haha

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            haha will do pal

    5. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ask RMT!

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        RMT low-balls everything, #rmtFail

        1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          I do it on fix and always is way higher and RMT is always way lower

    6. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      6

  6. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think a third ManCity player except Sterling and Jesus is a must-have?

    1. william prunier
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Danillo if walker is out

      1. Stevie B
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I think Sterling, Jesus and KdB.

    2. Stevie B
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I think so because the fixtures are fantastic (home games against Huddersfield and Brighton). The only problem is Pep.

    3. onceuponatyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I might be in the minority, but with those two home fixtures - I expect De Bruyne to be able to get forward a bit more and rack up some points TBH. I took out Salah for 4pts to make it happen, that convinced.

      1. theRealMoneyball
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        No kdb. Fantastic player but not great for fpl. Especially as the third leg. Haz meanwhile has pens and should run those tired liv legs riot

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      No

    5. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      cheers

  7. Don Kloppeone
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Help me pick a mid for up to £5.3m:
    A) A. King/ Carroll
    B) Fernandinho
    C) Xhaka

    They will either play or be first on the bench. I already have Mili

    Thanks

    1. william prunier
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian+Albrighton >> Ramsey+Arnautovic for a -8? Or just one of them?

    Would leave?

    DDG
    Alonso • Smalling • Mustafi
    Eriksen • Sterling • Ramsey • Arnautovic
    Kane[TC] • Jesus • Austin
    (Ryan / Kenedy / Morgan / Lowton)

    1. william prunier
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't risk Rambo

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Hmm, ok

  9. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Tadic or Lingard for the dbl?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tad from those! Don’t like either

      1. SAINTS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Who is better for same price?

      2. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Yeah I’m afraid I don’t have much more to spend. Any other suggestions in that price bracket?

    2. william prunier
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tad

    3. SAINTS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I asked the same question earlier. All responses said Tadic and it's who I was leaning towards anyway.

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Ha yeah and me, your name gives that away. I guess at least he’s nailed

  10. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is it fair to say if you have Alonso/Morgan/Willian that Alonso is the most 'keepable'?

    One of the Chelsea players needs to go for funds and Morgan was a terrible pick obviously.

    1. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ship Willian before Alonso.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks - thinking the same.

  11. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    no money itb

    keep baines or bin (-4)?

    current defenders: smalling, mustafi, yoshida, VDH, baines

    1. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Smalling, Yoshida & VdH all have DGW. No point in taking a hit to get rid of Baines.

  12. Merc with a goalmouth
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Playing bench boost this week but also spending points to sort out the team. Which of these are worth it (if any)...

    (4pts)
    Elliot > De Gea
    Otamendi > Laporte

    (8pts)
    Elliot > De Gea
    Otamendi > Laporte
    Wilson > Andre Ayew

    (12pts)
    Elliot > Fabianski
    Otamendi > Laporte
    Wilson > Andre Ayew
    Lukaku > Kane

    1. Merc with a goalmouth
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      *other ayew

  13. Am sorry to say again it�…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Current squad
    2FT
    Will use TC for GM37 on Jesus or Sterling

    DDG
    Chilwell, Davies, Robertson
    Mahrez, Sterling, Sane, Salah
    Vardy, Austin, Jesus

    Subs: Pickford, Milivojevic,Tarkowski, Lowton
    1.)
    a) Pickford —> 3.9 GK
    b) Robertson —> Smalling
    2.)
    a) Pickford —> 3.9 GK
    b) Tarkowski —> Smalling
    c) J.Ayew —> Austin (-4)
    3.)
    a) Pickford —> 3.9 GK
    b) Tarkowski —> Smalling
    c.) Sane —> Son (-4)

    Thought it might be a good idea to save Robertson for GM38. Any suggestions?

  14. Expected Toulouse
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth a hit? 0.1itb.
    De Gea
    Valencia Davies Fernandez
    De Bruyne Sterling Son Shaqiri Milivojevic
    Kane Jesus
    Adrian Barnes Lowton Robertson

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      nope

  15. Nesvy
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Better choice ?

    a/ Morgan > Mawson/Naughton (-4)
    b/ play Morgan

    Def: DDG - Smalling - Vertong - X

    Thanks.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      b

    2. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in the same boat. Reluctantly keeping Morgan.

  16. Transferred Out
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian out for a hit

    A. Sane
    B. Pogba
    C. Arnie
    D. Anyone else
    E. Don't take the hit

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A,C or E

      1. Transferred Out
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        pretty concrete

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    cheeky repost..

    who will score more points until the end of the season

    A Son + 4
    B KDB
    C Sterling

    thank you

    1. Expected Toulouse
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no love for kdb ? more nailed imo but sterling stats better 🙂

  18. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    On free hit chip
    Jesus or Abu?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      jesus

  19. Pringle
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What about this for -4?

    Salah + Mahrez + Morgan --> Sterling + Pogba + Vertonghen

    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    2. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, but can you bring back Salah for 38 without a hit?

  20. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Best Baines replacement for -4? (already own smalling and 0 itb)

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Monreal potentially.

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        mmm, only 2 days after athletico game, can't see him starting

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          3 days. And Kolasinac is injured.

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            2 days rest* - but yeah an option I guess

  21. Dele
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Last spot in my line up and no bench boost, who gets the last spot?

    A) VDH
    B) Mili

    1. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Gotta be B

  22. Killug
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who will take most points ?
    A) J. Ayew
    B) Murry
    C) Morgan
    D) Bednarek

    1. _Make
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A B D C

      Anyone but Morgan

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      A. Morgan will give you negative points

  23. Pringle
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Willian scored 16 points against Huddersfield last time. Just saying.

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      If conte gave him half a chance he'd easily equal that

    2. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He has also only played 9 minutes over the last 2 weeks.

  24. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If Arsenal go out as expected - will you get anyone from them for the dgw?

    1. teneighty
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Auba is enough Arsenal for me.

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no because i don't expect them to play a full strength team in the first of their two matches

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        last home game ???i think they will definitely !!

        1. #FPLBhuna
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          their last home game is not in the DGW.

          1. Sailboats
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Yes it is

          2. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            yep against burnley, away to leicester and hud after that i think

        2. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          If they go out to Athletico they are only 3 points ahead of Burnley for the last European place, who they play in the first game of the double. Would expect a strong team in that game. Burnley have a very winable game in 38 against Bournmouth at home.

    3. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Monreal and Ramsey would really tempt me.

    4. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Will be taking a -8 to bring in 3 Man City players. So I have no space for Arsenal.

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Shaquiri, Firmino to Eriksen, J.Ayew for -4?

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      cheeky rerepost with an added option sorrrryyyy

      A Son + 4
      B KDB
      C Sterling
      D Hazard

      thank you all so much 🙂

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes to above...

    4. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      yes

    5. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  26. bombayblues
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    DDG* (Ryan)
    Smalling* Chilwell* Morgan* (Robertson. Lowton)
    Salah. Sterling* Son* Kenedy* Willian*
    Jesus* Kane(TC) (Barnes)

    1 FT. 1.4 ITB

    Son + Willian = Alli + Pogba? (-4)
    Crazy to do Salah to Eriksen?

  27. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    cheeky rerepost with an added option sorrrryyyy

    A Son + 4
    B KDB
    C Sterling
    D Hazard

    thank you all so much

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      C
      D if chasing

    2. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Still C

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      thanks all !!

  28. Hotdogs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Assuming Walker is out, who would you bring in out of

    A) Vertonghen (wba/NEW, LEI)
    B) Danilo (HUD/BRI, sot)

    1. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      B

  29. Rik Waller
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Roy Makaay - Remember that guy?

    Completely forgotten about him

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Makaay.... what a douchey name

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      was awesome !!!

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Loved that Deportivo team

      1. Pegboy
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        🙂 beat me by a second.

    4. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Loved that Depor team.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        so good werent they !

  30. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Hi, which one is better?
    A. Alli, Naughton
    B. Willian, Christensen + 8 pts

    Thanks 🙂