It’s time for our Wednesday “Weekly Shop” article this evening, as we take a look at the main contenders currently under consideration for our squads across weekly and daily Fantasy Football games.
As always, this early scouting article is divided into two sections. The “Better Buys” will look at the key players for the week ahead, generally assessing those in-form assets who are braced for a promising fixture. The “Poundstretchers”, on the other hand, are the Gameweek prospects that should offer excellent value – often one-week punts, whose lower price tags enable funds to be spent on the big-hitters elsewhere in our lineups.
In today’s article, we assess what’s on offer in this week’s two featured games FantasyBet, and PremierPunt…
Better Buys
It took Stoke eight matches to find their first clean sheet, but Jack Butland now has back-to-back shut-outs after consecutive 1-0 wins for the Potters. This run could continue with goal-shy Watford visiting the Britannia, with six goals in nine matches making the Hornets the lowest scoring side in the league. Their limitations in front of goal means Butland is unlikely to be picking up few save points but, at only at 4.5m in FantasyBet and 7.4m in Premier Punt, the keeper is our pick from a difficult slate this week for defences.
Arsenal’s raiding right-back Hector Bellerin (5.5m in FantasyBet and 8.7m in Premier Punt) has picked up three assists in five matches, including an incredible late run to set up Mesut Ozil against Bayern Munich in midweek. The Gunners kept a clean sheet against the German champions and, having chalked up five shutouts in the last seven league outings, Arsene Wenger’s backline has to be considered at home to an Everton side that’s blanked twice in their last three road trips.
Alexis Sanchez (11.0 in FantasyBet and 16.0m in Premier Punt, though classified as a forward) and Riyad Mahrez (5.5m in FantasyBet and 9.4m in Premier Punt) remain as the stand-out midfielders for our daily and weekly teams. The latter may not have started the last two matches but is surely back in the frame after assisting Jamie Vardy to secure last weekend’s draw with Southampton. An emerging candidate in the centre of the park is Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen (8.5m in FantasyBet and 12.1m in Premier Punt). The Dane has two goals and as many assists in his four matches since returning from injury and an away trip to Bournemouth offers a good chance of adding to those returns.
The aforementioned Jamie Vardy (6.0m in FantasyBet and 8.2m in Premier Punt) has nine goals in as many outings and, with Sergio Aguero injured, seems the most reliable option for our forward lines. Granted, the Leicester striker surely has to blank at some point but it’s a risk to drop him from our teams with a home encounter against Crystal Palace up next.
Poundstretchers
We’re not sure why you would be looking past Jack Butland this week at that price but if an alternative budget keeper is required, then it’s worth considering Norwich’s clash with West Brom for a pair of budget options. John Ruddy (4.5m in FantasyBet and 7.1m in Premier Punt) is yet to record a clean sheet but the Baggies away record – two goals in four – suggests he could bring in the points. On the other side of the pitch, Boaz Myhill (4.5m in FantasyBet and 6.9m in Premier Punt) has notched five shut outs this campaign, including three in four away from the Hawthorns.
As we pointed out in our Scout Squad article, Alberto Moreno (5.0m in FantasyBet and 7.8m in Premier Punt) has made more key passes (16) than any other defender in the league, despite having limited pitch time. Joe Gomez’ season-ending injury ensures starts for the Spaniard and Jurgen Klopp’s high-intensity pressing tactics should suit the full-back as Liverpool host Southampton.
After Aaron Ramsey pulled up with a hamstring injury in midweek, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s (6.0m in FantasyBet and 8.8m in Premier Punt) could be in line for a rare start at home to Everton. His acquisition is still a little risky, though – given the recent form of Olivier Giroud, Arsene Wenger could switch Theo Walcott onto the right flank if he chooses to go with his compatriot up front after he opened the scoring against Bayern.
Sunderland’s form this season has been dismal but the arrival of Sam Allardyce could give them some fresh impetus for the new manager’s first home match. Jeremain Lens (6.5m in FantasyBet and 10.1m in Premier Punt, classified as a forward) was suspended for the narrow defeat at West Brom but will surely return in the Wear-Tyne derby – two goals and three assists so far suggests the Dutchman could be integral to a sixth successive victory in this fixture for the Black Cats.
Glenn Murray (6.0m in FantasyBet and 7.1m in Premier Punt) has stepped up in Callum Wilson’s absence for Bournemouth and netted in back-to-back outings against Watford and Manchester City. Spurs travel to Dean Court and could be difficult to break down but, having fired 11 attempts in their last three matches, the veteran looks the man most likely to be involved.
These are the players on my radar ahead of this weekend’s weekly contests. On Friday, I’ll be back with a further look at both this week’s partner games – FantasyBet and PremierPunt, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
