Our “Weekly Shop” article arrives once again this evening, as I take a look at the main contenders currently under consideration across weekly and daily Fantasy Football games.
Our 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 favourable 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 Premier Punt…
Better Buys
Mauricio Pochettino has improved Tottenham’s defensive capabilities to the extent that they have conceded the joint fewest goals (eight) as we head towards Gameweek 11. Hugo Lloris (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 8.2m) has picked up four clean sheets in seven, and with just a single goal against in their last four at White Hart Lane, the Frenchman has to be considered for the home tie with Aston Villa. A double-up could also pay off, with out of position Eric Dier (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 8.4m) also an option from the Spurs defensive set-up. The ex-Sporting Lisbon player has been shifted into central midfield where he’s already picked up a pair of goals so far this season.
Southampton host a struggling Bournemouth side that have conceded five in each of their last two. Virgil van Dijk (FantasyBet 5.5m, Premier Punt 9.2m) has scored in their last two matches at St Mary’s and the centre-back should be a threat at set-pieces once again, while a first shut-out in six is certainly feasible against the struggling Cherries. Elsewhere in Ronald Koeman’s side, Sadio Mane (FantasyBet 8m, Premier Punt 12.5 m) has recently added goals to his five assists this term, with the Saints attacking midfielder netting three times in the last four fixtures.
Kevin de Bruyne (FantasyBet 10m, Premier Punt 11m) is hard to overlook as Manchester City welcome Norwich to the Etihad. Having bagged three goals and as many assists in six league appearances, he faces a defence that have yet to register a single shut out so far – indeed, Alex Neil’s side have shipped 12 goals in their last four away outings, with Newcastle putting six past the Canaries leaky backline in their last road trip.
Up front, Sergio Aguero’s injury continues to leave a surplus of funds in our budgets. Wilfried Bony (FantasyBet 8.5m, Premier Punt 13.2m) racked up two goals and an assist in his previous home appearance against Bournemouth and looks too good to ignore against Norwich’s obliging defence.
Harry Kane (FantasyBet 9.5m, Premier Punt 14.7m) announced his return with a hat-trick against the Cherries and with Romelu Lukaku (FantasyBet 8m, Premier Punt 12.5m) playing host to Sunderland, there’s no shortage of in-form options for our three-man frontlines.
Poundstretchers
Rob Elliot (FantasyBet 4m, Premier Punt 6.6m) once again looks to be the budget enabler of choice. The Newcastle keeper’s price tags somewhat offset his side’s defensive frailties, though a home encounter against a misfiring Stoke outfit with just two goals in the last three fixtures raises hope of a rare clean sheet. Similarly, Wayne Hennessy (FantasyBet 4m, Premier Punt 5.5m) has started the last four for Crystal Palace and has earned two shut outs over that period ahead of a visit from Manchester United.
Everton’s defensive form has wavered in recent weeks and with Phil Jagielka sidelined until Christmas with a knee injury, it remains to be seen whether they can rack up the defensive points. Nonetheless, Brendan Galloway (FantasyBet 4.5m, Premier Punt 7.7m) offers a cheap route into the Toffees defence while Leighton Baines remains out of action, and although visitors Sunderland may have been lifted with the Tyne-Wear derby victory at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats have failed to score in each of their last three road trips.
If you choose to go without Lukaku or Kane, or just can’t fit them both in, there are a couple of budget options in their respective teams that could still deliver in those favourable fixtures. Dele Alli (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 8.3m) has started the last six for Spurs and has a goal and two assists this campaign. Ross Barkley, meanwhile, remains at 6.5m in FantasyBet so is a convincing cut-price alternative to Lukaku, though a price tag of 10.7m in Premier Punt alleviates the midfielder’s value there.
Odion Ighalo (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 8.3m) has been Watford’s main threat this campaign, netting five times so far, but turned provider in the 2-0 win at Stoke, creating both goals for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side. The Nigerian is likely to be integral once again at home to a West Ham defence that’s been breached in each of the last five Gameweeks.
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.
