Wednesday evening finds us popping out for the Weekly Shop, plundering the player lists of our partner games to assess the likely targets that will make up our weekend lineups.
Our analysis of the options is split into two sections: I’ll breakdown the key targets that no squad can do without in “Better Buys”, before seeking out those one-shot “Poundstretcher” prospects that can provide us points, whilst freeing up funds.
For this week’s selection, we’re scanning the players lists in our two partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt.
Better Buys
Manchester United may be struggling in attack but have been defensively sound with four shut-outs in five: they’ve conceded just a single goal at Old Trafford to date.
That ensures that David de Gea (FantasyBet 5.5m, Premier Punt 9m) is the standout option across the weekly games. The Spaniard has made three or more saves in four of his seven league appearances so far, with his shot-stopping abilities earning two bonus points against Crystal Palace in United’s previous outing. Given West Brom’s lack of punch, it’s difficult to see De Gea being breached at Old Trafford.
Jurgen Klopp’s reliance on full-backs to provide the attacking width within his system has Alberto Moreno (FantasyBet 5m, Premier Punt 8.4m) promoted up from the Poundstretcher classification. Moreno’s raiding runs down the flank have resulted in the left-back having more goal attempts (six) over the last three than any other defender. Liverpool welcome a Crystal Palace side that have scored just once in their last three matches on the road.
Riyad Mahrez (FantasyBet 6.5m, Premier Punt 9.9m) proved once again that ignoring his talents can be damaging; a brace against West Brom brought his total for the season to seven goals in 11 matches. The Algerian’s consistency has been a huge asset and, having blanked on just three occasions so far, I’m finding it difficult to look beyond Mahrez heading into the home meeting with Watford.
Arsenal have won five successive league matches and have averaged three goals a game over that run. Mesut Ozil (FantasyBet 8.5m, Premier Punt 13.3m) has been the prime architect for that impressive record with seven assists and a goal, making the German playmaker a must-have in Sunday’s north London derby. Team-mate Olivier Giroud (FantasyBet 9m, Premier Punt 14m) is also one to consider, with a goal in each of his last three – the Frenchman remains assured of starts with Theo Walcott sidelined.
Elsewhere in attack, I’m currently assessing Christian Benteke (FantasyBet 8.5m, Premier Punt 13m) as a key candidate. The Belgian has suffered limited pitch time but he looks certain to start against Palace and has scored in three of his last four Premier League outings. Carrying on from Villa last season, Benteke now has 15 goals in 19 top-flight appearances: that makes him impossible to ignore.
Poundstretchers
Leicester picked up their first clean sheet of the season in their previous match at the King Power and Kasper Schmeichel (FantasyBet 4.5m, Premier Punt 7.6m) will be eager to improve on that record with the visit of promoted Watford. Odion Ighalo will be a major threat if he recovers from a knock, but, despite his form, I foresee another call to the Pizza Parlour for Ranieri’s men.
I’m also looking at Jeffrey Schlupp in FantasyBet, where he’s classified as a 5.0 defender. Whilst confidence in Leicester’s defence is understandably shaky, few can doubt their devastating attacking threat. Schlupp, on the left-flank or even in the number ten role, looks a very handy defensive differential.
Sunderland have conceded two or more goals seven times this season, which has me lean towards Southampton’s assets as they drop in on the Stadium of Light this weekend. Dusan Tadic (FantasyBet 7m, Premier Punt 10.8m) has outscored Sadio Mane (FantasyBet 8m, Premier Punt 12.1m) overall after picking up an assist against Bournemouth and is also a cheaper alternative to Graziano Pelle (FantasyBet 8m, Premier Punt 12.2m).
We drop in on Bournemouth for our budget striker pick this week. Glenn Murray (FantasyBet 6m, Premier Punt 7.6m) has two in four for Eddie Howe’s side and the veteran frontman could be up against Newcastle’s fourth choice keeper, with Robert Elliot the latest to be struck by injury.
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups heading into the weekend. I’ll return on Friday with a further assessment of this week’s partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
