It’s time to pop out to the Weekly Shop this evening, as we assess the player lists of our partner games to pinpoint the likely targets that will make up our weekend lineups.
The player analysis is split into two sections: I’ll break down 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
A shut-out at Villa is hardly a notable achievement but after a third away clean sheet in five matches, it appears Arsene Wenger may have established a pragmatic approach to picking up precious points on the road. The visit to a Southampton side that have scored just twice in their last five gives Petr Cech (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.6m) the chance to earn another shut-out – the Gunners keeper has averaged over three saves per match so far and is now joint fourth in the shot-stoppers leaderboard with Boaz Myhill.
Spurs picked up a sixth clean sheet of the season in their trip to St Mary’s and a seventh is on the cards as promoted Norwich visit White Hart Lane. The Canaries scored twice at Old Trafford but failed to net in their previous two away trips and have registered less shots on target (eight) than any side over the last four Gameweeks. Eric Dier (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.9m) struck a third goal of the season in their last outing at home – it’s worth noting that all three of his goals have arrived in front of their own fans this season. Toby Alderweireld (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 8.2m) also does well at the Lane, having scored twice there so far.
Riyad Mahrez’ (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt 9.1m) extraordinary season continued with a brace at Goodison, with nine of the Algerian’s 13 goals arriving on the road. With a visit to Anfield on Boxing Day, the midfielder should prosper against a shaky Liverpool defence that’s been hit hard by injuries and has managed just one clean sheet in the last eight Gameweeks.
City’s defeat at Arsenal was another blow in a poor run of away form, though a plum home fixture against Sunderland should allow them to recover some poise, having won seven of nine matches at the Etihad. Kevin de Bruyne (FantasyBet 10.5m, PremierPunt 10.2m) has now blanked in five of his last six outings but clearly prefers home comforts, with three goals and four assists in seven appearances in front of his own fans. The return of Sergio Aguero (FantasyBet 13m, PremierPunt 16m) should reignite City’s title tilt, though, and whilst we don’t expect the Argentine to last from start to finish, he should still have enough time to do the damage against a team that have conceded 12 goals in their last four away trips.
Harry Kane (FantasyBet 9.5m, PremierPunt 13.5m) scored just once in the opening nine league Gameweeks and, after netting seven times in the subsequent four, there were fears that a three-match barren streak had halted his progress. A weekend strike at Southampton suggests he may be about to embark on another purple patch, though, and with Norwich up next at the Lane, he looks a strong candidate for our frontlines this weekend.
Poundstretchers
Slaven Bilic is still missing four of his first-choice attacking players so looks to be focusing on resilience, with three consecutive goalless draws for the Hammers. A trip to Villa Park represents a good chance of another clean sheet, with Villa failing to score in five of their eight matches at home so far – keeper Adrian (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 6.9m) provides a safe route into the backline, though full-back Aaron Creswell (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.4m) offers a chance of attacking returns for a little more outlay.
Scott Dann (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.4m) has scored in two of Crystal Palace’s last three away trips as Alan Pardew’s men visit a Bournemouth side that have been breached 11 times in their last four home fixtures. Furthermore, the Eagles have been somewhat unfortunate only to earn a single clean sheet on their travels, bearing in mind they have conceded just seven times on the road, the joint-best record in the league so far.
Only West Ham (101) have conceded more shots on target away from home than Norwich (100), making a double-up of Spurs attackers a viable option. Dele Alli’s (FantasyBet 5m, PremierPunt 7.9m) recent form in the number 10 role peaked against Southampton, with a goal and assist at St Mary’s making the youngster a potential alternative to Harry Kane.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (FantasyBet 7m, PremierPunt 10.7m) has had a disappointing season, with just two goals and a single assist served up so far. The Icelander has made a strong case for inclusion since the departure of Garry Monk, though – he’s fired 10 attempts on goal in the last two matches, compared to Andre Ayew’s four efforts, highlighting his points potential ahead of a home encounter with West Brom.
Villa must start picking up points if they are to avoid relegation, with Remi Garde’s basement-dwellers now sitting ten points behind fourth-bottom Newcastle. If they do manage to breach the West Ham backline, it’s likely to be Jordan Ayew (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 7.1m) with the breakthrough, given that the Ghana international has scored four of his side’s six goals over the last eight rounds of matches.
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.
