The hectic Christmas period continues now, as we pop out to the Weekly Shop, assessing the player lists of our partner games to pinpoint the likely targets that will make up our own weekly squads.
As always, 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 once again scanning the players lists in our two partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt.
Better Buys
Arsenal picked up an eighth clean sheet of the campaign in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth and look set for a ninth with a home clash against Newcastle up next. After Laurent Koscielny was rested against the Cherries, Arsene Wenger’s backline could see further rotation but Petr Cech (FantasyBet 5.5m, Premier Punt 8.3m) should be a safe starter – the summer signing has made 39 saves in nine matches at home, an average of over four per game, and faces a side that’s failed to scored in their last two matches.
The goalless draw against Chelsea was Manchester United’s seventh shut-out in nine league matches at Old Trafford this season. While the Red Devils have been struggling up front, the backline has consistently delivered, with Louis van Gaal’s policy of building from the back ensuring that Fantasy managers can rely upon his defence. Chris Smalling (FantasyBet 6.5m, PremierPunt 9.2m) has been a considerable influence and welcomes a Swansea outfit that have blanked in six of their last nine outings.
Mesut Ozil (FantasyBet 9.5m, PremierPunt 12.8m) posted his biggest haul of the season against Bournemouth – a 14-point return was his sixth double-figure total in twelve appearances. It’s difficult to ignore the German for the visit of the Magpies and a double up with one of Aaron Ramsey (FantasyBet 8m, PremierPunt 12.1m) or Theo Walcott (FantasyBet 8m, PremierPunt 11.8m) is likely to be a popular tactic – over the last four Gameweeks both have made seven attempts and recorded a single goal apiece.
The goalless draw with Manchester City meant Jamie Vardy (FantasyBet 7.5m, PremierPunt 8.2m) has failed to score or assist in back-to-back appearances for the first time this term. A visit from a Bournemouth side that have conceded 21 goals on their travels – only Norwich and Sunderland have been worse – indicates a third blank is unlikely. The Foxes frontman recovered from illness to play the full match against City and he’ll be desperate to get back amongst the goals as the King Power outfit step up their title tilt.
Poundstretchers
Leicester City may not have scored in the last two but a clean sheet against Manchester City is always an achievement. It was a third shut-out in seven in for the Foxes, not a bad record for a team that generally throws caution to the wind and only picked up six in total last season. Kasper Schmeichel (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 7.0m) picked up all three bonus points after keeping Sergio Aguero quiet with five saves – the Danish keeper has secured a save point in seven of nine matches at the King Power and could be in the points at home to Bournemouth this weekend.
Sunderland picked up three clean sheets in Sam Allardyce’s first five matches but have conceded in each of the subsequent five. Trips to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were never likely to yield much, though, and the visit of basement-dwellers Aston Villa affords the Wearsiders a glimmer of hope. Even if Villa do score, Patrick Van Aanholt (FantasyBet 4.5m, PremierPunt 7.2m) offers a chance of attacking returns – the Dutchman has produced five attempts and seven key passes over the last four Gameweeks.
Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic (FantasyBet 6m, PremierPunt 8.6m) has now netted four goals in five appearances, with a penalty and assist in the 4-3 thriller with Everton confirming the Austrian as a compelling Fantasy pick. The Potters travel to the Hawthorns to face a West Brom side who uncharacteristically boast the second-worst home defensive record this season, with 16 goals against in front of their own fans. Having just scored four at Goodison, Mark Hughes’ side roll up to the weekend derby in fine fettle.
With Graziano Pelle set to miss Southampton’s trip to Norwich with a knee injury, we turn to Shane Long (FantasyBet 5.5m, PremierPunt 6.6m) instead. The Republic of Ireland international has been an able replacement for the Italian, scoring three goals in his last four starts and firing 10 attempts from inside the box in his last four appearances. If you’re backing the Saints attack to do well against the promoted side, provides a budget differential requiring less funds than Dusan Tadic (FantasyBet 7m, PremierPunt 9.4m) or the misfiring Sadio Mane (FantasyBet 7.5m, PremierPunt 11.0m).
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups heading into this week’s fixtures. I’ll bring you up to date on my progress in our partner games – FantasyBet and Premier Punt – in my articles next week, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
