Wednesday night culminates now with a visit to the Weekly Shop, as we analyse the player lists of our partner games to highlight the likely targets that will make up our own weekly squads.
As per usual, 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 focusing on the FantasyBet and DraftKing player lists.
Better Buys
Stoke host a Southampton team that have struggled for goals on the road of late. The Saints have only notched three times in their last seven away ties and with Shane Long expected to remain sidelined along with Charlie Austin, their chances of finding the net look slim at the Britannia. Jack Butland’s (FantasyBet 4.5m, DraftKings $3,700) form may have faltered but a clean sheet against Newcastle in the Potters’ last home clash was a fifth shut-out in nine in front of their own fans – with Ryan Shawcross potentially available, there’s every chance that shut-out tally will be increased by the weekend.
Bournemouth have hit a promising patch of form, picking up seven points in their last three outings, while conceding just once. At St James’ in their last fixture, Charlie Daniels (FantasyBet 4.5m, DraftKings $4,600) netted a third goal of the campaign, while five assists as well this season highlights his points potential at both ends of the pitch as Swansea travel to Dean Court.
After scoring three and serving up as many assists over a five-week period, Christian Eriksen (FantasyBet 8.5m) has now blanked in three consecutive Gameweeks. The Dane’s ability from dead-ball situations could come in useful, though, against an Aston Villa side that have conceded the second-highest number of attempts from set pieces (24) over the last four Gameweeks.
Manchester City will be hopeful of recording their first back-to-back wins since October as they make the trip to a Norwich side that have picked up just a single point in nine matches and have let in 12 goals in four at Carrow Road. David Silva (FantasyBet 10m) earned attacking returns for the first time in six league appearances last week, creating two of the goals in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa, whilst Yaya Toure’s (FantasyBet 8.5m) strike in that encounter also broke a long drought, with his seventh goal of the campaign arriving after seven league outings without returns. Both midfielders should see this match as a chance to build up some form for the run-in.
Riyad Mahrez has been the Foxes main threat away from home, with his weekend winner securing all three points at Watford last time out. Nonetheless, Jamie Vardy’s (FantasyBet 7.5m) contribution at home has been ruthlessly consistent. The forward has been involved in over 50% of the Foxes goals at the King Power this term, notching 11 goals and two assists over 14 matches, and that record should be extended against a Magpies outfit that have conceded 13 goals in six consecutive away defeats.
Poundstretchers
Vardy and Mahrez are taking the majority of plaudits for the league leaders’ spectacular season, but seven clean sheets in the last 11 matches, compared to three shut-outs over the previous 18, shows that Claudio Ranieri’s defence have been equally vital to their title tilt. Kasper Schmeichel (FantasyBet 4.5m) and Christian Fuchs (FantasyBet 4.5m) are our prime candidates for inclusion, with visitors Newcastle have scored just twice in their last six on the road.
Although Spurs have now gone four matches without a clean sheet, they’ve had some tough fixtures over that spell, having faced the three teams directly below them in the table. A trip to Villa Park hands them the chance to earn a tenth shut-out of the campaign and Kevin Wimmer (FantasyBet 4.5m) offers a bargain route into their back four.
Bournemouth provide us with a host of budget options ahead of the home clash with Swansea. Matt Ritchie (FantasyBet 5.5m, DraftKings $6,600) was highly rated as Bournemouth embarked on their first foray into the Premier League and, while a slow start somewhat dampened his Fantasy appeal, recent form – a goal and three assists over the last six – has made him the top-scoring Cherries midfielder. Meanwhile Josh King (FantasyBet Midfielder 4.5m, DraftKings Forward $4,200) and forward Max Gradel (FantasyBet 5.5m, DraftKings $4,600) have also impressed of late, with the former bagging a goal and assist in the win at Newcastle. Picking between the trio may end up coming down to available funds but with their target man Benik Afobe (FantasyBet 6m, DraftKings $4,700) also making a promising start to his top-flight career, including one or more of Eddie Howe’s attacking assets looks good value this week.
The match at Carrow Road throws up a pair of differentials to consider. Nathan Redmond (FantasyBet 5m) scored in his previous home match against Chelsea and is the top midfielder for shots in the box over the last three – he faces a City defence with two clean sheets in seven on the road. After starting against Aston Villa, Wilfried Bony (FantasyBet 8m) may also be worth selecting for the trip to Norwich. The City striker has scored four goals and served up three assists this campaign despite limited pitch time and could partner Sergio Aguero in a 4-4-2 again at Carrow Road, with Manuel Pellegrini likely to have one eye on the midweek Champions League fixture against Kiev.
These are the contenders for my weekly contest lineups heading into the midweek fixtures. Tomorrow I’ll also bring you up to date on my progress in FantasyBet, as I continue my quest for profit in the 2015/16 campaign.
