Selection
25 February 2017 923 comments
James H James H
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For our selections this week, we’ve turned to three players who all face favourable home fixtures in Gameweek 26, in the hope of receiving some instant rewards.

Two of our differentials are also treated to a guaranteed fixture in Gameweek 28, heightening their appeal as mid-term investments.

Lazar Markovic

Following an impressive individual display in Hull City’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in Gameweek 25, we’ve opted to include Lazar Markovic among our trio of differentials.

Joining the Tigers on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season to help fill the void left by Robert Snodgrass, Markovic’s pace on the counter attack has been a key feature of Hull’s performances of late.

The additions of Markovic and Kamil Grosicki has seen the Tigers direct the majority of their attacks from wide areas, with 75% of their chances arriving from the flanks – only Southampton have been more reliant on their wide men.

While both Markovic and Grosicki have managed four successful crosses apiece in their respective two appearances, the former has the edge in goal attempts by three to zero.

Priced at 5.4 in FPL, Markovic looks well placed to translate those solid numbers into Fantasy points at home to Burnley this afternoon, given that the Clarets have conceded 24 goals in 11 road trips, earning a single clean sheet away from Turf Moor.

Encouragingly, the Tigers have won all four home matches across all competitions since Marco Silva’s arrival at the KCOM Stadium, including recent victories against Manchester United and Liverpool.

And with home fixtures to follow against Swansea City, West Ham United and Middlesbrough in the next six, now could be the time to invest in Hull’s assets.

They’re particularly appealing considering that they face the Swans in Gameweek 28, when only eight sides are guaranteed to be in action.

Sitting in 0.2% of FPL squads, a roll of the dice on Markovic will not only provide an extra player for Gameweek 28, but also a budget midfielder who looks to have the fixtures over the next six Gameweeks to produce those all-important attacking returns.

Salomon Rondon

With West Brom hosting a Bournemouth side that have conceded more goals (12) than any other team over the last four Gameweeks, we’ve turned our attentions to the Baggies’ Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon.

Eddie Howe’s side have also allowed the most “big chances” over the same period (12) so the prospects of West Brom picking up a fourth successive home win appear strong.

Without a goal in his last five matches, though, Rondon’s FPL ownership has fallen to just 7%.

But the Baggies target man has still registered a reasonable seven goals and three assists this season, and looks well placed to thrive not only this weekend, but also at home to struggling Crystal Palace in Gameweek 27.

Tony Pulis’ side also play in Gameweek 28, when they travel to Goodison Park, so while current form would not automatically bring Rondon onto our radars, the upcoming fixtures certainly do.

His underlying statistics have also been reasonable of late, with Rondon ranked fourth among forwards for penalty box touches over the last four Gameweeks with 29, while he’s totalled nine goal attempts over the same spell.

Available at 6.7, he perhaps shouldn’t be ignored as a short-term option to help navigate the blanks.

M’Baye Niang

Having already got off the mark in the Premier League, Watford forward M’Baye Niang looks an intriguing option for the maverick Fantasy manager.

Niang, who joined the Hornets on loan from AC Milan last month, produced a goal an assist in the 2-1 victory over Burnley in Gameweek 24 and has started all three matches since making the move to Vicarage Road.

This evening’s home fixture against West Ham United is the first of five strong fixtures (SOT, cpl, SUN, WBA) for Walter Mazzarri’s men over the next six Gameweeks, although they do, of course, blank in Gameweek 28.

Niang, who sets us back just 6.0, certainly appears to have the fixtures to impress over the coming weeks, with the West Ham match-up appearing particularly inviting, given that they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet over their last four matches.

It’s the forward’s underlying statistics that really catch the eye, having bettered Hornets’ skipper Troy Deeney for both shots on goal (six to five) and chances created (three to two) since making his debut.

Niang’s desire to take on opponents has also added an extra dimension to his side’s play – a total of 20 dribbles is more than any other Watford player over the same period.

Currently owned by just 0.8% of FPL bosses, Niang has the type of upside that looks ideal for those managers looking to make up lost ground in mini-leagues.

923 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    if you're not scared then you're not taking a chance. And if you're not taking a chance, then what the hell are you doing anyway? - Ted Mosby

    Let's go Costa/brunt captain

    1. greghammer95
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Lookman. Neither of them are particularly risky. Always a bit maverick captaining a defender though.

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Costa probably the safest pick

    3. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      A out of position player with goal threat is always a good option!

  2. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 9 months ago

    Reporter about Trump:

    'We don't know what he means when he says words' 😆

    1. MTPockets
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Reporter fail. Not a fan, but seems to very much means what he says.

    2. Giovanni Giorgio
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero TC next week let's do this LEEROY Jeeeenkinns

      1. gaurava1216
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        why nextt week> is city dgw confirmed?

        1. Giovanni Giorgio
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          If they beat Huddersfield yes.

      2. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        I'm doing the same need to catch my ML leader and I don't think there will be any better fixtures for it

    3. Benzemabob
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      bit odd and frustrating that Sanchez price has not dropped despite being well overdue.

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Very odd....gerrymandering is my guess.

        1. Syd.
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Gerry Mandering - what position does he play?

          1. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            False 9 😉

        2. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Certainly looks like it. Can FPL change the price change rules for individual players? Since they don't explain how any of it works, I guess they are free to do what they like.

      2. Blue&White85
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Fully expected he'd be down by a minimum of 0.2 and maybe 0.3 this week. Was hoping to get him back a good bit cheaper but isn't looking likely.

    4. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 9 months ago

      Can anyone explain why the Sanchez firesale has only lead to one price drop?

      He is -400% on FFFix now. Sold by 200k

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        WC probs

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Can't be THAT many wild cards, would be something like 3 or 4 in 5 people being on WC. Not possible.

      2. Fred54
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        Invisible flag.

      3. PÍE
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 9 months ago

        I thought for sure he'd drop last night.
        My best guess is that there must be a lot more people WC'ing than expected, though that seems odd as well.

        1. Benzemabob
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          It also strikes me as a stinking time to expend a wildcard, given the volatility of the fixture list and the need for almost urgent reparative work.

          1. PÍE
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Oh yeah, I wouldn't use it now!

        2. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 9 months ago

          No, can't be that many. My guess is FPL moving his price drop target so he retains value. It must be much lower than price drop sites expected (therefore much lower than average for other players), hence the 400%. FPLstats just changes their percentage whenever they get it wrong, hard to rely on them.

          1. Benzemabob
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            That's a worrying notion. Potential to scupper many a plan that has already been instigated.

          2. PÍE
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Well according to FISO the last day he was at 11.9 on 05/02 he was owned by 1,587,287
            the last day he was at 11.8 on 18/02 he was owned by 1,513,506 (lost 73,781)
            It had him earlier today owned by 1,397,038 (lost 116,468)

            So maybe needs an extra 50,000+ people to have transferred him on wildcard the last week or so for him to have not gone down unless I'm miscalculating something?
            Still seems odd to me though, but bets theory I have.

      4. MTPockets
          8 years, 9 months ago

          Each drop/rise changes the [black box] threshold for next one.

          1. PÍE
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Don't price change sites know about this though? (even if not an exact science)

            1. MTPockets
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Yeah if you scoll down to points 3 & 9 there's mention of it and links to more info, but still guesswork: http://fplstatistics.com/

            2. The Tinkerman
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Price change sites already account for that, it would appear the drop is at least 4 times larger than expected on average...

            3. Art Vandelay
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Historically that has only been the case for price rises.

              1. MTPockets
                  8 years, 9 months ago

                  Really? Perhaps there's an adjustment made for players that will blank (as a measure of unavailability).

          2. Old Wulfrunian
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Good morning!
            Any thoughts/changes for my team or gtg

            Jacupovic (Pickford)
            Evans Brunt Coleman (Ward Yoshida)
            Eriksen Siggy Alli Mane (Stanislas)
            Costa Barnes Lukaku

            0ft 4.9itb

            thanks

            1. cjw176
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Looks gtg. Who's your captain?

              1. Old Wulfrunian
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                thanks.Lukaku

          3. cjw176
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            I have switched my captain from Lukaku to Mane. Wish me luck lol

            1. FPL Emu
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              fine choice. though little less sure now that Ranieri is gone

            2. Legomane
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Mane away from home...nah 🙂

          4. gaurava1216
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            is it a guarantee that next week is city double gameweek? Assume thats based on them beating h'field?

            1. FPL Emu
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Which is very likely I guess

              1. gaurava1216
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                if that happens has it been confirmed city double game week in 27?? or as we assuming?

            2. Fred54
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Well they couldn't best them first time around. 😉

          5. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            The lad writing the 'Say What' article is a legend. Huge fan.

            1. harvard
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Huge fan too. His mix of words nd comedy is class

            2. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Totally agree with this.

              The latest 'say what' article was pure class

            3. djpete
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Great writing

          6. harvard
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Well, that seals it. Rodwell to markovic and chambers on the bench.

            The war was markovic vs king.

            Likely to go aoa next week

          7. FFPro
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            http://i.imgur.com/M8vyGFT.png

            For those who like a nice symmetrical lineup

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Pure sex.

              I prefer my captain on the left though.

              1. FFPro
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Me too, I swapped cap to Lukaku.. need to change their positions

            2. Kane-harry Island
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Lovely!!

            3. Lone Wolf FPL
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              beautyyyy...

            4. SUPERMAN
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Bench let's you down 😉

          8. gaurava1216
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            are we just assuming that city DGW is in 27 if they beat H'field? Or has that actually been officially announced or mentioned?

            1. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Officially announced.

              1. gaurava1216
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                cheers

                1. gaurava1216
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  8 years, 9 months ago

                  so City beat Hfield and next week will have City Vs Sland and Stoke in 27?

                  1. Gregor
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 16 Years
                    8 years, 9 months ago

                    Yes mate.

          9. Gregor
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Bench one;

            A - Holebas (WHU)
            B - Sigurdsson (che)
            C - Barnes (hul)

            Cheers.

            1. gaurava1216
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              A

              1. Gregor
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Cheers.

          10. Lecky Legs FC
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Don't own Lukaku so (C)osta it is good luck fellow captainers 🙂

            1. The Overthinker
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Brought lukaku in this week, but have a feeling that he'll blank.
              He always disappoints when we expect a lot

              1. Lecky Legs FC
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                No I don't think he will I brought Mane in for Sanchez but I'm banking this weeks FT and using 2 next GW he'll deliver more than likely and it will bite me in the arse.

          11. Teahupo'o
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Anyone here who didn't captain Lukaku v Bournemouth, not captaining him again this gw?

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Didnt had vs Bournemouth. Not captaining this week.

              I like to play with fire and cry later 😆

              1. Teahupo'o
                • 14 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Brave man. Twice shy over here.

          12. foreverton
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Will Burnley score vs Hull?

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Maybe

            2. cjw176
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              I hope not

          13. Old Wulfrunian
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Stanislas -98.6 what we should do with him....?

            1. Teahupo'o
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Sold for Antonio.

              1. Old Wulfrunian
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Thanks for answer.I think i can't get -8 next gw...Propably keeping.Also Antonio/snodgrass against Chelsea have a risk.You think its worth a -8?

                1. Teahupo'o
                  • 14 Years
                  8 years, 9 months ago

                  I did for -4 as it still leaves money itb for Aguero next week. Don't want to be the one telling you to take a hit, but I just don't see Stanislas worth holding on to.

                2. Teahupo'o
                  • 14 Years
                  8 years, 9 months ago

                  You could always take him out for a dgw player next gw. City mid or Allen.

                  1. Old Wulfrunian
                    • 9 Years
                    8 years, 9 months ago

                    cheers.Tough choices with this potential dgw and the blanks

          14. Chris_White
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Ibra -> (C)osta done.

            Going to the Bridge, just can't resist not captaining a Chelsea player

            1. Gommy
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              The same reason I'm captaining him over Lukaku. Can't resist.

          15. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Which other team will have a DGW27 in addition to City?

            1. Chris_White
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Stoke

            2. The Overthinker
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Another city
              Stoke city

            3. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Stoke(manc, MID)

              1. Count of Monte Hristo
                • 12 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Cheers lads.

            4. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Both also have blank in GW26 and GW28, so not the DGW to go hit crazy.

              1. bitm2007
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                in GW28

              2. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Stoke doesn't blank in GW26 shirley?

          16. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Crouch days numbered with those comments about Berahino from Hughes (scout tweets)?

            Or could start both?

            1. Chris_White
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              It's Berahino. You never know.

              (and he could play 2 up top as well)

            2. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Suspect numbered.

            3. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Maybe 4-4-2

          17. cjw176
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Assuming City beat Huddersfield, who would you TC GW27?
            A Aguero
            B Sterling

            1. Kane-harry Island
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Sterling

            2. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Aguero

            3. Gregor
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Kün.

            4. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Sterlings the silver option, Kun's could be fantasy gold.

          18. FPL Maldini
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Bench one

            A) Evans

            B) Barnes

            1. cjw176
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Evans

          19. denial
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Markovic actually very tempting to get in.

          20. Fernando Torres
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Would you do Ibra out for Lukaku/Costa for a FT. They would play instead of Barnes

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Ibra to Luka. Yes.

            2. Lone Wolf FPL
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Lukaku and C him

          21. Kane-harry Island
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Captain Lukaku or Costa?

            1. foreverton
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Lukaku. Much bigger chance of a large point haul.

          22. foreverton
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Last time posting this (sorry). Do I play:

            Siggy vs. Chelsea (A)

            Robertson vs. Burnley (H)

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              Robert

              1. foreverton
                • 12 Years
                8 years, 9 months ago

                Ty.

          23. FPL Maldini
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            My team is...

            DDG--Jaku
            Evans--Walker--Alonso--Baines--Amat
            Siggy--Mane--Ali--Phillips---Stanislas
            Kane--Lukaku --Baines

            Would you do a -4 for?

            A) Stanislas to Snodgrass
            B) Ali to Hazard
            C) or just play Evans / Barnes this week

          24. Partick Bateman
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Good morning. Where's the hit here? 0.8 ITB

            Heaton
            Baines Brunt Holebas (Amat Valencia)
            Eriksen Phillips Sigurdsson (Sanchez Carrick)
            Costa Lukaku Kane

            Thinking Sanchez to Coutinho to keep buy back and Aguero options affordable.

          25. Fernando Torres
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Siggy > Mane for -4?

          26. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 9 months ago

            Are dark powers at play versus our FPL game. FAKE GAME.

            1. Art Vandelay
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 9 months ago

              If you are talking about price rises, I think you might be right. Market manipulation FTW!