Welcome to the latest instalment of the Weekly Shop, as we cast an eye over the player list of our partner game, FanDuel.
We start our assessment by identifying some of the pivotal fixtures that appear set to be principal sources for FanDuel points this round.
Spurs host Southampton following a 6-0 rout of Millwall in the FA Cup – while they’ll be missing their leading goalscorer, they still have plenty of options to ponder for our line-ups. Claude Puel’s defence also offers up the promise of some defensive points against an unforgiving Spurs outfit.
Everton continue to dominate opponents at Goodison Park and provide several options to consider, with the Toffees seeking a sixth successive home win as Hull City make their way to Merseyside.
West Brom will be keen to secure a result against visitors Arsenal after back-to-back defeats. That puts a defender with a serious goal threat on our radar, while the Gunners’ return from a forced hiatus puts a big-hitter back in the picture.
The Better Buys
We begin by pinpointing the more expensive options that look set up to bring in considerable points hauls for the Gameweek ahead. These are the players that require bold investment but have favourable encounters and underlying numbers that hint they will be worthwhile selections.
In goal, we have a pair of enticing prospects, both enjoying kind home fixtures and a proven track record in front of their own fans.
Although Spurs conceded twice to Everton in their last league outing at White Hart Lane, that was only the second match in which the North London side have let in more than one goal in 14 home ties. Hugo Lloris (£7.1m) has only leaked a single goal in the previous seven at home – the ten points on offer in FanDuel for a keeper securing a shutout looks very likely for the French stopper.
For slightly more outlay we return to a Weekly Shop regular. Joel Robles (£7.4m) delivered yet another clean sheet as West Bromwich were seen off 3-0 at Goodison Park last time out. The Spaniard has now kept four shut-outs in five at home and seven in 11 overall, cementing himself as Ronald Koeman’s first choice. Visitors Hull have netted a woeful two goals in their last ten road trips.
It would be remiss of us not to mention Man United’s David de Gea (£7.1m) ahead of a trip to managerless Middlesbrough. The Red Devils have shipped a mere 12 goals on their travels all season and face a lacklustre attack that’s found the net just twice in the last eight Gameweeks.
We’ve got our eye on Gareth McAuley (£8m) due to his undoubted threat in the air – the Irishman’s six goals is top for defenders this season. A trip to the Emirates should provide the West Brom centre-back with opportunities to utilise his aerial prowess – Arsenal have conceded the most headed attempts over the last four matches (15).
The Baggies asset has also returned a steady stream of 40 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI’s) – key metrics in FanDuel – over his last four outings, as well as 11 tackles (worth two points apiece).
Our next pick sits third for CBI’s over the last four behind the equally selectable Ben Mee (£8.4m) of Burnley on 58 and Bournemouth’s Steve Cook (£8.7m) with 53 recorded. Liverpool’s Joel Matip (£8.3m) has registered 46 CBI’s and eight tackles to contribute a robust average score of 22.1 FanDuel points over that period. A trip to the Etihad should provide more of the same – the Cameroonian’s five recent goal attempts also hints at a burgeoning threat.
Harry Kane’s stint on the sidelines should see extra investment in the Spurs midfield over the upcoming rounds – they dispatched this week’s opponents Southampton 4-1 at St Mary’s back in December.
We slightly favour Christian Eriksen (£12.4m) in FanDuel over the goal scoring exploits of Dele Alli (£11.7m). The Dane suits the scoring system, averaging 27.22 points per match compared to Alli’s 23.56. Both scored in Sunday’s FA Cup victory over Millwall, with Alli now netting in three successive appearances in front of his own supporters.
That injury to their main forward also boosts Son Heung-Min’s (£9.5m) appeal. Mauricio Pochettino could well start the South Korean up front following his hat-trick against Millwall – potentially providing the best value option from Spurs’ midfield. A 17.9-point average over his last four league starts includes a goal and assist.
Chelsea travel to a Stoke side that have lost only once in 12 matches at the bet365 Stadium. We’re still backing Eden Hazard (£12.8m) to deliver returns – the Belgian’s guile could prove key to breaking the Potters’ resolve.
The Blues midfielder provided the breakthrough at the London Stadium last time out – an eleventh strike of the campaign. Another goal and an assist has helped establish a 26.9 average over his last four outings.
A hat-trick for Josh King (£9.6m) against West Ham sees the Bournemouth forward promoted to the Better Buys section. It brings the Norwegian’s tally to seven goals in five matches and consolidates his status as the go-to Cherries asset. Swansea City roll up to the Vitality Stadium having lost three successive road-trips – they have the worst record for conceding big chances, yielding 40 over 14 away matches.
A 38.25-point haul against West Brom from a goal and an assist keeps Romelu Lukaku (£13.8m) firmly in our sights for the visit of Hull. The Belgian has a strong 25.75 FanDuel average and it would be a shock if he failed score against the Tigers, having found the net in five successive home encounters. Marco Silva’s side have conceded twice or more in eight of fourteen away ties.
After only turning in a second-half appearance at Anfield in the last three Gameweeks due to a pair of blank fixtures, once again Alexis Sanchez (£13.1m) is in our thoughts. The Chilean grabbed an assist away to Liverpool and served up a goal and assist in the FA Cup victory over Lincoln City. Only two blanks in his last 14 league outings, thanks to 11 goals and six assist,s makes him a strong contender for our squads despite a tricky trip to the Hawthorns this weekend.
The Poundstretchers
We now focus our attentions on the more budget-friendly end of the market. It’s here we seek players that can provide value – saving funds for those big-hitters above while also hoping for some modest points returns.
While we’re quite confident with our trio of premium goalkeepers, if we can’t fit them in, then Wayne Hennessey could be the answer. Available for £6.8m, the Crystal Palace stopper has recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season – that’s three shut-outs in five matches for Sam Allardyce’s revitalised back-line. Visitors Watford, meanwhile, have failed to score in four of their last six away from Vicarage Road.
Stoke City host a Chelsea outfit that have been unrelenting on their march to the title. Geoff Cameron (£6.5m) could prove to be a bargain having scored 23.25 points in the Potters’ last home match – returning from injury, the US international’s presence in central midfield proved crucial to his side’s improved displays over double Gameweek 27.
There’s a chance that the ultra-cheap Dael Fry(£4.3m) will make Middlesbrough’s defence, with the Teesside team suffering a raft of injuries to their rearguard. Alternatively, Ben Gibson (£7.8m) is reasonably priced and assured to start – the centre-back has a 15.6 average over the last four, which should be exceeded against a Manchester United side that’s sure to be on the attack throughout.
Despite the absence of Harry Kane, Southampton’s backline will be in for a busy afternoon at the Lane against an attack with 12 goals in their last four at home. Jack Stephens (£7.3m) is our pick from the Saints having registered a 15.6 point average over the last four, though for £7.5m, Maya Yoshida is perhaps a more secure option.
West Ham’s Andre Ayew (£7m) notched another goal from the bench at Bournemouth after scoring at Watford and providing an assist against Chelsea over his last three cameo appearances. That could be enough for the Ghanaian winger to earn a starting berth in Slaven Bilic’s side as they host Leicester City – it’s best to check on the team news closer to kick-off for any late changes required to your XI. By comparison, Michail Antonio (£8.6m) looks a guaranteed starter against the Foxes and was amongst the goals in last week’s loss at Bournemouth.
Both Andros Townsend (£7.7m) and Wilfred Zaha (£8.5m) netted in Crystal Palace’s convincing 2-0 victory at the Hawthorns. If you’re considering an attacker from the Eagles’ against a Watford side without a clean sheet in eight on the road – they look a safer investment than an out-of-sorts Christian Benteke (£8.6m).
Kevin Mirallas (£8m) provided a third goal in ten appearances after earning a starting spot for the Toffees clash with West Brom. Four assists in that run despite seeing limited pitch time is further evidence that the Belgian is a worthy selection against Hull.
The match at the Stadium of Light provides two of our budget forward tips this round. Burnley’s Ashley Barnes (£7.4m) has excelled away from Turf Moor of late, registering three goals and an assist in six road trips despite the Clarets usually disjointed away performances.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe (£8.4m) may have suffered a barren run but the Black Cats have had some tough opposition. Burnley should provide the veteran forward with some chances – Sean Dyche’s men have conceded a dismal 163 attempts in the box over 14 away matches.
There is plenty of value on offer up front for the weekend’s round of matches. Watford’s Troy Deeney (£8.7m) has proven a pillar of consistency in recent matches, with goals in five of his last six Gameweeks ahead of a trip to Palace.
Leicester’s renaissance also brings Jamie Vardy (£8.9m) into consideration for the trip to a West Ham side with a single clean sheet in their last 11 league outings. Two goals and an assist in the pair of league matches since the departure of Claudio Ranieri suggests that the Foxes frontman is set to reprise last year’s heroics and guide the champions to safety.
I’ll be back on Friday to streamline this list into my strongest XI and take a look at some of the contests that can be entered this Gameweek on FanDuel.
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