Selection
22 April 2017 1217 comments
James H James H
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After Marko Arnautovic delivered in spectacular fashion last weekend with a 12-point haul in Stoke City’s 3-1 win over Hull City, we’re hoping at least one of this week’s differential choices can produce another double-figure score.

With three teams facing double Gameweeks, we’ve turned to players from Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Middlesbrough, given the potential on offer.

Andros Townsend

Having produced two goals, three assists and nine Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points over his last six appearances, Crystal Palace midfielder Andros Townsend enters the double Gameweek in fine fettle.

The England international, who’s available at just 5.8 in FPL, has been a star performer for the Eagles over the past month or so, and now faces matches away to Liverpool and at home to Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 34, before a plum home fixture against Burnley a week later.

While they appear tough match-ups on paper, Liverpool do rank joint-first for big chances conceded over the last six Gameweeks with 16, while the fact Palace have won three of their last four at Selhurst Park suggests they can trouble an in-form Spurs.

Townsend’s underlying statistics illustrate his growing influence for Sam Allardyce’s side, registering 15 key passes over the last six Gameweeks, more than double the tally of any team-mate, and only bettered by Manchester City’s David Silva among all FPL midfielders.

Despite outscoring Wilfried Zaha by 42 FPL points to 36 over Palace’s last six matches, it’s Zaha who is proving more popular among managers.

The Ivory Coast international has been snapped up by 78,000 FPL bosses since Saturday’s deadline, compared to 33,000 for Townsend.

That’s seen Zaha’s ownership soar to 15.7%, leaving the 2.7%-owned Townsend as the differential option.

So for those Fantasy managers who are running out of time to make a late charge in mini-leagues, it’s arguably Townsend who provides the bigger upside of the two.

Stewart Downing

With Middlesbrough facing the most favourable fixtures of the three teams who have two matches in Gameweek 34, we’ve decided to roll the dice on midfielder Stewart Downing.

Steve Agnew’s side travel to Bournemouth this afternoon, before entertaining Sunderland at the Riverside on Wednesday night.

While goals have been hard to come by for ‘Boro all season long, managing just 23, those two match-ups are pretty appealing.

Bournemouth rank third for most goals conceded (11) over the last six Gameweeks, and second for shots conceded from inside the box (59) over the same period.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have only kept one clean sheet in their 15 away matches this season.

‘Boro attackers could be worth consideration as differentials this week then, with the 0.5%-owned Downing perhaps a dark horse.

Downing is one of only four players to start all five matches since Agnew took charge at the Riverside, and has created 10 chances, double the number of any team-mate.

Under Agnew, there has been an emphasis on getting crosses into the box for forwards Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede.

‘Boro rank second for crosses (126) over the last six Gameweeks, and as seen on Monday night, when Downing’s cross was volleyed home by Negredo, he offers significant assist potential.

So available at just 4.9 in FPL, Downing looks a possible option for maverick Fantasy managers.

Daley Blind

The knee injury suffered by Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo in Thursday night’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League means we’ve opted for Daley Blind as our final selection.

The Dutch defender has generally been out of favour under United boss Jose Mourinho of late, but with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, he looks to have a good chance of starting both matches in double Gameweek 34, when United travel to Burnley and Manchester City.

Blind’s lack of playing time means he’s owned by just 4.2% of FPL managers, but as a short-term option, he could well be worth a gamble.

The major advantage Blind possess is the fact he shares set-piece duties when in the side.

He has produced 14 successful corners this season, more than double of any team-mate, and has created a chance every 62 minutes, better than fellow defender Antonio Valencia (84).

Given he’s only made 19 appearances, the fact Blind has registered 12 FPL bonus points is hugely impressive, and priced at 5.2, he is also cheaper than both Eric Bailly and Valencia.

United have kept clean sheets in three of their last four league encounters, and with Burnley only scoring in three of their last five, Sunday’s clash looks promising from a defensive perspective.

The Manchester derby will present a far tougher challenge, but over the two fixtures, there’s every chance Blind will prove to be a worthwhile acquisition.

Mourinho’s side also face a very favourable home fixture against Swansea City in Gameweek 35, so particularly for Fantasy managers who still have their wildcard to play, there look enough reasons to take a short-term punt on the United man.

  1. TheBusDriver
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Rashford, Benteke or Kane?

    1. jackhammer1
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Rashford

    2. itwaswritten
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku or Kane

    3. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I've gone Rashford, but would be Kane second.

    4. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Rasher, for the bants.

    5. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Benteke

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Your username and post flow quite nicely

        1. Prøfeßör …
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Hahaha, glad to see that you went with Benteke! 🙂

  2. itwaswritten
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku has always scored vs. West Ham. Let me switch (C) to him.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Might join u between him and Benteke

      1. itwaswritten
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I think I'm doing it. All this overthinking about DGWers will probably just turn into a lot of blanks.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He's due a blank then

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Has only scored 1 goal though, so 7pts only...

      1. itwaswritten
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        West Ham are extra poor this season though... If King scored 3 so can Lukaku.

    4. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Plus West ham are terrible

      1. itwaswritten
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        YES! If King scored 3, so can Lukaku tbh.

    5. BB-8
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm captaining him

      1. itwaswritten
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        YES! Now I hope we don't get disappointed.

  3. Elfozzie 42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What's the typical number of DGWers this week?

    I've gone with just 4 in the following line up so far:
    Hennessey
    Walker - Valencia - Azpi
    Zaha - Sanchez - Siggy - Alli - King
    Rashford - Lukaku

    Subs: Origi / Mawson / McAuley

    1. T444
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      De gea, Bailly, Zaha, Gibson, De Roon & Rashford

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I have 7 if Valencia and Fabio play twice (unlikely)

    3. itwaswritten
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I bet the most have 2 at least. Some have them even before DGW.n3 or 4 is also common, I guess.

      I went with 3 but kinda regret it now.

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Have 4 myself and DeRoon on the bench.
      De gea
      Valencia
      Zaha
      Benteke

    5. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      4 for me although 2 of those on the bench!

  4. Daviek212
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Repost:

    Should i start Valencia or Alonso?

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Why not start Valencia? With Utd injury problems at the back he's going to be playing twice surely?

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Mourinho said they have to manage his gametime.

        1. Elfozzie 42
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Fair point. Clearly I've missed that. But with lack of options does that remain the case?

          1. Sess!
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            Who knows. They do have Damian and Shaw though.

            1. Sess!
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 7 months ago

              ....oh and young

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Can see him being rested tomorrow with Darmian/Young stepping in. Injury problems are centrally, not on the full backs.

    2. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Good question. I'd probably play alonso but it's 50/50

  5. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Jakupovic Grant
    Walker VALENCIA Alonso Evans Amat
    Alli ZAHA Siggy DEROON Lanzini
    Lukaku Kane Kun

    1Ft 1.9Itb

    A. Evans and Kun to Gibson and Negredo for -4
    B. Move A with Bailly/Blind and not Gibson
    C. Just Kun to Negredo

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      If you still have your WC then C else save your transfer

  6. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Bottomed. Sanchez(c) is an interesting choice. Leicester are crap away so the fixture is there, but compare Sanchez at home vs away:

    At home: 6 goals and 5 assists in 15 appearances
    Away: 13 goals and 4 assists in 16 appearances

    So is it Giroud and Ozil (even Walcott / Ox) who get the bulk of the points

    1. HashAttack
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal are crap home and away

    2. T444
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Could be plenty of goals in it

  7. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Would you bring Gibson for -4 and play him over Alonso or Walker ?

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe over Walker

      1. Atimis
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Still can't decide if it's worthy

    2. Dopey44
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Over Walker probably

    3. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No

  8. POWERPOD
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Tekkers or Negrado to replace Aguero this GW?

    1. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I went rash

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Should get yourself to the doctors then

        1. nevins84
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Already have tekkers tho

          1. Sess!
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            Touche

          2. Teddy Brewski
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            Oh dear....

    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Tek

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I did Negrado

  9. nevins84
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Pages are flying.. repost

    GTG?

    -4 + AOA

    DeGea*
    Alonso Friend*
    DeRoon* Sanchez Alli King Zaha*
    Bentekke* Rashford*(c) Lukaku

    Pickford Baines Davies McAuley

    Thanks

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      G2G

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      GTG.
      Actually made me think whether Tekkers and an AOA would be a shout.

  10. Dazzler365
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku or Kane for the armband?

  11. MALDINI'S EYES!
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Valdes 》 DDG -4 or pkay pickford?

    1. grumpyman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      DDG. Plays Swansea next week.

    2. nevins84
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I went Grant to DDG over playing Pick @-4

  12. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    My team is;

    Jaku (Pickford)
    Mawson, Baines, Valencia (Smith, Amat)
    Sanchez, King, Zaha, Eriksen (Fletcher)
    Negrado, Kane, Lukaku

    Do Fletcher to Hazard/Townsend for -4 and play AOA?

  13. Weeb Kakashi
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What are lads doing with Valencia??

    Does he start the Burnley game?
    Or play Robertson over him?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Who knows what will happen, I have to stick with him though

    2. Jamin
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I've benched Rob but don't feel happy

  14. Rover
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Pickford, Walker, de Roon, Mawson
    A bench worth boosting?

    1. Manbatius
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Possibly, especially with Walker, It depends what cards you have left to play for the next DG week.

      1. Rover
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I have all chips intact, but fear Walker will be rotated after FA cup

    2. T444
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      De Roon will be the Fosu Mensah of 2017.

      BTW, Fosu Mensah might also be the Fosu Mensah of 2017

      1. Rover
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Tuanzebe may be the Fosu Mensah of 2017, even Jose hinted so 🙂

    3. HazardAGuess
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No. Walker may not even play. No guarantees of a Swansea CS (or Mawson goal, for that matter). Pickford could get some save points, but lots have invested in Negredo scoring so...

      1. Rover
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, going with this then... BB36 here I come 🙂

  15. Manbatius
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Front three:

    Aguero Origi Lukaku

    A: Aguero > Benteke
    B: Aguero > Negredo
    C: Aguero > Kane (means loosing Davies in defence, likely for Blind...)

    I was going to do Ibrahimovic, obviously not, I cannot do kane unless I swap Davies out of defence.

    Still have my wild card so won't be stuck with them.

  16. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    How much risk to have only Zaha as DGW attacks and captain Sanchez.

    Alli - Eriksen - ZAHA - Sanchez - Firmino
    Kane - Lukaku - Origi

    1. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Had the armband on Sanchez all week but I'm now bottling it for a DGWer

  17. LADY ARWEN'S ARMY
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Jaku
    Valencia alonso gibson
    Hazard alli zaha king
    Negredo(c) lukaku kane

    Grant robertson eriksen amat
    Is it gtg ? and do the bench order was right ?
    Thanks for reply ..

  18. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Raise your hand if you have not taken a hit ?

    Im going with DDG Gibson and Tekkers as dgw players here

    1. Viper
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not yet. I only have Valencia & Zaha currently

    2. Vedas
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No hit as of now, going with Chambers, Zaha, Negredo

    3. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't have if it wasn't for ibra. -4 now thoigh.

      1. Teddy Brewski
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Ditto

    4. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No hit here. Got Valencia, Friend, Zaha, De Roon & Negredo

    5. jackhammer1
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not yet. But agonising whether to take one on Negredo or benteke

    6. mcrayeps
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No hit yet, valencia Bailly zaha and negredo

    7. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Saved my ft

    8. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      No hit so don't have many doubles. Just can't bring myself to sell aguero for negredo, seems so wrong, especially for a hit!

  19. Viper
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Jaku

    Alonso Valencia Davies (McAuley Amat)

    Coutinho Siggy King Alli Zaha

    Kane Lukaku (Ibra)

    What do you suggest?

    A. Grant -> DDG. Bench Jaku

    B. McAuley -> Chambers. Bench Bavies

    C. Ibra -> Benteke. Bench Siggy

    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      C has highest ceiling, I feel.

    2. 8ball
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      C

    3. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A. DDD has a couple of clean sheets coming up also

  20. GuillermoDickero
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Currently have Jaku in goal....

    Worth a -4 for DDG?

    1. Viper
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm contemplating the same thing. Currently thinking I'll go with Jaku

  21. abaalan
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 1 Def to start:
    A) Baines
    B) Robertson
    C) Bavies

    1. Vedas
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B

  22. 8ball
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    my WC team.. gtg?

    Pickford, Bravo
    Alonso, Bailly, Gibson, Stephens, Holgate
    Haz, Sanchez, Son, Zaha, King
    Kane, Lukaku, Tekkers

    Lukaku, Tekkers, Zaha to Jesus (or Costa), Gabbi, Sane by dgw37

    1. Vedas
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      g2g

  23. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Im bringing in hazard, who do I lose?

    A) sanchez
    B) alli
    C) eriksen

    1. thisisdiz
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez for me..

  24. thisisdiz
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What should I do to my GK?
    A) Play Grant
    B) Play Mignolet
    C) Mignolet > Hennesey (-4)
    *WC in GW36

    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Don't think Hennessy is worth a -4 given the fixtures. Tough call between Grant and Mignolet. But I think Grant.

      1. thisisdiz
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks Jim

  25. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who gets more pts

    A) Sane & Gibson
    B) Sane & Monreal
    C) Zaha & Monreal
    D) Sane & PvA

    I'm thinking A

    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah probably A

    2. thisisdiz
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm thinking A

  26. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Heaton
    Valencia, Davies, Robertson
    Sanchez, Alli, Zaha, King
    Aguero, Kane, Lukaku

    Aguero -> Negredo(c) for a -4, or am I blinded by DGW fever?

    1. Bunk Moreland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Don't! C lukaku or Kane.

      1. thisisdiz
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        This

  27. AusBest11
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Play 2.

    A)Alli
    B) Erikson
    C) King

  28. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Pickford or Heaton?

    Pickford plays later in the week which is always a plus for keeping the fantasy excitement going

  29. ManUtdFan_UK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Hennessey , (Pickford)
    Valencia, Chambers (Alonso, Holgate)
    Sanchez, Alli, Eriksen, Coutinho, Zaha
    Kane, Lukaku, Negredo

    Am I right to play AOA and bench Alonso in this situation? Not overly happy by it but it seems the best way to go.

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'd say so

  30. noquarternt
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    This Negredo insanity reminds me of that GW when everyone on here was captaining Siggy for some reason yet Sanchez had Hull at home.

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I captained Sanchez that gw