Games

Sky Sports Focus

We now switch focus to the Sky Sports game as we take a look back at a packed Gameweek of action before preparing you for the reduced set of fixtures that form this weekend’s programme.

As usual, we’ll examine the recent run of Man of the Match (MoTM) awards, the bonus point beneficiaries, transfer trends and Watchlist, before moving on to the Scout team and our future plans.

Gameweek 36 Man of the Match Awards

These were the players who caught the eye of the Sky Sports reporters and earned an extra five points as a result.

FixtureMoTM
Southampton vs ChelseaOlivier Giroud
Burnley vs LeicesterNick Pope
Swansea vs EvertonJordan Ayew
Crystal Palace vs BrightonWilfried Zaha
Huddersfield vs WatfordTom Ince
Liverpool vs BournemouthTrent Alexander-Arnold
Tottenham vs Man CityRaheem Sterling
Newcastle vs ArsenalMohamed Diame
Man United vs West BromJay Rodriguez
West Ham vs StokeBruno Martins Indi
Brighton vs TottenhamPascal Gross
Bournemouth vs Man UnitedPaul Pogba
Burnley vs ChelseaVictor Moses
Leicester vs SouthamptonWilfred Ndidi


Nine out of the 14 awards on offer went to midfielders this week. However, the top-owned player to benefit was Burnley’s goalkeeper Nick Pope, who currently sits at just over 11% ownership.

Shed by many Fantasy managers in the Overhaul due to Tom Heaton’s pending return, Pope continues to churn out regular points and is the third highest scoring keeper overall, behind only David De Gea and Ederson.

Found in 9% of squads, Paul Pogba was the other player to make a significant impact. Given that he played in a matchday with a single fixture, the United midfielder was also a popular captain choice among those owners. He now has two double-figure hauls in three Gameweeks and is currently overshadowing his more expensive team-mates Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.

Gameweek 36 Bonus Points

Let’s take a look at any player to earn 50 points or more in bonus for the season

members

Fantasy Football Scout members can access all information regarding bonus points using player statistics and clicking the Sky Sports tab.

The Transfer Trends

Top Transfers Out

NameTeamValue% of Managers
FirminoLiverpool11.69.1%
AgueroMan City12.88.2%
De BruyneMan City11.55.2%
Son Heung-minSpurs10.84.4%
RamseyArsenal9.13.3%

Top Transfers In

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneSpurs12.912.3%
LukakuMan United12.48.9%
SalahLiverpool9.47%
ArnautovicWest Ham8.86.2%
VardyLeicester11.24.3%

Average Transfers Remaining

Top 10 – 2.70
Top 100 – 3.93
Top 1,000 – 3.97
Top 5,000 – 3.76

Top Five Captains Picked

NameTeamValue% of Managers
KaneSpurs12.924.8%
LukakuMan United12.415.5%
AgueroMan City12.86.2%
SalahLiverpool9.45.6%
HazardChelsea11.83.5%

Watchlist

Here I aim to highlight a few differential players with low ownership who I think could be good options from now until the season ends.

Three specific price brackets will be used to cater for our available budgets.

The players will evolve with fixtures and form, and offer Fantasy managers a nudge in the right direction.

BudgetMid-PricePremium
DefenderJames Tarkowski
6.1m
5.2%
Andrew Robertson
7.8mm
3.7%
Chris Smalling
8.3m
1.9%
MidfielderJohann Berg Gudmundsson
6.7m
2.1%
Wilfried Zaha
9.3m
3.6%
Leroy Sane
10.3m
7.3%
ForwardAshley Barnes
8.8m
0.6%
Cenk Tosun
11.1m
0.2%
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
12.2m
4.2%

My Team

Karius
Ward van der Hoorn Christensen
Zaha de Bruyne Gross Salah
Kane Sanchez Aubameyang

ITB: 0
Transfers remaining: 2/40
Last week’s points: 106
Overall points: 2850
Rank: 199th

Notes

A promising start to the week soon ended with disappointment, mainly due to my failed captain decisions. Mohamed Salah returned points as my skipper on Saturday as per usual, while my differential pick Wilfried Zaha bagged a brace and a MoTM award.

While that was a strong start, Sunday was something of a collapse with Alexis Sanchez failing to return points as my captain, though Aubameyang gained an assist to keep things ticking over.

On Monday I had no players active, but with West Ham and Stoke playing out a drab 1-1 draw, that fixture went as well as I could hope.

Tuesday’s fixture was as a stand out as Harry Kane scored as captain and a further differential Pascal Gross netted and picked up the MoTM award.

But my collapse then started with Alexis Sanchez failing to feature against Bournemouth on Wednesday, before Andreas Christensen followed suit on Thursday at Burnley, leaving me no option but to captain Stephen Ward for a single point.

Despite the poor finish, I moved up overall to 199th but now have just a few weeks remaining to hit the top 100, which was my target at the start of the season. In all likelihood, I’d be in that position already had I elected to op for Lukaku or Pogba over Sanchez for the Double Gameweek.

Perhaps that’s why I’ll be returning to a “safety first” approach this week via some popular captain picks as detailed below.

Captain Plan

Sat 21st April – Mohamed Salah
Sun 22nd April – Kevin de Bruyne
Mon 23rd April – None

Weekly Articles and Podcast

As well as the weekly Focus article, I’ll be talking through the week’s action, and upcoming plans with FFS posters Buffrey and Lewis on our regular podcast – the latest episode can be found here.

The Fantasy Football Scout League

Our Fantasy Football Scout League is currently topping the League of Leagues as we look to defend our crown in 2017/18.

Posted by

559 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Butland
    Baines Robertson Mustafi
    Sane* Sterling Salah Zaha
    Laca Jesus(C) Firmino

    Bench: Mili, Kiko, Long

    I can do Sane to KDB but will have to downgrade Mili and have only 2 subs, worth it?

  2. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I don't understand the Butland pick. I think Pickford Dubravka Hennessey are better.

    1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Mark seemed keen on Butland on the Scoutcast... like you, I don't really get why.

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Burnley only 2 days rest and stoke everything to play for. I see a stoke cleanie

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Stoke will try to win it, which will leave gaps at the back.
        I don't see them keeping it clean.

    3. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Same I like Pickford but don't wana double up on Everton as i have Baines

      1. Scheister
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Baines is nailed for me this week. Can't decide if I want Pickford too...

  3. bulbuf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on my free hit team??

    Butland (3.9)

    Robertson, Long, Mustafi (Tomkins, Lascelles)

    Salah, Mane, Sterling, Sane, Zaha

    Jesus, Aubameyang (c) (Perez)

    1. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Love it!
      Would be wary of Auba though

    2. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Auba captain? Bit risky

      1. bulbuf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        It's all about taking risks isn't it 😀

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          JUST HAVE A GOOD VICE.

  4. drughi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    The king of clay destroying the prince of clay

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      CHANNEL?

    2. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      May as well save everyone some time and skip the clay season

  5. Scheister
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FH Lineup, hoping they all start:

    Pickford
    Baines Kiko PVA
    Salah Mane Sterling Sane Zaha
    Firmino Jesus

    3.9, Wood Long 3.9

  6. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Pickford
    VVD Baines PVA
    Salah Sane Sterling Zaha
    Jesus Laca Firmino

    Nordfeldt Hughes Mariappa Long

    1. YoungPretender
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Undecided on Salah or Jesus for captain

      1. klavan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        salah

    2. ELMEO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Similar team, similar dilemma on (c)

      Also unsure of Pickford/Baines double-up...

  7. klavan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Who needs to go first:
    A)Mahrez
    B)Willian

    1. -SB-
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Mahrez

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Willy

    3. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Sold Mahrez >> Sterling last night. Too much money for a out of form player playing for an out of form team.

  8. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FH what do you think?

    Ederson
    Otemendi, Baines, Shawcross
    Mane, Salah, Arnie, Ramsey
    Aub, Jesus, Firmino

    3.9, Long, crap and crap.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Id go Zaha over Arnie. I can see Arsenal closing up shop in preparation for Europa. Might be wrong though...

      1. mad_beer ✅
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks. Good call.

  9. Transferred Out
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Think I've cracked it, RIP Wenger edition :

    Butland
    Robertson Baines Chambers
    Salah Sterling Sane Ozil
    Firmino Lacazette Jesus

    1. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lacazette a better option than Aubameyang?

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Sick team

    3. built_this_city
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Butland -> cech

      1. Transferred Out
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Don't fancy double ARS def, I think Callum 'Goal Attempt' Chambers should be enough - hopefully bags a brace

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          chambers wont play i reckon.ARsene will play stafi and kos as nhe said it will be a strong team

    4. Totti
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      why the love of lacazette over auba?

  10. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Claude ripping apart Wenger on SSN 😆

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Pure ugly.

  11. Jarnathan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Why is everyone going Robertson instead of TAA?

    1. Scheister
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I prefer TAA, but already have Mane, Salah, and Firmino

    2. klavan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      TAA could be rested for CL

      1. klavan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Gomez is fit

    3. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Gomez is back fit so could start at RB, if TAA is in Anfield Express team will switch though 😀

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Gomez.

  12. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Would you do auba to Jesus for a hit this week or do it next week for Free?

    1. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      hold hold

    2. It’s a Knockaert
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah. Auba won’t start up front or maybe won’t start at all

  13. Kryten
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else thinking about just avoiding the stress of picking between aubamayang and lacazette by going with Firmino

    1. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino might not start?

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Going cheap instead of Firmino

    3. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes. Further news pending...

  14. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    You guys think Klopp is going to line up his best team when Tuesday he is playing Rome?

    I somehow highly doubt it..

    1. AThousandSuns
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      k

    2. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Klopp will not rest players ahead of the @ChampionsLeague on Tuesday: "We have to [name] a really strong line up against West Brom. We need points to be in the top four." Goes onto add - Mo Salah has no physical problems. "Hopefully it stays that way."

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Some people do, I think it will be a near full squad due to all the things Klopp has said.

    4. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He could sub his most important players early, too. It's not a contract.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Neither is a kiss.

    5. nevins84
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He will play pretty much the strongest side

    6. Amsterhammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I have a feeling he'll bench Firminio and start Salah. I just think he's really key to the frontline and Klopp has Solanke.

    7. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      thanks for your input guys. I think Klopp knows the top 4 race is pretty much sealed though

  15. BananaMan
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    What sort of time did the Anfield Express usually come in??

    1. BananaMan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Does*

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      In the evening. But its still a relatively new thing.

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Hearing the railway crew are all on strike this week so not sure if it will arrive at all.

  16. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Will Alonso drop in price tonight?

    1. It’s a Knockaert
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Don’t think so

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes it looks like it.

  17. It’s a Knockaert
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    What order would you rank these in in order of points potential (mainly chance of cs):
    1. Lowton/long/pope
    2. Pva
    3. Butland/Bauer
    4. Mustafi/Bellerin
    5. Baines/pickford

  18. Naboo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Subject to any lineup leaks is this FH team looking good?

    Butland
    VVD Bellerin Baines
    Salah Sterling KDB Zaha
    Firmino Laca Jesus

    Bench: Hughes, Long, Tomkins, Hennesey

    1. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yep looks good mate

    2. Ginola14
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      replied on previous article, exactly the same as mine bar pva for bell, subject to change in case we receive any pool lineups

      1. Ginola14
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        also the only change im considering is ozil over laca?

      2. Naboo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I saw thanks mate 🙂

  19. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Probably the wrong site, but would anybody be interested in playing just for kicks next season in a 'Hit the GW League' where managers must take a minimum of one hit each week?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      38 hits over the season and I'm in, hits every week is too much! 😛

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        You've got me thinking! It actually needs to be 'Hit the GW twice League' to separate us from all the rest!

  20. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Thank me later, but:

    Pickford
    Robertson Baines Mustafi
    Zaha Sterling de Bruyne Salah Arnautovic
    Jesus Firmino

    (Foster Perez Lejeune Long)

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Thats a very arousing team.

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Christ, you're the last one round here we need getting aroused thank you very much :p

        How was your DGW Ru?

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          It went very well at the start, was on 67 points on Saturday. Then 87 on Wednesday evening with 6 left to play; ended on 95 (-4) so ok I suppose, but the worst thing was Aubameyang to Lukaku -4. Head said no, but I wanted to have some fun.
          You?

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Almost identical! Didn't break the magic tonne but 94 all out after a very slow start (partly due to the SGWers performing in their games). Went from 31k to 23k so moving the right way.. running out of GWs for 10k though!

            Much of the game is about having fun. That's why I usually play 3 at the back these days. Hate having to wait 90 minutes for a clean sheet...

      2. walkman666
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Seriously? Now I have to seek therapy to burn the image of an erect horse from my mind. Thanks, bro.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          I see you're a member.

    2. Transferred Out
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Not worried Arsenal are gonna run riot for Wenger 😀

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Nope. Wenger has to try to bow out with a trophy and the league won't win him one of those. I would put money on West Ham scoring if I were a betting man.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Only 4 players are same, back to drawing board 😮

  21. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    The Anfield Express is a Liverpool fan page right? Surely they're doing the team a disservice and giving advantage to the opponent each week by leaking the team sheet?

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      True, yet irrelevant for a fantasy site.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Its only us losers that pay any attention to it.

    3. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I’m fairly confident the opposition managers won’t base there tactics on it mate.

  22. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Botom page

    Pickfors Vvd kompany tomkins

    Is this the best def lineup for 35

    Need suggestions

    1. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      gamble with one stoke (Bauer)

      this game is meant to be fun

      1. Champions united
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Apart from pick
        Rest all are fine
        Or should I triple city attack and replace kompany with musafi

  23. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    cech back later.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You petr

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        XD

  24. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    So after these news, we should go for 3 City and 3 Pool players in attack?

  25. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Which option looks better?

    A Eriksen & Hazard > KDB & Sterling
    B Alonso & Hazard > Walker/Otamendi & Sterling/KDB

  26. anish10
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hows this FH:

    Butland
    Baines Robertson PVA
    Sane Sterling Salah Zaha
    Laca Firmino Jesus

    3.9---Gudmunsson--Kiko--Long

  27. Mikey44
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    GW35:
    Jesus Sterling Kompany in for Lukaku Gross Alonso (no FH).

    GW36: Eriksen in for Mahrez

    Will leave me with 10 DGW'ers + Salah + 1 FT in case I want to bench Salah or if I need to fix one of my DGW'ers for example if Morgan has been dropped rather than rested or if Kompany isn't playing much. TC Kane.

    Good plan?

  28. Teoninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Auba-Kane-Jesus...Which one?
    Two of them entail a -4..

    1. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Kane & Jesus for long term. Only Jesus next week obviously.

  29. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I have the BB, WC and TC chips left.

    I know I'm going to WC for 36 and BB for 37.

    Which out of 35, 36 and 38 is the most ideal week to TC?

    And who all do you think might get a big haul in these Gameweeks?

  30. oi no professionals
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated:

    Karius
    Long, Coleman, Kompany
    Salah, Sterling, Milli, Ozil
    Jesus, Welbeck, Frimino

    Subs: Arnie, Van Aahnolt, Lowton, Hennessy