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.

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559 Comments Post a Comment
  1. chelseabrad
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ozil nailed?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Should start.

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

        would you rather have ozil or laca?

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      90%

  2. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    which one from each section

    1) Sane, KDB, Gundogan

    2) Milivojevic, Zaha

    3) Robertson, TAA, Van Dijk

    4) Lacazette, Aubameyang

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

      Sane
      Zaha
      VD
      ?????

    2. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      KDB
      Zaha
      Robertson
      Lacazette

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      KDB
      Zaha
      Could all be benched, i've taken Klavan on bench for now, if we get Pool leaked team sheet then may bring in Robbo.
      Laca for me gets around 65 mins and Auba around 25 at a guess?

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

    How is this for a WC team? please help lads, need to make balance between this gameweek and 37

    Fabianski
    Robertson,Lowton,Long,Kompany
    Ramsey, Mili, Salah, Sterling
    Jesus, Perez

    Bench:Lloris, Kane, Willian, Smalling

    1.2 itb.

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

    What would you change

    Pickford
    Baines VVD Mustafi
    Mane Salah KDB Sterling Zaha
    Laca Jesus

    Subs Lowton/ Barnes

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

      Not much. Looks great.
      Perhaps Butland over Pickford to spread the risk of double Everton.

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      g2g, help a brother out on comment before

  5. the snazzy viking
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    This free hit team G2G (until leaked lineups?)

    Butland
    Baines PVA TAA
    Salah KDB Sterling Zaha
    Jesus Laca Firmino

    3.9 Kenedy Dummett Long

    cheers

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

      Very nice. I think Gomez may play RB.

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        perhaps, if so I could probably upgrade to either Gomez himself or Chambers

        thanks

  6. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed:
    Who to captain out of this lot:

    Cech
    Lowton, Robertson, Tomkins
    Salah, Arnie, Dilva, Mili, Kenedy
    Barnes

    Thinking Salah for safety, Arnie as a punt, but if Arsenal will be playing full strength squad maybe not

  7. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I haven't watched any Arsenal Europa games. Does Ospina usually start?
    Why did Cech miss the hime CS Vs Stoke?

    Thanks and happy FH tinkering.

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

    No FH. already on a -4. Should i still do mahrez->zaha/mane?

    Rest of the team:

    Ederson
    Lascelles
    Salah-arnautovic-sterling
    Jesus-ayew-barnes

    1. Minerva-03
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't take out a 37 DGW player out in your situation, especially when you already have 8 for this week Anyway.

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

        Thanks for the response.

        Trying to resist the urge 🙂

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

    TAA to start - how likely, do you think?

    1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Less likely than Robo IMO

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

        Thanks

        1. Jumping Jurgen
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          More likely in my opinion. TAA, Robbo and Moreno only fit fullbacks. Moreno will most likely come in for Robbo so he's ready for Tuesday.

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

      If he does rest some, surely it will be the FBs with Gomez and Moreno ready to step in.

  10. Minerva-03
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    With No Free hit is this team still GTG?

    Kiko VDH Long Otamendi
    Gudmundson Salah Kenedy
    Barnes Jesus

    Blank Players: Ryan DDG Morgan Son Mahrez Kane

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

      Mahrez -> sane/sterling/d.silva ?

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

    Missed pep's presser, did he mention anything about rotation/strong team/rest etc?

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He wants to finish the season strong and is targeting records

  12. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hi, prefer Bellerin or PVA?

    1. Minerva-03
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      PVA... Greater goal scoring potential, don't think either Arsenal or Palace will keep a clean sheet really

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

      Bellerin

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      PVA

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

    Which combo?

    A) Sterling/Sane
    B) Mane/Sterling

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      The one with Sterling

    2. Minerva-03
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

  14. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Got a useless response last time so going to try again...

    In desperate need of help! Not having Free Hit could finish me. My ML opponent is 52 ahead, doesn't have his either and is on -8 with this team:

    (No GK)
    Robertson / Lowton
    Salah / Zaha / Sterling / Milivojevic
    Jesus / Aubameyang

    This is me (no transfers yet):

    (No GK)
    Long / Mustafi
    Gudmundsson / Arnautovic / Salah
    Barnes

    Which of the following do I do?

    A) Bring in Firmino and Sané (-4)
    B) Bring in Firmino, Mané and Kompany (-8)
    C) Do nothing and take the 8 points he's lost
    D) Something else

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

      Wouldn't bother bringing in defenders for -4

      Focus on the attack. You have no City cover, so start there imo.

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

        Well I wanted Jesus and Sterling but he got them! KdB or Sane probably the only other options. Need them to be as nailed for the rest of the season as possible or I might even look at Gundogan.

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino Sane I like or a City defender like Kyle walker?

  15. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Ben Mee "probably" won't make Sunday after missing the last three matches with a shin problem. However, Dyche was a little more optimistic over Tarkowski who did improve overnight after picking up a knock vs Chelsea. A calf injury will keep Scott Arfield sidelined.

  16. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I bought in kane when he was 12.7, now he is 12.9...if I sell him this week on a free hit and make a full team without any money in the bank, will kane return to my team for 12.7 or 12.9? Or will he be priced out?

    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He'll be in your team for 12.8. You should be able to sell for 12.8 on free hit

    2. SkipperTG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      He can't be priced out! Team returns to how it was, regardless of price changes.

  17. Viper
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    If TAA & Robertson are both confirmed starters, who would you go for? Funds not an issue

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

      TAA

    2. SkipperTG
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Robertson

    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      flip a coin bro

    4. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Robertson

    5. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      FH? It’s only one game, anything can happen... Toss a coin mate!

    6. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      TAA. Eye test this season, he looks the better crosser even though Robertson has 3 assists in 6.
      Plus always a chance he can score from a direct FK.

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

        Agree RCA, he's looking great. Not that Robbo isn't.

    7. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Robertson

  18. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    How's this looking?

    Butland
    Baines - PVA - TAA
    Salah(c) - Mane - Sterling - KDB - Zaha
    Jesus(vc) - Auba

    Subs: GK fodder; Barnes, Long, fodder.

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

      gambling on auba starting?

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Is he an injury doubt?

        1. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Wenger said he might not start

    2. GuillermoDickero
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Very similar to mine except I have Lacazette, Tomkins, Robertson and Cech

  19. My Name Is Prince
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Klopp saying we need a strong team against West Brom sounds goodish... Waiting for the A-field Xpress to work on their magic now!

  20. GuillermoDickero
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH team? Tempted to get Firm in depending on the Anfield express

    Cech, Hennessy
    Baines, Robbo, Tomkins, Mariappa, Long
    KDB, Salah, Mane, Sterling, Zaha
    Jesus, Lacazette, Barnes

  21. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    NEW ARTICLE

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

    Again asking .
    Mane or firm
    Not able to come to any conclusion 🙁

  23. dimitros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Choose 1 from each group for GW 35:

    A) Mane
    B) Firmino

    1) Shaqiri
    2) Mili(already have Zaha)

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A2

  24. FPLzebub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    FH chip activated. Obviously waiting on Liverpool team news but currently:

    Dubravka

    Baines TAA Tomkins

    Salah (c) Sterling (vc) Ozil KDB

    Jesus Lacazette Firminho

    Bench: Milivojevic Long Masuaku Nordfeldt

    0.2m ITB

    Any inprovements or suggestions gratefully received as I am leading my only ML that matters by 2pts and this is my last chip. Rival still has TC.

  25. yemzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Am I nuts to consider trip arsenal defence?

    Pope
    Bellerin Monreal Mustafi
    Salah (c) Mane Sterling Sane Mili
    Jesus Firmino

    Hennessey, Perez, Tomkins, Long

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Eggs & Baskets

  26. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Why are people going off Auba then?

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

      Because Wenger said he might rest him. I'm going to risk it because Lacazette won't get you any more than one goal.

  27. Teror
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    KdB has 1 assist in 6 gameweeks. I'm going David Silva instead.

  28. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    11.9m for a midfielder. Any midfielder (not Salah, already have him). Who and why?

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

      Sterling because he gets so many chances

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        And misses them all.

  29. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Hi, prefer KDB or City defender?
    Really fancy City will get cs.

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Jesus, Sterling, Kompany for now!!

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Walker, Sterling, Jesus.

  30. Gasthmatic
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Best to be safe then sorry Luke!

    I can only relate with the last double gameweek, a rotation mess for my team, some easy captain decisions this week help to get back on track though.

    aaand for those after a differential with another short round of fixtures this game week...

    I have a list of players £7.5m or below with a 100 points or more on my blog here: https://checkthestatistics.wordpress.com/hidden-gem-100/

    Best of luck!