Football Index

How upcoming European fixtures will impact Football Index players


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The new year is now in full swing and there are some indicators that it might be an improvement on the previous wretched edition.

But one thing is currently remaining resolutely 2020 – the chaotic fixture list.

That does at least provide certain opportunities, whether you’re a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) manager or a Football Index (FI) trader.

Football Index is the ‘football stockmarket’, a real-money betting platform where you can buy and sell footballers.

You buy shares in individual players whose value can rise or fall depending on their performance both on and off the field.

I’m actively using FI this season with more than a nod to FPL, seeing which aspects of each game marry up, and which don’t.

‘The more the merrier’, in terms of fixtures, applies to both games.

But it is especially true on FI because more club fixtures are relevant, with the game covering all of the major continental leagues and the pan-European Champions and Europa leagues.

That means there’s an incredibly busy few weeks coming up for the English teams involved in Europe.

Those still playing Champions League football – Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea – have eight fixtures covered by FI’s Match Day Dividends to come between now and the end of February.

The four sides in the Europa League’s Round of 32 – Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester United and Spurs – have nine.

All of that doesn’t factor in FA Cup duties either, which won’t figure in FI business, but will ramp up the rotation risks.

So while it’s highly unlikely that any player will feature across all of those matches, picking out a few who will play a major part could prove lucrative, particularly when FI’s In-Play Dividends come to an end early next month and longer-term considerations begin to inform market moves more prominently again.

Of the seven teams mentioned, Man United look to have one of the best schedules, with Sheffield United, Arsenal, Southampton, Everton, West Brom, Newcastle and Chelsea in the league, and two Europa League games against Real Sociedad.

Bruno Fernandes, available around the £7.00 mark, remains the most expensive player on FI, although his current share price is a good deal down from a recent peak of £8.93 in late November last year.

A rather less pricey purchase involves Marcus Rashford (£2.72). In FPL, the England international is second only to Fernandes in terms of points (92 v 135) and he’s been in decent form, with two goals and an assist from the four matches leading up to Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

Cross town rivals City are in a good place.

Unbeaten in their last 10 league starts, their schedule isn’t as kind as United’s, but a Champions League match-up with Borussia Monchengladbach suggests the strong possibility of advancement to the quarter finals and across those last 10 league games, they’ve scored 21 goals and conceded just two.

John Stones (£0.91) has been the talk of FPL’s Double Gameweek 19 thanks to a 21-point haul against Crystal Palace, but for the same price you could try a punt on one Sergio Aguero.

Is he in Pep Guardiola’s plans? Here’s what the City boss said on Tuesday:

“We need Aguero. Sergio is a player who can create for himself and win a game by himself, but he has not been with us for a long time. We want him back as soon as possible.”

With such a congested fixture list, fresh players are gold dust. When that player is the club’s record goal scorer, £0.91 a share could be a steal.

Lastly, Leicester.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are in form – unbeaten in six league matches and with back-to-back 2-0 victories under their belt – and while their schedule is a mixed affair ( Everton, Leeds, Fulham, Wolves, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal), they have two Europa League games with Slavia Prague to sweeten the deal.

The Foxes have also found a way to win with reduced input from Jamie Vardy, which is just as well while Rodgers continues to manage the talisman’s ongoing hip issues.

The striker has just the one goal (albeit three assists) over that recent fine run.

Instead, midfielders James Maddison (£1.30) and Harvey Barnes (£0.84) have picked up the goalscoring slack, with three apiece and six each for the season as a whole.

But if he did reach his FI potential as a Chelsea and England regular I don’t think he’d have any problem clearing £4. So a good balance of risk reward here in my view.


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634 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So much money ITB I don’t know what to do! 6.5m. Kane in next week seems smart for starters but still leaves almost 2m (more when I downgrade Areola/Pieters on the bench)

    Martinez (Areola)
    Cancelo Stones Coufal (Dallas Pieters)
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan (Soucek)
    Antonio Watkins Bamford

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Leicester / Villa targets?

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Get comfortable with cash in the bank. Bargains everywhere, City defence underpriced, Saka/Gundo playing like 8.5 mids.

    3. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Could use the change to grab DCL if he is looking good after his injury

  2. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Written in the stars

  3. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    You got to be unlucky if you got KDB and Vardy

    Kane and Gundogan?

    1. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Got both but this makes my decision easier now as I wanted rid of both! better options elsewhere, so much money ITB

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      got them both and it's a headache, that's possibly the combo I'm looking at

      Or Son + Antonio

  4. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who takes penalties for leicester with Vardy missing?

    Is it tielemans?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy, Ayoze Pérez, Tielemans, Maddison, Iheanacho

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes I think it will be him

    3. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      good question, i think Tiels yeah

  5. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    stupidly did a -8 to do KDB, Neto, Jesus -> Vardy, Gundog, Sterling (c) - is it WC time? how long is Vardy out for?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wait a week and take out Vardy

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yeah probably the only choice really, damn - ta

  6. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Harvey Barnes good option with Vardy out for next few weeks!

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would say nt bad!

    2. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      definitely, currently weighing up between him and Maddison

      1. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I would say Barnes better than Madders

  7. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo & Vardy > Justin & Kane
    Yeees
    Nooo

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Any Help ??

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i did TAA->Justin if it helps. yes for me

  8. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah to son?

    1. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      for sure

  9. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison on penalties opa opa

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not Vardy?

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Injured lol

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably Tielemans who has taken them when Vardy off the field

    3. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Porbably tielemans

    4. Netters2018
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just checked last 2 penalties in prem when vardy subbed off/missing have been taken by tielemans

  10. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Goodness going to need a cool head today to avoid anything rash, was nearly considering Sterling for a second there

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tbh sterling will come good.

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just remember he's playing like Daniel James atm. Would you pay 11.5 for Daniel James?

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I wouldn't take Dan James if he was given to me for free for the season as a 16th player

      2. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think he did pretty well to get 11 pts for dgw.

  11. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FFS just did KDB Watins to Grelish Vardy 🙁
    Just cant catch a break 🙁

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      why not wait with transfers ?

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I usually wait.. but this time I just wanted to do and be done with it 🙁

    2. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      -4 as well ahhh.. WC time??

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why in the world would you do the transfers so early? The deadline isn't until Tuesday.

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        well i know 🙁

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I hope everybody reads this and not drive Son and Kane price up until afte the Tues deadline

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Both will rise by Tuesday, I guarantee it 🙁

  12. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy and KDB owner, yikes

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same here and I was planning on holding Vardy, makes getting Kane that bit easier but likely takes Maddison out of the equation so I feel doubly lost

    2. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I've got both of em, not too dissapointed as wanted rid anyway

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        yeah sometimes it makes those decisions easier with less fear of it biting back

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane to Vardy (-4) in GW19. Now reverse the transfer for another - 4 in GW20. What a FPL season this is

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I know. Did Son 》 KDB -4 first 19, now reverse again for a -4. Crazy

  14. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wow. Vardy + KDB 》 Son + Kane about the easiest transfers to make this season. Shame really. Son and Kanes ownership will be so high you will never climb up the ranks with them. Need to have them simply as a "shield"

  15. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best vardy and kdb replacements here?

    Saka kdb Bruno soucek saka
    Vardy bamford Brewster

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      kane and son

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        +1

  16. Pointless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who’s the best KDB replacement out of: Pogba, Rashford, Maddison, Barnes please?

    1. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mads or Barnes I reckon

  17. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The entire EPL table is close, until you get to 17th

    Only team running away with anything is Sheffield's relegation

  18. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy and kdb out.

    Just means that everyone's teams become more templatey than the already are!

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Many differentials.

      Leicester mids barely owned. Auba's stats are great. Cavani is an option.

      1. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well, anyone who didn't already have kane, will 100% have him now.

        Be bold to move for someone else.

  19. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ugh, Vardy's fixtures were nice too, looks like Kane will have to arrive earlier than scheduled

  20. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    First day without a red arrow for 7 days here

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      14 out of 15 greens and still not in top 600k lol

  21. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Iheanacho punt? I suspect Barnes may go up top though...

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just speculated this but a poster suggested he's thinking Ayoze up top, which could be interesting.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'd be surprised as you would think they need that pace up there that Vardy brings but who knows...

  22. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    3rd time posting, even starting to annoy myself. Thoughts?

    Already did Soucek>Gundo due to potential price movement. Is it worth getting KDB out for a hit this week or am I gtg? I feel like I am set but do think a United asset, or even James Rodriguez would be an interesting differential with their fixtures and potentially full health squad. Thoughts?

    McCarthy
    TAA/Robbo/Dias/AWB
    Bruno (C)/ Mane/ Gundo/Saka
    Bamford/Antonio

    Forster/Coufal/Brewster/Kdb

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ship KDB out next week. Avoid the hit.

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers, thank you.

  23. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Next thing you know, Son or Kane will come up as injuries

    1. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      With all their mileage it wouldn't be surprising.

  24. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Still save? Or take a hit...

    Martinez
    Justin Dallas Stones Dias
    Raph Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Antonio
    (Johnstone, Coufal,Soucek,Vardy)

  25. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Oh FFS Vardy, thanks for nothing. Two annoying hits.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Well one hit, but means I might bit get another City defender.

  26. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Got in KDB for fixtures after the double for Salah
    Removed Kane for Vardy for the double.

    Both out for 4-5 weeks. FML.

  27. Oldie99
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Choose 2 / 5 to start:

    A. Coufal (cry)
    B. Dallas (new)
    C.Lookman (bha)
    D. Targett (bur)
    E. Soucek (cry)

    rest of the team:
    McCarthy
    Stones Cancelo
    Son Bruno Sterling
    Vardy Antonio Bamford

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy's out for weeks

      1. Oldie99
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        just seen lol -

        Vardy to Kane for -4 is easy enough though

  28. Kabayan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Feeeecckkkk...
    Sold Kane and Son for -4 and now bring them again for -4

  29. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy and KdB both out for weeks. Another 8 point hit could be on the cards

  30. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Didn't Perez play up front for a lot of his time at Newcastle? Would much rather see him up there than Iheanacho unless he can magic up some shooting boots