Games

Fantasy Premier League Focus

Our weekly look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game is rolled out this afternoon. As always, we analyse the main contenders in the Fantasy Football Scout league, while casting an eye over the frantic transfer market, as the fallout from Marouane Fellaini’s three-match ban sees midfields frantically restructured:

Scout League Standings

Iyad Zahlan not only remains at the top of the Scout League this week, he returns to the summit in the overall rankings after registering 68 points in Gameweek 17. He had mainly two players to thank for his haul; Robin Van Persie and Santi Cazorla. The Dutchman was handed the armband, while Cazorla ran riot at Reading to deliver 47 points between them; Billy Jones and David Silva also chipped in for Iyad’s side.

T.I. moves back into second spot, having racked up 81 points last time out. He also had a captain Van Persie and Cazorla combination, while Adel Taarabt, Stephane Sessegnon and Silva all picked up attacking returns in midfield. T.I. sits eighth in the overall rankings, 21 points behind Iyad.

In third spot is MP, thanks to a Gameweek 17 score of 75 points. He also captained Van Persie, with Cazorla and Sessegnon joined by Demba Ba and Guy Demel in producing the points. MP has moved up to 12th overall, on 1065 points.

Climbing up to fourth is John Schohl. Again, Van Persie sported the armband and was joined by Cazorla, while Silva and Kieran Gibbs both boosted his score to 76 points. John now sits in 40th overall.

The magnificently named Scrunchie Tubritt completes the top five. He followed the pattern set by the above four – Van Persie armband, plus Cazorla. Ryan Shawcross also helped boost his score to 65 points after a four point hit.

Our top five help keep Fantasy Football Scout at the top of the Best Leagues, 16 points ahead of our nearest challenger. Finally, Big Dunc has moved to the top of the Contributors league – no surprise to learn he had Van Persie captain and Cazorla amongst his ranks, as he moved onto 960 points overall, enough to earn a spot inside the top 10,000.

Market Trends

Yaya Toure has proven to be the most popular FPL player this week. The City midfielder has been snapped up by over 122,000 managers as the Marouane Fellaini exodus picks up pace – Toure has already climbed 0.2 in price this week and sits at 7.9.

A trio of Spanish midfielders tuck in behind the Ivorian; Santi Cazorla has acquired over 51,000 new owners after his 23 point haul last Monday, despite the fact he has a blank Gameweek 19. Juan Mata has picked up 45,000 transfers in due to his stunning recent form, while Michu continues to climb in ownership. The Swansea man has been drafted in by 31,000 managers and has a 49% ownership – the most popular player in the game. Both Jason Puncheon and Adel Taarabt have picked up around 29,000 new owners, with their cut-price appeal freeing up cash to splash elsewhere.

At the back, Stoke pair Ryan Shawcross and Asmir Begovic have received a combined 43,00 transfers in, though the Potters’ fixtures stiffen considerably. Seb Bassong (30,000) and Pablo Zabaleta (21,000) have also acquired plenty new investors as we head into the packed festive fixture list.

Up top, Demba Ba’s eleventh goal of the season persuaded over 43,000 to snap up the Newcastle man, though his upcoming schedule looks potentially tricky. Fernando Torres is not far behind the Magpies forward – 42,000 have drafted in the Chelsea player after an upturn in form under Rafa Benitez. Christian Benteke’s stunning display for Villa at Anfield has earned him in excess of 33,000 new owners, Carlos Tevez has proven popular ahead of City’s home game with Reading – over 31,000 have snapped him up, while Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney have received more than 19,000 transfers in as United prepare for a trip to Swansea.

For transfers out, it’s all about Marouane Fellaini. The Everton midfielder’s three-match ban for a headbutt on Ryan Shawcross has seen over 273,000 part company; no surprise, really, given he was the second most popular player in the game heading into last weekend’s clash with Stoke.

Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale have both been shipped out of 20,000 teams, while at the back, Rafael (33,000), Jose Enrique (19,000) and Vincent Kompany (17,000) have seen more sales than any other defenders after the trio missed out through injury last weekend – all three are in with a chance of returning to action for Gameweek 19, however; indeed, Enrique has already been passed fit by Brendan Rodgers earlier this afternoon.

Up top, Dimitar Berbatov and Luis Suarez lead the way for trades out – despite both facing a decent run of fixtures over the next few. With no returns in his last six, the Bulgarian has been moved on by 40,000 Fantasy managers, while Suarez, with four back-to-back blanks, has seen 36,000 make their excuses and leave. Jermain Defoe’s owners have shown little patience with the Tottenham forward – 35,000 have got rid, after he failed to score in his last two matches.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,288 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Scroobius Mac
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Fletcher + Vermaelen > Clark + Tevez. (-4)

    Don't need Clark this week (Sagna, Johnson, Vertonghen).
    No other City cover.
    Verm has a stupidly good scoring record vs. Wigan. Tevez could be rested. Fletcher has Southampton.
    But no other City cover is going to lead me to a quivering mess on Saturday.

    Yay or nay?

    Open Controls
    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I think getting rid of Verm is worth it...he does not justify that price tag.

      Open Controls
      1. Scroobius Mac
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Was a punt as I thought I was short on players. Would keep til Jan if it weren't for the DGW. He's scored something like 3 in 4 games vs. Wigan though.

        Open Controls
        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          I still think Vert Johnson and Sagna is more than enough money spent in defence...and having Sagna negates Verm. Sure he might score the odd goal but is it really worth it waiting for that moment? I think Arsenal's style has changed a bit and they're less keen on him getting so far forward. I could be wrong.

          Open Controls
        2. Dial Square
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          thats a coincidence I imagine

          Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Yay

      Open Controls
    3. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      nay if mancini will rest tevez and/or aguero this will be the game.

      Open Controls
    4. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Nay.
      -4 = massive fail if Tevez rested and (probably) minor win if he plays. Fletcher is coming good and will be shooting fish in a barrel at The Dell

      Open Controls
      1. Scroobius Mac
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Coming good? He's crocked is he not?

        Open Controls
        1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Thought I read he was on the mend.
          Scratch that.
          Hit the button!

          Open Controls
    5. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      You have Vermaelen, Sagna, Vertonghen & G.Johnson. Wow and I thought my defence was expensive.

      Open Controls
      1. Scroobius Mac
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, it was a short-term ploy to avoid rotation. And tbh I didn't really think it through (The Verm one).

        Open Controls
  2. Louis
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    City defence predictions ?

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Maicon Nastasic Kompany Clichy

      Open Controls
      1. Scroobius Mac
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Kompany's head fell off.

        Open Controls
        1. isacki: full casual
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          In the tunnel. It was traumatizing.

          Open Controls
        2. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Hate when that happens!

          Open Controls
    2. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Clean sheet

      Open Controls
    3. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      zab nas kom cli

      Open Controls
    4. Scroobius Mac
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Zabalabaleta Nasatic Toure Clichy

      ----------------------------------Kolarov

      Open Controls
    5. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Ball.

      Although Sun Jihai is pushing for a start.

      Open Controls
  3. bring on Real Madrid !
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    bego trem
    baines shorey stam enrique demel
    fell sess bale sterling michu
    rvp ba tevez

    a) mata/santi/theo/hazard and punch in for sess and fell (2 FT)
    b) theo+nasti+punch for shorey+sess+fell (-4 hit)

    plz some help

    Open Controls
    1. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      A is ok for this GW

      Open Controls
  4. wslnpt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    8 point hit after being miffed seeing cazorla go wild. Hope this ends well. (Aguero Baker Suarez Snodgrass in btw)

    Open Controls
  5. bob fossil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Repost, sorry.

    Who would you guys go for out of snodgrass and walters?

    Both on around the same points, so so fixtures, Snodgrass has better form, but walters is on penaltys (I think)

    Not fussed on either but need to replace fellaini.

    Open Controls
    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      snodgrass. walters is on penalties but rarely do they get one with stoke attacking.

      Open Controls
    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Snodgrass. Seeing Walters in your team is depressing.

      Open Controls
    3. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Snodgrass

      Open Controls
      1. bob fossil
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers for the reply guys, I was thinking snodgrass. It's not the most glamorous transfer out there but it has to be done.

        Open Controls
        1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Consider Pilkington too...very similar threat

          Open Controls
          1. bob fossil
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah I had a look at him, he seems to do well at home whereas snodgrass seems to do better away. Went with snod in the end, seeing him in my team seems slightly more glamorous! thanks for the help.

            Open Controls
  6. Spoiler
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    thoughts on baker for villa? will vlaar oust him out on saturday?

    Open Controls
    1. bring on Real Madrid !
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      most probably

      Open Controls
  7. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero benched. Tevez benched. Dzeko benched. Goater and Fowler to start.

    Open Controls
    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Bojinov out then?

      Open Controls
      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        "Rested"

        Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Huckerby POO?

      Open Controls
  8. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    No Thursday Scoutcast. This is outrageous. 🙁

    Open Controls
    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      It was a Wednesday podcast...did you miss it...

      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2012/12/19/the-scoutcast-episode-ninety-three-wrapped-up/

      Open Controls
      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I've already listened to it, but still. 😉

        Open Controls
      2. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Don't try and wriggle out of it....
        Get back in the studio/room/skype thing. 😉

        Open Controls
      3. Parm
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I think your sarcasm detector is broken...

        Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      A true disgrace to mankind.

      Open Controls
    3. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I feel a strongly worded letter coming on...

      Open Controls
    4. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Sarcasm detected...

      Open Controls
  9. Torched999
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Dzeko for berba at a -4p hit? I have Silva (C) as the only city cover and I would probably sub berba back in next gw.. not worth it for a hit?

    Open Controls
    1. bring on Real Madrid !
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      no need
      berba fixtures really spice up after this GW

      Open Controls
    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      It will either end up a complete disaster or a work of genius.

      Open Controls
    3. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      not worth it. big risk dzeko may not even play.

      Open Controls
  10. AriseSirGiggsy
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Look at Michus goal record - something of a "flat-track bully" (god I hate that phrase)
    I think I might bench at the weekend and play Sagna (wig) instead

    Open Controls
    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      michu is fixture proof

      Open Controls
      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Swansea aren't though

        Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      good luck with that

      LOL

      Open Controls
      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        + Vidic back

        Open Controls
    3. bring on Real Madrid !
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      michu scores blank twice atleast
      so this one could be a 2 ponter

      Open Controls
      1. bring on Real Madrid !
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        who says he is fix proof
        city 2
        liv 3
        chel 2
        tott 2
        eve 1

        Open Controls
    4. Scroobius Mac
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Arsenal away is his second highest score of the season.

      Open Controls
      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Yes but he's scored mainly against the bottom half

        Open Controls
      2. Jernau M Gurgeh
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        ahum....and week 1??

        Open Controls
  11. Declan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Fair to say Torres is now on pens, if Fat Frank isn't on the pitch?

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No, it will be a rotated duty according to Rafa...

      Open Controls
      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers mate

        Open Controls
    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No.

      Open Controls
    3. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Reasonably assured.

      Open Controls
    4. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He'll be behind Mata, Hazard, Luiz...

      Open Controls
  12. Screaming Midget
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Girlfriend texted me, "I have tried my best to make this relationship work but I seem to be the only one trying. So I have decided to break up with you and move on with my life. Can you delete my number and never contact me." I replied, "Who's this?"

    Open Controls
    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      smooth

      Open Controls
    2. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Who was it?

      Open Controls
    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      God loves a trier. Maybe her and God will be happy together.

      Open Controls
  13. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Hello everyone! All set?

    Jaask
    Skrtel Nastasic Clyne
    Mata Silva Michu Snodgrass
    RVP Defoe Torres(C)

    Bego, Sterling, Garrido, Nelsen

    Open Controls
  14. dylan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    enrique>>zabalata???...any other aternatives

    Open Controls
    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      keep enr

      Open Controls
  15. kimoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rafael OUT ZAB IN for a hit

    SUEREZ OUT AGUERO OR TEVEZ IN for ahit

    keep both ??

    morrsion out yaya in for a hit

    i got silva insted off falleni

    Open Controls
    1. bring on Real Madrid !
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      no way keep both
      rafael will play definitely
      and CS could be on this time around

      Open Controls
  16. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Play Cameron or Nelsen?

    Open Controls
  17. Declan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Torres has form and decent fixtures 😯 , Agreed?

    Open Controls
    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Agreed

      Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Form in terms of scoring goals, yes. Not playing well. But that doesnt really matter in FPL does it 😛

      Open Controls
      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        That's what I'm thinking....

        Suarez Torres RVP looks tempting, all nailed on starting imo.

        Open Controls
  18. Mull
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    NEW POST

    Open Controls
  19. Torched999
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Jaask

    Bassong McAuley Johnson

    Puncheon Taarabt Michu Silva (C)

    Suarez RVP Berba

    Foster, Nolan, Shawcross, Demel

    Anything you guys would change sub wise here- Nolan on for berba or puncheon? Shawcross>bassong?

    Open Controls
  20. The butts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    What do ya think?

    Schwarzer
    Davies Clyne Demel
    Cazorla Mata Silva Michu
    Defoe RvP Tevez

    Bunn Clark Shorey Sterling

    Open Controls
  21. 5 FT 4 MAGICIAN
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Fellaini for Silva or Mata?

    Already have Tevez for City coverage this weekend (hoping he plays!) and considering him capn. If getting Silva then he would be Capn.

    Torn between the two as Mata looks awesome right now and then I'd have some chelsea coverage.

    Any help please?

    Open Controls