Watchlist

The Watchlist – Christian Benteke

As a result of Alex McLeish’s horrendously negative tactics last season, very few Villa players were taken seriously by Fantasy managers when crafting initial lineups this time round. Prices were subsequently downgraded and with the arrival of a more attack minded manager in Paul Lambert, plus the emergence of several young (and cheap) players, the Villains appeared to offer a rich seam of differential talent waiting to be mined. It’s taken a while for Lambert’s young lions to establish themselves this season, however, and as it stands that talent remains largely untapped; the acrobatic Brad Guzan in goal and the muscular Christian Benteke up front are the only players to accumulate more than a 3% FPL ownership to this point.

Four goals at Carrow Road in the Capital One cup and another three at Anfield has given us plenty of reason to take another look, and summer signing Benteke has been central to Villa’s resurgent run of form. In many ways, the Belgian is a symbol of the changes taking place at Villa Park – young, energetic and strong, the comparison with forlorn and fallen team-mate Darren Bent is striking. Benteke’s performance at Anfield displayed many of the qualities missing in the England international; he won aerial duels all over the pitch, scored a powerful goal from distance, set up another with a cheeky bit of skill and capped it off by barging his way into the box to execute a cool finish. If he was English, the media would have eaten it up.

We’ve already covered Benteke once this season, back in November he made significant strides: enough to promote him in our thoughts. He duly delivered three goals an assist and six bonus points since that article but, with a forthcoming schedule that screams further returns, Benteke warrants renewed attention.

Three home games in the next four against Tottenham, Wigan and Southampton should provide plenty of chances for Benteke to boost his burgeoning reputation further. While Villa’s form could now be fragile having just taken a pounding at Chelsea, Lambert is backing his side to show their spirit and bounce back in the Boxing Day meeting with Spurs. Considering that he has scored or assisted eight of Villa’s 13 league goals so far this term, Benteke will surely be the key figure on show against Andre Villas-Boas’ side and, with a price tag of 6.7 in the FPL and just 7.5 in the Sky Sports game, there are few obstacles to investment.

An ownership of just over 3%, with the ability to free up funds for heavy midfield acquisitions, promotes the appeal and could mean that Poirot isn’t the only Belgian that comforts us over Christmas; it’s not certain that Benteke will be murdering defences but he’s surely a prime suspect.

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875 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Evening all and merry Xmas.

    With 4 players from arsenal and west ham it's an going to be an Interesting game week especially with Gorkss likely to be on the bench

    Bego (jussi)
    Gorkss, cuellar, riise (mertes, o'brien)
    Sterling, Michu, pienaar, sess (Carloza)
    RVP, Suarez, Defoe

    Have already brought in pienaar but wondering whether to:

    1. Gorkss----> Cameron
    2. Defoe -----> benteke

    Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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    1. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Would leave Defoe as good to have some Spurs coverage. Next 4 fixtures look good. Would get rid of Gorks for Cameron, sounds good

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  2. Judas
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys, this is my first comment on here, just wondering how you think my team is looking for this week?

    Begovic
    Baines, Cole, Cameron
    Michu(C), Dembele, Toure, Mata
    Long, Defoe, Tevez
    Subs: Davies, Sterling, Santon

    Not sure whether to swap Davies in for Long or not, what do you all think? Also do you think Michu as a captain is a good choice or do you think someone else would be better? Any other advice would be great!

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    1. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Would not sub in for Long, as they have 3 away games out of next 4. One being away to MANU. Yep Michu is very good. Wuld not be to keen on Dembele.

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

      Hello and welcome. Firstly i'd recommend reading the FAQ: http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/fantasy-football-faq-and-glossary/

      Secondly, getting a gravatar, it gives you some sort of personality 😉 : http://http://en.gravatar.com/

      And finally, i'd keep that team for this week, reassess next week.

      Cole, Dembele, Long, Santon & Sterling should go next week, i'd bring in some United cover next week.

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  3. Ikey Warrior
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    How do you get a grav? Do you have to be a member? I'm a newb!

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    1. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      gravatar.com

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    3. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      gravatar .com

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  4. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    who would prefer for the next 2 , benteke or defoe ?

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    1. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Benteke, imho

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    2. Hopper
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Benteke

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  5. Tomlette Greggs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Gentlemen.

    Transfer out Aguero OR Suarez for Berbatov this week?

    or save the transfer?

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    1. sy
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Save the transfer

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    2. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      aguero, relieve yourself of all that rotation stress 🙂

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    3. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Save

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    4. Hopper
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Defo get Berba, no rotation and great fixtures

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  6. Viper
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    *Cheeky xmas repost

    2 seasons ago, I was in the pub watching the 17.30 kick off, Villa vs. Spurs at Villa Park. I had VDV (c), he scored 2 goals (1 assisted by Bale)

    Tomorrow I will be in the pub watching the 17.30 kick off, Villa vs. Spurs at Villa Park.

    This is making me want to bring in Bale now (For Santi) 🙂

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    1. Kostja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Bale is no VDV 😀

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Indeed

        I captained VdV 3 times least season, he delivered

        30, 16 and 44. 😀

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

          Ah, was 44 the DGW?

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            yup, best GW of the season, I pissed all over my rival that week

            if another one comes along and I'm still sitting on the wc then 😀 😀 😀

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      2. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe Sneijder will be if he goes there though

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        1. Kostja
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Could be, but im afraid he could be a bit overpriced.

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    2. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Defoe replacing VDV, defo.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        *Cheeky

        Pissed. 😕

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  7. Waterwheel Inc.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Evening chaps,

    Hope you've all had a good day. But I hope Boxing Day will be better, 10 matches plus racing at Kempton makes this one of my favourite days of the year!

    Can anyone give me any reason to hope Gorkks will be back in the squad or Reading tomorrow please?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Is Fontwell on?

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      1. Waterwheel Inc.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe, Racing Post says there's an 8am inspection.

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Probably too wet for the horse I was thinking of anyway, Cheers.

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    2. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry mate cant't give you any good news on Gorkks. But i agree that tomorrow is a great day of sport

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Nope, sorry. Seems to have offpissed the gaffer.

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Didn't he make the bench last game? It's Christmas, time to kiss and make up.

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    4. Waterwheel Inc.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers for info. Leaves me with just the 11 to play. Tempting to use it as an excuse to start tinkering but I don't think it's worth the risk.

      Looks like plenty of people are taking hits this week. I'm not wild about my team but if I get 11 out without a hit I'll feel ahead of the game to start with.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        That's my plan. I now have Pienaar.

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      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        That's my worry for tomorrow, that I bring 1 or 2 in, only for them to be rotated anyway.

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  8. Portuguese&Proud
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Begovic
    B:Davies, Cameron, J.Enrique
    Mata, Bale, Michu(c) Taarabt
    Tevez, Suarez, RVP
    Jaask, Snodgrass, Shorey, Sagna
    1FT 0,3M

    so what do you think i’m considering saving the FT for next week, do you see any reason not to??

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    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      i like that, tevez rotation your only worry really

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      1. Portuguese&Proud
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        i know, the tought of benching him over Snoddy crossed my mind but over 9M on the bench just doesn't seems right..

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    2. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Save it mate. Excellent squad. Will u keep captaincy onMichu?

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      1. Portuguese&Proud
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, most definately

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        1. df34
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          I have Van P and Michu too, don't have the Ballls to do Michu. Fair play mate!!

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  9. Viper
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    @Doora

    You're against every move this week! 🙂

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He is against every move every week unless you buying someone he owns, or features in his tables

      But we love him anyway 😛

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He's not. He told me to move, to another country. 😉

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        How very unkind of me. 😥

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          😀

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    3. Dago
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Just get Bale mate, and leave Berba imo. You sound more sold on that route and it makes more sense. If Berba starts banging them in and Ruiz returns then bring him in next week, still got good fixtures.

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      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, Bale could easily out score Cazorla before the dgwk, do the reverse swap then!

        I'll give Berba this week to hit form!

        Cheers!

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I am doing my best to protect you - against yourself! 😀

      Get Pienaar. Get Carter. But don't get that shite you are doting on!!! 😉

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      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Ah cheers Doos, you're very good. But I gotta spread my wings eventually 🙂

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    5. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Oh! And KEEP Cazorla!!! Please.

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  10. Timon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    so, a quick opinion
    Which one to do first.
    Migno ➡ begovic.
    Fletcher ➡ berba
    Or both for a hit

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    1. Just One More Thing
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Fletch > Berbs only.

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    2. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No hit needed, would do the second one if i had too. But do not see any great urgency to do either mate

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    3. alsybach
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Fletcher will score more goals and more points than Berba...........

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    4. Killitzer
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      How do you make those arrows?

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  11. df34
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Yep, i would as not sure tevez will start

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  12. alsybach
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I have got Tevez and I think I want to get rid (I think)..........got Fed in goal alongside jussi - havent made any changes this week yet and am reasonably happy with my team..
    BUT.......
    always one for a bit of excitement at Christmas shall I.........

    a) save transfer
    b) Tevez ------->Benteke (not Beba! not convinced!)
    c) Fed--------->Guzan
    d) Tev + Sterling------->Benteke + Pienaar (for a 4 pointer)

    what do you think peeps?!?

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    1. Just One More Thing
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      D

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    2. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Save it mate

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  13. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    IF Sneijder joins Spurs, will he be a better FPL prospect that Bale? And will he have a negative effect on Bale's returns?

    Big IF mind 😉

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    1. Kostja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      NO negative effect, and probably overpriced

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    2. Waterwheel Inc.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Where's this story come from and is it legit? It seems to have slipped by me, I only noticed it at all because there was money or it on oddschecker!

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    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Sneijder will get all set pieces imo, compare him with VDV but less injury prone

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  14. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    any more news on the chelsea southampton dgw. for some reason i have got it in my head as the same gw as arsenal wham dgw.

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  15. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Begovic
    Baines – Cuellar – Nelsen
    Bale – Mata – Michu (c) – Puncheon
    Suarez – Tevez – Berbatov (vc)

    Foster - Simpson - Gibbs - Cazorla

    Good to go ? captain Michu over Berba ?

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    1. erictai98
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      michu!

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  16. bbewekim
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Luiz, yaya, taarabt > Gibbs, bale/sant, punch?

    Do have Nolan who's been a bit quiet of late though. Also have Holt upfront with RVP, Tevez so a bit weak?

    I'm thinking Transfers in new year...

    Would make, Gibbs, shawX, Enrique (clyne, McCartney)
    Mata, bale/santi, Nolan, michu, (punch)
    RVP, Tevez, Holt

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  17. Superdry7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Team this week, thinking of saving the transfer, any feedback welcome 🙂

    Foster (Jussi)

    Nasty, Vertonghen, Enrique (Gorkss, Morrison)

    Bale, Michu, Puncheon, Silva (Sterling)

    RVP, Torres, Berb

    Captain choice not decided yet!!!!!

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    1. Matamatician
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Berba captain

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  18. Robbens Diving Instructor
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Here is my team for tomorrow,

    Begovic
    Ridgewell Cameron Cuellar
    Pienaar Michu Silva Mc Anuff
    Suarez RVP Defoe

    Rudd, Santi, Mc Cartney, Sagna

    Any changes to be made? 0.9 million in the bank

    Slightly wary that my defence is quite weak

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