Our weekly regular takes a look at the goings-on in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), as we highlight the top performers in the Scout league so far and cast an eye over the transfer activity heading into tomorrow morning’s deadline:
Kelvin Travers keeps his spot at the top after a 48 point haul in the previous Gameweek. Gareth Bale and Rickie Lambert both returned double figures, while Robin Van Persie also chipped in with an eight point armband haul – Kelvin sits in second place in the overall standings on 1801 points.
Tucked in behind is Paul Van de Kerkhof, after racking up 56 points last time out. Captain Van Persie and Bale were joined by Rafael and Moussa Sissoko as Paul climbed to fifth overall, with a score of 1778 points – unlike Kelvin, Paul still has a wildcard in hand to boost his chances.
Sanjeev Karki moves to third, courtesy of a 66 point haul in Gameweek 27. He handed Santi Cazorla the armband and was rewarded with a 30 point return, while Bale, Carlos Tevez and Mathieu Debuchy all helped him move to sixth overall on 1773 points.
Sitting in fourth spot is Dan Jones, who returned 39 points last weekend. Bale and Lambert were his key performers, Van Persie and Leighton Baines produced an assist apiece, though captain Theo Walcott stumbled at home to Villa. Nevertheless, Dan still sits in tenth position overall, with 1765 points to his name already.
Marcus Blomlof completes the top five. Bale, Lambert and Sissoko all produced double figures, while Baines and Van Persie helped him register 49 points in Gameweek 27, enough to take him to eleventh overall on 1765 points.
Thanks to the efforts of our top five, the Fantasy Football Scout league sits at the top of the best leagues. An average of 1776.4 points keeps us 11 points ahead of our nearest challengers, which happens to be the FFS Members league – Julian Ziparro not only leads the way there, he is also number one in the overall standings after a 54 point haul in Gameweek 27. Bale, Baines, Lambert, Van Persie and Patrice Evra all chipped in as he moved to 1805 points.
For the contributors, Mark still remains at the top, in spite of a 37 point return last time out – captain Van Persie, Baines and Bale were his key performers.
Market Trends
Rickie Lambert has proven the most popular player this Gameweek. Having registered returns in each of his last three, the Southampton striker now welcomes QPR to St Mary’s – he’s been snapped up by over 83,000 Fantasy managers. Gareth Bale is not far behind as Tottenham prepare for Sunday’s north London derby; over 67,000 have acquired the Welshman after six goals in his last four.
Liverpool pair Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have made their way onto plenty radars. Over 59,000 have acquired the Uruguayan, though the 20,000 who have purchased Sturridge will be hoping he can shake off the knock revealed by Brendan Rodgers yesterday. Moussa Sissoko’s exploits have persuaded 40,000 to snap up the Newcastle midfielder, while Michu has been welcomed into 28,000 new teams following his blank last time out.
At the back, United duo David De Gea (7,000) and Rafael (42,000) have proven the most popular for keepers and defenders, despite the fact they currently have a blank Gameweek 29 on their agenda. Jose Enrique’s exploits against Swansea in his previous appearance have earned the Liverpool left-back almost 15,00 new owners, while Nathaniel Clyne and Seb Bassong have also picked up plenty new suitors, with 8,000+ transfers in apiece.
In terms of trades out, Robin Van Persie is head and shoulders above anyone else. The United forward has been shifted from over 67,000 teams, though today’s news that he is now fit for the weekend visit of Norwich is likely to slow down the sales. Faith in Arsenal seems to have taken a slump – Theo Walcott has racked up more sales (48,000) than any midfielder, while Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have both been traded in by 28,000 managers, perhaps with the Gunners’ blank Gameweek 29 in mind.
Doubts over Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Nolan have persuaded 41,000 and 19,000 to part company with the pair, while Juan Mata has also seen significant sales, with 17,000 moving on the Chelsea midfielder, perhaps as a way to free up funds for Bale. Robert Huth’s three-match suspension has resulted in 14,000 sales, though faith in Stoke’s defence is clearly lessening – Ryan Shawcross has been sold on by 12,000 due to a run which has seen the Potters concede in each of their last nine. Marc Wilson has attracted interest as expected, but to this point, less than 6000 managers have brought in 3.9 the left-back.
