We’re heading for a nail-biting conclusion at the top of the Sky Sports game as the Scout League leader closes the gap at the top and is now firmly in sight of the big £25k first prize. We check on his progress, whilst scanning the market for the latest transfer trends, before popping in on Fenners and Merse ahead of tonight’s Argentine-flavoured episode of the Fantasy Football Club.

The Scout League

With the Scout League surely sewn up, our leader Chris Pearce is now firmly in the running to claim the Sky Sports overall crown, having closed the gap further over the Gameweek. Pearce was 25 points behind going into Wednesday’s encounter between Chelsea and Spurs but has made up ground and is now just 11 points off the overall leader, Simon Ward. Thrilling stuff.

Chris’ “UtakaDefoeKingPearce” lineup is now a full 61 points ahead over Paul McAnulty’s “Housewives Favourite” squad after his strong Gameweek. Below this, the rankings remain as they were, with Pascal Evans’ “Covport” in third spot on 2120. Neil Fleeson’s “Roumeli Rangers” holds in fourth, with Pascal’s second “Covport” lineup retaining fifth from Chris Tuck’s “Vuvuzela Symphony”.

Fantasy Football Scout still lead the Private League rankings by 34 points, with the above six managers and Lewis Nicklen, all in the overall top twenty.

It’s not too late to join our ranks: you can still sign up to the FFScout League with this Pin: 8004519.

Market Trends

With Michael Laudrup previously declaring Michu was set to miss the remaining two matches of the season, it’s no surprise to find the Spaniard topping the transfers out column this week. Owned by over 34% of Sky Sports managers going into the Gameweek, that figure has been gradually tumbling with Michu, still second in the game for value having delivered 30 points per million, being sold on as part of 19% of the trades done. The latest rumbles suggest that Michu could, in fact, be back in contention for Sunday’s visit to Old Trafford – it remains to be seen if this latest development will sting those who have transferred early in the week.

Steven Gerrard’s shoulder injury absence for the reminder of the season has compounded the recent midfield clearout, with 11% of transfers seeing the Liverpool skipper cast aside. With that pairing making way, it seems that Sky Sports managers have continued to look to Gareth Bale with almost 8% of transfers seeing the Welshman brought in. The Chelsea pairing of Eden Hazard and Juan Mata have also flourished, despite rotation concerns within Rafa Benitez’s squad – that duo have also accounted for another 8% of the players brought in this week between them.

The Fantasy Football Club – Tonight 10pm

There’s plenty of flair on show in the Fantasy Football Club dressing tonight, as both Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa crash the party to combine their skills in midfield alongside Fenners and Merse. Is it wrong that I just want to ask Ossie about his role in “Escape to Victory”?

You can catch tonight’s episode at 10pm on Sky Sports One or, if you miss out, gather round at 9am on Sky Sports two for the repeat.