A shift in the fixtures schedule and the Fantasy Premier League bonus point allocation were among the key issues under discussion in the community this week. Our frugal writers, statisticians and posters rinsed through the latest array of budget buys, while others called for controversial changes to the game we all know and love. Join us as we edge into the Gameweek by casting an eye back on the articles and chatter that helped pass our time over the past seven days.

The Community Articles

As well as serving up his regular trio of attacking differentials, this week, Arvination has also turned his attention to cheap differential alternatives to their pricey team-mates. This is a must read for those looking to free up funds and, we hope, yet another community regular.

The Puntmaster also dropped by with his latest batch of differentials. He’s currently licking his wounds: last week was the first occasion where less than two out of three of his punts delivered. However, seeing as West Ham’s James Tomkins, who netted 11 Fantasy Premier League points, was amongst them, he is more than forgiven. This week’s selection box have a distinct Merseyside and Manchester feel to them.

Earlier this month, I undertook some research into how defenders are performing under FPL’s bonus point system and called on the community to come up with their own analysis. This week, the community’s experts duly obliged with Mata is the Juan examining bonus points per position and Innsie tackling the subject of baseline bonus, which is calculated by stripping away goal, assist and clean sheet points. There’s some fascinating stuff amongst them.

MOTR was another community scribe to absorb themselves in statistics; he carried out a head-to-head analysis, assessing how Sergio Aguero measures up against United rival Wayne Rooney. The Sarjeant’s abacus was also in overdrive during the week as he examined goals scored and clean sheets in his latest form guide: another of our favorite regulars.

Meanwhile, Eunuch Jelly choose to ignore the quest for rank and points and instead highlighted some far more important victories that playing Fantasy Football can deliver.

Finally our resident Nostradamus, Surgical Attack, has cast his eye over Gameweek 8’s fixtures to deliver his predictions.

The Members Tables

Giggs Boson took a look at under the radar goalscorers in terms of minutes per goal. This table is particular useful for finding players that may not be getting pitch time, but are still more than capable of making an impact.

The most attack-minded Arsenal options are the focus of Teltzer’s latest table, which is sorted by shots in the box – still regarded as the best indicator of goal scoring potential.

The Hottest Topics

Gameweek 8 signals a sea change on the fixture list, with teams like Everton and Arsenal benefitting from obliging runs, while United and Chelsea are faced with more testing times: it’s triggered some fresh thinking when it comes to recruitment.

With Chelsea facing Liverpool and Manchester United in the next four Gameweeks, some Fantasy managers are even considering ditching Cesc Fabregas. Christina’s hot topic will prove invaluable for those looking for an exit route. While Innsie’s post on the pros and cons of selling Fabregas offers a more even handed take on the debate.

Given the schedule shift, we asked whether it is time to consider robbing Diego Costa of the captain’s armband. Baines on Toast still has faith, while CrazyAsianAC prefers Aguero’s higher chance of bonus points, as the Chelsea man struggles to compete with the likes of Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic.

Choosing an Arsenal asset remains a tricky dilemma, although Danny Welbeck, the Gunners’ lone striker, stands out as the current option. Those worried that his injury while on England duty may curtail his game time this weekend can be reassured by our resident physio Facer . He was on hand earlier in the week to allay any fears of a potential absence.

There was a raft of other Arsenal candidates mentioned in our hot topic on the Emirates assets, while Dat Guy Davey Silva provided some interesting analysis on Theo Walcott and his potential return to the starting XI.

Tottenham’s fixtures also take a turn for the better once they get Gameweek 8’s clash with City out of the way. While our Watchlist strongly favours Nacir Chadli as an option based on value and attacking threat, Wakey revived the case for Christian Eriksen: the Danish playmaker has, quietly and efficiently, notched 26 points over the last four Gameweeks.

Leighton Baines is the main attraction among those looking to exploit Everton’s schedule: their next six Gameweeks includes home ties against Aston Villa, Swansea and West Ham, plus away trips to Sunderland and Burnley. Now could even be the time to ditch the unwritten rule that the Everton defender should never be captained, according to EpicFail.

Budget differentials are set to be key in the quest to free up funds to draft in Baines. The return of Wakey’s excellent Falling Stars series of articles, where he constructs a team made up of potential points scorers whose price has dipped since Gameweek 1, will prove crucial reading for any bargain hunters.

Good players from bad teams can also provide strong value and points potential, according to this discussion kicked off by Rupert the Horse. But bargain hunting is not without problems, as many of those who took part in Just a Hat’s discussion on this season’s most disappointing players revealed.

Going for the right budget differentials will be key to Davros’s chances of success in the Scout Picks this week, after being elected to represent the community with his low ownership player only strategy.

Finally, on the issue of rule changes, Why Is Pardew for Kinnear called for the Fantasy Premier League to introduce a controversial ownership cap with players available on a first come first serve basis. In addition, he believes price rises should be based on performance not ownership, an innovation that Think Tank also backed in his hot topic on the issue.

The Community Tournaments

Billy Gilmore has kindly updated us on the latest goings on in the FFS UEFA Hockey World Cup Tournament. India and New Zealand continue to top both groups and Rest of the World are still in poll position to claim the tournament’s affiliated quiz, being masterminded by The Fantasy Freak.