Fan Feud's Fantasy Football Show: "Xmas Special" (18-20)

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Weekly Fantasy Premier League With Weekly Cash

Ever wonder if you can earn a living playing Fantasy Premier League? What if you could earn some cash this coming gameweek? I’m using the word “earn” because fantasy football is very much a game of skill and effort (unlike what outsiders think).

FanXT is now offering a “fast and furious” fantasy football that lets you form an EPL fantasy team each gameweek and earn cash instantly. In general, it’s one gameweek fantasy game with cash to earn. You don’t have to stick with the whole season, users can opt to join the variety of contests that run for the duration of the gameweek so users start fresh every gameweek. Users can earn cash prizes immediately after the end of the game week – eliminating the wait for an entire season to be over to cash out.

This so-called daily fantasy sport is experiencing massive growth in the U.S with NFL, NBA and MLB, led by two major companies - FanDuel and DraftKings, who recently acquired DraftStreet. So, daily/weekly fantasy sport is destined to enter the fantasy soccer market with FanXT spearheading the way.

To start playing the game, you need to create an account, but you can also use your Facebook account to login. There are two different kinds of contests and one of them is free and the other is paid. A free contest allows one to play games for free with cash prizes. These contests are meant to help you test your skills in the paid contests. FanXT offers paid contests with USD2, USD5 or USD10 entry fees. You have to deposit money to pay in order to participate in the paid contests but you get to be rewarded with cash earnings each gameweek. Making a deposit via PayPal, credit card or Skrill is possible when you’re logged-in. FanXT ensures that players’ money is well protected and thus players need not panic that they may lose their money.

You may choose to withdraw your deposit anytime via PayPal, wire transfer, check or bank transfer. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours. Some withdrawal methods can incur some charges on your part. Once the last match of the EPL for a particular gameweek is over, your earnings will be credited into your account.

As of now, the contests are restricted to the English Premier League. However, other sports and football leagues may be incorporated in the near future. So start playing Weekly Fantasy Premier League, you may just get some cash this coming gameweek!

5 Best Strikers in Fantasy Premier League 2014/15

Every EPL season star players prove their worth by great performances and improve their status and earnings. With new Premier League fantasy football season having started, several strikers are standing out as best strikers in the league. The top five forwards include;

5. Leonardo Ulloa- Leicaster City
A great striker who has the ability to transform the striking force of the club. Composed in front of the goal and brilliant finisher. Fast paced and able to partner well with midfielders. The player has good ball control and ability to create opportunities to score. Brilliant skills that enables him to create chances and score. Strong and able to penetrate opponents defence regularly and keeping opposing defences under pressure throughout the game.

4. Steven Naismith- Everton
A strong pillar in team's striking force. The Scottish national has continued to score crucial goals that has made Everton a strong contender to premier league title. Ability to create scoring chances. Strong aerial attacks and duels and scoring often with a header. An all round player with great tackles and winning most of the tackles. Brilliant strikes and composure in front of the goal. Great dribbling skills and a tough customer to opponents defence. He is strong, fast and powerful with the ball.

3. Stevan Jovetic- Manchester City
A forward with ability to switch roles from a striker to winger and attacking midfielder with ease. Ability to hold on to the ball and creating scoring chances. Good passing and clinical long shots that often get goalkeepers off guard. Brilliant ball dribbling. Great physical structure that make him able to win balls and create scoring chances. A composed team player who relates well with team mates and rivals alike.

2. Saido Berahino- West Brom Albion
A young talent at the heart of WBA's attacking force. Has excellent finishing skills that enables him score spectacular goals. A regular feature in many of his team’s games. Lethal with free kicks and dead ball situations. A great dribbler who is able to hold on the ball and create opportunities. A composed player whose who relates well with team mates and respects opponents. Disciplined and commits minimum fouls during games.

1. Diego Da Silva Costa- Chelsea
A great signing from Atletico Madrid and the striker has already made an impact in the new team by scoring crucial goals at the start of the season. Has great composure in front of the goal and often scores in tight angles and close range. Ability to create chances and scoring regularly with ease. Strong counter attacking abilities and regularly tormenting defences and winning tackles that result in goals. Has huge influence in the pitch and is able to change the pace of the game or win the match. A reliable player whose performance and goals are proof of his status as one of the great strikers in the league

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Rachel Lee is a guest blogger. Read her news and views on Fantasy Premier League at http://informer.fanxt.com

5 Best Midfielders in Fantasy Premier League 2014/15

With the Premier League 2014/15 season now well on its way the excitement seems to be coming back into many of our lives. Although we have had an extra dose of football this year with the World Cup in Brazil having offered some memorable matches with goals in abundance, club football still rules supreme for most part of the year and it comes as no surprise that people are waiting for the International break to get over as soon as possible so that they get to watch their favourite Premier League stars in action again. A lot of the managers cannot wait to see how their Fantasy Premier League team performs in Gameweek 4.

Speaking of players, it is necessary to know which players have been the best lately and who should you pick in your current team based on current form. So let us see who the best 5 midfielders have been this season so far after three games in the season.

5. Aaron Ramsey- Arsenal

The Welsh international seems to be carrying off from where he left last season adding to the tally of the 8 goals he scored in the Premier League to be regarded as on the same level as City anchorman Yaya Toure. His exploits at the FA cup final where he scored a goal to end Arsenal’s wait for silverware seems to have inspired the lad and instilled a belief that he can carry the team on his shoulders. Having scored two goals already this season and with six gal scoring chances created, the 23 year old Welsh player is in good form and looking to kick on and have a stellar season for Arsenal.

4. Nacer Chadli- Tottenham Hotspurs

The Belgian international did not have a particularly good season last term but is surely in the mood this time around. The player has been given the chance in the starting XI by manager Mauricio Pochettino ahead of Townsend and Lennon. Chadli has done his bit to justify the faith of his manager by scoring two goals already and playing a major role in Tottenham’s brilliant performance against QPR. Spurs would want their player to carry on this vein of form as they look to gain a spot in the top four this season. On current form Chadli looks good to be helping them in their pursuit for Champions League football.

3. Raheem Sterling- Liverpool

Regarded by many as the best English player in the Premier League currently, the Liverpool teenager is living up to the hype that has been created around him. Having scored against Southampton on opening day, Sterling played as a number 10 at the tip of the diamond against Spurs at White Hart Lane and tore them apart scoring the opener for the Anfield side. The teenager has immense potential and is certainly one of the bright sparks in the Premier League right now.

2. Morgan Schneiderlin- Southampton

Southampton have had a mass exodus this summer yet the club still seem to posses some quality players like Schneiderlin. The player who was widely linked with spurs in the summer has chosen to stay with the Saints and looks to be in great form having scored two goals and created three chances from midfield this season so far. If he keeps going at the same rate, expect the big clubs to come knocking in January.

1. Nathan Dyer- Swansea City

Nathan Dyer of Swansea seems to be having a great time on the pitch scoring goals from midfield and bossing the game just like he did against West Brom. Already with three goals in three matches, the diminutive midfielder is just what the Swansea team needed to kick start their season. With three goal scoring chances created and a high percentage of passes completed, Dyer is certainly the best Midfielder based on the three games played so far and deserves the top spot.

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Rachel Lee is a guest blogger. Read her news and views on Fantasy Premier League at http://informer.fanxt.com

EPL Fantasy Fans Could Run Their Own Fantasy Premier League For Free

FanXT Ltd. (http://www.fanxt.com), a global fantasy sport games provider is introducing Fantasy Premier League Commissioner (http://fantasy.epl.fanxt.com) coming to fantasy football market for season 2014/15 that allows anyone to run their own English Premier League (EPL) fantasy for FREE!

Premier League Fantasy Football Commissioner

Most sports fans are going to be very happy with this fantasy football game, due to football fans will not longer be limited by all those regulations set by the creators anymore as of other typical fantasy EPL league currently available on the Internet.

This game is a fantasy football league game that gives EPL fantasy enthusiasts a chance to not only have ultimate customization such as set their own scoring system, budget and players’ valuation, but also personalizing the system to their own taste such as as their own domain name, logo, background and colour theme.

What’s more, the users can invite their friends via built-in friends invite feature and also get the important updates via message board. There’re still a lot of other functions such as notifications for changes within the league and the English Premier League, latest feeds of live score, results and etc.

This fantasy football game is truly something out of the ordinary. It's like private league on steroids! Check out more amazing features in this game starting from now! 

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Rachel Lee is a guest blogger. Visit her blog at http://fantasy.epl.fanxt.com/blog to read more about fantasy football

Bantasy Football: Choosing Chelsea

Anyone media savvy enough to have come across a television, accidentally read some of the internet or drunkenly overheard a conversation in a pub within 20 miles of either London or Sunderland over the last few months will have been able to predict fairly accurately who my team of the week this week is based on the fixture list*. 

*Reading the title is cheating

Chelski face Sunderland in the late kick off on Saturday. The only pleasantry pundits have uttered in connection with The Black Cats recently is "with all due respect" - before promptly showing very little respect by ripping them to shreds - or implying that almost any team can beat them with the simplest of ease (not to be confused with the simplest of peas).

I'm well aware that this joke may be somewhat of a damp squid

Just because the scoreline is already 5-0 doesn't mean you have no work to do - Even Mourinho has no idea which striker he'll play, Hazard is doubtful and the rest of the midfielders swap places more often than the cast of Geordie Shore swap STDs.


Eden Hazard (10.6m)

When fit, the man is an unstoppable fantasy points machine. Only Yaya Toure has amassed more points and you already have him unless you've been ignoring me. A 50% chance of playing will likely creep up as the week goes on, as it always does, and even if he stays on 50%:

Lots of points x 0.5 = still quite a lot of points.

This means you're +EV whatever happens - isn't maths beautiful when done with poetic licence?

Mohamed Salah (5.5m)

Mourinho's new toy deputised for Hazard in style against Swansea with three key passes, nine successful dribbles, four scoring attempts and even completed a crossbar challenge (they never should have let him watch Soccer A.M.). None of this showed up in the 'box score' - as they say in the US - but his efforts were mightily rewarded in the Stoke game: 13 points from an assist, a goal and MOTM. This brief ditty makes Marmalade Salad Chelsea's most in-form attacking player. If you want their most in-form player overall (stats-wise that is), you're going to have to go a little off-piste...

Nemanja Matic (6.0m)

What costs more than Nemanja Matic? 

Nemanja Matic twice. 

Abramovic bought him twice so you don't have to - that's right - everyone's favourite midfield anchorman - and he's tallying up some FF points rather nicely - his last four hauls have been 11, 2, 8 and 6. No goal in a Chelsea shirt yet (and he only has 12 ever) but four assists in his last four makes him an enticing prospect. 

Signing defensive mids can be a recipe for suicide - especially when they play for a team like The Blues (remember Claude Makelele, Jon Obi Mikel, Dennis Wise etc?) but 0.5% ownership and consistent appearances (he's played 90 mins in every game since two weeks after he arrived) makes Matic one of the most appealing Chelsea players. 

Andrew Schurrle (6.9m)

Schurrle (weird umlaut accent thingy not included) may only have played the entirety of two matches this season but he's chimed in with some decent goals - although admittedly three were against Fulham so they don't really count and one was in the 6-0 rout of Arsenal, who had parked their bus at the wrong stadium. He's the definition of a risky play but 2.2% ownership is tempting for a player Jose clearly rates - and whose playing time has increased dramatically in the last seven weeks.


Frank Lampard (7.4m)

Do me a favour and avoid Frank Lamp-post (no-one calls him that but I'm hoping to start something here - play along). He started seven games in a row in Autumn but now hasn't played three straight games in donkey's.

Frank Lamp-post

He takes penalties when he plays but also costs more than Ramsey (7.0m) and Nolan (6.8) - both of whom will play every game and be integral to their respective teams once they are fully fit again (which will be super soon, I promise). Feel free to talk to Frank if you can get hold of him - just don't put him in your team.

Frank Lamp-post with famous mime artist and infamous Jose Mourinho impersonator AVB

Cesar Azpilicueta (5.7)

Unless you're doubling up on Chelsea defenders, it has to be this man. His price is still low from his battle for a starting berth with Ashley Cole (well, it was more of a slaughter than a battle) and Mourinho has decided that, now he's going for the title and everything, he doesn't much like it when defenders get into scoring positions - no Chelsea defender has scored since February - not even in the 6-0 v.s. Arsenal so cheapest wins.


Gary Cahill (6.2m), Ivanovic (6.7m), John Terry (6.9m)

If price is no object, you could spring for one of these three musket ears. Each is more likely to score than Cesar salad but you won't be able to afford as many shiny attacking stars.

Anyone remember these?

The Striker Situation

If the forward market weren't so flooded with talent (Suarez, Sturridge, Aguero, Adebayor, Lukaku etc.) there might be an argument for picking one of Chelsea's three unwanted strikers but if the manager doesn't think they're good enough, why should you trust them in your all-important fantasy team? At best you'll get some scrambled goal and six points, then they'll get subbed for an equally inept finisher, and at worst you'll watch them warm up anxiously, come on with two minutes to go so your sub doesn't play and miss an open goal. Spare yourself the anguish. Don't try and be too clever.

Sometimes being too smart is just going to get you munched even faster

For more Bantasy Football, visit www.bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk or follow @BantasyFootball. 

Bantasy Football: Courting Crystal Palace

Three reasons I'm in a pickle this week:

1. I've got a really good Michael Jackson joke but it's been so long - it's no longer funny. 

2. I've got a cracking Peaches Geldof one but it's too soon.

3. I've talked about all the best teams from which to procure GW34 players already (Man City, Everton etc.) and I don't want you to get bored of me. 

I ain't gonna tap out tho...

Crystal Phallus Palace

Once upon a time there was a silly little team with a silly old name, a supremely silly kit and an even sillier manager. This silly little team had accrued a paltry 3 points from ten Premier League games - and they were destined for the nether-nether land of the Championship - according to all the big bad football pundits that ever there were.

But one day the silly little team won a football game, and another, and then another - until eventually they were toppling the mighty Chelsea, beating teams (alright, Cardiff) 3-0 away from home and slowly but surely climbing away from the clutches of the drop zone.

Also - Double Gameweek.

If the end of Palace's season is half as good as the ending of this book, boy we're in for a treat 

Defence is the best form of defence

Let's forget about strikers for a moment because, well, Palace don't really have any - but also you already have SAS and either Dzeko or Lukaku so why would I waste my breath?

Cheap Ds are where it's at - and although The Eagles have Everton, City and Liverpool still to come, their players are SO SO cheap - and we all know rotation is the name of the game anyway.

This week it's Villa (currently about as predictable as any weather forecast ever) at home, and Everton away. The former should provide a clean sheet - Palace have three in their last four. Much of their recent success has been predicated upon their ability to shut out teams like Chelsea but perhaps their greatest defensive achievement this season was conceding just one at the Etihad (seriously - who does that!?)


Joel Ward (4.4m)

I was shocked when I saw this guy's ownership - 8.8%! I've had him all season and he's been phenomenal. He's played all but two games. 10 clean sheets, 8 Bonus Points and best of all - Palace are relatively predictable - Apart from the Chelsea result which was an obvious bonus, they got their shutouts against Cardiff x2, Sunderland, Hull x2, Stoke, Villa, Everton and West Brom. Rarely do you expect 4 defensive points and get dissappointed. No goals yet but Ward is a full back so the law of averages dictates he'll score one day.

Damien Delaney (4.4m)

Fantasy-wise, this lad's a carbon copy of Ward. 10 clean sheets, played all but two games, and has a decent rack of BPs (12). For some reason his ownership is a skull-scratching 1%. Snap him up, boys and girls. This one's a kipper.

Fish jokes: Not as good as cheese jokes but pretty gouda

Adrian Mariappa (3.9m)

He's missed two long spells this season but holds the record for the longest consecutive playing streak in Watford's history, has started the last four and cost £2.5m in real life sterling last summer so you'd expect him to see out the season with 90 minutes in each game. He got 10 pts against Cardiff last weekend for his assist and 2 BPs and scored a towering header against Fulham back in October. If you're pressed for cash, he's your man.


Jason Puncheon (4.9m)

Ever since THAT penalty miss, the man has been on fire.

This alone is worth the price of admission if you haven't seen it 

Since that dreaded Spurs game, Puncheon raked in 11 points for two straight weeks and he bagged 16 against Cardiff from a brace and all the BPs - there's even talk of him going to the World Cup.  

Did you look at his price? Good. How many players cost that little and can pack that kind of a punch? One.

In good Kompany*

I had Ward and Puncheon on the bench this week which made me feel bad - really bad. Until I saw that The Silva Surfers (top team in FPL standings) did too. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good I suppose. Man I wish I'd been stupid enough to captain De Guzman last week.

*This section does not pertain to one Vincent Kompany, nor Cystal Palace if I'm honest. I just had to get it off my chesticles. 


For more Bantasy Football, go to: bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk or follow @BantasyFootball

Bantasy Football: Scouting Sunderland (Desperately)

Having pinned my colours firmly to the whoever-has-the-most-fixtures-left mast last GW, I've backed myself into a corner a bit and am somewhat forced to go for Sunderland this week. 

They have two games in hand over most but despite two double GWs on the calendar, it's hard to see where the value lies. Fret not - that's what I'm here for - well... that and to show you silly pictures. 

Sunderland-sceptic

As deep as my love is for Gustavo Poyet's style, Sunderland are utterly village. A team that consistently fails to start Adam Johnson - clearly their best attacking option - is arguably beyond fantasy reproach and Hazard proved a couple of weeks ago (to me at least) that a quality player can do a lot more damage in one game than an iffy one can do in two (I'm looking at you Sterling!)

He knows I'm looking at him but can't help continuing to rubbish (erroneous phrasing used for comedic effect)

Maffs

Thing is, whichever way you look at it, 2+2=4. Adam Johnson's fantasy production has fizzled out recently with him finding that great bench-warming form he specialised in at Man City but his overall points tally for the season (114) is still higher than top mid Eden Hazard if you double it - and he's about half the price! Now consider the fact that two double GWs = 4 matches and even Ki Sung-Yueng's meagre 80 pts begins to look like the dog's.

The Black Cats face a downtrodden Tottenham at the Lane this week (Spurs will play badly, their fans will boo, the away team will snatch a win/score draw) and their two double GWs are Everton/Man City (GW 34) and United/West Brom (GW 37).  This is neither spectacular nor as ominous as it seems - all these sides concede goals and Sunderland are (CLICHE ALERT) fighting for their little lives.


Adam Johnson (6.5m)

Might as well start with the only one anyone's heard of. AJ's had some scintillating performances this campaign. His overall score is heavily propped up by a hat-trick against Fulham (does that really count?) but he proceeded to score in three consecutive games after that. Ne shabby pas for a midfielder. Also he scored in Monday's loss to Wham despite only playing 38 minutes.


Sung-Yeung Ki (4.3m)

4.3 million fantasy dolla dolla bills y'all for a mid who plays pretty much every game is about as cheap as fish and chips wrapping paper - without the chips. On 3 goals and 2 assists he's hardly a world-beater but is a decent player with quick feet and the ability to unlock a defence. Bang for buck.


Fabio Borini (6.2m)

The Liverpool loanee has established himself as first choice frontman... ish. His stats (3 goals and 2 assists) aren't even really worth a first look, let alone a second, but his ownership (0.5%) provides a delectable differential.

Some sources (FIFA 14) would indicate that the longer Borini plays, the longer he will continue to remain useless. Getting him to score a goal against a top 7 team is like getting Nigel Farage to answer a question with no made-up statistics in it - ain't gonna happen, sonny. Since 5 of Sunderland's remaining 8 are against these elite sides, you might be wary about taking a punt on him.

Vito Mannone (4.5m)

8 clean sheets isn't horrendous for a relegation-threatened team and you'd like to think Poyet's main mission will be to plug holes at the back if he's to stay a Premiership manager. While Sunderland's fixtures might appear daunting at first, Mannone rotates beautifully with Brad Guzan (Aston Vanilla, 5.1m) and Joe Hart (Man City, 6.0m). Swapping between them your match-ups could be:

GW        Fixture

33 -- Fulham (H) /  Southampton (H)
34 -- Everton (H) + Man City (A) / Sunderland (H)
35 -- Southampton (H)
36 -- Cardiff (H) / West Brom (H)
37 -- Man U (A) + West Brom (H) / Everton (A) + Aston Villa (H)
38 -- Swansea (H) / West Ham (H)


Key - Mannone in Red. Hart Blue. Guzan Pink. 


Marcos Alonso (4.5m)

Who? Marcos Alonso. He plays for Sunderland. He's a full back. Also on loan. Can play in midfield.

Why? Has only missed one game (red card suspension) since coming in in January. Clearly rated by Poyet. Made one appearance for Real Madrid so is officially better than all other Sunderland defenders ever.

Really? Sure, why not? You could get Wes Brown 0.2m cheaper but he's a centre-back and you know who he is so where's the fun in that?


Altidore (6.2m)

This man is all the rage across the pond. He hasn't had three 90 minute games in a row all season, though - and has one goal this season. Fogetabaaaaatit.


Advanced apologies

We all make mistakes. Suggesting the procurement of Sunderland players in fantasy football could certainly prove to be one of mine. But be open minded, allow yourself to take risks and, most importantly, don't blame me if it all goes tits-up.

For more Bantasy Football, go to: bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk or follow us @BantasyFootball

Bantasy Football: Milking Manchester City

The mere suggestion of GW 32 feels like the sort of stomach-churning comedown Nathan Barley might pretend to endure, after the dizzying heights of GW 31 (highest point score was a ball-tingling 205) recede into the mists of fantasy time.

Fun Gon' Come

More fun is still to come, though - and only one team are the bacon butty to soak up your depression hangover and get the serotonin pumping again after your 150pt wonder-week.

Don't be fooled by the Mourinho bandwagon. His unconvincing attempts to convince everyone Chelski aren't going for the title have somehow convinced everyone they'll actually win it. I beg you not to fall for it - at least from a fantasy perspective.

Man City

Whoever you think will top the league come the end of the season, do not be a slave to the rhetoric. Remember the three Fs of fantasy football - fixtures, fixtures, fixtures.

City have two more left than anyone else. By the process of maths, anyone who doesn't have three of them in their side by GW 34, their first of two remaining double GWs before the end of the season, is - as Kanye puts it - bat sh*t cray.

Yaya Toure (10.3)

Top of must-buy-ometer is Toure Yaya. Spenny for a midfielder I grant you but third highest scorer in the Prem and a fearsome combo of pace, silky soft touch and advanced technology (the new 'supreme tekkers') creates goals from absolutely nowhere. 48 points in his last four is just filthy. So let's get dirty. Don't be worried by trips to Arsenal and Liverpool - neither can defend and both could have nout to play for if Liverpool come unstuck against Spurs and/or Wham.

Let's get... dirtaaay

David Silva (9.4)

David Silva, or Dave Wood as he'd be known en Ingles got a paltry 9 points from DGW 31 - hardly what I was hoping for. I've been plugging this geezer all season and have him in every team - but he just plays so well every game. Creative players like Silva tend to drift in and out of games but he doesn't  - he's always the creative spark and usually their best player apart from Yaya.  

Samir Nasri (8.1)

Samir has returned from four games out to be a solid and consistent performer. Neither his spell on the sidelines nor the embarrassment of riches in City's midfield have stinted his playing time - and three assists in his last two is indicative of his play-making impact. He's still worse value than Silva and Toure but if you're hamstrung by a toight like a tiger budget, he's your man. 

Defenders

"I'm not sure why so many people have Man City defenders. I took a punt on Lescott this week because he's super cheap but the cost-to-clean sheet ratio is just off the charts. Zabaleta's propensity to attack makes an argument for him enticing but 6.1 is such a horrendous amount to pay for a defender who has kept two clean sheets in 11 games."

This is what I would have said to you on 3rd February - just before Man City went on a record-busting run of five consecutive clean sheets. The thing is, though, if I could play my wildcard now, I still wouldn't have a City defender in my team - because the attacking points Silva, Toure, Nasri et al. can make you are so much more valuable.

You can only have three City players so you should be choosing which ones carefully. There are plenty of cheapo defenders who can bag you a CS every now and again and if you rotate cleverly, you can efficiently pick up two or three clean sheets a GW without much bother.

Be careful when rotating Cleverley

Why spend more than 5% of your budget on a player you're never going to captain, who will get 12 pts at the most IF he unpredictably scores one of his two or three goals per season. "What about Zabaleta?", I hear you cry. "He's always getting in the box". Well yes, and he has five assists - but 0 goals. Those five assists are 15 points over the whole season - just two points less than intermittently present Dzeko got in one game at Old Trafford. Even if you add his 12 clean sheets, that's 48+15=63, which is just one more than Toure as captain would have made you in the last two weeks alone.

Obviously you can't make everyone skipper but upside (the handy American word for potential) has to be considered - a defender scoring 20 points is a freak occurrence. When was the last time you were surprised one of their front six got two, three or four goals?

America - re-inventing words since 1776

Bantasy Football: Eyes on Everton

This is it - the big'un. There are few secrets left in fantasy this season - don't expect to unearth another Ramsey-esque gem - but there is value to be had. Scout them and they will come. 

With today being Budget Day and all, I thought I’d avoid yammering on about the obvious choices from cash-splashing Man City – although I will point out that Silva (9.2) and Nasri (8.1) are not just phenomenal picks, but provide excellent differential at 6.2% and 3.0% ownership respectively – presumably due to the unrivalled pecks appeal of one Mr. Toure Yaya. 

A Briefcase Wanker tries to keep his GW 31 transfers on the d-low

Everton

Two wins on the trot have not totally coincidentally followed Lukaku's return. The big Belgian has ten goals this season and despite not contributing against Cardiff, Romelu was back in for the full 90. 

The Toffee's have The Swans first up - who haven't defeated a team outside the relegation spots since they won against Newcastle on 4th December - their only win against a team outside the bottom five all season. 

Gary Monk has failed to plug the gaping holes Laudrup left in defence (rumour has it the Loch Ness Monster resides somewhere in the vast chasm between Chico and Rangel) and they've managed to concede eight in their last four. 

The second game is against a shaky Newcastle side who are ravaged by injury, won't have a manager in the stadium and have nothing to play for but 'pride' (yes I'm aware I raved about them last week - no I don't want to talk about it).  

Can you Lukaku?

For 8.5 you could have this sexy beast in your line-up - 

Lukaku famously sprinkles creatine on his cornflakes

You're now thinking one of three things: 

1.  Hasn't he cut his hair now? Will the Samson effect come into play? 

2. "Holy inconceivable lats, Batman - I need to start doing pull ups!"

3. What is this, Men's Health? Why is this relevant to my fantasy team? I'm all about the Benjamins points. Shut up and show me the money. 

Well ask and ye shall receive - 

1. Yes. No. 

2. Yup. According to Chuck Norris: "Any man incapable of lifting his own body weight is essentially just a walking meal that it would be illegal to eat." 

3. You seem like the sensible ones so I'll answer yours in a bit more detail - 

Lukaku fills a crucial gap in the fantasy market - we all know about SAS, Rooney etc. but for those banking on spenny mids like Silva, Toure and Mata, there's no other mid-priced striker who competes with the potential value of Romelu. The only viable competitors are Giroud (8.6), who plays at the impenetrable Stamford Bridge as part of the double GW, effectively negating its value, and Bony (7.1), who in similar fashion plays Arsenal and our new best friends Everton - both away. 

Lukaku scored the winner against Wham despite only playing 32 minutes, is a dead cert to start both games and, crucially, is genuinely a very good footballer. He gets a decent amount of assists as the lone forward (6) and is the focal point for an attacking Everton side. 

Strangely he's the most transferred OUT player so far this week - as well as the fourth most transferred-in. If that's not free market economics at work, I don't know what is. 

(I don't know what free market economics is - but apparently this is funny)

Coleman (6.7) v.s. Baines (7.4)

Ah, the age-old debate. Everyone's already repping Coleman but expect his price to rise even higher after his late winner against Cardiff (1.4 mil people have put him in already this week!). Seamus was once the bargain of the season - a cheap attacking full back who scores and can pick up clean sheets. 

Now he costs just 0.7 less than Leighton - and while he's scored twice as many goals, it remains hard to argue (successfully at least) that he presents a more potent attacking threat. Baines takes free kicks, corners and penalties. Coleman's goals mostly come from bundling into the box and tapping it into an open net. Only once this season has he scored in a game Everton did not win. Baines is a bona fide game-changer - a real-life playmaker from the back - just look at how he single-handedly burst bubbles at Upton Park:

Now put him in your team. 

Mirallas (7.5)

Kev seems to have won Martinez's trust - he's started all but one of the last nine games. He buys and sells speed for a profit (pace merchant) and isn't shy of a shot. Similarly to Lukaku, Mirallas is the stand-out choice in his price bracket. His closest competition would probably be Nolan (7.1), also a good shout for the double GW - but Kev no.2 has a propensity to get sent off this season and has to play United and Hull - both of whom are desperate for points. 

Let's get statistical

Mirallas provides more of a creative threat, receives more passes per minute (3.1 to 4.6), has more touches in the penalty area (103 to 97) and has a far itchier trigger finger (70 goal attempts v.s. 41). He takes half as many minutes to create each chance (39.4 to 88.2) and takes corners (65 this season) while Nolan lazes about picking his nose or scratching his arse or something. 

"I knew I shouldn't have licked this"

A word on Barkley (5.1)

While it's more painful than sliding down a razor blade in the buff to cut a double GW player, Barkley's gotta go. In his last five games he has played this many minutes: 45,27,28,6,9.

That's not altogether or nothin'. That's in each game. Yuk. He's 5.1m but that's no excuse for the 1.4 million Mugbook Pros who've put him in this week. Yanoozay (Januzaj; also 5.1) or Mutch (4.4; two assists last week) would be much better budget bargains.


Pic of the week

Related? No. But funny? Well, that's kind of subjective, but I thought so -

For more Bantasy Football, go to: bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk or follow us @BantasyFootball

Bantasy Football: Looking at United

It’s slim pickings this week – but you knew that already. Assuming you’re without your wildcard and you still have designs on being relevant at the end of the season, it’s time to start thinking hard about double gameweeks.

You would be my first choice... if there were no other choices

Manchester United: A rose by any other name?

The name used to be synonymous with success and dynasty. Now it conjures contemplations of underachievement, questionable management and a disaffected dressing room. When Roy Carroll is taking the piss, you know you’re in trouble. But Man U players could be the inspirational picks that let you waltz to the top of your mini-league and stay there until the final whistle blows on 11^th May.

United have the best remaining schedule of any team – with no fantasy break. Their only tough fixtures are against Liverpool and City. Both are at Old Trafford. Both are also ritual goal fests in which the formbook is shredded, defenestrated and roundhouse kicked in the balls by Chuck Norris. If you’re still worried about the City game, don’t be – they also face Wham three days earlier as part of a double GW. The Hammers top the clean sheet table but tend to concede heavily at Upton Park for some reason – and lost 3-1 to United in the reverse fixture.

RVP (13.6m)

The Dutchman's return from injury hasn't been spectacular but it’s been crucial in United’s quest to obtain a top four berth. He’s scored four in his first five games back from injury – not bad considering how his teammates were getting all up in his area.

RVP's area - stay out

More consistent than a vegan’s stool, more effortlessly reliable than Tom Selleck and more imposing than a topless Putin; RVP is a great buy if you can bear to part with the newly omnipresent SAS pairing (Suarez and Sturridge).  Maybe your budget isn't big enough. Maybe you’re reluctant to gamble on the most injury-prone player since Jaime Redknapp, but he’s only owned by 16.7% of FPL managers compared to Suarez's ownership of 50.3% – now that's what I call butter. 

When not strutting stuff, Jaime ponders how good he could have been, had he ever played 3 games in a row

Rooney (11.1m)

The £85m man costs a mere £11.1m in the fantasy world. That’s a snip when you consider he’s bagged 8 or more points 11 times this season, making him excellent skipper material. His goal against Palace ended a 9 game baron spell but, much like Leonardo Di Caprio, he will inevitably rise from the ashes of shame and show us what he’s made of. It’s worth remembering that you won’t have to pay him £300,000 a week, and if he’s awful you can just blame Moyes like everyone else does.

Best Before: 2014

Januzaj (4.8m)

It’s staggering how many people neglect the first rule of fantasy football – No Man Utd midfielders. It’s as apt under Moyes as it was in the Fergie era; there’s just no way of knowing who’ll play. If you’d only ever met United fans, you’d think Januzaj had scored 20 goals this season. He's scored 3. He’s still owned by 10% because he’s cheaper than chips and had been playing pretty well for a young’un (even though it wasn’t really translating into consistent points) but his playing time has been slashed dramatically since RVP’s return and, well, see rule 1.

Defenders/De Gea

Vidic is off to Inter in the summer. Rio will probably be hanging up his boots (if not he should be) and United conceded two goals (real life goals, not dodgy penalties or nothin’) at home to Fulham. That’s all you need to know really.

All right so they’ve made back to back clean sheets at Arsenal and Palace but whom are you going to put in? Evra? He costs more than the sun (£6.5m). Vidic (£5.8m)? He’s also spenny, has his mind set on Italy and hasn’t scored once this season.

Smalling (£5.1m) is the only decent option but when Evans and Jones return, Moyes could revert to rotation at the back. Steer well clear. Old Trafford just ain’t the fortress it used to be.

For more Bantasy Football, go to: http://bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow us @BantasyFootball 

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Barkley?

This is the conundrum faced by many of us at the moment. Wonderkid Ross Barkley of Everton was considered to be a "must-have" for the first quarter of the season.

An opening day goal, combined with 3 bonus points firmly put this boy on the radar for FPL managers looking for a bargain. And what a price! £4.5 million made his purchase affordable with no need for sacrificial lambs! We could all afford to take a punt at that price. Over the coming weeks his stock rose steadily, despite poor points returns until GW's 5 and 6.

The amount of managers transferring him in saw his price rise dramatically, peaking at £5.7 million after GW 8. But after boom inevitably comes bust. A steadily decreasing amount of game time has seen his price (and his points return) fall sharply. As managers bomb him out of their squads, it appears his star - that once shone so brightly - is fading rapidly.

Despite the rush to sell him, at the time of writing Barkley is still owned by a staggering 32.3% of you. But why? He's not completing matches, his points return has been poor for a while now, and Everton have some shocking fixtures coming up. GW 13 sees them take on Stoke at Goodison, but the following weeks see them play Man Utd and Arsenal away! Surely his value is only going to plummet further if his game time and form stay the same? He'll get dumped quicker than the jumper your aunt will no doubt buy you for Christmas.
 

I know what you may be thinking, keep the faith with Barkley, he's been given International recognition and he plays that Number 10 role behind the striker that can reap dividends if he gets it right.

Actually to be honest you're probably still thinking about those upcoming fixtures for Everton and ditching Baines/ Jagielka/ Coleman or Distin right about now aren't you...

He may be worth keeping as an option on your bench, but risking him in your starting XI may cause you more harm than good. Do you sell now while you can still get a tidy sum for him? Personally, I transferred him out for GW12 and checking back now I wish I'd done it earlier as I had him permanently benched since GW 6. Still, his price continued to rise so no real harm done.

I don't see him recapturing the form that saw him rise to the top of the points table for midfielders (he is currently down in 14th and falling). Does this justify his selection as the third most owned midfielder in the game behind Aaron Ramsey and Yaya Toure? I guess - as they say - the decision is yours...

Fly

@Meet_The_Gadfly

(Please be gentle; first ever Blog post!)