Weekly Wildcards: Gameweek Eleven
Every week The Hype Train analyses the best wildcard options for your Fantasy Premier League teams. Historically weekly dream team’s comprise of mostly wildcard players whose selection falls under 5% of overall players, to which there is no doubt that their influence cannot be ignored. With such an abundance of points coming from the FPL’s hidden gems The Hype Train selects one player from each match in the upcoming gameweek to decide who could be the differential for your teams.
LAST WEEKS PERFORMANCE (GW 9)
After gameweek nine everyone had high hopes for the following week, and some were happy, some were disappointed, some were still confused at the chaotic state of the Premier League which makes this year’s edition of the FPL an even more intriguing encounter. That said, is pretty much how the wildcards for gameweek ten went. There were three successes and seven average performances that did not yield points. Christian Eriksen was the first up, and the surprising thing here is that out of five goals for Spurs the Dane only managed one assist, good, but surprising. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a wonderful free kick against Aston Villa as predicted, and West Brom’s sturdy defence produced another six points from right-back Craig Dawson. The average may have not been hit but there are so many points on offer from differentials it could be the make or break in head to head games and for when the cup rounds start.
Gameweek Ten Average Points: 42pts Gameweek Ten Wildcard Points: 32pts
Gylfi Sigurdsson: 8pts Bakary Sako: 2pts Craig Dawson: 6pts Glen Johnson: 1pt Manuel Lanzini: 2pts Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain: 2pts Georginio Wijnaldum: 2pts Christian Eriksen: 5pts Wilfried Bony: 2pts Alberto Moreno: 2pts
TEAM OF THE WEEK WILDCARDS
Gameweek ten provided one of the best examples of the wildcard power as nine of the eleven players who scored big were owned by less than five percent of players, and in the case of Almen Abdi I whopping zero percent of players have him in their squads. Harry Kane and Laurent Koscielny were the exceptions this week, Harry bagged a hatrick and assist in Spurs rout of Bournemouth whilst Koscielny netted the winner against Everton.
Elsewhere there some odd player successes this week, but also some that is not so surprising. West Brom keeping a clean sheet should come as no surprise to the experienced FPL manager, so seeing McAuley pick up the three bonus points in the match against Norwich just reinforces the anomaly that is the Baggies defence. All the West Brom defence are wildcards, why, we’ll never know. Some players are bold enough to field all three of their main defenders or two and the Baggies goalkeeper, that would be an inspired way to get defensive points because at the rate they are going it is a clean sheet every other game which is mightily impressive. Sunderland’s defence also picked up a huge thirty four points in the dream team, Billy Jones scored and Kaboul got an assist (and what an assist!) for Steven Fletcher in their sixth consecutive win over rivals Newcastle. Pantilimon rounds off their defensive points after keeping out their potent attack and picking up a bonus point, it is encouraging to see that Sunderland defenders proving their worth but huge doubts still arise from their reliability.
A clean sheet from Leicester is considered a surprise, an inevitable one, but nonetheless a surprise against a normally goal-keen Crystal Palace. Dembele has come back into the Spurs squad and made a good impact; expect him to retain a place if he keeps supporting Harry Kane in the goals department. Zarate is the last ‘surprise’ after coming in place for Victor Moses to help inflict even more misery on Chelsea. All in all the wildcards can raise a glass to their stellar performance in gameweek ten…their success is merely a frustrating ode to managers who are repeatedly failing to nail down a consistent team.
Wildcards: Fletcher, Zarate, Dembele, Abdi, McAuley, Fuchs, Kaboul, Jones, Pantilimon (9)
Non Wildcards: Kane, Koscielny (2)
Points achieved by Wildcards: 91pts
Points achieved by Non-Wildcards: 27pts
THIS WEEKS WILDCARDS
For gameweek eleven we are once again selecting ten wildcards, one for each game. Same rules apply: the players we choose must not be selected by more than five percent of the games players. We start in order of the games listed on the official Fantasy Premier League site.
The wildcard options selection percentage is accurate as of Wednesday 20/10/2015.
JAMES MILNER, CHELSEA VS LIVERPOOL
Player Name: James Milner
Club: Liverpool
Position: Midfielder
Price: £6.7mil
Ownership: 4.5%
Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool squad look to go to Stamford Bridge to inflict even more punishment on Chelsea, the Blues season has been dismal so far and the hurt may continue long into the night this season. James Milner has done very well against Chelsea in the past; he even set up the goal that Frank Lampard scored against Chelsea last season. The current Liverpool skipper is playing in a more attacking position and is the only Liverpool player who currently has the quality to cross the ball into the box for the forwards to grab their chances.
Fourteen points from his last three appearances is admirable for the England international, and since the beginning of the season he has dipped in price which means he is more affordable and a better option financially for teams looking to scrimp and save. Milner also boasts being the set-piece taker for Liverpool and that could be worth its weight in gold should Benteke be fit and firing again like he was at Southampton in the last gameweek.
Last Three
8 – EVE (A) – 6pts
9 – TOT (A) – 2pts
10 – SOU (H) – 6pts
Next Three
11 – CHE (A) – 31st October, 12:45pm
12 – CRY (H) – 8th November, 16:00pm
13 – MCI (A) – 21st November, 17:30pm
MARCOS ROJO, CRYSYAL PALACE VS MANCHESTER UNITED
Player Name: Marcos Rojo
Club: Manchester United
Position: Defender
Price: £5.4mil
Ownership: 0.4%
Injuries to Luke Shaw and doubts to Antonio Valencia forces the hand of the leader of the Luis Van Gaal Army, the only player suitable to play down the left hand channel is the Argentine Marco Rojo who comes in for his third straight game against high flyers Crystal Palace. In the last two games the Red Devils have kept two straight clean sheets, and Rojo even picked up two onus points against the win over Everton in gameweek nine. Fourteen points from two games is really good for a defender at the moment, and with Manchester United’s next three games promising for clean sheets then Rojo might be someone to look at for the long term.
Last Three
8 – ARS (A) – 0pts
9 – EVE (A) – 8pts
10 – MCI (H) – 6pts
Next Three
11 – CRY (A) – 31st October, 15:00pm
12 – WBA (H) – 7th November, 15:00pm
13 – WAT (A) – 21st November, 12:45pm
WILFRIED BONY, MANCHESTER CITY VS NORWICH
Player Name: Wilfried Bony
Club: Manchester City
Position: Forward
Price: £8.3mil
Ownership: 4.2%
A familiar face now on the wildcards is the former Swansea striker, Wilfried Bony. This fixture demanded the Ivorian’s inclusion only because this is a game where nobody expects Norwich to get nothing from the game which rules their players out of this fixture. If anyone remembers the last time this fixture took place in the Premier League you’ll remember that Norwich was subject to a drumming at the Etihad Stadium during the Suarez year.
Wilfried Bony is still in contention to have a place locked down in the Citizens squad with Sergio Aguero still injured, and Manchester City love facing promoted teams, these are fixtures always filled with goals and there could be a repeat of when Bournemouth recently visited. Until Aguero is back in the Man City squad the inclusion of Bony is an essential for the next two gameweeks when they face Norwich and Aston Villa. Bony also scored against Crystal Palace midweek in the Capital One cup so he definitely has his goal scoring boots on.
Last Three
8 – NEW (H) – 1pt
9 – BOU (H) – 16pts
10 – MUN (A) – 2pts
Next Three
11 – NOR (H) – 31st October, 15:00pm
12 – AVL (A) – 8th November, 13:30pm
13 – LIV (H) – 21st November, 17:30pm
AYOZE PEREZ, NEWCASTLE UNITED VS STOKE CITY
Player Name: Ayoze Perez
Club: Newcastle United
Position: Forward
Price: £5.1%
Ownership: 1.7%
Bought from Tenerife in the Spanish third division is the power of the Newcastle scouting network and at the moment Ayoze Perez is looking like a steal for what the Toon paid for the skilful striker’s services. Currently playing at the left of midfield the inclusion of Ayoze has seen Newcastle more of a goal threat, and despite not breaking through Sunderland’s line this time he was always there to be having a strike on goal.
Ayoze’s form is also a rollercoaster, but with a tiny forward price of £5.1mil that’s ok, he is doing well in home games and not so well in away games but some FPL players prefer that consistency as they know when a player like this should be dropped, and with two out of the three upcoming games at St James Park it could be worth the investment. Out of the last four games Ayoze has notched up twenty six points and that seems to be flying very low under the radar because Newcastle aren’t exactly a team you’d expect to win, but that is what the power of the wildcard can help change.
Last Three
8 – MCI (A) – 2pts
9 – NOR (H) – 10pts
10 – SUN (A) – 2pts
Next Three
11 – STK (H) – 31st October, 15:00pm
12 – BOU (A) – 7th November, 12:45pm
13 – LEI (H) – 21st November, 15:00pm
JEFFERSON MONTERO, SWANSEA VS ARSENAL
Player Name: Jefferson Montero
Club: Swansea
Position: Midfielder
Price: £5.7mil
Ownership: 1.2%
One of Arsenal’s biggest crutches in the last few seasons have been Swansea, the Swans just know how to play against the Gunners and after an embarrassing defeat to Sheffield Wednesday with a host of senior players in the side is encouraging news for Swansea fans who hope for more of the same, and there is the opportunity that this also yields an opportunity for FPL managers to take advantage of the points coming from this game. Jefferson Montero could figure into this game, he is a chance creator and very technical, so there will be lots of chances for him to his Arsenal on the counter once Hector Bellerin has hit the attack. The winger has already proven he can make lots of changes for Gomis and Ayew to head the ball home, and that could happen again.
Swansea have got the ball back rolling after the win against Aston Villa and players like Montero will need to raise their game, and with the next three promising any FPL managers wouldn’t need to drop Montero from their starting team.
Last Three
8 – TOT (H) – 5pts
9 – STK (H) – 2pts
10 – AVL (A) – 2pts
Next Three
11 – ARS (H) – 31st October, 15:00pm
12 – NOR (A) – 7th November, 15:00pm
13 – BOU (H) – 21st November, 15:00pm
VICTOR MOSES, WATFORD VS WEST HAM
Player Name: Victor Moses
Club: West Ham
Position: Midfielder
Price: £5.3mil
Ownership: 0.5%
One of the best summer signings, even if it is on loan, is that of Victor Moses to West Ham. Having arrived on deadline day the Nigerian international have played five games for West Ham and registered twenty FPL points, which is an average of four points a game which is incredible for a midfield player at West Ham. Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, and Victor Moses represent the midfield where any single one of them is a potential FPL option. Victor Moses missed out last week due to his parent club visiting West Ham, and it is safe to say that Victor Moses is exactly the kind of players the Blues need and want in their current squad. Oh, the irony.
Moses should return to the starting line-up for another away trip, and one that could provide another win for the Hammers on their incredible season so far.
Last Three
8 – SUN (A) – 4pts
9 – CRY (A) – 5pts
10 – CHE (H) – 0pts
Next Three
11 – WAT (A) – 31st October, 15:00pm
12 – EVE (H) – 7th November, 15:00pm
13 – TOT (A) – 22ND November, 16:00pm
JAMES MCCLEAN, WEST BROM VS LEICESTER
Player Name: James McCLean
Club: West Brom
Position: Midfielder
Price: £4.6mil
Ownership: 0.2%
West Brom pose the toughest defence in the league, and Leicester pose the most dangerous attack in the league, one of the two is going to break ground in this game but it is so close it is best to avoid this grey area. In any other game this would be a West Brom defensive option picked, but Leicester have the keys to unlock any defence with Mahrez and Vardy leading the frontline.
James McClean, who has been in the media for celebrating in front of Sunderland fans, picked up his first assist of the season in the home win against Newcastle. Leicester have in contrast to their attack one of the worst defensive record, gameweek ten was their only clean sheet of the season, so it is safe to assume that more goals will continue to leak. McClean could be a factor in that; he is the winger putting in balls for Rondon to head in, and holding it up for the rest of the attack to progress. James McClean may be in the headlines for the right reasons should he continue his good form.
Last Three
8 – CRY (A) – 1pt
9 – SUN (H) – 3pt
10 – NOR (A) – 5pts
Next Three
11 – LEI (H) – 31st October, 15:00pm
12 – MUN (A) – 7th November, 15:00pm
13 – ARS (H) – 21st November, 15:00pm
RAMIRO FUNES MORI, EVERTON VS SUNDERLAND
Player Name: Ramiro Funes Mori
Club: Everton
Position: Defender
Price: £5.5mil
Ownership: 0.0%
Everton are embarking on what could be a promising run, the downside is that they won’t be doing it with their stalwart captain Phil Jagielka. Fortunately a wildcard will take his place, and that man is Ramiro Funes Mori who has been introduced to the harsh world of the Premier League in the three appearances made so far. Luckily there will be time to settle with John Stones in the centre of the park as Jagielka is out until the end of the year.
The Toffees have Sunderland, West Ham, and Aston Villa in their next three games…these are games that Everton are favourable in. Their defence is to be considered for this period and if any FPL manager is looking to replace the heavily selected Jagielka they may not have to look far with Ramiro Funes Mori filling in for him.
Last Three
8 – LIV (H) – 2pts
9 – MUN (H) – 0pts
10 – ARS (A) – 1pt
Next Three
11 – SUN (H) – 1st November, 13:30pm
12 – WHU (A) – 7th November, 15:00pm
13 – AVL (H) – 21st November, 15:00pm
CEDRIC SOARES, SOUTHAMPTON VS BOURNEMOUTH
Player Name: Cedric Soares
Club: Southampton
Position: Defender
Price: £5.0mil
Ownership: 4.4%
Two south coast teams come head to head in gameweek ten, and a simple scroll on Twitter will let you know that many are calling this the ‘Coastline Clash’, which is both parts terrible and good commentary on what is an intriguing match. Bournemouth have been hit with some serious injuries and are looking as if they may be starting to struggle in the Premier League without key men on their team sheet. Southampton on the other hand are starting to pick up after a shaky start to the season, and the choice to have Cedric Soare make his first appearance in the wildcards is down to not being able to trust Bournemouth and having a viable defensive option for the week.
Everyone knows how hard the Southampton defence works hard, last year it was easily the best in the Premier League along with West Brom’s and they are always in contention to keep an opponent out of their net. Soare is also a potent and attacker and has occasionally been playing on the right of midfield which is very exciting for FPL managers, so goals and assists are always a high probability. Oddly the Southampton right-back picked up a single bonus point against Liverpool which might be the signs of how good he is doing at the moment for the Saints.
Last Three
8 – CHE (A) – 2pts
9 – LEI (H) – 1pt
10 – LIV (A) – 3pts
Next Three
11 – BOU (H) – 1st November, 16:00
12 – SUN (A) – 7th November, 15:00
13 – STK (H) – 21st November, 15:00
ERIK LAMELA, SPURS VS ASTON VILLA
Player Name: Erik Lamela
Club: Spurs
Position: Midfielder
Price: £6.8mil
Ownership: 1.2%
For the first time this season a Spurs player at home is featured for the first time in the wildcards. Spurs defence still cannot be trusted, but the coming to life of Erik Lamela has dragged The Hype Train out of believing in away teams visiting White Hart Lane. Aston Villa is currently one of the uncertain teams at the moment so you don’t know what you are getting, and this is frustrating for FPL managers because everything is in disarray. You’ll know what you get from Spurs, and Pochettino seems to be working miracles after making Erik Lamela look like a decent player this season, scoring and assisting in what looks like to be his best season in the FPL.
The reason a midfielder has been chosen is because Aston Villa may very well surprise Spurs like they did last time round, and there is no reason to believe any of the Aston Villa strikers are safe or how they will fit into the current squad without someone currently at the helm for the Villains. Lamela is the second Spurs attacker featured in a row and after Eriksen coming up good in the wildcards list it is now up to Lamela to secure the points.
Last Three
8 – SWA (A) – 1pt
9 – LIV (H) – 2pts
10 – BOU (A) – 7pts
Next Three
11 – AVL (H) – 2nd November, 20:00pm
12 – ARS (A) – 8th November, 16:00pm
13 – WHU (H) – 22nd November, 16:00pm
For all GW 10 build up, check out the Weekly Hype page now.
All aboard.
