top of page

LATEST HYPE TRAIN ARTICLES

Weekly Wildcards: Gameweek Nineteen

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 18)

Boxing Day football turned out to be more entertaining than first imagined, but not all excitement was met with joy for FPL lovers on arguably the best day for the great game. Where do we start? Arsenal were routed by Southampton and Theo Walcott was shown up by his old club, a goalless draw between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace was disappointing, then there was a lack of goals in the Everton and Newcastle clash, and the player who did score was so underwhelming it spawned one of the biggest ‘oh, ok’ moments this season, Manchester City didn’t keep what could have been an easy clean sheet, and West Ham ended their great defensive run for Angelo Ogbonna who fouled Gestede for Ayew’s conversion. Oh yeah, Leicester lost as well to Liverpool as well to round out the week.

Where did it go right this boxing day for our wildcards? We’ll start with King Deeney who keeps wearing his wildcard crown after scoring a penalty against a shaky Chelsea and picking up two bonus points, the Hornet and his partner are both on serious form and those teams with Spurs defenders will be looking over their shoulders for the yellow and black striped shirts. Glen Johnson of Stoke had another brilliant performance, he was the one who latched onto the Depay mistake to gift Bojan the opener, and Kyle Walker kept another clean sheet to prove The Hype Train wrong about the capability of Spurs defensive capabilities. There was also a small success from Gylfi Sigurdsson who kept a clean sheet point, but nothing to cheer about either. Four successes is a good return considering the chaos that ensued this boxing day.

Glen Johnson: 11pts Angelo Ogbonna: 1pt Glenn Murray: 2pts Troy Deeney: 8pts Christian Fuchs: 2pts Nicolas Otamendi: 2pts Kyle Walker: 7pts Gylfi Sigurdsson: 3pts Aleksander Mitrovic: 2pts Theo Walcott: 2pts

Gameweek 15 Average Points: 44pts Gameweek 15 Wildcard Points: 40pts

TEAM OF THE WEEK WILDCARDS

For another consecutive gameweek the wildcards outplay the non-wildcards in the dream team, once again a success of six to five. It could have been seven, but Diego Costa of Chelsea was a fraction of a percent from being on the wildcard list before the gameweek began, we were desperate to have him as the player this week but fate was cruel. There are only seven tens represented from the eleven, with Stoke, Southampton, and Spurs having multiple additions. Just noticed all the teams starting with the letter ‘S’ seemed to do well this week, as the defence is solely from teams starting with this letter. Southampton who destroyed Arsenal had a surprise addition in form of Cuco Martina who scored a sublime curler to earn his place in the team, and next to him is Ben Davies who is keeping Danny Rose out of the Spurs team, both consequently are cheap options in the FPL. Cleverly and Ki are the wildcards in the middle after their sole goals earned their clubs the win, both opportunistic, both had luck written all over them, but that is the spirit of the wildcard channelled through them.

Shane Long completes the wildcards from the dream team after he ruined all four of the Arsenal backline; he had one of those games where he showed he can play in the big leagues if offered the chance. He has now scored in big games this season, including the one against Manchester City recently, and should his form continue expect the Irishman to keep Pelle out of the squad when he returns from injury.

Wildcards: Martina, Davies, Johnson, Cleverley, Ki-sung young, Long (6)

Non-Wildcards: Butland, Fonte, De Bruyne, Kane, Costa (5)

Points by wildcards: 68pts

Points by non-wildcards: 65pts

THIS WEEKS WILDCARDS

For Gameweek Eighteen 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 Sunday 27/12/2015.

FRAZIER CAMPBELL, CRYSTAL PALACE VS SWANSEA

Name: Frazier Campbell

Club: Crystal Palace

Position: Forward Price: £5.4mil Ownership: 0.0%

When a player that is now in the starting line-up for a team becomes available the instinct is to place him in the wildcards for the week because amazing things can happen. Injuries to Bolasie, Wickham, Bamford, Sako, and Gayle means that Campbell finally gets another chance to prove himself under Alan Pardew and make an impression. Campbell was great at Cardiff a few seasons ago; he scored plenty of goals and has been wasted on the bench, and usually in cup games when he plays Frazier always finds himself on the score sheet. With injuries affecting the Eagles their goals have to come from somewhere and Campbell could be that source of hope in a plague ridden time for Alan Pardew.

Last Three 16 – SOU (H) – 0pts

17 – STK (A) – 0pts

18 – BOU (A) – 2pts Next Three

19 – SWA (H) – 28th December, 15:00pm

20 – CHE (H) – 3rd January, 13:30pm

21 – AVL (A) – 12th January, 19:45pm

BOJAN KRKIC, EVERTON VS STOKE CITY

Name: Bojan Krkic

Club: Stoke City

Position: Forward Price: £5.1mil Ownership: 1.8%

Manchester United had suffered a fourth consecutive loss in all competitions thanks to former Barcelona player Bojan, and with twenty two points in his last three outings for the Potters FPL managers are starting to turn their heads. Add the decent run of fixtures Stoke have and suddenly there is an FPL option born out of the Spaniard who is playing as the upmost forward for Mark Hughes Stoke team. Bojan is also on set piece duties, and at home their opponents Everton struggle on the defensive side of things, so this could add up to be a third straight success for Bojan and the Potters. More of a smart formality choice than anything else, but a wise one which offers great alternatives if you believe Vardy not to be fit for the next game against Manchester City.

Last Three 16 – WHU (A) – 2pts

17 – CRY (H) – 9pts

18 – MUN (H) – 11pts

Next Three

19 – EVE (A) – 28th December, 15:00pm

20 – WBA (A) – 2nd January, 15:00pm

21 – NOR (H) – 13th January, 19:45pm

ROBBIE BRADY, NORWICH VS ASTON VILLA

Name: Robbie Brady

Club: Norwich

Position: Midfielder Price: £5.4mil Ownership: 0.5%

Aston Villa are fast becoming the first relegated club, and after four seasons of scraping by and hoping for the best their luck has finally depleted after selling their best assets to clubs in the top half of the table. Norwich have proven a stern test for plenty of teams visiting Carrow Road, and the odds are they are going to walk away with the points in this fixture. Norwich is showing glimpses of Premier League quality, and in part due to the wildcard pick this week Robbie Brady. Down the left hand side Aston Villa are at their weakest as highlighted by the goal from Aaron Creswell on Boxing Day. Taking our chances on the same kind of luck we have gone for Robbie Brady to add more nails to the Aston Villa coffin in gameweek nineteen.

Last Three 16 – EVE (H) – 2pts

17 – MUN (A) – 1pts

18 – TOT (A) – 2pts Next Three

19 – AVL (H) – 28th December, 15:00pm

20 – SOU (H) – 2nd January, 15:00pm

21 – STOKE (A) – 13th January, 19:45pm

TROY DEENEY, WATFORD VS SPURS

Name: Troy Deeney

Club: Watford

Position: Forward Price: £5.2mil Ownership: 3.8%

Retaining his place in the wildcards is King Deeney who scored big once again, this time against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It doesn’t matter if Deeney isn’t scoring either as he is setting up his strike partner Odion Ighalo. Deeney is on penalties and is more than capable at scoring from open play too, he is cheap and their fixtures don’t matter if they keep scoring the way they have. Deeney is good for points as he has achieved returns in six out of his last seven matches. All hail the king.

Last Three 16 – SUN (A) – 2pts

17 – LIV (H) – 5pts

18 – CHE (A) – 8pts Next Three

19 – TOT (H) – 28th December, 15:00pm

20 – MCI (H) – 2nd January, 17:30pm

21 – SOU (A) – 13th January, 19:45pm

AYOZE PEREZ, WEST BROM VS NEWCASTLE

Name: Ayoze Perez

Club: Newcastle

Position: Forward Price: £5.1mil Ownership: 1.1%

Long have been the days since West Brom are defensive beasts, and onto the uncertain days of when their next win will be. They are one of the most out of form teams in the league and with plenty of injuries and suspensions (and a reluctance to play Saido Berahino who is a wildcard option now) they are in real trouble. Newcastle won at West Brom last season courtesy of our wildcard pick for this game Ayoze Perez who scored a beautiful back-heel to pick up all three points for the Toon. Ayoze has been their away king this season, picking up goals against Bournemouth and Spurs on their travels, so expect him to play and be amongst any goals that the Toon does pick up in this game. Usually a West Brom defender would be chosen in this fixture but confidence is low in their ability to keep even the most basic of clean sheets.

Last Three 16 – TOT (A) – 6pts

17 – AVL (H) – 1pt

18 – EVE (H) – 2pts Next Three

19 – WBA (A) – 28th December, 15:00pm

20 – ARS (A) – 2nd January, 15:00pm

21 – MUN (H) – 12th January, 19:45pm

THEO WALCOTT, ARSENAL VS BOURNEMOUTH

Name: Theo Walcott

Club: Arsenal

Position: Midfielder Price: £8.3mil Ownership: 2.4%

Arsenal is frustrating for a hundred reasons, but when it comes to choosing options there are always a dilemma. Usually Arsenal are favourites, so you have to pick one of their players, but this Arsenal squad is so injury riddled that its choices are obvious to make for FPL managers. The only first team members are Joel Campbell and Theo Walcott, and out of the two you are going to trust the Englishman with a great record. Theo Walcott keeps his place in the team due to a technicality as Bournemouth is expected to get nothing out of this game. Well, they could do if Arsenal play in the same vein that got them beat by Southampton. That shouldn’t be the case in this fixture as there may be some goals to share between the pacey Walcott and big Giroud.

Last Three 16 – AVL (A) – 6pts

17 – MCI (H) – 7pts

18 – SOU (A) – 2pts Next Three

19 – BOU (H) – 28TH December, 17:30pm

20 – NEW (H) – 2nd January, 15:00pm

21 – LIV (A) – 13th January, 20:00pm

LOIC REMY, MANCHESTER UNITED VS CHELSEA

Name: Loic Remy

Club: Chelsea

Position: Forward Price: £7.1mil Ownership: 0.4%

A truly forgotten name in the FPL community is that of Loic Remy, a hit when he was at Newcastle during the Suarez era, his transfer to Chelsea has been marred with spending time on the bench. Against Manchester United, and not a very good one, Loic Remy will have his chance to remind the world about what a good striker he was. After coming on against Leicester and scoring very quickly the Frenchman has a point to prove, and with Diego Costa suspended he is the only Chelsea forward available and Remy will work hard to prove that he deserves more than to spend time on the bench. This should be a one week transitional transfer as Costa will eventually return to the starting eleven under Hiddink, but it would be an inspirational transfer to put your eggs in the Remy basket.

Last Three 16 – LEI (A) – 7pts

17 – SUN (H) – 1pt

18 – WAT (H) – 0pts Next Three

19 – MUN (A) – 28th December, 17:30pm

20 – CRY (A) – 3rd January, 13:30pm

21 – WBA (H) – 13th January, 19:45pm

SHANE LONG, WEST HAM VS SOUTHAMPTON

Name: Shane Long

Club: Southampton

Position: Forward Price: £5.7mil Ownership: 0.5%

Arsenal’s lack of support to the title acclaim was exasperated by the efforts one Shane Long as he shattered the Arsenal defence into tiny little pieces to help the Saint’s rout the Gunners. A few days later and the newly charged Southampton comes toe-to-toe with a team unable to find a win of their own in West Ham. Shane Long will feel confident of his chances, and Ronald Koeman’s team will want to push on and further utilise the Irishman’s capabilities. It is easy to forget in the FPL that Shane Long was a scoring machine when he was at Hull, and when he did move to Southampton he carried over that form. Without Pelle available for the game Long will lead the front line and any Hammers defender will be wary of coming up against him.

Last Three 16 – CRY (A) – 2pts

17 – TOT (H) – 1pt

18 – ARS (H) – 12pts Next Three

19 – WHU (A) – 28th December, 17:30pm

20 – NOR (A) – 2nd January, 15:00pm

21 – WAT (H) – 13th January, 19:45pm

SHINJI OKAZAKI, LEICESTER VS MANCHESTER CITY

Name: Shinji Okazaki

Club: Leicester

Position: Forward Price: £5.6mil Ownership: 0.4%

Fixtures of this calibre are a pain to select differentials because Manchester City have a great scoring record, whereas Leicester City’s top players are the most selected in the FPL community. Okazaki has been Vardy’s regular striker partner and has scored some good goals for the Foxes. Manchester City who have recently lost Vincent Kompany almost seemed resigned to the fate that they will never keep another clean sheet until he is fit, every team they face is a goal threat and Claudio Ranieri will want his team to bounce back after the defeat to Liverpool on Boxing Day. Okazaki or Ulloa will be selected to start alongside a presumably fit Vardy, so either one is actually the pick, but Okazaki has been the more regular starter. Manchester City are struggling at the moment and Leicester should put on one of the games of the season to really cement their place in the top four.

Last Three 16 – CHE (H) – 1pt

17 – EVE (A) – 11pts

18 – LIV (A) – 2pts Next Three

19 – MCI (H) – 29th December, 19:45pm

20 – BOU (H) – 2nd January, 15:00pm

21 – TOT (A) – 13th January, 20:00pm

MAMADOU SAKHO, SUNDERLAND VS LIVERPOOL

Name: Mamadou Sakho

Club: Liverpool

Position: Defender Price: £4.7mil Ownership: 0.5%

Liverpool’s unexpected victory against Leicester was put down to a gritty defensive display that kept Vardy and Mahrez very quiet all match. One man who looks at home under Jurgen Klopp is the Frenchman Mamadou Sakho who is now the first choice centre back for the Reds. Sakho is also a bonus point magnet, because he wins most his challenges in the air and has the highest passing success rate in Liverpool he attracts bonus like it’s nobody’s business. Up next for Liverpool in their next encounter is an increasingly doomed Sunderland away from home, and history will tell you that Liverpool have a good clean sheet record against the Black Cats. Sakho won’t be rotated over the next few months if Skrtel is out injured so he is a lock for Liverpool, and since he has fallen in price the defender is more accessible and more of an option than ever if you didn’t fancy your chances with the more expensive Clyne.

Last Three 16 – WBA (A) – 0pts

17 – WAT (A) – 1pt

18 – LEI (H) – 9pts Next Three

19 – SUN (A) – 30th December, 19:45pm

20 – WHU (A) – 2nd January, 12:45pm

21 – ARS (H) – 13th January, 20:00pm

For all GW 15 build up, check out the Weekly Hype page now.

All aboard.

ARTICLES

bottom of page