We’re all about getting you bargains, and clearing the deadwood, this week.
For this gameweek, we’ve a cheap, obscure defender, a cheap, obscure midfielder and a cheap, obscure striker.
All three are also in good form and face favourable fixtures this weekend. There are also three expensive, under-performing players who shouldn’t be in your team for gameweek six.
Three players to sign:
Simon Francis
Fixture: Bournemouth v Sunderland
Value: £4.5m
Selected by: 3%
The right-back is worth a punt for a number of reasons this gameweek.
Francis has created more chances than any other defender in the Premier League this season, has already registered an assist and will be confident of adding another against struggling Sunderland.
The Bournemouth defender is also a cheap option, and will make a useful squad player if you decide to relegate him to the bench in coming weeks.
He’s also so obscure, and selected by so few players, that you haven’t noticed that the player in the above image is actually Steve Cook.
This is Simon Francis.
Bakary Sako
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Value: £5.6m
Selected by: 3%
Despite getting double figures in two of the last three gameweeks, including 13 points in the game away to Chelsea, Bakary Sako has been strangely overlooked.
The winger is Palace’s highest scoring player so far this season and should start against a stuttering Spurs side this Sunday.
In addition to being a cheap, overlooked option, Sako’s side are brilliant on the road.
Since Alan Pardew became manager, Palace have won eight of their 10 away fixtures, a very impressive feat considering the side were struggling when he took charge.
The London club are dangerous on the counter-attack, and will fancy their chances against a Spurs’ side who have looked laboured so far this season, and were in action mid-week in the Europa League.
Odion Ighalo
Fixture: Newcastle v Watford
Value: £5m
Selected by: 1.4%
If either of those players aren’t obscure enough, then Odion Ighalo could be the choice for you this weekend.
The Watford striker is selected by barely any fantasy football managers, is a cheap option and is fresh from scoring the winner against Swansea last week.
Ighalo is also up against a Newcastle defence that have only kept one clean sheet this season. Most fantasy football teams have one cheap striker, Ighalo looks a good choice for that slot this gameweek.
Three players to sell
Branislav Ivanovic
Fixture: Chelsea v Arsenal
Value: £6.8m
Selected by: 15.4%
If you’re one of those waiting for the Branislav Ivanovic of the past few seasons to finally show up this year, well the time has probably come to give up.
The Serbian defender has been awful in Chelsea’s opening games, and has fared particularly badly against fast players.
Baba Rahman looked comfortable for Premier League struggler’s Chelsea in the Champions League earlier this week. Jose Mourinho may opt to keep the youngster at left-back, and shift César Azpilicueta to right-back to replace Ivanovic.
It’s also difficult to justify spending so much on Ivanovic when he’s played so poorly. Ditch him.
Memphis Depay
Fixture: Southampton v Manchester United
Value: £8.4m
Selected by: 17.3%
Yes, he scored a nice goal in the Champions League earlier this week, but what has Memphis Depay done in the Premier League to justify his expensive fantasy football price, and high level of ownership?
The Manchester United winger’s Premier League career so far has amounted to the player either repeatedly being dispossessed, or shooting from unfavourable angles.
He’s also only scored 11 points in five games, the same amount as Riyad Mahrez registered last weekend.
Considering in-form midfielders, such as Mahrez and Andre Ayew, cost considerably less than Depay, it’d be wise get rid of the player.
He may have impressed against Club Brugge and PSV in the Champions League, but Memphis appears to be a million miles from being a top player.
Harry Kane
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Value: £9.4m
Selected by: 21.4%
Harry Kane has inevitably struggled to match last season’s incredible form. The Spurs’ striker looks devoid of confidence, as though he’s feeling the strain of the added pressure of expectation.
While it’s way too soon to write off Kane as a one-season wonder, it’d probably be wise to remove him from your team until he shows some level of form.
And, as we’ve previously argued for a positive Crystal Palace result on Sunday, Kane’s goal drought may continue.
