With 6 Gameweeks to go, fantasy managers should be looking at preparing for their respective title scraps by maximising their points potential for the run in and without doubt people will want to squeeze in as many big hitters as possible to achieve this.
To get the likes of Aguero, Ibrahimovic, Kane, Costa, Sanchez and Hazard in your team there needs to be placeholders such as Mason Holgate, Jack Stephens and Eldin Jakupovic in your squad.
Looking ahead at the remaining fixtures there is a clear advantage to owners of player from Arsenal, Man Utd. And Southampton. Each of these teams will play 8 games in the final 6 gameweeks, meaning 2 double gameweeks for each team.
A further 8 clubs have 7 games remaining to play, which mean the following teams have one double gameweek to contend with.
Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Man City, Middleborough, Sunderland, Tottenham and Watford.
The remaining 9 clubs in league only have 6 games to play this season, a sound strategy would be to load up on players who have the most games left to play, as more games means more minutes, which means more points without needing to worry about goals, assists and clean sheets.
Teams with 8 games remaining
At 7.4, attacking midfielder Theo Walcott represents excellent value in the Arsenal attack and a differential points prospect against the highly owned Alexis Sanchez.
Man Utd.
The most credible Man Utd. option is Ibrahimovic but at 11.4, not everyone will want to splash out. Wise money could be spent on Marcos Rojo at 5.2, or David De Gea at 5.4, for those worried about the United’s back four being rotated.
Of the 3 clubs Southampton have the toughest run of games but there are plenty of options for people to consider; these will primarily be transfer enablers to allow money to be spent elsewhere.
In defence Jack Stephens (4.1) and Yoshida (4.4) have been mainstays in centre back since January and look to be safe to continue here until May. At right back Cedric at 4.8 may provide more of an attacking threat for a less frugal manager.
In midfield Dusan Tadic is 7.1 but profilic in assists, smarter money could be spent on new England international James Ward-Prowse at 5.0, or 6.6 could be invested up front in Manolo Gabbidiani should his excellent form continue when he returns from injury.
Teams with 7 games remaining
Chelsea
Marcos Alonso, although at 6.8 is expensive in defence, but he is playing as a winger for a club that is top of the table.
For your money you’re getting a player who has returned 5 goals, 4 assists and 12 clean sheets from the 25 games he’s played more than 60 minutes in this season and being honest if you don’t already own him at this stage of the season, you’re playing the game wrong.
The only other budget options are Pedro at 7.1 and Victor Moses at 5.5.
Crystal Palace
Palace also have a tough 7 games but offer up Wayne Hennessy at 4.3 in goals and attacking wing back Jeffrey Schlupp at 4.7.
In midfield Zaha (5.8) is in excellent form and up front Benteke (7.1), both are more than capable of scoring against any opposition.
Leicester
The only budget option here is defender, Benalouane (4.0) who’s place will be under immediate threat when club captain Wes Morgan returns from injury.
Man City
City have begun to look more solid at the back and John Stones is available at 4.7. He isn’t the best at defending himself but fortunately Pep hasn’t seemed to notice and keeps selecting him.
In attack Sterling can be bought at 7.6 and Gabriel Jesus (8.7) may be fit by the time City’s game in hand against a West Brom side who are already on the beach is refixed. Jesus would prove a money saver and differential to Aguero.
Middleborough
Although all but doomed Boro don’t like to score goals, being the most goal shy team in the league with 22 strikes to date, you would have to look as high as Everton in 7th to find a better defensive record. Boro with 27 goals conceded have unsurprisingly conceded less goals than Europa League qualification candidates Liverpool (28).
To get guaranteed minutes and save points Valdez at 4.6 looks the best value for money here in favour of any defender as assists don’t seem to plentiful at the Riverside
De Roon at 4.4, is Boro’s top scoring midfielder, is a credible option as a 5th midfielder.
Sunderland
Another struggling team provide a good budget option in goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (4.1).
Tottenham
Title challengers Spurs have their players priced accordingly but there is value in Lloris (5.5) and Veronghen (5.6). Ben Davies (4.9), in for injured Danny Rose is an option for those who throw caution to the wind.
Heung-Min Son at 7.1 is in great form but his place in the team may come under threat from a reshuffle with Harry Kane returning to the starting XI.
Watford
The Hornets have a tough run which makes it hard to justify 4.6 on Holebas in defence. Watford captain Troy Deeney (6.9) has returned 10 goals and 4 assists in the 28 games he’s played more than 60 minutes in to date making him an option up front.
And the rest
The remaining clubs only have 6 games this season. Unless you are wildcarding or looking to cut costs, transfers may be ‘wasted’ buying in players from these teams, some players are worth holding on to.
Bournemouth
Josh King (5.9) is an in-form striker classed as midfielder with a favourable run in.
Hull
Jakupovic (4.1) is in good form for a club on the rise, also with a nice run in.
Everton
Holgate is 4.0 and he will play the remaining 6 games for Everton barring injury. Much like Alonso, if you don’t own him you may be playing a different game than Fantasy Football.
Pennington is available at 3.9 and has featured in the last 3 games but his place in the team is far from assured.
Stoke
Geoff Cameron is a 4.2 defender, playing in midfield for a club capable of shutting out any opposition.
Swansea
Federico Fernandez in defence is 4.2 for those looking for a budget defender getting gametime.
Tom Carroll a 4.2 midfielder who has been a mainstay since signing for the club.
West Ham
James Collins (4.2) has been playing lately and tends to be summoned up for any and all set pieces so worth a look at if you are on a wildcard and looking to save money.
