Trends From The Top A look to Gameweek 34
Welcome to this week’s edition of Trends From the Top. This is a particularly exciting edition of Trends as we are premiering for the first time on FF247! For those not familiar with this piece, we take a look at the top ten performing managers via fantasy.premierleague.com in an attempt to recognize distinct, successful trends which may help us moving forward to the next upcoming gameweek as we all look to personally climb and advance within our leagues. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at gameweek 33 results from our top ten fantasy leaders.
Who was the most captained player by the top ten for Gameweek 33?
It should serve as little shock that Sergio Aguero was given the armband from 9 of the top 10 managers. With 2 goals in gameweek 32, his 5 week drought without goals was over and it does in fact seem he is nearly back on top and form as he was able to clinch a goal against West Ham in GW33 thus providing his managers with 12 points. The remaining manager selected Murray (4 points).
[divider_1px]
Who were the most popular players chosen by the top ten for Gameweek 33?
Goalkeepers: For gameweek 33, the most popular goalie was Krul as he was selected by 50% of the top ten. Myhill received 30% followed by Heaton and Hart each with 10% ownership.
Defenders: Only 11 defenders made the list for our top players and when we look at defenders for Gameweek 33, we see one dominant player; Terry was selected by 90%. Terry was followed by Clyne at 50%, Wollscheid at 40%, Dawson, Ivanovic, Alderweireld, Baines, Fonte and Bertrand at 20% and finally Rose and Lescott with 10%.
Midfielders: When you look at midfielders, the top 10 managers had 12 different players. Unlike past weeks, where we would see less variety, this weekend, diversification of midfielders came into play. Hazard was the most popular pick with an ownership rate of 90% followed by Silva at 80%, Eriksen at 70%, Boyd at 30%, Bolasie and Mane at 20% and Yaya Toure, Walters, Mahrez, Gibson, Fabregas, and Cork each with 10%.
Forwards: This week, only 4 forwards made the cut. 90% of our leaders had Kane (50.7% ownership) and Aguero (25.9% ownership), 40% Murray (5.2% ownership) and 10% Vardy (5.2% ownership).
In summation, the Must-Haves for top managers for Gameweek 33 were Krul, Terry, Clyne, Eriksen, Kane, Hazard, Silva, and Aguero as they all had an ownership rate of 50% or higher.
[divider_1px]
Knowing that Gameweek 34 is a Double Gameweek for Chelsea, Hull, Liverpool and Leicester, how many DGW players were sitting on the bench and were there any trends?
Due to the fact that Chelsea* played in GW 33, this narrowed the pool down and as we know, Hazard had 90% ownership, Terry 90%, Ivanovic 20%, and Fabregas 10%. There were no Hull players to be found. In regards to Leicester, one top owner had Hamer on the bench. For Liverpool, we found Mignolet (10%), Skrtel (10%), and Moreno (10%).
While Liverpool, Leicester and Hull players were far and few between, we did see Sanchez at 40%, Ozil, van Aanholt and Naughton at 30% and finally, Foster and Dawson at 20%.
*4 out of the top 10 had Remy on the bench and didn’t play this week due to a muscle injury. He is still listed as having a 75% chance to play.
[divider_1px]
What do we know about our #1 manager?
The current leader, Atletico Marchid**(Simon March) of Singapore had NOT deployed his wildcard until the end of gameweek 33 (yesterday). Yes, our top leader’s wildcard is currently active for gameweek 34! This is huge and with a current lead of 24 points, I definitely see this as a major advantage as we approach the final gameweeks. He has the upper hand and I do predict that he will come out victorious. Simon also has a rather impressive fantasy football track record. In 2011/2012 he finished 6436 and in 2012/2013 he finished 3,833. Simon has maintained the #1 position for 10 weeks and has been in the top 10 for 16 weeks.
[divider_1px]
Other interesting facts:
The average score for Gameweek 33 among the top 10 was 59.9 points which is an impressive 21.9 points above the average of 38 for the week.
Singapore took the top spot! 50% of the managers are from England, 10% Algeria, 10% Australia, 10% Germany and 10% Pakistan.
Our manager in 11th (had previously held 8th place) is from Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands. Knowing absolutely nothing about this region, I came to discover that it has a very small population…2500 in change.
So there’s a reflective look at Gameweek 33.
Will knowing any of this information, impact or influence any fantasy football trades? Let us know in the comment section below and as always, best of luck in Gameweek 34!
[divider_1px]
How’s everyone going with their DGW plans?
I currently have 4 (Ivanovic, Hazard, Fabregas and Cambiasso) with 1 free, happy to take one hit, two at a push as they should pay for themselves if they play twice but can’t decide on who.
How are you lot getting on?
SH- I’d put Sterling & Coutinho at the top of that list for me. Coutinho if you’re chasing and Sterling if you’re leading maybe?
I’m a bit underwhelmed by both Sterling and Coutinho tbh, Sterling has played upfront and hasn’t really blown anyone away and I think Coutinho is a better footballer than a fantasy one, I’m finding it quite tricky as my mf is currently Hazard, Cambiasso, Hazard, Fabregas, Puncheon and Silva and they all look set for the weekend so not keen to change them.
I think I’m going to have to target their defence but I’m not sure I want to be doubling up but that does appeal all the same.
SH- I totally agree. Still I think Pool’s fixtures sway it for me. I’d expect both of them to have a say in the goals, whereas I’ve been underwhelmed with both Punch and Silva…and have binned them both with my WC!
If I had the WC I think I would have done the same with Puncheon but I want to keep Silva until 37.
So for people who have held their WC and using this week what are your plans for after the DGW? I assume you’ll have 3 Chelsea, Liverpool and maybe a couple others from Leicester or Hull.
Asking as I’m not sure whether to play it this week and go all out for the double but then be stuck for the last few weeks or keep it for after the DGW ( I have 2 FT and already 4dgw players) and pick a team to gather maximum points for the remaining weeks?
Thanks
Hey Shadow, so my WC is active and my first draft does have 3 Chelsea and 3 Pool. My thought is since both have good fixtures in GW35 I’ll try to hold my FT next week and make 2 (or just 1 now that I think about it) in advance of the Arsenal DGW.
Looks like either Fabs & Sterling out if I want Sanchez, Cazorla & Giroud or…. Fabs & Moreno out if I want ARS defense, Cazorla & Giroud.
Of course this game teaches you not to put too much stock int long-term plans!! 😉
Everyone seems to be talking about who to bring in for the DGW but what about WHO TO CAPTAIN? Which makes me assume everyone’s going w/ the imperious HAZARD?
Sanchez, my armband is currently on Haz and most likely to stay there.
FC Sanchez ,Hazard for me although I was toying with Srktel
Skrtel (c) cleanie + goal = not out of the realm of possibility (especially coming off of a bit of a break and being well-rested). Nicewon!
Funny you should say that as I’ve been toying with Ivanovic.
He’s been a DGW beast.
Hmmm. Tempting, eh? (High?) risk = high payoff.
He has smashed double weeks before and Chelsea will surely park the bus at the Emirates, 2 clean sheets is 24 points and throw a goal or assist in then it looks like a big score.
Would take big nads though.
Thanks for that Rebekah. Very interesting read and welcome to the interwebs premier fantasy football community!
Though your extensive research of the elite fantasy managers, are you able to tell me how many of the top 100 have owned Joey Barton at some point this season?
Asking for a friend.
Thanks!
Owned maybe, captained I wouldn’t have thought so! Back in the cellar chins
Hello. Noooooo idea here. Sorry. I can tell you for QPR’s dgw, none of the top 10 played him. He started with a price tag of 5.0 and now is priced at 4.8. His ownership is .2% of 3,490,180 so only about 6,980 players actually have him on their team. Based on that # alone and his poor performance, a good guess would be 0? And if they had him, I can only imagine they got rid of him and if not, perhaps this took them below the top 100? Thanks for the welcome.
My friend (codename OnkeT) says thanks for the reply Rebekah!
Got to go now. Got a dungeon to clean.
You’re very welcome. Your “friend” had a very unusual request as Joey Barton, I can’t imagine, would be in anyone’s lineup! No need to research him further as he would never serve as a Captain Pick or top pick…ever! (Especially GW 13
Evening Everybody. How’d everyone’s weekend go??
This is my current team I have 2 FTs and 1.2 mil in the bank. What’s the news on Silva I can’t find a definitive answer?
I’m thinking of selling Rose and Eriksen for Skrtel/Moreno and Sterling, but was thinking of taking a -8 hit for Pants out and Mignolet in and then depending on Silva sell him and bring in a Chelsea mid??
Too much changing or what do you guys think??
Where are you in your season Matt? As in, are you chasing or protecting a lead? If the latter I’d be cautious of going too gung-ho without a WC. In terms of timing, I would sit tight and wait for news re Silva. If he won’t make it, bin him for a Liverpool midfielder (Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho, in that order, for me) along with Rose for Skrtel. I would then play Krul vs Swansea who are a bit toothless in attack right now, and if you wanted a hit, replace Eriksen with a second Liverpool mid, or a Chelsea one if you can squeeze the cash from somewhere. If picking Henderson over Sterling getting Fabregas in, I might just take that punt. Tough to say for sure though.
Protecting a lead in one money league but chasing the the other
So you don’t think Migs is worth it?? I think I’ll bring in Skrtel and Sterling for Rose and Eriksen but if I do sell Silva I can bring Fab in for him aswell as the two Liverpool lads.
I haven’t seen much of Liverpool recently but their defence is a bit lacking in my view. Watching the goals Villa scored at the weekend, they are offering poor Migs little protection: he had no chance with either. Srktel is mainly a gamble for me because I fancy him to get his big bald head on a corner or two…I think getting Liverpool attack is a more solid bet, yes. And Fab, all day if you can.
Right so Migs is out. That’s the hope with Skrtel but Moreno could be a cheaper choice as he plays winger. The only way I can bring in Fab is by selling Silva so is it still worth it ??
Matt – I will be bringing Skrtel in for Rose myself, I do honestly feel he could score in one of the doubles but the wife is going for Moreno due to funds and I think Fab for Silva could be a massive shout! But why not bring Sterling in because he who dares, wins.. Obviously! Best of luck mate.
Cheers Shotts. I think I’ll take the -4 hit and bring in Skrtel, Fab and Sterling
Hi Matt, I may be on my own here but I actually think double Pool at the back this week may be worth it. West Brom have been poor prior to that Palace game and Hull have scored 12 in 17 home games I think it is.
Other than that decision I’d go Sterling and Skrtel for the other 2.
Hey Init, ye and somehow Migs is top goalkeeper last time I looked so it was interesting, but do you think it’s worth a -8 hit for:
Pants –> Migs
Rose –> Moreno ( haven’t the funds for Skrtel)
Eriksen –> Sterling
Silva –> Fab
Matt, firstly my apologies, I’m leading you a merry dance on the stats – those are Hull’s away from home, not at home. At home it’s 17 in 15 I think! Maybe. Sorry. Either way, they’re crap
I think it may be worth doing it. You’re getting another 2 back just for him turning up for the second game anyway so it’s a -2 hit really in isolation.
No need to apologise Init all I knew is Hull have been poor home and away this season.
Ye that’s what I was thinking but I feel Fab will more than make up for that. I’m just a bit disappointed I can’t bring in Skrtel and gave to settle for Moreno
I know what you mean Matt but he’s not exactly been lethal. 1 league goal all season. Moreno actually has 2.
True nothing like last season. I didn’t even remember Moreno’s 2nd goal till just now. I think that’s just convinced me to click the confirm transfer button.
Open question: is Harry Kane a season keeper? Would I be *utterly mental* to get rid of him while my WC is active for Giroud (who I bench vs Chelsea) and then play to the end of the season?
Basically, using the WC to get in three each from Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester (I believe fixtures and to lesser extent form merit this) will make it tricky to get the Arsenal guys in for their good fixtures beginning GW36. So I’m contemplating who I can get in and bench for this first week.
The same question of stick or twist applies to Bertrand and PvA, neither of whom are inspiring me much at the moment…. Thanks all!
That is a very tricky question mate. I was about to ask should I bench Giroud for this weekend or Kane (vs Southampton). I think Giroud is more likely to score goals Kane has slowed down a bit now and maybe he’s just getting tired, so maybe were both utterly crazy but I think selling Kane for Giroud is a reasonable move
I think bring PvA in for the DGW that Sunderland have in a few weeks until then leave him out.
Cheers Matt, I’ll solicit a few more opinions…I am not sure that we aren’t both just crazy myself!!
Haha I’ll be keeping an eye out for those opinions as now I know I’m not the only one thinking it my mind is really telling me to sell but I’m still not sure
Pippin,
Looking at their remaining games, and Sherwood’s tactical genius, I’d consider a Kane>Benteke swap. Tim has the big man firing on all cylinders, whereas Spurs look to be moving towards the beaches (Newcastle was a blip-they’re playing horribly, and may well get relegated).
Curious….but I like it! Ki, I will check it out- thanks pal!