Last week was ultimately disappointing for our short term bets although Sergio Aguero did at least score a brace to put our long term bet onside. This week we will continue to look for value in the first goalscorer market using the stats provided by Inside FPL.
Looking at the numbers from last weekend the standout
performance was by Frank Lampard for
Chelsea at West Ham. Lampard played 90 minutes and had a total of 7 open play
shots (1 goal) to go along with his converted penalty. This is in marked
contrast to his early season performances where his expected goals per 90
minutes was far down on last season’s rate.
It was notable at Upton Park that playing in a midfield trio
alongside the more defensive John Obi Mikel and Ramires allowed Lamps far more
freedom to get forward than when he himself has to play one of the two holding
roles. Lampard is a tempting 9/1 (Bet365, BetVictor) to score first this
weekend at home to Southampton. Unfortunately, Chelsea’s insipid midweek
display in Basel may well cause Jose Mourinho to reshuffle his midfield pack –
this is one to wait for team news before pulling the trigger.
A key injury for bettors and Fantasy FPL players alike this
week was the fractured toe suffered by Everton’s Leighton Baines. Under David
Moyes, Baines was undoubtedly Everton’s key player with goals and assists
galore, but it would appear that Baines’ influence is waning under Roberto
Martinez. Analyst Colin Trainor at the excellent Statsbomb website pointed out last week that his key passes are down from 2.85 per 90 minutes to only
1.18.
With this in mind I have much more confidence in backing
man-mountain striker Romelu Lukaku to
open the scoring this week than I would previously. The Belgian’s supply line
is not as reliant on Baines as many may expect and Everton seem to have a
ready-made set piece replacement in Kevin Mirallas (Lukaku’s headed goal last
week was from a Mirallas corner). It is also
worth noting that penalty taking duties are now up for grabs and he seems
a leading candidate for that role. Let’s make Lukaku our first definite bet
this week at 5/1 (Bet365).
Finally, Chris Hughton is under increasing pressure at Norwich City but will be confident of getting a result at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Creating goalscoring chances remains a problem for both sides so a single goal may well be enough to win this one. The Inside FPL season to date ratings show that the player with the highest expected goals for Norwich this season is midfielder Leroy Fer. The Dutchman also has 2 in his last 2 games so let's back him to open the scoring here at 12/1 (Bet365).
Finally, Chris Hughton is under increasing pressure at Norwich City but will be confident of getting a result at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Creating goalscoring chances remains a problem for both sides so a single goal may well be enough to win this one. The Inside FPL season to date ratings show that the player with the highest expected goals for Norwich this season is midfielder Leroy Fer. The Dutchman also has 2 in his last 2 games so let's back him to open the scoring here at 12/1 (Bet365).
That’s all for this week, although if anyone has any
questions about any games I haven’t mentioned feel free to ask. Good luck!
Selections
Saturday – Everton v Stoke: Romelu Lukaku first goalscorer @
5/1 (Bet365)
Saturday – Norwich v Crystal Palace: Leroy Fer first
goalscorer @ 12/1 (Bet365)
Sunday – Chelsea v Southampton: Frank Lampard first
goalscorer @ 9/1 (Bet365, BetVictor) WAIT FOR TEAM NEWS
Previous Game Week
Saturday – Fulham v Swansea: Wilfried Bony first goalscorer
@ 11/2 (General) - LOST
Monday – WBA v Aston Villa: Gareth McAuley first goalscorer
@ 25/1 (General) - LOST
Long Term – Top PL Goalscorer 2013/14 – Sergio Aguero (each
way) @ 5/1 (general) - RUNNING
