Dream Team

REMEMBER when a tanked-up Jack Grealish (£4.2m) took a swipe at Miguel Almiron (£1.8m) during Manchester City’s league title celebrations?The England international used the Newcastle winger as a point of reference for a poor performance when gently ribbing Riyad Mahrez (£4.8m) during his slurred commentary of the open-top bus parade.
Well, life comes at you fast.
At this stage of the 2022/23 season, Grealish has one goal to his name compared to the hard-working Paraguayan’s tally of four.
Talk now, Jack!Credit: getty
Almiron has been a key figure in two comprehensive victories for the Magpies this month – he scored a brace in a 4-1 win against Fulham in Game Week 8 and bagged on Saturday as Eddie Howe’s side thrashed Brentford 5-1.
This prosperous spell has made the 28-year-old the best value-for-money midfielder Dream Team has to offer.
Currently available for just £1.8m, Almiron is the 14th-best asset in his position having earned 34 points.
That may may sound underwhelming to some so let’s frame it another way – he’s just eight points behind James Maddison (£5.2m) who is the fourth-best midfielder right now.
When it comes to healthy returns for little investment, Almiron is the standout asset in his position.
It’s fair to say his points have come as a surprise considering he registered one goal and no assists in 30 Premier League appearances last season.
In fact, 2022/23 is already Almiron’s joint-best ever campaign in terms of league goals on English soil.
Almiron is enjoying a rare spell of fruitful form
Just 2.1% of Dream Team bosses are currently backing Newcastle’s No24 but should more people hop aboard the bandwagon?
Truthfully, it’s hard to say as history suggests Almiron is not a viable long-term Dream Team asset but it would be remiss to ignore the fact Newcastle are on the rise – they’re up to sixth after two big wins.
Howe’s men face Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa before the end of the month and given two of those teams are currently above them in the table it’s hardly a favourable run.
Still, any gaffer in need of a bargain midfielder simply has to consider Almiron because of what he’s achieved so far this campaign.

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DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and selection updates ahead of Game Week 8 in one easily digestible dose.Aleksandar Mitrovic’s (£4.5m) injury isn’t as bad as first feared but Marco Silva said the Serbian forward was still ‘a doubt’ for Fulham’s visit to West Ham on Sunday.
The Cottagers’ No9 is expected to return for certain against Bournemouth in Game Week 10.
Matt Cash (£2.4m) is available for selection again having returned to training following a hamstring issue but Aston Villa may be without Leon Bailey (£2.5m) this weekend.
Wesley Fofana (£3.2m) will be out for a few weeks but the Chelsea centre-back’s knee injury is not as bad as initially feared.
Graham Potter added that Marc Cucurella (£3m) ‘will be involved’ but N’Golo Kante (£2.8m) is yet not ready to participate as the Blues host Wolves on Saturday.
Fofana was forced off against Milan in midweek
Wilfred Ndidi (£1.7m) is once again struggling with a hamstring injury and will be sidelined for a few weeks.
Eddie Howe told reporters that Newcastle’s backroom staff are taking a cautious approach with Alexander Isak (£3.6m) saying that the Sweden international ‘won’t be out for too long’.
The Magpies may be able to call upon Allan Saint-Maximin (£3.4m) as they host Brentford on Saturday as the French dribbler has ‘trained well’ this week – Joelinton (£2.5m) is available.
Pedro Neto’s (£2.5m) ankle injury requires surgery and the Portuguese youngster has sadly been ruled out of the World Cup, meaning December is his earliest possible return date.
Andy Robertson (£4.6m) and Curtis Jones (£2m) are both ‘close’ to regaining full fitness but the suggestion from Jurgen Klopp at his press conference was that Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates on Sunday comes too soon.
Luis Sinisterra (£3.2m) will serve his one-match suspensions having been shown two yellow cards against Aston Villa last weekend.
Kyle Walker (£3.8m) has undergone surgery on his groin and will be out for a few weeks, possibly even missing the World Cup.
Walker is a doubt for the World CupCredit: getty
ARSENAL
Injuries: Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe
Suspensions: None
ASTON VILLA
Injuries: Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, Ludwig Augustinsson, Leon Bailey (doubt), Calum Chambers
Suspensions: None
BOURNEMOUTH
Injuries: David Brooks, Joe Rothwell (doubt), Lloyd Kelly, Ben Pearson (doubt), Ryan Fredericks (doubt), Junior Stanislas
Suspensions: None
BRENTFORD
Injuries: Pontus Jansson, Keane Lewis-Potter, Christian Norgaard
Suspensions: None
BRIGHTON
Injuries: Jakub Moder, Enock Mwepu, Moises Caicedo (doubt)
Suspensions: None
CHELSEA
Injuries: N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana
Suspensions: None
CRYSTAL PALACE
Injuries: Jack Butland, Nathan Ferguson, James McArthur, Nathaniel Clyne, Joachim Andersen (doubt)
Suspensions: None
EVERTON
Injuries: Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (doubt), Andros Townsend, Mason Holgate, Nathan Patterson
Suspensions: None
FULHAM
Injuries: Harry Wilson, Manor Solomon, Aleksandar Mitrovic (doubt), Tete (doubt), Willian, Layvin Kurzawa (doubt)
Suspensions: Nathaniel Chalobah
LEEDS
Injuries: Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray, Leo Hjelde
Suspensions: Luis Sinisterra
LEICESTER
Injuries: Ryan Bertrand, Ricardo Pereira, Nampalys Mendy, Wilfred Ndidi
Suspensions: None
LIVERPOOL
Injuries: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andy Robertson, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones
Suspensions: None
MAN CITY
Injuries: Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips, John Stones
Suspensions: None
MAN UNITED
Injuries: Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams, Donny van de Beek, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane (doubt)
Suspensions: None
NEWCASTLE
Injuries: Emil Krath, Jonjo Shelvey, Allan Saint-Maximin (doubt), Alexander Isak, Karl Darlow
Suspensions: None
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Injuries: Omar Richards, Moussa Niakhate
Suspensions: None
SOUTHAMPTON
Injuries: Tino Livramento, Romeo Lavia, Adam Armstrong (doubt)
Suspensions: None
SPURS
Injuries: Lucas Moura, Dejan Kulusevski
Suspensions: Emerson Royal
WEST HAM
Injuries: Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet
WOLVES
Injuries: Chiquinho, Raul Jimenez, Sasa, Kalajdzic, Pedro Neto, Hwang Hee-chan
Suspensions: Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins

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THAT’S another Game Week in the can and Dream Team gaffer Daniel Ford deserves a round of applause for racking up the most points.The West Brom fan’s XI, Beating Chastards (very funny, Daniel), produced a whopping 180 points this past week.
Before we take a closer look at how he did it, a shout out too for Luis Da Cunha who looks to have claimed the monthly prize for September’s competition – once the necessary checks are complete he will receive a brand new PlayStation 5!
Our October competition gets underway this weekend so keep an eye on the monthly leaderboard, there’s another PS5 up for grabs.

That’s Daniel’s team in full and it’s a pleasing mix of heavy-hitters and savvy differentials.
For example, Illan Meslier (£1.7m) appears in just 1.3% of teams and yet no goalkeeper achieved more points in Game Week 8 than the young Frenchman.
Leeds played much of the foul-ridden second half against Aston Villa with ten men last weekend and the 22-year-old was required to make six saves to earn the hosts a point at Elland Road – he was rewarded with the Star Man award.
Daniel also backed the top-scoring defender of Game Week 8 in the form of Reece James (£5.6m).
Chelsea’s rampaging wing-back provided an assist and scored one for himself as the Blues beat Milan 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
James was quite clearly the best player on the pitch and he bagged the Star Man award to bank 20 points in one fell swoop.
It was also a profitable midweek for Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.9m) who scored a beautiful free-kick against Rangers en route to a 17-point haul, though it’s worth noting he incurred minus three at home to Brighton.
Completing Daniel’s set of England right-backs, Kieran Trippier (£3.8m) had to settle for just three points as Newcastle allowed Fulham a consolation goal.
Still, the Magpies defender remains the fourth-best asset in his position overall.
Meslier was Star Man against VillaCredit: getty
Kevin De Bruyne (£7.5m) and Phil Foden (£6.5m) were both rested against Copenhagen on Wednesday night but still they combined for 30 points in Game Week 8 with the latter’s hat-trick in the Manchester derby forming the bulk of the returns.
The Manchester City pair are the two best midfielders in the game currently with the Belgian six points behind his younger team-mate.
Usually we would advise Dream Team bosses to stay clear of defensive-minded midfielders so pairing Declan Rice (£2.3m) with Granit Xhaka (£2.6m) is something of a red flag.
Saying that, we should perhaps give credit to Daniel for recognising that the Switzerland international is taking up advanced positions more often this season.
Xhaka has scored two goals and provided three assists in eight league games so far with his latest strike coming in Arsenal’s north London derby victory last Saturday.
The 30-year-old was booked against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday but he still earned seven points for the week – Rice mustered just two points and only has six overall.
Xhaka has five goal involvements in eight league games in 2022/23Credit: getty
Up front, of course Daniel backed world football’s most in-form goal machine, Erling Haaland (£9m).
The Norwegian pocketed 45 points in Game Week 8 by virtue of five goals across two fixtures – incredibly that’s not even his biggest Game Week haul of the season.
Gabriel Jesus (£5.9m) cemented his his status as Dream Team’s second-best forward with an 18-point haul.
A goal and a Star Man award meant he took 13 off Tottenham and he registered an assist and 7+ rating after coming off the bench in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Brazilian has amassed 63 points from eight Game Weeks at an average of 6.3 points-per-game, justifying his immense popularity (58.8% ownership).
Last but most certainly not least, Daniel’s stroke of genius, Leandro Trossard (£3.9m).
Just 0.3% of gaffers have put their faith in Brighton’s Belgian dynamo but that slim minority were rewarded with a 28-point influx when he notched a hat-trick at Anfield last weekend.
Good luck to all Dream Team managers ahead of Game Week 9, here’s hoping you can emulate Daniel’s brilliance!

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TRANSFERS will be refreshed on Friday morning and that news will come as a mighty relief for many Dream Team managers.The season has skipped along rapidly in the last few weeks and with the games coming thick and fast until the World Cup, gaffers need to make sure their XI is in tip-top shape, especially with our monthly competition for October set to get underway – there’s another PlayStation 5 for for grabs!
In the spirit of generosity, we’ve thought up three transfer suggestions based on form fluctuations, upcoming fixtures and instinct.
Before we get into the meat of things, a bit of housekeeping: if these specific recommendations don’t apply to your XI you should at least be able to extrapolate the logic.
Also, we’re not going to patronise you by suggesting players like Erling Haaland (£8.7m), Harry Kane (£7.5m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£7.5m) as there’s nothing we can tell you that you don’t already know about the mainstream options.
OUT: Andy Robertson (£4.6m)/Kyle Walker (£4m), IN: Sergio Gomez (£3.7m)
Gomez appears in just 0.3% of teams right now
Walker and Robertson are currently injured and even if the latter were to return this weekend we would still recommend giving him the boot as Liverpool’s defence simply isn’t right at the moment.
The Reds may have kept a clean sheet against Rangers on Tuesday but they shipped three to Brighton last weekend and were fortunate to escape further punishment.
Perfectionist Pep Guardiola will have been annoyed that his side ended up conceding three to Man United given his side’s dominance in the derby but Manchester City defenders have generally been worth the investment.
With Walker expected to be on the sidelines for a few weeks, it’s likely that Joao Cancelo (£7.6m) will play at right-back with Gomez occupying left-back – as seen against Copenhagen on Wednesday night.
The 21-year-old Spaniard helped himself to ten points against the Danish outfit and looks like a smart differential given the circumstances – how often do you see a City player with an ownership of just 0.3%?
The outlook may look different when Walker returns but Gomez could be a brilliant selection for the rest of October.
OUT: Aleksandar Mitrovic (£4.7m), IN: Gabriel Martinelli (£3.3m)/James Maddison (£4.9m)
Fulham’s in-form No9 limped off in the first half against Newcastle last weekend and while the injury is not said to be significant, 13.4% of Dream Team gaffers will need to find a replacement, if only for the short term.
Bringing in Martinelli for Mitrovic has the added benefit of enhancing your budget considerably, possibly facilitating a much-needed upgrade elsewhere.
Statistically the Premier League’s best dribbler this season
Financial gains aside, the energetic Brazilian is a fine option in his own right having registered 39 points so far, a tally bettered by only eight other forwards.
Arsenal appear to be the greatest threat to Man City’s league crown with the Gunners having won seven of their eight fixtures so far.
Their No11 has scored three goals and provided an assist in that time and perhaps deserved more given the threat he’s posed on the left flank – no Premier League player has completed more dribbles at this stage.
This weekend Martinelli will be up against Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.6m) who you may have noticed is hardly the most impenetrable defender around right now.
Not only that, Mikel Arteta’s side have plenty of fixtures to fulfil in the coming weeks – point-scoring opportunities galore.
Alternatively, Mitrovic owners could switch formation and recruit Maddison if they have a little extra budget to hand.
Leicester’s No10 banked 19 points on Monday night and while he won’t have the luxury of going up against Nottingham Forest’s porous defence every week, he looks capable of goals and assists every time he steps onto a pitch in current form.
OUT: James Ward-Prowse (£3.9m), IN: Ilkay Gundogan (£3.9m)/Bukayo Saka (£4.1m)/Jarrod Bowen (£4.1m)
Apologies, JWP…Credit: getty
Southampton’s skipper has been consistent performer in Dream Team for the last couple of years but 17 points from eight outings this term is an underwhelming return for a midfielder in his price bracket.
When you consider that an additional £0.2m gets you either Saka or Bowen, two wingers with European fixtures to bolster their schedules, it’s a no-brainer.
In regards to West Ham’s No20, he started the season slowly but has looked more like the version of himself that ripped up Dream Team last term in his most recent outings – he pocketed 13 points at the weekend and may add to that against Anderlecht this evening.
Or for no extra investment you could bring in Gundogan who has ten more points than Ward-Prowse at this juncture.
You don’t need us to explain the contrasting fortunes of Man City and Saints this season and as chance would have it, the two teams will meet at the Etihad on Saturday.

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REMEMBER a few weeks ago when everyone even remotely involved in football spent some time comparing Erling Haaland (£8.7m) and Darwin Nunez (£4.8m)?It felt natural at the time given the pair were the brand-new centre-forwards for Manchester City and Liverpool respectively, the two standout Premier League teams in recent times.
At this current juncture though, such a comparison feels cruel to the Uruguayan striker given Pep Guardiola’s new No9 has embarked on a record-breaking flying start to the 2022/23 campaign.
Nunez has mustered one goal in all competitions to Haaland’s 17, a deficit formed in part because of the former’s three-game suspension for violent conduct.
The gulf between the two is most apparent when browsing the Dream Team rankings.
The Norway international has a frankly obscene 153 points after seven and a half Game Weeks while Liverpool’s No27 has scrimped just ten.
The goals aren’t coming for Nunez just yetCredit: getty
In Nunez’s defence, everyone’s numbers look pathetic next to Haaland’s but the more pressing point for Dream Team managers to consider concerns the hierarchy of forwards at Anfield right now.
Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) has earned his untouchable status and while he hasn’t been at his fluent best this term, it’s a measure of his pedigree that he’s registered four goals and three assists in ten outings so far.
The prolific Egyptian has 46 points to his name at this stage, a tally bettered by just six other assets in his position.
So while Salah is not leading the way as he did this time last year, he’s providing healthy returns for the 31.4% of gaffers backing him.
The big surprise is that Roberto Firmino (£3.4m) has rolled back the years in recent weeks.
Having fulfilled a more subsidiary role last term, the technically-sound Brazilian has stepped up with five goals and three assists in 420 minutes of Premier League action this campaign.
His brace against Brighton at the weekend helped the Reds claim a point from a game in which they were on the back foot for sustained periods.
If Jurgen Klopp is to pick his starting line-up on form for his side’s visit to Arsenal on Sunday then Firmino will be the man to lead the line.
Firmino is in great form this seasonCredit: getty
Nunez started against Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday night and while his movement caused plenty of problems, the goalscoring touch still evades him.
Diogo Jota (£4.4m) is also in the mix of course but the Portugal international has been limited to just 26 minutes of league action this season, his Dream Team viability is on the floor currently.
What’s really interesting is the contrast between Firmino and Nunez’s cost and ownership relative to their respective points.
The former has 45 points, costs just £3.4m, and currently features in 2.9% of teams while the latter is 35 points behind, costs £4.8m, and has an ownership of 13%.
The fact is, after eight Game Weeks, Firmino has been one of the best value-for-money assets in his position while Nunez has desperately disappointed.

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THE last phrase reasonably-minded Premier League observers would use to describe Leeds is: defensively soild.Marcelo Bielsa’s adrenaline-fuelled play style may no longer be witnessed at Elland Road but Jesse Marsch still believes in the importance of energy, intensity and high pressing.
While this approach has worked at times this season, most notably at home to Chelsea, it does tend to leave them vulnerable to quick transitions if press-resistant opponents are able to weather the initial storm.
Ten goals conceded after seven league games is plenty respectable and a figure that aligns with the Whites’ current mid-table position.
However, those who frequently watch Leeds games will have noted that while the likes of Jack Harrison (£3.5m), Luis Sinisterra (£3.3m) and Rodrigo (£2.4m) are capable of providing plenty of threat, it would be a stretch to describe the side as tight and organised in defence.
Hear us out…Credit: getty
Certainly Leeds are not the porous pushovers they were at the end of El Loco’s reign with the additions of Tyler Adams (£1.9m) and Marc Roca (£1.7m) forming a midfield double pivot that has provided increased protection for the back four.
Marsch’s troops did well to hold out for a draw against Aston Villa on Sunday despite Sinisterra’s red card early in the second half for their second clean sheet of the campaign, the first being that impressive 3-0 win over Chelsea.
Half the league goals they have conceded this season came in one game, a capitulation away to Brentford masterminded by hat-trick hero Ivan Toney (£4.9m).
Despite that notable setback, Pascal Struijk (£1.4m) has managed to accumulate 23 Dream Team points, putting him just outside the top ten assets in his position.
This is notable because the Dutch defender is right at the cheapest end of the price range and, at the time of writing, he’s outscoring the likes of Reece James (£5.3m), Virgil van Dijk (£5m), Kyle Walker (£4m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.6m) and plenty of other individuals who take up a sizeable chunk of a gaffer’s budget.
23 points is a very respectable return at this stageCredit: getty
Struijk has been playing slightly out of position this term, filling in at left-back while Junior Firpo (£1.5m) and utility man Stuart Dallas have been sidelined with injury.
While the 23-year-old is limited going forward, he’s put his natural defensive instincts to good use.
Struijk ranks highly for several relevant metrics such as tackles, successful pressure percentage, blocks, etc.
And it’s these stats that have ensured he’s ticked over with occasional 7+ ratings even when Leeds haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet.
Add in an assist and a Star Man award and we’ve solved the mystery of how a £1.4m defender has been able to punch above his weight.
3.8% of Dream Team gaffers have enjoyed Struijk’s value-for-money points
Whether Struijk is an asset to target going forward is a separate issue as generally you want all your defenders representing teams that are more defensively resolute than Leeds but his bargain price is appealing.
If recruiting him allows you afford a dream front line of Erling Haaland (£8.7m), Harry Kane (£7.5m) and Gabriel Jesus (£5.7m) then it may be a worthwhile pursuit.
However, be aware that Firpo came off the bench against Villa at the weekend and since Struijk is a centre-back by trade, his spot in the starting line-up isn’t necessarily assured.
Still, how often do you see a £1.4m above Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk in the rankings?

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