Dream Team

MANCHESTER CITY vs Bournemouth promised a wealth of Dream Team points and the most one-sided match-up in English football delivered.But not in the way many Dream Team managers predicted.
Pep Guardiola’s side scored six goals at the Etihad but Erling Haaland (£7.6m) had to settle for just the one point as he was substituted at half-time with an ankle niggle after missing out on the fun in the first 45 minutes.
A frustrating afternoon for Dream Team’s top points scorerCredit: Getty
The next most-popular City assets in the world of Dream Team after the Norwegian poacher are Kyle Walker (£3.5m), Julian Alvarez (£4.6m) and Ederson (£3.6m) – all three registered just two points each.
It’s rare that a team’s four most-selected players all miss out when the side in question wins 6-1 but that’s exactly what happened on Saturday.
However, Haaland and Alvarez’s loss was Jeremy Doku’s (£3.9m) gain.
The tricky winger produced an exhibition in front of his home fans, directly contributing to FIVE of the six goals for 21-point return.
At the time of writing, he’s comfortably Gameweek 11’s top performer.
ElectricCredit: Dream Team
The Cherries held relatively firm for half an hour before Doku opened the scoring after a neat one-two with Rodri (£4.1m).
Once the floodgates were open, the 21-year-old toyed with Andoni Iraola’s beleaguered troops, showing off his quick feet and devastating acceleration.
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He went on to register FOUR assists, setting up Manuel Akanji (£4.4m), Phil Foden (£4.5m) and Bernardo Silva (£3.6m) twice.
Doku made his name with his dribbling ability but, after the game, Guardiola made a point of highlighting his contribution to the team’s approach play.
The Belgium international’s acceleration and willingness to take on defenders is what makes him entertaining but it was his composed decision-making in the final third that made him so effective against Bournemouth at the weekend.
Doku’s 21-point haul has propelled him up to tenth in the Dream Team midfield rankings – he’s now above the likes of Kaoru Mitoma (£4m), Dominik Szoboszlai (£4m) and Declan Rice (£4m).
A full-back’s worst nightmareCredit: Getty
Juggling Man City assets is a huge aspect of Dream Team as the treble-winners produce so many points between them but Gameweek 11 has been another reminder of how difficult it can be to happen upon the optimum combination.
At the time of writing, Doku appears in just 5.2% of teams – a reflection of his uncertain status in the pecking order.
The ex-Rennes winger has impressed every time he’s taken to the pitch but Jack Grealish (£4.1m) was selected to start the Manchester derby in Gameweek 10 and the latter justified the decision with an accomplished display.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the England international start on the left wing against Young Boys in midweek.

Doku hoards points when he’s on the pitch but the reason for his relatively modest Dream Team ownership is because he’s played just 654 minutes – less than half available.
However, given the electric nature of his start to life on English soil, Doku will surely start more often in the coming weeks and months.
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Rotation is inevitable with Guardiola, Dream Team gaffers know that better than anyone, but it’s generally worth the risk as forgoing City midfielders altogether means sacrificing a mountain of points.
It will be interesting to see how many managers recruit Doku ahead of Gameweek 12.

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DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news ahead of Gameweek 11 in one easily digestible dose.Manchester United’s injury crisis has worsened with the news that Casemiro (£4m) will be sidelined for “a few weeks” with a hamstring strain.
Victor Lindelof (£2.1m) is also a doubt for the Red Devils’s trip to Fulham having come down with illness.
Luis Diaz (£3.6m) has trained with Liverpool this week but it’s not yet known whether the Colombian winger will travel to Luton amid an ongoing family issue of significant severity.

PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN AN XBOX SERIES X!

Erik ten Hag won’t be able to call upon Casemiro for a few weeksCredit: Dream Team
Alex Moreno (£2.5m) may be involved for Aston Villa at the City Ground this weekend.
The Spanish left-back hasn’t featured since the end of the last season, when he had established himself as a regular starter over Lucas Digne (£2.6m).
Key midfielders Lucas Paqueta (£3.7m) and Edson Alvarez (£2.1m) are both suspended for West Ham’s trip to Brentford.
Kurt Zouma (£2.2m) has “trained a little bit” but the centre-back remains a doubt.
Gameweek 11 comes too soon for Pervis Estupinan (£3.2m) but Tariq Lamptey (£2.1m) is available for Brighton ahead of their visit to Goodison Park.
Gary O’Neil confirmed what most Dream Team bosses already expected when he told journalists that Pedro Neto (£3.2m) won’t return before the international break.
The in-form winger pulled up with a hamstring injury against Newcastle last weekend.
Neto was in impressive form before his hamstring injuryCredit: Getty
Kevin De Bruyne (£6.7m) is Manchester City’s only absentee with Manuel Akanji (£4.4m) having served his suspension.
Pep Guardiola has previously suggested that Phil Foden (£4.5m) and Julian Alvarez (£4.7m) are playing through minor niggles but the pair remain fully available.
Reece James (£4.2m) lasted an hour of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup victory over Blackburn in midweek and will assessed ahead of Monday night’s highly-anticipated meeting with Tottenham.
Mykhailo Mudryk (£2.8m) returned to full training at Cobham this week.
Eddie Howe told reporters that he didn’t expect any of Newcastle’s injured players to return – meaning Alexander Isak (£4.2m) and Sven Botman (£4.1m) remain unavailable.
Martin Odegaard (£5m) is expected to start at St James’ Park having been named as a substitute in Arsenal’s last two games.
The Gunners’ captain came off the bench to score a consolation goal in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Both Emile Smith Rowe (£2.3m) and Gabriel Jesus (£5.2m) will be sidelined until after the international break at least.
Odegaard should return to Arsenal’s starting line-up this weekendCredit: Rex
Roy Hodgson confirmed that Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) will be among Crystal Palace’s squad this weekend.
The Eagles’ No10 was among the best midfielders in Dream Team prior to his injury.

ARSENAL
Injuries: Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe
Suspensions: None
ASTON VILLA
Injuries: Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia,, Jacob Ramsey, Alex Moreno (doubt), John Duran (doubt)
Suspensions: None
BOURNEMOUTH
Injuries: Ryan Fredericks, Emiliano Marcondes, Tyler Adams, Neto, Darren Randolph (doubt)
Suspensions: Lewis Cook
BRENTFORD
Injuries: Shandon Baptiste, Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade, Keane Lewis-Potter
Suspensions: Ivan Toney
BRIGHTON
Injuries: Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder, Pervis Estupinan, Solly March, Danny Welbeck
Suspensions: None
BURNLEY
Injuries: Michael Obafemi, Hjalmar Ekdal, Manuel Benson, Jordan Beyer (doubt), Aaron Ramsey, Lyle Foster
Suspensions: Josh Cullen
CHELSEA
Injuries: Trevoh Chalobah, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja (doubt), Mykhailo Mudryk (doubt)
Suspensions: None
CRYSTAL PALACE
Injuries: Michael Olise, James Tomkins, Dean Henderson
Suspensions: None
EVERTON
Injuries: Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli, Andre Gomes
Suspensions: None
FULHAM
Injuries: Tosin Adarabioyo, Adama Traore, Kenny Tete, Issa Diop
Suspensions: None
LIVERPOOL
Injuries: Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, Andy Robertson, Ben Doak
Suspensions: None
LUTON
Injuries: Dan Potts, Jordan Clark, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Amari’i Bell, Mads Andersen, Reece Burke
Suspensions: None
MANCHESTER CITY
Injuries: Kevin De Bruyne
Suspensions: None
MANCHESTER UNITED
Injuries: Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro
Suspensions: None
NEWCASTLE
Injuries: Javier Manquillo, Joe Willock, Emil Krath, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, Elliot Anderson, Matt Targett
Suspensions: None
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Injuries: Danilo, Gonzalo Montiel, Felipe, Divock Origi, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood (doubt)
Suspensions: None
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Injuries: Rhys Norrington-Davies, Daniel Jebbison, Max Lowe, Will Osula, John Egan, Chris Basham, Tom Davies, Oli McBurnie, Anel Ahmedhodzic
Suspensions: None
TOTTENHAM
Injuries: Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Alfie Whiteman, Manor Solomon, Destiny Udogie (doubt), Ben Davies
Suspensions: None
WEST HAM
Injuries: Kurt Zouma (doubt)
Suspensions: Edson Alvarez, Lucas Paqueta
WOLVES
Injuries: Hugo Bueno, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (doubt), Joe Hodge, Pedro Neto
Suspensions: None

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IT’S Groundhog Day for Dream Team managers.Once again we’re on the eve of a mouthwatering Gameweek debating whether to captain Erling Haaland (£7.5m) or Mohamed Salah (£6.7m).
The prolific pair are the top two points scorers in the game and each have two fixtures at their disposal.
Let’s analyse each of the standout options before throwing in some wildcard alternatives for the thrill-seekers out there…

PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN AN XBOX SERIES X!

Cream of the cropCredit: Dream Team
The first thing to note is that Haaland has banked 45 points across his last three outings.
After a quieter period (by his standards) the Norwegian cyborg has scored five goals across the last two Gameweeks to restore normal order and retake his place at the top of rankings.
And it’s hard to envisage anything other than another deluge of points in Gameweek 11.
Manchester City welcome Bournemouth to the Etihad this weekend in what is statistically the most one-sided match-up in English football history.
The Cherries have never beaten the Eastlands club and things have only got worse since they reached the dizzying heights of the football pyramid – it’s 12 defeats from 12 in the Premier League.
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The reigning champions average over three goals scored per game against Bournemouth in the top flight and with Pep Guardiola’s men having produced arguably their best performance of the season at Old Trafford last week, all signs point to one-way traffic in favour of the hosts this Saturday.
Then in midweek, City host Young Boys in the Champions League.
They beat the same opponents 3-1 in Gameweek 9 and, truth be told, that result flattered the Swiss outfit.
In conclusion, an in-form Haaland has two extremely favourable fixtures both at Etihad this coming Gameweek.
Any Dream Team gaffer who bets against him in terms of the captain’s armband is either immensely brave or critically naive.
A force to be reckoned withCredit: Getty
It’s a measure of Salah’s Dream Team pedigree that he’s even a viable captaincy option in Gameweek 11 given Haaland’s situation.
Liverpool’s No11 has registered more Dream Team points than any other player since he landed back on English soil in 2017.
An ever-reliable performer, the Egyptian superstar has been particularly successful of late, amassing 47 points across the last three Gameweeks.
Having underwhelmed last season, the Reds have rediscovered something close to their best form this term and look incredibly strong in attack, where Salah remains the primary threat among several appealing options.
Jurgen Klopp’s troops face Luton and Toulouse in the coming days – another friendly double header on paper.
The Hatters have scraped together just five points from ten games since promotion while the Ligue 1 side lost 5-1 at Anfield last week.
A modern Dream Team legendCredit: Getty
However, both of Salah’s Gameweek 11 fixtures are set to take place on the road – a slight disadvantage compared to Haaland’s luxury of back-to-back home games.
Plus, there’s no guarantee the 31-year-old will even feature against Toulouse on Thursday night – he’s played 82 minutes across three Europa League fixtures in 2023/24.
Salah is always a strong option but justifying him over Haaland for captain this week is difficult – his time will come again.

Some quickfire alternatives for the adrenaline junkies:
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Jarrod Bowen (£4.9m) vs Brentford (a), Olympiakos (h)
Ollie Watkins (£4.7m) vs Nottingham Forest (a), AZ Alkmaar (h)
Bruno Fernandes (£5.6m) vs Fulham (a), Copenhagen (a)
Ederson (£3.5m) vs Bournemouth (h), Young Boys (h)
Kaoru Mitoma (£4m) vs Everton (a), Ajax (a)

Good luck to all Dream Team bosses ahead of Gameweek 11 – it should be a cracker!

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THERE’S more than one way to win money with Dream Team this season.And nothing highlights this more than Gameweek 10’s winner, Neil Wilkinson, who banked £100 through blind loyalty to his beloved Everton.

PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN AN XBOX SERIES X!

A perfect week for EvertonCredit: Dream Team
Against all logic, Neil selected an XI made up exclusively of Sean Dyche’s troops ahead of fixtures against West Ham and Burnley.
The Toffees beat the Hammers 1-0 at the London Stadium before booking their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over the Clarets on Wednesday.
Incredibly, this meant Neil’s joke team – and let’s not beat around the bush, it is a joke team – racked up 199 points by the end of Gameweek 10!
There’s something brilliant about a partisan fan out-performing every other Dream Team manager in the world, many of whom spend hours digging through stats in hope of finding an edge, to win the weekly cash prize.
A work of artCredit: Dream Team
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£2.6m) scored his side’s winner in East London last weekend to bag nine points but it was Vitaliy Mykolenko (£2.4m) who was the big winner in that fixture.
The 0.1%-owned full-back registered six tackles and a bonus point on top of his clean sheet for an 11-point return – he added another eight against Vincent Kompany’s mob.
Everton’s No9 turned from scorer to creator in midweek with an assist against Burnley to finish with 14 points for the Gameweek – his best haul in a long while.
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Jack Harrison (£2.6m) and Dwight McNeil (£2.6m) provided an assist each across the two fixtures, pocketing nine and 13 points respectively.

Not that it matters now, but Neil actually made a mistake captaining Abdoulaye Doucoure (£3m) as the 30-year-old notched just four points, making him the second-worst performer in his XI.
As for Michael Keane (£1.9m), he didn’t play a single minute in Gameweek 10 – if only Neil had backed Ashley Young (£1.6m) as his fifth defender, who poached 16 points via a goal and clean sheet in midweek.
Back in the grooveCredit: Getty
Still, there no point focusing on wasted opportunities when the activation of the Park the Bus Booster meant James Tarkowski (£2.4m), Jarrad Branthwaite (£1.6m), Nathan Patterson (£1.5m) and Mykolenko combined for 132 points!
A pair of clean sheets also meant Jordan Pickford (£2.5m) registered almost a third of his total season points.
What else is there to say about this hilariously effective XI?
Neil’s strategy isn’t going to win him any Mini Leagues come the end of the season but he’s earned himself a £100 playing Dream Team – how many gaffers can say that?
A victory for class clowns everywhere!

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