Fantasy Football

WHISPER it quietly but Phil Foden (£6m) is on the rise in Dream Team.Make no mistake, the Manchester City midfielder has been a disappointment for Dream Team managers for most of the season.In fact, it could be argued that he has been the biggest flop compared to what he achieved last time around.Last season, Foden outperformed Bukayo Saka (£6.6m), Cole Palmer (£6.1m), Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) and every other midfielder as his 27-goal campaign (all competitions) resulted in a haul of prestigious individual awards.A player to watch closelyCredit: Dream TeamSo far in 2024/25, he’s mustered five goals and three assists from 22 appearances, with just two goals coming in the Premier League.In terms of Dream Team points, he’s miles off the pace of the frontrunners, 99 shy of Saka and 82 short of Palmer.However, Dream Team bosses should monitor Foden closely as few players are able to hoover up points at such a rapid rate when everything clicks.The England international’s current ownership of 8.4% is a far cry from the immense popularity he experienced last term but might that number increase ahead of Gameweek 19?Foden has earned 36 points across the last three Gameweeks, making him one of the most in-form players in his position.This fruitful burst has featured two goals, an assist and five bonus points.Most read in FootballIt’s taken a while but Foden is climbing the rankings slowlyCredit: ReutersHis ability to consistently pick up bonus points was a feature of his incredible 203/24 campaign and he ranks tenth among midfielders in the metric this season.Only four players have registered more accurate crosses than Foden and he wins plenty of fouls without giving many away – add in a pass completion rate of 88% plus some successful dribbles and it’s reliable recipe for bonus points.Many gaffers will want to see a greater upturn in form before they are tempted to recruit the 24 year-old, which is rational given he’s still the joint-sixth most expensive player in the game.But it’s a logical time to implement such a switch for those tempted.Foden averages a goal involvement every 93 minutes in the Champions League this seasonCredit: ReutersMan City are one of just six teams with six fixtures to fulfil across the next three Gameweeks.UPCOMING MANCHESTER CITY FIXTURESGW19: Salford (h), Brentford (a)GW20: Ipswich (a), PSG (a)GW21: Chelsea (h), Club Brugge (h)If Foden is able to maintain his current form then it would be reasonable to expect an influx of approximately 40-50 points before the end of the month, accounting for Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy.Whether he is able to sustain his recent returns is unknowable but he should be considered a viable option at this juncture.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

LIVERPOOL have provided plenty of Dream Team points so far this season but managers have been made to work for them at times.Mohamed Salah (£8.1m) is the outright top performer by a wide margin having passed the 300-point mark with his 21st goal of the campaign on Sunday.While Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m) and Virgil van Dijk (£5.2m) are leading the way among defenders with 168 and 150 points respectively.But given the Reds are top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables, one would expect more easily identifiable Dream Team success stories among Arne Slot’s squad.Salah is a banker but he appears in the majority of teamsCredit: AlamyLuis Diaz (£4.3m) boasts a healthy tally of 162 points but even he’s blown hot and cold.In fact, gaffers have been incredibly indecisive when it comes to the Colombia international.The 27 year-old winger has been among the five most transferred-out players five times since Gameweek 8 but he’s also been among the five most recruited players the same number of times.Dream Team bosses playing hokey-cokey with Diaz has been a consistent theme this season.Elsewhere in midfield, Alexis Mac Allister (£4.1m), Ryan Gravenberch (£3.8m), Curtis Jones (£3.6m) and Dominik Szoboszlai (£3.8m) have had their moments but all average between 4.3 and 4.9 points-per-game, which is respectable but nothing more.In, out, in, out…Credit: GettyDiogo Jota (£4.4m) started the season in fine form but an injury derailed his progress; a familiar story for the unfortunate Portuguese forward in recent years.Most read in FootballBut perhaps Cody Gakpo (£4.8m) has what it takes to be a long-term option for gaffers who want another Liverpool threat to accompany Salah?At the time of writing, only the Egyptian superstar has earned more points than the Dutchman from his last three outings among all forwards.Gakpo’s emphatic strike against Manchester United was his third goal in as many games, a fruitful run that has yielded 32 points.Widening the lens, the 25-year-old has racked up 80 points from 11 appearances since the November international break, a spell that has featured six goals and two assists.Gakpo has been in good form recentlyCredit: ReutersGakpo is categorised as a forward in Dream Team but has generally been deployed as a left winger this term, a role he fulfilled for Netherlands with great effect at Euro 2024.His minutes may concern some gaffers as Slot continues to shuffle his attacking talents, with Salah being the obvious exception.Ultimately though, points are what matters most and Gakpo has provided more than his fair share of late.He’s locked in a fascinating battle with several others in a race to be the third forward to reach the 200-point mark after Salah and Erling Haaland (£7.8m).MOST POINTS AMONG DREAM TEAM FORWARDS THIS SEASON:Mohamed Salah – 305 ptsErling Haaland – 237 ptsDominic Solanke – 179 ptsAlexander Isak – 176 ptsCody Gakpo – 174 ptsMatheus Cunha – 166 ptsAmad Diallo – 160 ptsKai Havertz – 155 ptsREAD MORE SUN STORIESA quick look at the schedule suggests it might be wise to stock up on Liverpool assets.The league leaders are one of just three teams with EIGHT fixtures to fulfil across the next four Gameweeks.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

MUCH has been made of Manchester City’s reliance on Erling Haaland (£7.8m) for goals this season.The Norwegian poacher is on course for another prolific campaign having reached 21 goals in all competitions but only one of his team-mates, Phil Foden (£6m), has notched five at the time of writing.It’s telling that left-back Josko Gvardiol (£4.4m) is the defending champions’ third top scorer this term with four goals to his name.Haaland is set for another big goal tally but City need goals from elsewhereCredit: PAAmong others, summer signing Savinho (£4m) has been criticised for not chipping in with goals from out wide.In previous years, the likes of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez have scored lorry-loads of goals from the flanks in Pep Guardiola’s system but the Brazil international does not have the same eye for goal at this stage of his career.In fact, Savinho scored his first goal in his 23rd appearance for his new club when he lashed home from close range against Leicester in Gameweek 17.However, while the 20-year-old may lack goal threat at present, he’s been the most creative player in Guardiola’s ranks since his arrival.Savinho is Man City’s leading assist providerCredit: ReutersHe registered three assists in Saturday’s 4-1 win over West Ham to take his tally for 2024/25 into double figures.MOST ASSISTS FOR MANCHESTER CITY THIS SEASON:10 – Savinho6 – Matheus Nunes4 – Kevin De Bruyne4 – Jeremy Doku4 – Bernardo Silva4 – Rico Lewis3 – Phil FodenMost read in FootballSavinho also leads the way for big chances created among his team-mates with 12 in all competitions.And it’s this impressive creative output that has made him Dream Team’s most in-form midfielder.The ex-Girona winger has taken 36 points from his last three outings, one more than Bryan Mbeumo (£4.5m).Haaland seems to enjoy Savinho’s selfless style of playCredit: ReutersSuddenly, it appears that not only is Savinho a viable option, he might be smart selection for the foreseeable future.Man City are one of just six teams with six fixtures to fulfil across the next three Gameweeks: Salford, Brentford, Ipswich, PSG, Chelsea, Club Brugge.It’s difficult for Dream Team managers to predict minutes for City midfielders but Savinho has looked more effective than the likes of Jeremy Doku (£4.4m) and Jack Grealish (£3.2m) lately, something Guardiola would have noted.Haaland seems to be enjoying the old-school service from the young Brazilian – the pair have combined for three goals in the last two games.Savinho has another string to his bow in the form of bonus points; he’s amassed 28 at this stage.Ryan Gravenberch (£3.8m), James Maddison (£4.4m) and Youri Tielemans (£3.7m) are the only players above him in the metric.A man in formCredit: PAThe main reason for this is his silky dribbling ability.Only Morgan Rogers (£3.5m) has completed more successful dribbles in all competitions this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESBetween his creative output and penchant for bonus points, Savinho’s lack of goal threat is barely an issue at all.His current ownership of 3% makes him a tempting differential option ahead of Gameweek 19.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

BRYAN MBEUMO (£4.5m) is arguably Dream Team’s pound-for-pound champion this season.Mohamed Salah (£8.1m) is the runaway points leader but Brentford’s talisman is the romantic choice for MVP (excuse the Americanism) purely for how he has defied logic from the get-go.No European fixtures? No problem!Credit: GettyMbeumo is currently Gameweek 18’s standout performer having amassed 23 points at Southampton’s expense on Saturday.MBEUMO’S PERFORMANCE AGAINST SOUTHAMPTON:90 minutes played (+2 pts)2 goals (+12 pts)1 assist (+3 pts)3 shots on target (+3 pts)2 big chances created (+2 pts)3 tackles (+1 pt)The Cameroon international’s best haul of the campaign has propelled him up the rankings.With an overall total of 196 points, he’s currently fifth among all players and third among assets in his position – Bukayo Saka (£6.6m) and Cole Palmer (£6.1m) being the only midfielders with more points to their name.Saka remains Dream Team’s top midfielder but Palmer and Mbeumo are closing the gap while Arsenal’s No7 is injuredCredit: GettyMbeumo’s lofty status is particularly impressive because he’s achieved his mountainous points total from league appearances plus 133 Carabao Cup minutes.Of the top 20 performers this season, 15 of them are active in either the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League.Without European commitments to bolster his schedule, Mbeumo generally has fewer point-scoring opportunities at his disposal.Most read in FootballFor comparison, he’s played 288 mins fewer than Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) so far this season, the man immediately below him in the rankings.That Mbeumo has defied this disparity to outscore the Manchester United playmaker (and several other high-profile stars) is a measure of blistering domestic form.Mbeumo is on course for 20+ league goals this seasonCredit: RexHaving bagged a brace against Saints, he now has 13 league goals from 20 outings – Salah and Erling Haaland (£7.8m) are the only players ahead of him in the Golden Boot race.A lack of European fixtures is just one hurdle the 25-year-old has vaulted without complaint.There’s no denying Southampton are easy pickings at present but the Bees have faced a relatively tough run of fixtures since the start of December.Prior to their St Mary’s respite, Thomas Frank’s side faced Aston Villa, Newcastle (x2), Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Arsenal.Four of those teams are currently in the top five of the table while the other two (Villa and Brighton) are inside the top half.Dream Team managers would have been well within their rights to expect a downturn in returns from a player throughout such a run but Mbeumo has emerged on the other side with an improved rank.He has notched eight goal involvements since the start of December.Mbeumo has overcome the odds to become a top-tier Dream Team assetCredit: ReutersHis schedule doesn’t ease much this month either with Manchester City and Liverpool due in West London after an FA Cup meeting with Plymouth.But Mbeumo’s owners won’t be too concerned given the way he’s made a mockery of the fixture list this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhether he’s able to sustain an average of 8.5 points-per-game until May remains to be seen but he deserves heaps of credit for his output to this point.Another reminder that there is no foolproof formula for Dream Team, which is what makes it such a compelling game.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

WHAT a difference a week makes.Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m) was cock of the walk when his 19-point return against West Ham was the best haul among all Dream Team defenders for Gameweek 17.However, Gameweek 18 is shaping up to be the polar opposite as the Liverpool right-back failed to register a single point against Manchester United on Sunday.How quickly things can changeCredit: Dream TeamAlexander-Arnold was undoubtedly the hosts’ weak link at Anfield, vulnerable in defence and uncharastically inaccurate in possession, he was booked just prior to his substitution to leave him on zero points.That the England international’s shaky performance came in the wake of an audacious offer from Real Madrid is probably no coincidence.Alexander-Arnold’s contract expires at the end of the season with a free transfer to the Spanish giants increasingly likely, though Los Blancos are seemingly prepared to part with cash to make the move happen this month.It may be that the 26-year-old simply suffered an off-day against the Red Devils but fans and pundits alike have been quick to question his mentality amid speculation over his future.Alexander-Arnold struggled against Man UnitedCredit: GettyAs a general rule, Dream Team managers shouldn’t overreact to one bad game.Alexander-Arnold remains the game’s top defender with an impressive total of 168 points to his name, 18 more than his closest rival at the time of writing.Among defenders, only Antonee Robinson (£4.1m) has provided more assists but Liverpool’s homegrown star leads the way for big chances created, not to mention his tally of 11 clean sheets.Most read in FootballAn ownership of 27.7% makes Alexander-Arnold the most popular asset in his position.However, it’s notable that he’s currently among the top five most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 19 – some gaffers have seen enough.Slot ultimately hooked Alexander-Arnold on SundayCredit: ReutersA January switch to Real Madrid would throw a huge spanner in the works, simultaneously making Conor Bradley (£2.9m) a potential mega bargain.There’s still time for Alexander-Arnold to turn this Gameweek around with the Reds set to face Tottenham in a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday night.It will be very interesting to see how Arne Slot views that match-up in North London in terms of team selection.If Bradley gets the nod to start then Alexander-Arnold’s ownership will surely drop further.Alexander-Arnold remains Dream Team’s top defenderCredit: EPAFor many, the bulk of this talk will be premature and/or nonsensical.Alexander-Arnold’s average of seven points-per-game is the headline here, not one rare mishap.Even accounting for his goose egg against Man United, he’s still among the game’s most in-form defenders, such was the impressive nature of his previous returns.The best case scenario is that Liverpool commit to retaining their first-choice right-back for the remainder of the campaign and Slot is able to refocus one of his most important cogs.READ MORE SUN STORIESGiven Liverpool are one of just three teams (Arsenal and Spurs being the other two) with eight fixtures to fulfil between Gameweeks 19 and 22, gaffers should be extremely reluctant to ditch their Anfield residents.That being said, the Alexander-Arnold situation is one to monitor closely.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More