Fantasy Football

Crystal Palace are not a “one-man team” by any stretch of the imagination.Such a moniker was perhaps appropriate for the Eagles at times during Wilfried Zaha’s tenure in South London but these days it’s very much a team effort at Selhurst Park.
That being said, there’s no doubt Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) is a key player for the current crop.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN A £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

A natural footballerCredit: Dream Team
Dream Team managers know this as well as the Palace fans as the 25-year-old was among the very best assets in his position up until Gameweek 7, at which point a hamstring injury sidelined him for the duration of October.
In the 132 minutes he’s played since returning to full fitness, Eze has banked 15 points.
Palace’s No10 came off the bench to provide an assist against Burnley in Gameweek 11 and he scored against Everton just prior to the international break.
Essentially, he’s picked up where he left off.

It will be interesting to see how many Dream Team gaffers transfer Eze into their teams ahead of Gameweek 13.
Hodgson’s side aren’t among the eight teams set to pull double duty via the European competitions but their Premier League fixture is a favourable one in the form of a trip to Luton.
Most read in Football
The Hatters mustered an impressive draw against Liverpool last time out at Kenilworth Road but the fact remains they have registered just one win since promotion (away to Everton) and they’re only above the relegation zone right now because of the Toffees’ recent points deduction.
Eze hopes to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024Credit: Willie Vass
Without being harsh on Rob Edwards’ men, they represent a friendly match-up in the world of Dream Team.
And given that Eze averages 7.1 points-per-game this season, it seems reasonable to expect a decent haul.
For context, Jarrod Bowen (£5.2m), James Maddison (£4.2m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) are the only midfielders who average more points-per-game in 2023/24.
This isn’t a short-term punt either as every Premier League team will play twice in Gameweek 14 and Eze’s double of West Ham and Bournemouth looks relatively favourable on paper.
No discussion of Eze’s Dream Team viability would be complete without a mention of bonus points.
The England international has earned 23 bonus points this campaign.
James Ward-Prowse (£4.2m) is the only player with more to his name and that’s largely because he’s played five games more than Eze, who boasts impressive dribbling statistics.
Eze currently features in 4.4% of teams – making him a potentially brilliant differential option.

talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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. Begambleaware.org More

THE international break rumbles on but Dream Team managers will already have their eyes on this weekend’s Premier League action.Manchester City v Liverpool leads an engrossing Gameweek 13 in which eight clubs are set to pull double duty via the European competitions.
With club football having paused momentarily, some gaffers may need reminding of Dream Team’s most in-form players.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN A £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

Foden and Jackson are among the most in-form players Dream Team has to offerCredit: Dream Team
Here’s the current top ten based on average points-per-game across each asset’s last three fixtures.
DREAM TEAM’S MOST IN-FORM PLAYERS:

Erling Haaland (£7.7m) – 11 points-per-game (across last three outings)
Nicolas Jackson (£3m) – 10.3
Cole Palmer (£3m) – 9.7
Phil Foden (£4.7m) – 9.3
Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) – 9.3
Vitaliy Mykolenko (£2.9m) – 9
Raheem Sterling (£3.8m) – 9
Simon Adingra (£2.8m) – 8.7
Jermey Doku (£4.2m) – 8.7
Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m) – 8.3

As is often the case, City’s prolific No9 leads the way having scored braces against Young Boys and Chelsea just prior to the international break.
In fact, Haaland has notched a mighty 78 points since the start of Gameweek 9 – a run that includes nine goals in six games.
Hot on the Norwegian’s heels is Chelsea’s 22-year-old forward who has rectified his early-season wastefulness of late.
Most read in Football
Jackson missed a host of clear-cut chances in his first few appearances for the Blues but since then he followed up a hat-trick against Tottenham with a goal in the thrilling 4-4 draw with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Granted, the Senegal international benefited from the unique nature of the game against Spurs – the hosts went down to nine men and continued to hold an ultra high defensive line – but a return of 29 points across his last two outings is undeniable.
Whether he’ll be able to continue his improved form going forward remains to be seen as Mauricio Pochettino’s men face Newcastle, Brighton and Manchester United in the next two Gameweeks.
Top of the treeCredit: PA
Jackson’s team-mate completes the podium off the back of his clutch penalty against his former club.
Palmer’s spot-kicks have significantly increased his Dream Team viability and his general contributions to Chelsea’s upturn have not gone unnoticed.
The left-footed winger even earned a late call-up for England last week.
If the Chelsea pair could be considered surprise inclusions in this list then Foden and Saka should be seem as expected regulars.
Both are among an exclusive group of four midfielders with 100+ points to their name this season.
City’s homegrown hero earned the maximum available five bonus points amid the chaos at Stamford Bridge and has provided consistent returns for over a quarter of Dream Team bosses this term.
As for Arsenal’s No7, he continues to provide lorry-loads of points despite clearly being hampered by niggles.
Saka is the game’s top midfielder heading into Gameweek 13.
Rising starCredit: Rex
We’ve recently highlighted the prosperous form of Mykolenko, Sterling and Doku but Adingra’s efforts have flown under the radar until now.
Where Brighton are concerned, most eyes are on Kaoru Mitoma’s (£3.9m) returns but it’s the 21-year-old Ivorian who has cashed in against favourable opposition of late.
The Seagulls’ No24 scored one goal and assisted the other when Roberto De Zerbi’s side beat a beleaguered Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam.
Adingra then followed that up with a goal at home to Sheffield United in Gameweek 12 – all that adds up to 23 points across his last two fixtures.

Lastly, a reminder that individual players are capable of flourishing amid dysfunctional teams.
Man United have been out of sorts throughout 2023/24 so far but Fernandes’ personal stats are encouraging.
Four goals and three assists may seem no more than respectable but the Portugal international leads the way among midfielders in terms of both shots on target and big chances created.
Dream Team managers should always factor form into the equation when deciding upon their transfers.

talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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. Begambleaware.org More

INTERNATIONAL call-ups aren’t handed out solely based on Dream Team points – we know that.But what we also know is good individual performances contribute to high scoring points and should put you in the frame for one.
James Ward-Prowse was unlucky to miss out
So you may be surprised to learn that five of England’s top 10 players of the season so far aren’t included in Gareth Southgate’s latest squad to face Malta and North Macedonia.
The highest of those snubbed is West Ham midfielder James Ward-Prowse (£4.7m) who is a contentious call to many Three Lions supporters.
DREAM TEAM’S TOP TEN ENGLISH PLAYERS

Bukayo Saka – £6.5m – 130pts
Jarrod Bowen – £5.2m – 119pts
Ollie Watkins – £4.7m – 108pts
James Ward-Prowse – £4.2m – 106pts
Phil Foden – £4.7m – 105pts
Kieran Trippier – £5.4m – 103pts
James Maddison – £4.2m – 94pts
Anthony Gordon – £3.6m – 93pts
Raheem Sterling – £3.8m – 88pts
Nick Pope – £4.2m – 86pts

Ward-Prowse is amongst the cheapest of the top English scorers so far too at just £4.2m, with Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips surprisingly more-fancied than JWP.
His 106 points actually puts him 7th in the charts across ALL of Dream Team, highlighting his impact at the Hammers this term.
It’s Arsenal starboy Bukayo Saka who is the leading Lion at this stage of the season, with a cool 130 points despite his recent injury troubles.
More than one in three managers (37.8%) have put their faith in Saka and haven’t been let down, with 22 bonus points in total to his name.

No surprise to see Saka top the list
Jarrod Bowen (£5.2m) and Ollie Watkins (£4.7m) are second and third on 119 and 108 points, respectively.
Registered a midfielder, Bowen has 23.4% of manager’s trust in Dream Team, with a 7.4 points per gameweek average so far.
While Watkins is the highest English forward in the game, despite just 19.2% of managers backing him so far.
Phil Foden (£4.7m) is fifth on the English list, with Kieran Trippier (£5.4m) just two points behind him in sixth.
James Maddison (£4.2m) is the next of those not included in the latest squad, though he does miss out through injury and would have been a potential starter had he not been crocked.
Despite his well-documented, stunning start to the season, he’s just a point clear of Anthony Gordon (£3.6m) who has been snubbed altogether.
The U-21s hero has been a revelation for Newcastle this year, with Scotland reportedly circling to tempt him north for international football.
Gordon has shown top, consistent form for Newcastle
He has nine bonus points to his name from his 93 total so far and can count himself unlucky to have missed out.
Team-mate Nick Pope (£4.2m) will likely also feel aggrieved given his own solid form for Newcastle, particularly after seeing benchwarmer Aaron Ramsdale and Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone picked ahead of him.
Pope is tenth on the English list, which is just below Raheem Sterling (£3.8m), who has rightfully been singled out for praise given his return to top form at Chelsea.
Sterling’s last three gameweek scores read 18 – 6 – 8, showing his contribution to the Blues upturn in fortunes in recent weeks.
Southgate says the door is “100% open” for Sterling to return in the future – he’ll maybe just need to improve on his 15 bonus points to date!
talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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. Begambleaware.org More

THE November international break has arrived and that means one thing – recharging the Dream Team batteries ahead of the festive period.It’s a time for reflection. A time to analyse your performance against your pre-season goals. And, of course, a time to make those changes to get you closer to that mate of yours who seems to get lucky every week.
Fabian Schar has accumulated the most points of those defenders in less than 10% of teams
With injury issues creeping in for almost every club in the Premier League – some more than others – it’s vital you get a fit and healthy team on the pitch heading into this hectic period after the break.
It’s also imperative to pick up the hidden gems. Those players that deliver most weeks but very little managers have selected.
We’ve collected the top 10 best performing defenders up until now, which less than 10% of managers have included in their line-up. How many have you got?
Top 10 best performing defenders with More

GAMEWEEK 12 consists of just ten Premier League fixtures so that’s all Dream Team managers need to evaluate when deciding which player to captain.Erling Haaland (£7.6m) toyed with gaffers in Gameweek 11 as he was substituted amid Manchester City’s 6-1 victory over Bournemouth having twisted his ankle.
The prolific poacher registered just one point against the Cherries but he made up for that disappointment with a 15-point haul against Young Boys in midweek.
Manchester City’s No9 will always be the default captain when fit but a trip to Stamford Bridge this Sunday represents represents a trickier fixture – although Pep Guardiola’s side will start as favourites in West London.
The easy choice for a reasonCredit: Getty
PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN AN XBOX SERIES X!

For those who feel Gameweek 12 is a good time to take Haaland on, consider these alternatives for the armband…
Bukayo Saka (£6.3m)
Arsenal host Burnley on Saturday and so all eyes will once again be on the Gunners’ gifted No7.
Saka sent a message to his midfield rivals with a 21-point haul this Gameweek, mostly thanks to his fantastic display against Sevilla on Wednesday night.
The England winger has registered six goals and eight assists already this season and he’s now level with Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) on 22 bonus points at the top of that particular metric.
Most read in Football
The Clarets have lost nine of their 11 league games since promotion and only Sheffield United have conceded more goals.
Everything seems aligned for another Saka masterclass this weekend but one potential drawback is his latest availability concern.
The 22-year-old limped off in midweek for the what felt like the hundredth time this year but Mikel Arteta has made it clear Saka will always play if available, even if he can only operate at half capacity.
Dream Team bosses should keep their eyes and ears peeled for further updates but at this stage it seems likely Dream Team’s top midfielder will be unleashed upon the league’s second-worst defence and that dynamic alone makes him a worthy captain.
Dream Team’s best midfielder!Credit: Dream Team
Kieran Trippier (£5.5m)
Another potential to mismatch to target is Bournemouth v Newcastle.
The Cherries have conceded just as many goals as Burnley while Eddie Howe’s side are second only to City in terms of goals scored.
That would suggest it may be best to back an attacking asset among the visitors’ starting line-up but Trippier is just as likely to register attacking returns as he is to bag a clean sheet.
The reliable right-back has created nine big chances and provided seven assists in all competitions – he ranks in the top five for both metrics among all players.
He’s also one of the most prolific bonus point collectors – only Saka, Eze and James Maddison (£4.4m) have more to their name at this stage.

Ollie Watkins (£4.7m)
Aston Villa were dealt a reality check by Nottingham Forest last weekend but they have the luxury of a home fixture against Fulham this weekend.
Unai Emery’s troops have been rampant at Villa Park, scoring 20 goals in five league fixtures compared six goals in as many games on the road.
The Villains’ No11 is evidently his side’s primary threat in the final third – he’s notched six goals and eight assists so far in 2023/24.
Goal involvements have come freely for Watkins at Villa Park of lateCredit: Getty
Fulham are not the worst side in the league by any means but they’re massively dependant on Joao Palhinha (£3.4m), who is once again leading the way in terms of tackles among all Premier League players.
Only the three sides currently in the relegation zone have generated fewer xG than the Cottagers and their rank only marginally improves to 15th in terms of xGA (expected goals allowed – essentially measuring defensive quality).
All signs point to one-way traffic in the hosts’ favour and that should result in healthy returns for Watkins.
Some Dream Team gaffers may feel the captain’s armband is a bridge too far but Villa really are a formidable beast on home soil.
Kaoru Mitoma (£4m)
Perhaps too bold of a shout here as Brighton’s results have tailed off of late.
However, the Seagulls have the most favourable Premier League fixture possible on Sunday in the form of Sheffield United at home.
The Blades are bottom of the table having conceded 30 goals in 11 league fixtures.
Brave Dream Team bosses may choose to captain Mitoma in Gameweek 12Credit: Getty
Granted, Paul Heckingbottom’s men did beat Wolves last time out but if Brighton play at even 75% capacity there should be substantial points on offer for Mitoma.
Read More on The Sun
The skilful winger has banked 48 points across the last six Gameweeks and he may add to that tally if selected against Ajax this evening.
Make sure you lock in your captaincy selection before the 11:30am deadline this Saturday.

talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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. Begambleaware.org More

CHANGES to Dream Team’s scoring system have made defensive midfielders more viable than ever this season.However, gaffers should always be aware of which midfielders are leading the way in terms of goal involvements.
Bonus points, tackles and the like should certainly be considered but goals and assists remain the game’s primary currency.

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

Away day specialistCredit: Dream Team
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the midfield assets who have notched the most goal involvements so far this campaign.
MIDFIELDERS WITH MOST GOAL INVOLVEMENTS THIS SEASON:

Bukayo Saka (£6.3m) – 12 (five goals, seven assists)
Jarrow Bowen (£5m) – 11 (eight goals, three assists)
Bryan Mbeumo (£3.9m) – 9 (six goals, three assists)
Phil Foden (£4.5m) – 9 (five goals, four assists)
Jeremy Doku (£3.9m) – 9 (three goals, six assists)
James Maddison (£4.4m) – 9 – (three goals, six assists)
Pedro Neto (£3.2m) – 9 – (one goal, eight assists)

Arsenal’s No7 leads the way with a dozen goal involvements but West Ham’s top scorer edges out his international team-mate in pure goals.
Fittingly, the pair are the top two points-scorers among midfielders in Dream Team right now with Saka (109) one point ahead of Bowen (108) – further evidence of the unmatched importance of attacking returns.
The Gunners’ homegrown star tops the pile despite being hampered by persistent injury niggles – imagine the numbers he’ll rack up when he eventually gets back to 100%.
Most read in Football
A Dream Team favourite for a reasonCredit: Getty
Mbeumo’s presence in this list is mightily impressive given the Cameroon international doesn’t have midweek European fixtures to bolster his schedule.
All nine of his goal involvements have come in 11 league outings.
Many fans expected the 24-year-old to step up for Brentford during Ivan Toney’s suspension and he’s done just that throughout the first quarter of the season.
Foden is still a young man but he’s already carved out a reputation as a consistent Dream Team midfielder who delivers year upon year.
The talented playmaker has largely been immune to Pep Guardiola’s dreaded rotation policy this term – he came off the bench to score against Bournemouth at the weekend to prove he doesn’t need to play every minute of every game to tick along nicely.
And the same can be said of Doku to an even greater extent.
The skilful Belgian has played fewer than half the available minutes so far in 2023/24 and yet only Saka and Bowen have provided more goal involvements among midfielders.
In fact, Doku averages a goal or assist every 73.9 minutes for City – a stat that owes plenty to his recent exhibition against the Cherries.
An effective combinationCredit: Reuters
Looking forward, the rapid winger may be the biggest threat to Saka and Bowen’s respective statuses, if Guardiola gives in to the clamour for increased playing time for arguably the most exciting talent in the Premier League right now.
Like Mbeumo, all Maddison’s contributions have come in the Premier League and these stats only tell half the story of the positive impact provided by Tottenham’s No10.
Barring the unique nature of their defeat to Chelsea on Monday night, Ange Postecoglou’s side have impressed and their playmaker-in-chief has been at the heart of a swashbuckling attacking unit.
On top of his goals and assists, Maddison has racked up 21 bonus points – the second-highest total – and ranks highly for shots and target and big chances created.
His availability question mark is a massive talking point in the realm of Dream Team as he’s currently the game’s most-selected player after Erling Haaland (£7.6m).

Maddison’s fitness is a concernCredit: Getty
Wolves’ talisman completes this list although his Dream Team viability is null and void while he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Read More on The Sun
Neto boasts the joint-highest assist tally alongside Ollie Watkins (£4.7m) among all players and it’s probably not a coincidence than his side’s run of five unbeaten games came to an end in his absence with a shock defeat to Sheffield United last weekend.
Dream Team bosses should endeavour to keep track of which midfielders are racking up the most goal involvements throughout the season.

talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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. Begambleaware.org More