Fantasy Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Captaincy options & Booster strategies for Gameweek 6: Midweek Carabao Cup fixtures difficult to predict

      by

      DREAM TEAM managers have the luxury of a late deadline for Gameweek 6.The three Saturday 3pm kick-offs are the first eligible fixtures which means gaffers have until 2pm the same day to decide upon their strategy.

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – PLAYSTATION 5 UP FOR GRABS!

      Dream Team’s top dogsCredit: Getty
      CAPTAINCY OPTIONS
      Here’s the thing, as long as Erling Haaland (£8.2m) is fit he will continue to be the obvious choice for captaincy.
      Those who strapped the armband to the Norwegian poacher in Gameweek 5 saw his 20 points doubled to 40 for another massive return.
      It’s a measure of the treble-winner’s pedigree that he was able to claim such a haul despite missing FIVE big chances against West Ham and failing to convert any of his six shots against Red Star Belgrade.
      However, it’s worth noting that Julian Alvarez (£4.3m) outscored his team-mate by nine points in Gameweek 5 and so any gaffer brave enough to have captained the World Cup winner would have been rewarded with +18-point swing over those who played it safe with Haaland.
      Manchester City host Nottingham Forest this Saturday before a trip to St James’ Park for a Carabao Cup showdown with Newcastle on Wednesday night.
      Once again, both Haaland and Alvarez look well placed to build upon their sizeable points tallies but which one will come out on top in Gameweek 6?
      Most read in Football
      It wouldn’t be all that surprising if one or both of the in-form forwards were rested against the Magpies, to some extent at least.
      Will Manchester United’s luck turn this weekend?Credit: Dream Team
      This leaves the door open for the possibility of alternative captaincy options if Dream Team bosses felt confident they could predict which players will start two games in Gameweek 6.
      For example, will Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) start against Fulham on Saturday and against Manchester United on Tuesday?
      Crystal Palace don’t have European commitments to juggle and so they may as well give it a go in the domestic cups.
      If that’s how Roy Hodgson sees it then the Eagles’ No10 is certainly a viable captaincy candidate.
      Eze has amassed 50 points at this stage, only two midfielders have more, and he’s the player who has collected the most bonus points – 17 of them in six outings.
      Equally, Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) would be a superb option if his participation in midweek was known.
      Manchester United are on a bad run but they travel to Turf Moor on Saturday to face a Burnley side with just one point from a possible 12 in the league.
      The Portuguese playmaker leads the way in terms of big chances created among midfielders and he ranks highly for tackles too.
      In fine formCredit: AP
      Pedro Neto (£3m) could be considered an outside-the-box option as he’s due to face Luton and Ipswich this coming Gameweek.
      The Wolves winger has provided four assists and earned 13 bonus points, a tally only bettered by James Maddison (£4.3m) and the aforementioned Eze.
      However, it should be noted that the 23-year-old didn’t feature at all in his side’s previous Carabao Cup fixture so his minutes aren’t assured by any means.
      Since it’s probably best to prioritise the weekend’s Premier League games, Kieran Trippier (£5.2m) may well be a worthy captain.
      Newcastle’s reliable right-back racked up 17 points last Gameweek thanks to back-to-back clean sheets and with Sheffield United up next he could make it three in a row.
      The Blades have looked vulnerable at set-pieces so Trippier he also fancy his chances of notching his first assist of the campaign.

      How Dream Team managers feel implementing their strategiesCredit: Getty
      BOOSTER STRATEGIES
      The midweek fixtures are certainly a spanner in the works as it’s difficult to predict the starting line-ups with rotation expected from the majority of clubs.
      It therefore may be wise to hold off on activating a Booster.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Remember, each Booster can only be played once per season and while it’s shrewd to deploy them on double Gameweeks, the uncertainty around the Carabao Cup line-ups introduces an unnecessary level of risk.
      Good luck to any gaffers boldly playing a Booster this coming Gameweek – there are certainly favourable match-ups which could yield healthy returns if the fixtures can be deciphered.

      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

    • 225 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Nick Pope & James Ward-Prowse star in best XI of Gameweek 5 – top gaffer now £100 richer!

      by

      HAPPY with your performance in Gameweek 5?Just imagine how Chris Davison is feeling having outscored every other Dream Team manager in the world.
      Chris’ XI racked up a gigantic tally of 231 points this past week, almost doubling his overall score for the season.
      Let’s take a closer look at how he used Dream Team to enhance his bank balance to the tune of £100…

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – PLAYSTATION 5 UP FOR GRABS!

      Gameweek 5’s conquerorsCredit: Dream Team
      As expected, Chris made use of the Park the Bus Booster to double all his defenders’ points in Gameweek 5.
      It’s advisable to opt for a formation with five at the back when activating the most powerful Booster in the game but it’s hard to criticise Chris given the performance of his XI.
      Nick Pope (£3.9m) soared to the top of the goalkeeper rankings with a 19-point haul after back-to-back clean sheets against Brentford and Milan.
      The Newcastle custodian was his side’s hero in Italy on Tuesday night as he held firm to register EIGHT saves – a rearguard that earned him four additional points.
      Kieran Trippier (£5.2m), Fabian Schar (£3.8m) and Dan Burn (£3.4m) also benefited from the Magpies’ defensive fortitude – the trio combined for 50 points which Chris doubled to a century!
      Most read in Dream Team
      Milan’s baneCredit: Dream Team
      Lucas Digne (£2.2m) was unable to contribute to a clean sheet in either of his Gameweek 5 fixtures but he compensated with attacking returns.
      The Aston Villa left-back provided an assist against Crystal Palace at the weekend and scored against Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
      However, Chris’ greatest stroke of genius was his decision to strap the captain’s armband to James Ward-Prowse (£3.8m).
      West Ham’s set-piece specialist managed to take Manchester City for 12 points on Saturday before a masterful display at home to Backa Topola in the Europa League on Thursday night.
      Only five midfielders have more points than Ward-Prowse after five Gameweeks – what a signing he’s proving to be for the Hammers.
      Bruno Guimaraes (£2.8m) mustered just five points from his two outings while Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) added six thanks to another three bonus points.
      Crystal Palace’s No10 is hoarding bonus points so far this season, mostly thanks to his unmatched dribbling ability.
      Hammer blowCredit: Getty
      It’s a sign of Bukayo Saka’s (£6.2m) standing among Dream Team gaffers that his return of 17 points in Gameweek 5 was essentially normal service.
      Arsenal’s No7 provided the assists for his side’s winning goal at Goodison Park before setting up another against PSV in addition to a goal of his own.
      Dream Team’s top midfielder has six goal involvements already this season – no wonder he features in 52.2% of teams.

      Naturally, Chris is among the overwhelming majority of Dream Team bosses with Erling Haaland (£8.2m) up front.
      Manchester City’s prolific poacher endured one of his more frustrating weeks as he missed FIVE big chances against West Ham before finally bagging his goal.
      The ball wouldn’t fall for him at home to Red Star Belgrade in midweek either and yet still he pouched 20 points from the two outings, such is his pedigree.
      Chris racked up a massive score in Gameweek 5 despite Isak’s blankCredit: Getty
      Chris is probably more interested in his £100 winnings but after he’s enjoyed a celebratory drink he may need to think about replacing Alexander Isak (£3.9m).
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The Sweden international has produced nine points between Gameweeks 2 and 5 – he’s only registered one shot on target in that time!
      Excellent work, Chris, good luck to you and all gaffers ahead of Gameweek 6.

      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

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Score Predictor Tips: Highly-anticipated North London derby headlines intriguing Matchweek – PlayStation 5 up for grabs!

      by

      IT’S obvious which fixture headlines Score Predictor in Matchweek 6, Sunday’s highly-anticipated North London derby.The mouthwatering clash at the Emirates will go a long way to determining which user claims this week’s top prize of a PlayStation 5 but there are four other match-ups and each deserves careful consideration.

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE – PLAYSTATION 5 UP FOR GRABS THIS MATCHWEEK!

      How many this week, Erling?Credit: Getty
      Manchester City v Nottingham Forest
      It’s difficult to envisage anything other than a routine win for Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable machine on Saturday, isn’t it?
      Steve Cooper’s side addressed their terrible away record with a win at Stamford Bridge prior to the international break but a trip to the Etihad is another challenge entirely – it’s arguably the most difficult fixture in world football at the moment.
      Erling Haaland and company continued their perfect start to the season with a sixth consecutive victory against Red Star Belgrade in midweek while Forest could only muster a draw at home to Burnley last time out.
      Sadists may be tempted to predict a cricket score but Forest have only conceded seven goals in five league outings – just five teams boast a better defensive record – so they have it in them to put up some resistance.
      Still, it’s City at home…
      Our Prediction: 3-0 to Man City
      Most read in Dream Team
      Erik ten Hag desperately needs a response from his team this weekendCredit: Getty
      Burnley v Manchester United
      All is not well with the Red Devils.
      There’s no disgrace losing 4-3 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena but Wednesday night’s Champions League encounter was yet another fixture in which Erik ten Hag’s men were outclassed.
      We accurately called Man United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in Matchweek 4 and came close to doing the same last time out when we tipped Brighton to win 2-1 at Old Trafford – a pair of predictions that earned 15 points in the world of Score Predictor.
      However, we’re backing them to earn a much-needed win this weekend at Turf Moor.
      The Clarets have one point from a possible 12 and have conceded more goals than any other team in the league – surely Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund will exploit such a fragile defence?
      Although, between Andre Onana’s (£3.7m) form and injury absentees in defence, clean sheets will be hard for Man United to come by for the foreseeable future.
      Our Prediction: 2-1 to Man United

      Must-see TVCredit: Dream Team
      Arsenal v Tottenham
      The big one.
      Both sides are undefeated in the Premier League this season having won four times and drawn once.
      The Gunners continue to impress having taken Man City to the distance last term while Spurs have been given a new lease on life by Ange Postecoglou.
      Arsenal have home advantage but they played against PSV in midweek while their rivals have had all week to prepare for Sunday’s main event.
      Only Brighton and City have scored more league goals than Spurs’ 13 at this stage and with both teams keen on sustaining attacks, it should be an enthralling contest conducive to goals at both ends.
      Score Predictor users are generally torn between a narrow home win and a draw with 40% opting for an entertaining 2-2 – we like the sound of that.
      Our Prediction: 2-2 draw
      Mohamed Salah has created the most big chances this seasonCredit: Alamy
      Liverpool v West Ham
      It’s a shame this one kicks off at the same time as the North London derby as it has the makings of an entertaining encounter.
      Jurgen Klopp’s side tend to start slowly (to put it mildly) before coming on strong in the second half but there’s a sense that teams could punish their sleepy openings to a greater extent.
      Despite some wobbles, the Reds are undefeated in 16 games and their firepower in attack provides a serious test of fortitude for any opponent.
      The Hammers have tasted defeat this season but only to Man City and they gave a good account of themselves in that one too.
      David Moyes has already overseen spirited wins against Chelsea and Brighton – his side had to dig deep in both those games and they’ll need to do the same to get something at Anfield.
      Liverpool play LASK in Austria this evening while West Ham have the benefit of a home Europa League fixture against Serbian outfit Backa Topola.
      Score Predictor users are confident of a home win but we can’t help but feel the visitors’ fighting spirit is being somewhat underestimated.
      Our Prediction: 2-2 draw
      Newcastle just about held firm in MilanCredit: Getty
      Sheffield United v Newcastle
      The Blades have conceded the most chances from set-pieces this season and so they may it difficult to deal with Kieran Trippier’s dead-ball deliveries with units like Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Alexander Isak lurking with intent.
      More generally, it’s been a tough start to the campaign for Paul Heckingbottom’s troops with just one point from a possible 15.
      They looked to have upset the odds in North London last weekend before Spurs broke their hearts with two late goals.
      The Magpies have registered two clean sheets in a row and while they were helped out by some wasteful Milan finishing, Eddie Howe will be pleased to see his defence tightening up – that was key feature of their 2022/23 campaign.
      Newcastle are more vulnerable away from home but a trip to Bramall Lane has to be considered a favourable match-up on current form.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Our Prediction: 2-0 to Newcastle

      CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE – PLAYSTATION 5 UP FOR GRABS THIS MATCHWEEK!

      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

    • 163 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Which midfielders have registered the most shots on target so far this season?

      by

      ONE of the main changes to Dream Team’s scoring system this season concerns shots on target.Players are now rewarded with one point every time they test (or beat) the opposition’s goalkeeper.
      While this will never be an asset’s primary method of earning points, it’s certainly something gaffers should bear in mind when devising their strategies.
      With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the midfielders who have registered the most shots on target so far this season.

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR WITH DREAM TEAM THIS SEASON – FANTASTIC PRIZES EVERY MATCHWEEK!

      Not shy of a shotCredit: Getty
      MOST SHOTS ON TARGET AMONG MIDFIELDERS:

      James Maddison (£4.3m) – 11
      Martin Odegaard (£5m) – 11
      Rodri (£4.2m) – 9
      Arnaut Danjuma (£2.4m) – 7
      Eberechi Eze (£3.6m) – 7
      Pascal Gross (£3.9m) – 7
      Bryan Mbeumo (£3.8m) – 7
      Pape Matar Sarr (£2.2m) – 7

      Fittingly ahead of the North London derby, Tottenham and Arsenal’s respective attacking midfielders lead the way.
      Spurs’ No10 has led the way pretty much from the off in this metric as the centrepiece around which Ange Postecoglou’s dynamic side now revolve.
      Whereas the Gunners’ captain upped his challenge this past Gameweek with five shots on target across his two fixtures – one of them resulted in a goal against PSV.
      Most read in Football
      It’s interesting that Odegaard is leading Bukayo Saka (£6.2m) in this regard as many observers would name the England winger as the slightly superior goal threat – the stats suggest the reverse is true.
      That’s not to say Arsenal’s homegrown No7 is the neccessarily the worse Dream Team asset of two, he has 55 points to the Norway international’s 47 overal.
      However, some gaffers may be tempted to swap Saka for Odegaard to free up some extra cash to invest elsewhere while maintaining a strong goal threat from Arsenal’s ranks.
      Odegaard came to the fore in Gameweek 5Credit: Alamy
      Rodri’s podium position in this ranking is an intriguing development.
      The classy Spaniard is a holding midfielder on paper but, such is the extent of Manchester City’s superiority over most their opponents, he spends a lot of time in advanced positions.
      The 27-year-old is a composed shooter as well, best evidenced by his pinpoint Champions League final winner and most recently by his cool finish against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday night.
      Rodri has scored three goals already this season and it’s clear he feels more comfortable trying his luck – he often takes up threatening positions on the edge of the box against teams that sit deep.
      Stat alert: Rodri has registered as many shots on target as Phil Foden (£4.3m), Jeremy Doku (£3.4m), Bernardo Silva (£3.6m) and Jack Grealish (£4.4m) combined after five Gameweeks.

      Danjuma is generously categorised as a midfielder as he’s actually playing as a forward for Everton – though Dream Team bosses are justifiably hesitant to back the Toffees on current form.
      Only Erling Haaland (£8.2m) has taken more shots in the Premier League than Eze this season.
      Given that remarkable fact, it’s rather surprising Crystal Palace’s No10 has only scored one goal – although it should be noted that he’s not afraid to try his luck from distance.
      The Eagles’ star has compensated for his inefficient shooting with a deluge of bonus points, 17 of them to be precise, more than any other player.
      A ‘midfielder’ in the loosest possible senseCredit: Dream Team
      Mbeumo’s presence in this list is predictable as much like Danjuma, he’s essentially a forward – he takes Brentford’s penalties too.
      Gross is an interesting inclusion as many Dream Team gaffers would probably assume Kaoru Mitoma (£3.7m) and Solly March (£3.8m) are Brighton’s leading goal threats from midfield.
      That pair remain perfectly viable selections but the numbers suggest the Seagulls’ experienced German belongs in the same conversation.
      Lastly, it’s another byproduct of Postecoglou’s attacking tactics, the ever-developing Sarr.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The 21-year-old, who is very affordable, has scored one goal and provided an assist but he’s just Spurs’ fourth-best midfielder at this stage – Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski (£3m) and Yves Bissouma (£3m) have all got more points.

      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

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 6 – more returns expected for bonus point hoarder Eberechi Eze

      by

      GAMEWEEK 6 is a deceptive one for Dream Team gaffers to negotiate.On the surface, 17 of the 20 Premier League teams are set to pull double duty, making it the busiest Gameweek of the season so far.
      However, heavy rotation is to be expected in the midweek Carabao Cup fixtures, especially among the eight clubs balancing European commitments on top of the domestic schedule.
      Generally, it’s probably best to ensure your XI is set up for the next allotment of continental fixtures in Gameweek 7, when the majority of key players will be expected to start two games.
      However, that’s not to say there won’t be substantial points up for grabs in the coming days.
      Allow us to suggest some transfer recommendations…

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR THIS WEEKEND – FREE TO PLAY, FANTASTIC PRIZES, EASY AND FUN!

      UnplayableCredit: Reuters
      Julian Alvarez (£4.3m)
      We mentioned the Argentine forward in last week’s transfer suggestions article but it’s worth repeating because he’s just plundered 29 points in Gameweek 5.
      While popular strikers like Alexander Isak (£3.9m) and Nicolas Jackson (£2.6m) continue to frustrate, Alvarez goes from strength to strength – he toyed with Red Star on Tuesday night.
      Most read in Football
      Pep Guardiola described the World Cup winner as “almost undroppable” last weekend and with Bernardo Silva (£3.6m) the latest Manchester City star sidelined with injury, the treble-winners’ starting line-up is easier to predict than it has been in quite some time.
      Alvarez has four goals and five assists to his name from six outings and his overall tally of 59 points is only bettered by Erling Haaland (£8.2m) at the time of writing.
      Soaring EagleCredit: DREAM TEAM
      Eberechi Eze (£3.6m)
      Dream Team most passionate bonus point hoarder.
      Crystal Palace’s No10 has earned 17 bonus points in six outings, mostly because of his superb dribbling ability although he also ranks highly for accurate crosses and fouls won.
      Only three midfielders have registered more shots on target and just three midfielders have created more big chances.
      Eze is set to face Fulham at Selhurst Park in Gameweek 6 and while the Cottagers have tightened up in recent weeks, their underlying statistics still make for concerning reading – they give up plenty of chances.
      Not only that, the 25-year-old has a good chance of featuring against Manchester United in midweek – the Eagles don’t have European commitments to fulfil so they might as well give it a go in the domestic cups.
      The Red Devils have been wide open in midfield so far this season, something Eze is well equipped to exploit if given a run out.
      The England international may fall behind some of his rivals when the European games are on but he looks well placed to thrive again this Gameweek.

      Back-to-back clean sheets has catapulted Trippier up the rankingsCredit: Rex
      Kieran Trippier (£5.2m)
      Admittedly, this suggestion is powered by hindsight as it turns out last week was the perfect time to recruit last season’s outright best defender.
      The Newcastle full-back contributed to back-to-back clean sheets against Brentford and Milan – he made some crucial tackles in San Siro as his side were subjected to sustained pressure.
      Trippier banked 17 points to take his overall total to 32 – Cristian Romero (£4.1m) is the only defender with more points at this stage.
      This weekend, Eddie Howe’s men travel to Bramall Lane to face a Sheffield United outfit who have taken just one point from a possible 15 this season.
      Not only that, the Blades have looked vulnerable at set-pieces, one of Trippier’s specialities.
      The 33-year-old could make it three clean sheets in a row with some attacking returns to boot.
      It should be noted that Newcastle play Man City in midweek but that’s a less intimidating prospect in the environment of the Carabao Cup – both managers may opt to give some youngsters a run out.
      Looking slightly further ahead, Trippier starts Gameweek 7 with a home fixture against Burnley.
      SimmeringCredit: Reuters
      Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m)
      Lastly, a mention for the Portuguese playmaker.
      Sure, Man United have problems to solve right now but Fernandes is on the brink of some substantial returns.
      No midfielder has created more big chances and only five players in his position have registered more tackles.
      The Red Devils have lost four games already this season but, in fairness, those defeats have come against relatively strong opposition: Tottenham, Arsenal, Brighton and Bayern Munich.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      With all due respect, their Gameweek 6 opponents, Burnley and Crystal Palace, aren’t on the same level.
      Plus, Erik ten Hag’s side have got their hardest European fixture (Bayern away) out of the way now.

      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

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Clock ticking for Alexander Isak as Dream Team’s third-most popular striker blanks again

      by

      FEW Dream Team managers would doubt Alexander Isak’s (£3.9m) general quality but those who used a transfer to recruit the Newcastle striker after Gameweek 1 have been pitifully repaid.The 23-year-old was a relatively popular selection before the season got underway and a 15-point haul against Aston Villa on the opening weekend led to massive surge in popularity.
      He was the second-most popular transfer target ahead of Gameweek 2 but he’s been unable to add to his goal tally since that brace at St James’ Park.
      It’s all gone downhill since the opening weekend of the campaignCredit: DREAM TEAM
      In fact, Isak has mustered just nine points between Gameweeks 2 and 5 with eight of those coming as appearance points.
      Most concerning is the fact he’s registered just one shot on target in his last four games.
      This dip in form is particularly notable as the Sweden international remains the third-most popular striker Dream Team has to offer at the time of writing.
      His ownership of 18.1% is only bettered by cream-of-the-crop assets, Mohamed Salah (£6.6m) and Erling Haaland (£8.2m).
      Gameweek 5 felt like a breaking point of sorts for Isak owners.
      He didn’t feature at all at home to Brentford on Saturday with his direct replacement, Callum Wilson (£4.2m), scoring the Magpies’ winner.
      Picked to start at San Siro for Newcastle’s long-awaited return to the Champions League, Isak had little impact on the game as the visitors were put under sustained pressure by Milan for the majority of the game.
      Most read in Dream Team
      In a Gameweek when several key players will make the most of the additional European fixture, the Toon’s tall forward produced just two points.
      Isak was relatively anonymous against MilanCredit: AP
      Some of Isak’s backer’s may be tempted to give him one last shot at redemption in Gameweek 6 as Eddie Howe’s side travel to Sheffield United on Sunday (before hosting Manchester City in the Carabao Cup in midweek) but the clock is ticking at a deafening volume.
      To draw an unflattering comparison, Julian Alvarez (£4.3m) started the season at the same price as Newcastle’s No14 but the contest has swung dramatically in the Manchester City forward’s favour since Gameweek 1 concluded.
      The World Cup winner has plundered 59 points in total having taken Red Star Belgrade for 21 just moments after Isak had drawn a blank in Italy on Tuesday night.
      In total, 17 strikers have more points to their name than Isak at this stage, a list that includes the likes of: Zeki Amdouni (£2.3m), Jean-Philippe Mateta (£2.5m), Matheus Cunha (£2.4m).
      It’s impossible to justify his popularity given the undeniable statistics.

      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

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Julian Alvarez joins Erling Haaland at Dream Team’s summit as Pep Guardiola dubs Argentine forward “almost undroppable”

      by

      Julian Alvarez (£4.3m) played second fiddle to Erling Haaland (£8.2m) in his debut season for Manchester City.This campaign, the pair have dovetailed as a fruitful equals to take Dream Team by storm.

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR NOW: FREE, FUN & FANTASTIC PRIZES

      What a double actCredit: DREAM TEAM
      The prolific Norwegian has continued as the spearhead of Pep Guardiola’s winning machine and while he’s not been at his clinical best, he still has seven goals to his name after six outings.
      As for the Argentina international, he’s flourished in the No10 role, where he’s been able to flex his creative muscles while also providing an additional goal threat.
      And it was Alvarez who inspired City’s inevitable comeback victory against Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) on Tuesday night with a second-half brace.
      The 23-year-old bagged 21 points for his efforts to add to the eight he earned against West Ham at the weekend.
      This 29-point Gameweek haul has rocketed him up the rankings into second overall, fittingly tucked in just behind Haaland.
      Alvarez now has 59 points in total, nine fewer than Haaland, having scored four goals and provided five assists in six games.
      Alvarez has been in superb form so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      Having frequently been named as a substitute last season, few Dream Team bosses would have predicted that the World Cup winner would play every minute of every game across the first five Gameweeks (the Super Cup was not a Dream Team eligible fixture).
      Most read in Football
      Kevin De Bruyne’s (£6.7m) injury has played into his hands to some degree and with Jack Grealish (£4.4m) and now Bernardo Silva (£3.6m) also sidelined, Alvarez’s minutes are all but assured for the foreseeable future.
      More than anything, it’s his form that has made him one of the first names on team sheet.
      Guardiola even went as far as to describe Alvarez as “almost undroppable” at the weekend – and that was before he produced the goods again in the Champions League.
      Say no more, PepCredit: Getty
      The general concern for Dream Team managers regarding City assets is that they might suddenly fall foul of Pep Roulette and find themselves on the bench so when the man himself describes one of his players as “almost undroppable” that’s as much of a green light as one could hope for.
      Right now, a front three of Haaland, Alvarez and Mohamed Salah (£6.6m) looks extremely appealing – although credit where it’s due to Odsonne Edouard (£2.8m).
      It’s rare that a Dream Team asset categorised as a striker is such a strong option when they’re playing in a deeper role and are clearly not their team’s primary goal threat but the nature of Man City’s supremacy creates such quirks.
      Where before it was Haaland or Alvarez, now it’s Haaland and Alvarez.

      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

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Underrated gem Pascal Gross now Dream Team’s most in-form midfielder – overlooked by 98% of managers

      by

      WHAT will it take for Dream Team managers to acknowledge Pascal Gross’ (£3.9m) qualities?Brighton’s No13 currently features in just 1.8% of teams, making him considerably less popular than Kaoru Mitoma (£3.7m) and Solly March (£3.8m).
      The latter appears in 10.2% of teams while the Japan international is the fifth-most selected asset in his position overall with an ownership of 19.3%.
      And yet it’s Gross who is the Seagulls’ leading midfielder having moved onto 38 points with another fine performance at the weekend.

      PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE WITH DREAM TEAM – FANTASTIC PRIZES EVERY MATCHWEEK

      Grossly underrated!Credit: Getty
      The 32-year-old extended his impressive record against Manchester United when he scored Brighton’s second goal at Old Trafford on Saturday, in some style too.
      A deft feint and shimmy completely foxed Lisandro Martinez (£3.2m) and opened up the necessary space to drill a shot into the net and cement the visitors’ superiority.
      Gross took the Red Devils for nine points when all was said and done to promote himself up to fifth in the overall midfield rankings, with a Europa League fixture against AEK Athens still to come before Gameweek 5 is complete.
      One could waste hours debating the subjective matter of underrated Premier League players but few individuals could mount as compelling a case for themselves as Gross.
      A neat technician and one of the league’s better set-piece takers, he is among several players who have taken their game to another level under Roberto De Zerbi.
      Most read in Football
      Gross loves playing at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
      Gross scored nine league goals last season and with two in five outings already this term he may well hit double figures for the first time in his career come May.
      Mitoma and March are both excellent options too but it’s Gross who leads the way among Brighton midfielders in terms of shots on target, tackles (joint), bonus points and total points.
      So why is being overlooked by 98.2% of Dream Team bosses?
      It may simply be because he isn’t perceived as being as fashionable as someone like the more youthful Mitoma, a relatively new revelation with a YouTube-friendly highlight reel – not to mention his degree in dribbling.
      Signed in 2017, Gross was a regular for the Brighton outfit that finished closer to the relegation zone than the European places and he wasn’t much of a goalscorer during that time either.
      He’s not particularly fast or athletic and he’s only just made his international debut for Germany – it’s rare for a player to earn their first cap for a top nation in their 30s.
      But Dream Team gaffers should discard a lot of this contextual information – his current numbers don’t lie.
      De Zerbi’s tactics ensure plenty of Dream Team points for Brighton’s best assetsCredit: Reuters
      In fact, Gross is technically the most in-form midfielder Dream Team has to offer right now having averaged 9.7 point-per-game across his last three outings – edging out the likes of Eberechi Eze (£3.6m), Bukayo Saka (£6.2m), James Ward-Prowse (£4.3m) and James Maddison (£4.3m).
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      And the list of midfielders with fewer points than Gross at this stage includes Martin Odegaard (£5m), Rodri (£4.2m) and Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) – who are all at least ten times as popular as De Zerbi’s reliable lieutenant.
      Gross may play in a deeper role than Mitoma and March but he’s still a key cog in Brighton’s dynamic attacking unit and with Europa League fixtures to bolster his schedule this season, there’s no reason to shy away from the undervalued German.

      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