Weekly Picks: The Bargain Hunter – Week 38
Well then, this is it: The final weekend of the season is finally here.
Before I start, I just wanted to thank all the readers for coming here week after week in my first season (minus a few months), which is the best motivation any writer could ask for in any situation. I hope that in your eyes, I was a passable replacement for Steve—hopefully more late-2014 Harry Kane than Alexandre Pato.
A big thanks goes to Neal and the Rotoworld guys, for welcoming me into the team from the very start. And most importantly, I hope that there was just one goal, one player, one week where I made the difference in your fantasy team and brought a smile to your face. A lot of work goes into NBC/Rotoworld by all of the guys here, and that’s all we hope to accomplish.
Without much more delay, here are the bargains for Week 38. I’m welcoming all suggestions and debates on Twitter (@gastelumEPL) and hopefully I can include your thoughts here in my column. Here’s a quick run-down of the different types of buys I refer to in this piece:
One Week Buys (OWB) – When a regular is suspended for a match, ineligible to face his parent club as a loanee, or his fill-in looks to deputize for only a week while the regular nurses a minor injury, this is where to find some replacements. They should only be looked at when you really need help at a position that week alone, and not looked at as long term plays. Best for salary cap leagues with unlimited transactions.
Short-term Buys (STB) – When a regular faces a multi-game suspension, an injury layoff lasting 2-5 weeks, international commitment, etc., this is where you look for players that can offer more beyond one week but do have a limited shelf life in most cases. Worth using a waiver claim or spending a bit more of your free agent budget than the One Week Buys. Can be useful in Fantasy Premier League (FPL.com) format as long as you are comfortable with possibly needing to transfer them out in a few weeks.
Long-term Buys (LTB) – When a regular is either facing a month or more out or has lost his spot seemingly to someone better, these are the players that emerge as potential long-term investments and are therefore the most valuable of the group and worth paying up. Great for any format, but especially valuable in the FPL.com game.
BARGAINS:
GK – Darren Randolph (West Ham)
This first pick is going to require some patience and research before making it, but Randolph has the potential to be an excellent choice in goal for the final matchday. Earlier this week, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said No. 1 keeper Adrian will probably miss out on the season finale with Stoke this weekend due to a calf injury. Randolph started both games this week and will likely get another, but you need to make sure to check the club website on Friday or Saturday for Bilic’s press conference, where he declares the team news. Stoke has only scored three goals in its last five and there is a good chance of West Ham shutting them down after two defensive lapses this week.
DEF – Lamine Kone (Sunderland)
Kone was the leading point-getter in FPL.com in Week 37. That’s right, a center-back for a team whose only goal was to dig itself out of the massive hole it created for itself since his arrival in the winter window. Kone recorded a clean sheet, the club’s fourth since the start of April, but he scored his first Premier League goal for some extra points. Then he scored another, which earned him Man of the Match against Everton on Wednesday. Who knows, maybe he’ll do it again. But against Watford, the Black Cats have a better chance of a clean sheet. In FPL.com, he might see his value rise, but he’s still £4.3 while in Fantrax leagues he’s drafted in less than 20 percent of leagues. For obvious reasons, there’s no value defender in better form.
MID – Nathan Redmond (Norwich City)
Now here’s a guy who has a lot at stake entering the weekend. With Norwich relegated, Crystal Palace, Stoke City, West Ham and West Brom are all reportedly chasing after this 22-year-old. So this weekend is basically his “contract year” in baseball terms, but just for two games. Redmond showed what he is capable of in a dominant win against Watford on Wednesday, recording a goal and two assists. This weekend’s trip to Everton is his final showcase before the transfer market opens and I expect him to go out with a bang. In FPL.com, he’s available for just £5.0 and Fantrax says he is available in 47 percent of all draft leagues. But this is the pick for those of you in daily fantasy due to his attacking capabilities and low price/popularity.
MID – Steven Davis (Southampton)
Davis is an interesting pick and has potential being with an in-form and downright scary Southampton side at the moment (four wins in the last five, including last week against Spurs, and 10 goals in the last three). However, I recommend going after Redmond first if you have the cash in FPL.com or if they are both available in draft leagues, but especially in daily fantasy. Last weekend, Davis had a career day against Spurs, scoring both goals to double his goal total this season and equal his career-high in just 90 minutes. I don’t expect a usually-leaky Crystal Palace defense to put a stop to Southampton’s roll, so expect some goals this weekend at the St. Mary’s.
FWD – Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace)
I’m absolutely in love with taking a risk like Gayle on the final day of action, especially if you are looking to make up some major ground in the finale. Obviously, no pick is guaranteed, that’s why they call it a risk, but Gayle has the ability and the confidence of his manager/teammates to make this a big week without too many other managers taking notice (he’s taken in only 12 percent of Fantrax draft leagues). Gayle is one of the streakiest strikers around, but he almost always shows up when he gets his chance. Take last weekend, for example. He got his first start since the beginning of April after signing a new contract and scored two goals to earn Man of the Match. Not much will be expected against Southampton, but Alan Pardew has expressed the need for Gayle to get going before the FA Cup final if Palace want to win the cup. I like Gayle in any format, considering this is the final week, as he goes well under the radar.
