Welcome to Genie's Corner for Gameweek 11! Here, I, (DraftGenie), will be providing you with my thoughts on all things draft! Each segment of Genie's Corner will focus on something specific and relevant to current events in the Draft Fantasy EPL world. Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know I tend to take a bold and differential approach to the draft game, which has led to many fantasy titles. In these articles I will be giving you my unique insights, bold takes, sage advice, and much more throughout the season.
Genie's Corner Gameweek 11
Check out this weekly dive into the mind of our mercurial Fantrax EPL manager and analyst Draft Genie! Each week he provides his thoughts on strategies, players to watch, trades to push for, and much more! Unfortunately due to a hectic schedule, this week's edition will be slightly shorter.
Gameweek 11 Advice
Bench Your Leeds Assets
Leeds are coming up against league leaders Arsenal....man this feel weird to say. Arsenal are in fine form especially on the offensive foot, but their defensive stability isn't to be overlooked. Arsenal are known to concede the "clean sheet destroyer" 1 goal a game having conceded 10 goals in 9 games, but I know Arteta will be looking to start improving the defensive record. Leeds have struggled since their great early season form, and haven't won since the 3-0 drubbing of Chelsea. The loss to Palace last week showcased their struggles on both ends of the pitch, and I don't think Arsenal is the game they get their next win. There is no way I would consider starting any Leeds defenders this weekend, especially since they conceded 2 to Crystal Palace, and 5 to Brentford not too long ago. If you are in a tough spot and are forced to start one of your attackers such as: Sinisterra, Aaronson, Harrison, I am more okay with that, but would prefer to let them all sit on the bench this week. The only one I think is worth starting over streamer level players is Harrison given his role on set plays and decent floor in all matchups. Stay away from Leeds defenders/goalies for the next little bit as their schedule starts to get worse.
Aston Villa Assets
Surely now you can be convinced to drop almost all of these assets? A very poor showing vs. lowly Nottingham Forest especially by those attackers pushed it over the edge for me. There isn't a single Aston Villa player I want to roster right now. I truly considered Forest their last chance saloon, and other than Young rolling back the years with a goal, the next highest scorers were Buendia and Luiz with a comical 7 points. I am not opposed to dropping every single player from this team including Watkins and Coutinho, especially if you can't even get FAB as trade value for them. These players are hurting your roster more than helping it, and do not look like turning it around any time soon. The only hope is Gerrard getting the sack, but we could still be a few months away from that moment. Keep these assets at your own risk, but I strongly recommend dropping them if you can't ship them out for even 10cents on the dollar. Despite their "easier" schedule these players have shown no hope and no form. Trade Out, Drop, and never look back. All this advice fits perfectly into the "ruthless manager" strategy that will benefit most teams in the long run.
Chelsea and Manchester United Rotation?
Chelsea more so than United is becoming the new "Pep roulette". United have a pretty set in stone team but some high rostered players such as: Sancho, Martial, Ronaldo, Malacia are seemingly in and out of the lineup. With Martial out hurt I think the biggest debate here is Sancho vs. Ronaldo - a lot will be determined based on the Europa lineup, but given this is a Sunday game if you roster either - have a backup! The Shaw vs. Malacia debate will continue for a while, but given his good performance vs. Everton he should get the start vs. Newcastle and if not he is an easy drop.
Chelsea, well this is a tough one. I think the only player that I know will start for sure Sunday is Mount given his withdrawal at 45 minutes in the Champions League game. There are questions in 10 spots, yes even Kepa vs. Mendy, despite Kepa looking like first choice. There is plenty of rotation here, but given their matchup vs. a lowly Villa you will want to pick up any "high upside" rotation guys that may still be available. Chalobah, Pulisic, Gallagher, and Azpilicueta are all ones that come to mind. Loftus-Cheek is even worth a start as a MID5 given the matchup and the potential Jorginho gets a breather. If you roster a Chelsea player make sure you have a backup given some of their "stars" are not really ones you want to drop. My best recommendation here is to send an offer for some of these backup players for your player. Roster Sterling/Auba? - try bringing in Pulisic for some FAB/a DEF3. Those who roster the wingbacks in Reece and Chilwell, might be worth trying to bring in Thiago Silva given Cucurella won't come cheap, and if the Azpi manager is aware of the Reece injury, his price just shot up so rostering Thiago Silva - Potters "first choice" CB when fit is a great way to go. He is probably considered a low end DEF2 by most but he is probably more attainable. Regardless with a game Sunday vs. Villa, Wednesday vs. Brentford, then a tough test Saturday vs. United expect a lot of rotation for Chelsea the next few games.
Liverpool vs. Manchester City
The big match of the weekend, has a City win written all over it given the recent form of Liverpool, especially that leaky defence. I don't think it will be that straight forward. As we saw vs. Arsenal Liverpool aren't just going to lie down. Trent and Matip are out hurt, Robertson is back though and Konate/Gomez will be looking to prove they are more than just a capable backup while they try to deal with some of the most in-form players in the world in Haaland and Foden. Salah has truly struggled this season, but City doesn't exactly have a lock down defence, and his off then bench hattrick vs. Rangers will give him some much much needed confidence before Sunday. Diaz is out, but Firmino in the form of his life, and Jota will be able to help the attack as well. Nunez I'm still unsure what to make here. I am not against starting your Liverpool assets, The ones I am a little more inclined to bench (besides streamers) are the CBs of Van Dijk and Konate, unless they keep an unlikely clean sheet then I'm not sure they will get you more than 5-6 points. Don't be afraid to roll out Robertson, and potentially Gomez in that RB slot if you need a DEF3 for the weekend and you already have 2 defenders with good "clean sheet" matchups. Goes without saying you should not be benching your Liverpool attackers because you never know when they will show up and drop 22 points.
Obviously, no one is even considering benching City attackers - but be warned of a potential fight between Grealish and Mahrez for one of the wing spots and Bernardo vs. Gundo for the 8 role (although I think Bernardo goes), be sure to have backups if you roster any of these four. I will say I am fully in favour of benching every City defender not named Cancelo this week. Dias, Stones, Laporte, Akanji, Ake whoever starts...bench. Ederson, just don't even bother with him. This isn't the matchup to play such clean sheet reliant players given the unpredictability.
Verdict: Play everyone that isn't clean sheet dependent.
The Return of Calvert-Lewin
A lot of fantasy managers rejoiced last weekend seeing Calvert-Lewin finally make his first appearance of the season vs. United. Now the biggest question is....how many more can he make before another injury. I am very hopeful another reoccurrence of this injury won't happen any time soon. Lampard said multiple times he held DCL back for the reason to ensure he was fully ready to return and to avoid a set back. While he probably could of rushed him back a few games ago, he let him train with the team for what seems for a month before even considering him for the bench. I can see DCL getting a start either in the midweek, or following weekend fixture. Many managers may have taken him in round 4-5 in the draft, and probably sold him for dirt cheap a few weeks back or are praying to finally start him after holding him for 10 weeks. I think now is the time to pounce and trade him in. Hear me out. Said manager holding onto him for 10 weeks might be looking at it this way "DCL finally played let me try and get value for him before he gets hurt again". Target that manager and see if you can get in DCL for 70-80% of his draft day value. Lampard showed clear intentions that his style will be having his wingers sending in crosses to aim at DCL with him being the focal point. If he is healthy the goals will come, and so will the points. You can try an offer including Daka, Podence, or Solanke. A manger may be tempted by their durability and set and forget type status.
Genie's Streamers of the Week
A first of this type of segment. While our incredible analyst Gavin has a full Sleepers XI for you, this little segment will feature a few names that are "Genie type" streamers and why.
Ryan Christie (BOU) vs. Fulham - Christie has been a player I have streamed from time to time, and I think I roster him in every single league right now. Not sure why, but something in the eye test made me a fan when I saw him subbed off at half in the 9-0 drubbing vs. Liverpool. The man played with pure heart, and despite an early hook was rewarded with a start in the next game. He is probably the hardest working player in the BOU side, and it was finally rewarded with his first goal vs. Leicester. He has a decent floor, and will have confidence vs. a very fragile Fulham defence. MID5 this week.
Mohammed Salisu (SOU) vs. West Ham - Salisu seems like a man of the past, but he could have himself a big day vs. an inconsistent West Ham side. With Scamacca probably starting Salisu will have a bunch of aerials to contest, and has a decent chance at a clean sheet especially given West Ham's busy schedule. Him and Bella-Kotchap are both good plays this week, but I am choosing to go with the lower rostered player in Salisu.
Trevoh Chalobah (CHE) vs. Aston Villa - I probably roster Chalobah in every single league I was able to grab him. I am a big fan of his playstyle, and workrate. The guy really wants to make a name for himself at Chelsea and it seems finally Potter will give him the chance to prove he is worthy of keeping a spot of the XI. While he has started 2 games on the bounce, he should still get the nod this gameweek - if Chelsea go with a back 4 and he doesn't start, unfortunately he is an easy drop to pick up another streamer. If he does start he is a strong favourite for a clean sheet DEF2 this weekend.
Joe Aribo (SOU) vs. West Ham - Aribo was high on my draft board after that amazing solo goal in preseason, even taking him as high as round 9 in a league. He has been dropped by many managers in recent week, but his well-taken goal vs. Everton should give him a chance to get another go vs. West Ham... let's ignore the City loss. He has MID3 upside whenever he starts and is definitely worth starting this weekend vs. a West Ham team with just 1 clean sheet.
Luke Shaw (MUN) vs. Newcastle - The final and probably most "Genie" type streamer, is my boy Shaw. Those who have followed me for years will know how big of a fan I am of Luke Shaw, and it seems now may be his time to get a chance in the XI again. He has DEF1 upside in his locker especially once he gets fully back into match-fit rhythm. He will be pushing himself more than ever after being dropped for a long-stretch of games for Malacia, and will know one mistake can have him sitting on the bench this weekend. I really like Shaw as a potential season hold if he can keep his spot, and think he will only get better each match he plays. 5.5 ghosts vs. Everton isn't too bad but add in a few more attacking stats when he get's more confidence and his floor will skyrocket. Avoid him at your own risk.
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