Fantasy Premier League 2013 Week 8: Bargain Buys to Boost Your Team

We all love a good bargain, don’t we? And it’s no different when it comes to selecting our Fantasy Premier League sides. 

With 11 of the top 20 points scorers this season still available at under £7 million, it’s like sale season for fantasy shoppers.

But don’t worry, we’ve delved into the bargain basement so you don’t have to. The following are the men we believe are worth snapping up this weekend.

Morgan Amalfitano

Amalfitano has impressed since arriving on loan from Marseille this season. The West Bromwich Albion midfielder was voted his club’s player of the month for September and he has firmly established his place in Steve Clarke’s starting XI since taking his Premier League bow in Gameweek 4.

In just four league appearances, the Frenchman has scored twice and bagged two assists, accumulating 29 points in total.

The goal from inside his own half against Manchester United was his highlight to date (see below), but it was that pause and dink over De Gea which made you realise there are plenty more magical moments to come from his boots.

Amalfitano, who is present in 4.5 percent of people’s teams, is an absolute bargain for £5.2 million—more than £3 million less than Eric Lamela who has been warming the bench for Spurs since arriving from Roma at the beginning of the season.

With a visit to the Britannia Stadium this weekend, Amalfitano has the chance to demonstrate his array of skills once more.

 

Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey has been one of Europe’s standout players so far this season. His performances in central midfield for Arsenal have catapulted the Gunners to top spot and there are no signs of the Welshman slowing down just yet.

Ramsey sits third in the Fantasy Premier League points table—behind Daniel Sturridge and Yaya Toure—but he is a fraction of the price of those above him.

At £6.7 million, Ramsey represents a solid investment. He has found the net four times in the league and assisted two goals for his team. With Norwich City to come this weekend, Arsene Wenger will be hoping his main man can stamp his authority once more.

While Mesut Ozil has drawn the headlines, Ramsey remains Arsenal’s in-form man. He is the most popular player among fantasy managers with the 22-year-old occupying 48.7 percent of people’s teams and it isn't difficult to see why.

 

Ross Barkley

Barkley is currently ranked fifth among midfielders with 36 points, but you can have him in your team for about the price of Ozil’s right leg.

At just £5.6 million, Barkley has surprised many this year by not just holding down a place in Everton’s experienced midfield but shining in it.

The teenager has played in all but three minutes of Everton’s games this season and has collected 22 points in his last three outings alone.

With Hull City, who have scored just six goals this season, providing little in the way of an attacking threat, Barkley will have the freedom to roam forward at Goodison Park this weekend.

Expect him to pull the strings with the shackles removed and add to his assists tally of two, while maybe even nicking a goal in the process.

 

Adnan Januzaj

It’s always a risk having a guy in your side who isn’t a certainty to start, but it’s difficult to imagine David Moyes leaving Januzaj on the bench after his match-winning performance against Sunderland (see clip).

With Southampton coming to Old Trafford this weekend, the Manchester United boss will need added creativity in midfield to break down the stern Saints' defence and Januzaj could be just the man for the job.

The young star is a snip at £4.8 million, especially if he can replicate his impressive display at the Stadium of Light. His 146 minutes of league football this season have been highlighted by two goals and one assist, and he has collected 19 points in total.