Fantasy Premier League

Ibrahimovic struggling to keep pace with FPL rivals

By The Scout 3 Oct 2016
Manchester United v Stoke City - Premier League, Zlatan Ibrahimovich

FPL owners turn away from Man Utd talisman as Stoke City's Lee Grant turns heads

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The Bonus Points

On a day which saw Manchester United's attacking players frustrated by a stubborn Stoke City, it was a pair of Jose Mourinho's defenders that topped the Fantasy Premier League Bonus Point System (BPS).

Eric Bailly (£5.5m) and Daley Blind (£5.6m) fetched three and two bonus points respectively, despite suffering the shock of the visitors' late equaliser.

Bailly made 12 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI) and won five tackles on his way to 29 in the BPS.

Blind's 94% pass completion, along with four key passes, helped the Dutchman register a BPS score of 27.

Two heroic Stoke City performances were recognised in the BPS as goalscorer Joe Allen (£4.8m) and stopper Lee Grant (£4.0m) both shared a total of 24.

Grant made eight saves in a defiant display - more than any other goalkeeper in Gameweek 7.

Allen's last-gasp equaliser saw the Welshman claim back-to-back goals and bonus points following his strike against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

The ICT Index

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£11.5m) was the runaway leader in the ICT Index for this match, thanks to a Threat score of 135 - the biggest total of any player in Gameweek 7.

Despite being denied by Grant's reflexes, the Index recognised the Swede's efforts as he scored 17.7 overall.

Ibrahimovic recorded eight efforts on goal, five from within the Potters' penalty area.

Manchester United v Stoke City - Premier League, Lee Grant
Priced at only £4.0m, Lee Grant's eight saves at Old Trafford was the highest tally of any goalkeeper in Gameweek 7

He has now produced more attempts and efforts on target than any other player in the Premier League. Ibrahimovic subsequently heads the Index for Threat on 511 - some 87 ahead of his nearest rival, Chelsea's Diego Costa (£10.0m).

Paul Pogba (£8.3m) recorded double figures in the Index for the second successive Gameweek, registering 12.3.

In another all-action performance, the Frenchman fired six efforts on goal and created four opportunities for team-mates.

The Scout Notes

With only a single assist in his last three Gameweeks, Ibrahimovic has been unable to keep pace with rival FPL assets and continues to shed owners at an alarming rate.

Statistics may point to Ibrahimovic as the Premier League's most threatening striker but, with trips to Liverpool and Chelsea up next, the Swede has been sold by another 68,000+ since Friday's deadline.

Elsewhere in the United camp, FPL interest remains muted.

Manchester United v Stoke City - Premier League, Joe Allen cele
Joe Allen registered back-to-back goals with Sunday's equaliser as the Welshman continued to thrive in the No 10 role

Pogba's improvement warrants monitoring but he remains a peripheral FPL asset given the competition for midfield spots in our squads.

If anything, it is now Stoke City that deserve attention as their schedule begins to brighten considerably.

The Potters face fellow strugglers Sunderland, Hull City and Swansea City over the next three Gameweeks, in a vital spell of fixtures.

Joe Allen has emerged as a potential budget option as he continues to thrive in a No 10 role.

Mark Hughes' defence could also tempt investment given their modest price point.

Lee Grant is now providing a new budget option in goal, with Jack Butland (£4.8m) thought to face at least another month on the sidelines.

At just £4.4m, left-back Erik Pieters is also seemingly back in favour, with Glen Johnson (£4.8m) presenting greater attacking potential for those willing to commit the funds.

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