Fantasy Premier League

Van Dijk's stock continues to rise

By The Scout 15 Dec 2016
Virgiil van Dijk, Southampton

A fourth clean sheet in five Gameweeks highlights defender's potential as Southampton's fixtures remain kind

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The Bonus Points

A trio of players were tied for the maximum three Fantasy Premier League bonus points in Stoke City's 0-0 stalemate with Southampton.

Virgil van Dijk (£5.7m) collected three bonus points for a second successive outing.

The Dutchman again marshalled a disciplined Saints back four, registering eight clearances, blocks and interceptions and four recoveries to earn 31 in the Bonus Points System.

That was a tally matched by team-mate and compatriot Cuco Martina (£4.3m).

Retained at right-back ahead of Cedric Soares (£5.0m) who missed out due to illness, Martina won four tackles and supplied a key pass.

Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant (£4.2m) also registered 31 in the BPS.

Stoke City v Southampton, 141216, Martina
Cuco Martina (left) has fetched five bonus points in his last two Gameweeks in the absence of fellow right-back Cedric Soares

Recording his third clean sheet in four Gameweeks, Grant defied the visitors with four saves and 14 recoveries.

The Scout Notes

The Southampton rearguard has now kept four clean sheets in their last five Gameweeks, with Van Dijk’s potential for bonus points making him the clear standout FPL performer.

Martina has taken his opportunity in the absence of Soares, although we can perhaps expect manager Claude Puel to switch once the latter returns to contention.

Stoke City v Southampton, 141216, Lee Grant
Stoke City goalkeeper Lee Grant has kept three clean sheets in his last four Gameweeks

The Saints face a trip to AFC Bournemouth in Gameweek 17, before hosting Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.

Following that, only one of their next seven Gameweek ties scores more than two in the Fixture Difficulty Rankings.

Grant goes on delivering exceptional value in the Stoke City goal, although fixtures with Arsenal and Chelsea before the end of 2016 will likely limit his short-term returns.

Marko Arnautovic (£7.2m) will miss those fixtures. He received a straight red card in Wednesday's draw and will now sit out the next three Gameweeks.

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