Fantasy Football Update - Christmas Edition

Welcome to my Christmas blog... I'd like to thank you for the year! Without you guys the FSM Superliga would be nothing and I would be home alone pondering what to do with my life, instead of updating you on the latest goings on in Fantasy Football. Sure, it can be tough remembering to update your Fantasy team each week and many of us might wonder why we bother, especially when that player who hasn't scored in weeks suddenly hits a purple patch the moment you transfer him. However, when it all clicks into place, the bragging rights you have over your mates make it all worthwhile... so you might as well go hard or die hard.

December has been a busy month of Premier League action so far and the good news is we still have many games to look forward to before 2018 draws to a close. With Liverpool steaming ahead at the top of the league, can the 'Pool Express maintain its momentum in the second half of the season or will their form be polar opposite? History suggests that the team leading the way at Christmas will usually go on to win the title. In fact, only twice in the last ten years has the top-placed team at Christmas failed to lift the Premier League trophy... but on both occasions it has been Liverpool. In other news, Jose Mourinho won't be staying another day at Manchester United as the Old Trafford board finally ran out of patience with the 'Special One'. Judging by the workrate and energy levels displayed by the players in the 5-1 victory at Cardiff, the board's decision was justified and interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to have already made an immediate impact. Another high scoring game took place at Goodison Park yesterday, as Everton experienced a nightmare before Christmas by conceding six in their thumping defeat at home to Spurs. The Toffees' defending can't have been good for manager Marco Silva's 'Elf, as he saw his side hand out several early Christmas presents to leave him in a Scrooge-like mood.

CURRENT LEADER

Tikka Mo Salah

Manager: Richard Merritt

Gameweek Points: 81

Overall Points: 1,163

It's fair to say the FSM Superliga has been a two horse race for a few months now, but Tikka Mo Salah continue to hold the upper hand over Wyvern and even extended their lead at the top thanks to a whopping 81 points in Gameweek 18. Perhaps surprisingly, Richard has defied Mr Salah in recent weeks by handing over the armband to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; however, he's not a bad alternative considering the Arsenal hitman is currently the Premier League's top scorer. His brace in the Gunners' 3-1 triumph at home to Burnley accrued a captain-inspired 26 points and if you haven't already transferred him into your team, make it your priority this Christmas! That's not to say that Mo Salah is being kept quiet... if anything the Egyptian is slowly but surely returning to his form from last season with four goals in his last three games, and his opener at Molineux contributed a useful 12 points this week. Elsewhere, Danny Ings has been instrumental in Southampton's recent upturn in fortunes and he followed up his double against Arsenal with a confident penalty in the Saints' 3-1 success at Huddersfield. However, arguably the performance of the week came from Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster, who was given MOTM and saved all seven of West Ham's shots on target as the Hornets cruised to an impressive 2-0 victory. Congratulations Richard, you're top of the tree at Christmas and as a result we're are offering you a 10% discount on any shirt, plus free shipping!

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

FC Sparta

Manager - Aldwain Loutz

Gameweek Points - 85

Overall Points - 925

S & S FC

Manager - Similo Maneli

Gameweek Points - 85

Overall Points - 897

In all my time writing these blogs, there has never been a joint winner for performance of the week, but it seems only apt that it should first occur during the season of sharing and goodwill. Interestingly, this accolade is not the only thing that Aldwain and Similo share since they both originate from South Africa, so there must be something in the water (or mulled wine) at this time of year!

The success of FC Sparta inGameweek 18 was primarily built on the decision to appoint Harry Kane as Lieutenant-General and he rewarded Aldwain's faith with two goals and an assist in Spurs' obliteration of Everton. In midfield, Mo Salah starred again, but Paul Pogba caught the eye with a far more warrior-like performance than we've witnessed under Mourinho and he was unplayable at times as he assisted three of United's five goals at Cardiff. Finally, all fearsome armies need a solid rearguard and Harry Maguire, Jamaal Lascelles and Andrew Robertson all ensured that FC Sparta's defences were not to be breached with each picking up clean sheets. Well done Aldwain!

As for S & S FC, unfortunately there was no sign of Shearer or Sutton in attack, but instead Similo selected Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lead the line and captain the side. He was duly rewarded with a 26 point haul, whilst Virgil van Dijk illustrated why some pundits are calling him the best defender in the world as he scored and kept a clean sheet in Liverpool's away win at Wolves. Elsewhere, the Watford trio of Jose Holebas, Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu impressed for the Hornets at the London Stadium and Anthony Martial scored his eighth of the season in South Wales. Nice work Similo!