OTW - Week Four

This week sees an international break, with the remaining qualifying games for the 2018 WC being played over the upcoming days. Frustratingly, this sees a lot of OTW cards missing some vital minutes and hence really limits our opportunity for investments. This doesn't mean that we can't find the value amongst them though. Also remember that when a player isn't playing, the prices can drop rather dramatically, this could be a chance to invest for the following week as an alternative.

Neymar (PSG)

05/10/2017
Bolivia vs Brazil

11/10/2017
Brazil vs Chile

Off the back of a fantastic performance for PSG, somehow Neymar is still yet to receive his first inform card. With Brazil playing Bolivia in the first international game, Neymar has a real chance to shine as goals should be flowing! In reality though, how many of us can afford him anyway?

Bonucci (AC Milan)

06/10/2017
Italy vs FYR Macedonia

09/10/2017
Albania vs Italy

With Italy currently 3 points behind Spain and a 17 goal swing also present, wins from both games are needed while hoping Spain slip up twice. There is no reason for Bonucci not to start and Italy go into both matches as strong favourites. He can shoot, is strong in the air and solid at the back, against these weaker opponents an inform is possible.

Lukaku (Manchester United)

07/10/2017
Bosnia vs Belgium

10/10/2017
Belgium vs Cyprus

Although Belgium have already locked up the top spot in the group, there is no reason not to play a strong team and get some more minutes under their belts. Lukaku has been a regular starter for Belgium, is on fire for Manchester United and with a +32 GD so far, we can only assume plenty more goals are to come. The question is, who will be scoring them?

Rodriguez (Bayern Munich)

06/10/2017
Columbia vs Paraguay

11/10/2017
Peru vs Columbia

From the La Liga champions to the Bundesliga champions, Rodriguez has seen his fair share of top flight football and it doesn't stop with his country. Currently sitting third in the table, Colombia are on track for qualification and with Paraguay and Peru hot on their heels, they will be playing their strongest team. We know what Rodriguez is capable of, but what can he find when it matters?
 

Morata (Chelsea)

06/10/2017
Spain vs Albania

09/10/2017
Israel vs Spain

After a fantastic start for Chelsea and Diego Costa's lack of play time, a starting spot for Spain looked highly likely. Sadly fate didn't quite agree, with an injury ruling him out for roughly 6 weeks, an inform isn't going to happen any time soon.

Lacazette (Arsenal)

07/10/2017
Bulgaria vs France

10/10/2017
France vs Belarus

Currently still finding his feet in the Premier League, Lacazette usually finds himself as a late substitute for his country. With France sitting just one point clear at the top of the table, it feels unlikely this will change and without the minutes on the pitch, an inform becomes extremely unlikely.

Walker (Manchester City)

05/10/2017
England vs Slovenia

08/10/2017
Lithuania vs England

While Slovenia are fighting for qualification, Lithuania have nothing left to gain. Walker is a regular starter for England, in a formation that allows him to get forward. There is a strong chance of clean sheets across both games and if Walker can also bag himself a goal or a couple of assists, an inform is definitely possible.

Salah (Liverpool)

08/10/2017
Egypt vs Congo

Despite missing several strong chances, Salah has flourished at Liverpool so far having already bagged himself several goals. Top of the table Egypt host bottom of the table Congo is this fixture, and if anyone is likely to put in a star performance, Salah has to make the list.

Ederson (Manchester City)

05/10/2017
Bolivia vs Brazil

11/10/2017
Brazil vs Chile

The new Manchester City keeper has already provided some much needed solidity at the back for his club, however when it comes to Brazil he finds himself lucky to even make the bench. As a goalkeeper especially if he isn't starting, he is unlikely to find himself on the pitch and hence isn't the greatest option for the following weeks games.

Mbappe (PSG)

07/10/2017
Bulgaria vs France

10/10/2017
France vs Belarus

Mbappe appears to be perfectly suited to top flight football, showing no difficulties immediately sliding into the starting eleven at PSG. With the international games taking over this week, the key concern is game time. While he started the last, a second half substitution is fairly common.

Sigurdsson (Everton)

06/10/2017
Turkey vs Iceland

09/10/2017
Iceland vs Kosovo

Following his big money move from Swansea to Everton, Sigurdsson is yet to find any real form this year. However, Iceland currently sit second in an extremely competitive group of which Sigurdsson is a key component. With a game against Turkey and then bottom of the table Kosovo, is this where he will recapture his previous form?

Costa (Juventus)

05/10/2017
Bolivia vs Brazil

11/10/2017
Brazil vs Chile

A youngster with so much potential, however Costa has found himself passed around clubs almost every season while struggling to hold down a starting spot. This doesn't change when it comes to Brazil either with the youngster struggling to even make the squad. Once again, there should be stronger options elsewhere.

Bernardeschi (Juventus)

06/10/2017
Italy vs FYR Macedonia

09/10/2017
Albania vs Italy

After a solid performance for his new club, Bernardeschi is commonly used as a very late substitute for Italy and there are no signs that this is about to change. The concern around minutes on the pitch is once again present and would leave him needing something spectacular to squeeze his way into the TOTW.

Kieta Balde Diao (Monaco)

07/10/2017
Cape Verde vs Senegal

A win here for Senegal would launch them to the top of their group, ahead of Burkina Faso. Blade is commonly used as an impact substitution and again the lack of minutes is the largest worry. With the reduction of game time for Monaco as well, it seems unlikely this will change.

Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

07/10/2017
Bulgaria vs France

10/10/2017
France vs Belarus

After a successful season in Ligue 1 and a big move to Bundesliga champions Munich, Tolisso's next challenge is to secure a spot in his national team. While he occasionally makes the bench, finding game time has been difficult and with these last two games crucial in securing the top spot, it remains unlikely to change.

Yarmolenko (Dortmund)

06/10/2017
Kosovo vs Ukraine

09/10/2017
Ukraine vs Croatia

One of the tightest groups in qualification with just two points separating the top four. Fresh off a man of the match performance for Dortmund with a goal and an assist, Yarmolenko is currently on fire. He is a regular starter and with the first game against bottom of the table Kosovo, there is every opportunity of a big game.

Aurier (Tottenham)

06/10/2017
Mali vs Ivory Coast

Aurier has had a rocky start for his new club this season, already finding himself with a red card to his name. As a regular starter for Ivory Coast, he travels to bottom of the table Mali who have managed just one goal across four games. Sadly that goal came against Ivory Coast, but a clean sheet and a strong influence here could see him sneak into the TOTW.

Bruma (RB Leipzig)

07/10/2017
Andorra vs Portugal

10/10/2017
Portugal vs Switzerland

The young Portuguese winger is yet to find his first start for his countries senior squad, and with a tight battle going on for the top spot, this is very unlikely to change. Due to this any investments in hope of a price bump this week, would not be the smartest approach.

Sanchez (Tottenham)

06/10/2017
Columbia vs Paraguay

11/10/2017
Peru vs Columbia

Sanchez is slowly finding his feet in the Premier League and gradually finding himself with more and more minutes as a result. His presence in the starting eleven for Columbia has been on and off over the past year, and goals have not been his forte. Can this change against Paraguay?

Semedo (Barcelona)

07/10/2017
Andorra vs Portugal

10/10/2017
Portugal vs Switzerland

Following his big summer transfer to Barcelona, the next hurdles for Semedo include both making the Barcelona and Portuguese starting eleven. Usually used as a late substitution and with Portugal desperately trying to close the gap on Switzerland, any immediate starting spot feels unlikely at best.

Traore (Lyon)

07/10/2017
South Africa vs Burkina Faso

Fresh from the Premier League champions, Traore seems to have secured his starting role at Lyon. With Burka Faso in tight competition for the groups top spot Traore remains a key influence and a regular starter. The question is, what can he manage against bottom of the group South Africa?

Kessie (AC Milan)

06/10/2017
Mali vs Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast currently lead their group and this weeks fixture sees them travel to bottom of the table Mali. Kessie has been a regular starter for his country, so game time shouldn't be the issue, but what exactly can he pull out the bag on Friday?

Hernandez (Real Madrid)

07/10/2017
Bulgaria vs France

10/10/2017
France vs Belarus

Hernandez is currently left out of the starting eleven for Madrid, so when it comes to making the insanely competitive French squad, it becomes even more unlikely. With such a low chance of making the squad, let alone the starting eleven, it becomes near impossible to obtain an inform this week regardless of his countries results.

As mentioned before, without be guarantees of players obtaining game time, investments immediately become limited. If we are smart, look for the hidden gems, react to lineup announcements or plan in advance for the following weeks, investments are always available and coins can always be made!