:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47783153/GettyImages-499062528.0.jpg)
Black Friday is over. Cyber Monday has passed. Still, there's no need to stifle the pre-holiday season bargain hunting spirit. But let's face it, would you rather go to Target and fight some crazed jerk over the last Star Wars Death Star waffle iron you had in mind as a gift for your brother-in-law (or yourself) or stay in your comfort zone poring over cheap fantasy options that could pay off big time? Or would you rather not answer that question?
Goalkeepers
Willy Caballero (MCI) [1,000 in Fantrax] With Joe Hart on the shelf and the Citizens visiting anemic Stoke, you're not going to find a cheaper chance at a clean sheet win.
John Ruddy (NOR) [3,073 in Fantrax, 4.4 in Official] Games at Watford tend to be low scoring, so Ruddy's a decent play if you have a little more to spend than the minimum and are looking for a longer-term option.
Kasper Schmeichel [LEI] [4.4 in Official] Two clean sheets in his past five games; away at struggling Swansea offers an outside chance at another.
A more expensive bargain:
Thibaut Courtois (CHE) [4,330 in Fantrax] Asmir Begovic looks to give way this weekend to Courtois, who has finally recovered from injury. Chelsea has only scored once in the past two games, but has clean sheets in both. Think the Belgian international can get a third straight for the Blues against meager Bournemouth?
Defenders
Andre Wisdom (NOR) [3,574 in Fantrax] Averaging 5.4 points per game. See the bit on Ruddy.
Nathan Ake (WAT) [3,844 in Fantrax, 4.4 in Official] Averaging 4.89 points per game in Fantrax, the Chelsea transfer has played 90 minutes in six of the past seven games and offers a nice clean sheet chance as Watford delivers a lot of donuts at home.
Danny Simpson (LEI) [3,955 in Fantrax, 4.0 in Official] Averaging 7 points per game in Fantrax, decent fixture at Swans.
Leighton Baines (EVE) [4,211 in Fantrax] We're still playing the long waiting game to get back into the starting line-up following injury, but it may finally be over as he played the last 20 minutes or so mid-week. Scored over 10 points per game in Fantrax last season!
Gabriel Paulista (ARS) [4,749 in Fantrax, 4.6 in Official] Averaging 6.57 points per game in Fantrax, could better that at home against Sunderland provided Laurent Koscielny remains out injured.
A more expensive bargain:
Alberto Moreno (ARS) [4.9 in Official] Liverpool has a nice shot at a clean sheet with Newcastle coming to town, and the wing back always offers a decent shot at a goal or assist on top.
Midfielders
Mathieu Flamini (ARS) [1,000 in Fantrax] Scored 6 points last week in his first full game of the season, taking advantage of the injury to Francis Coquelin. Not too shabby for the minimum investment!
Jordon Ibe (LIV) [2,737 in Fantrax, 4.6 in Official] Only averaging 2.36 points per game in Fantrax, but at home against Newcastle he should deliver nicely if he starts.
Junior Stanislas (BOU) [3,530 in Fantrax, 4.2 in Official] Averaging 8.2 points per game in Fantrax and while the fixture at Chelsea could be tricky he won't have trouble returning value at these appetizing prices.
Dele Alli (TOT) [5.0 in Official] Suspended for the Chelsea match, but had 17 points in his previous three games. Spurs will look to get back on the score sheet against West Brom.
James McCarthy (CRY) [5.0 in Official] Yannick Bolasie may be the flavor of the week with his huge performance against Newcastle, but take a gander at McCarthy who also shined against the Magpies. Bolasie costs 6.1 and has 51 points, compared to McCarthy's 50 points at a mere 5.0 price tag. McCarthy and company will hope Everton is up for a barnburner at Goodison Park.
A more expensive bargain:
Son Heung-Min (TOT) [6,911 in Fantrax] Averaging over 10 points per game, looks to have a starting spot locked up for now and the fixture at West Brom could tempt.
Strikers
Connor Wickham (CRY) [3,245 in Fantrax] Coming off a two assist performance, we all know he can get on a hot streak and Everton's defense is far from airtight.
Shane Long (SOU) [3,725 in Fantrax, 5.7 in Official] Averaging 6.33 points per game in Fantrax and has Aston Villa looming on the horizon.
Troy Deeney (WAT) [5.1 in Official] Has not been as prolific as more expensive strike partner Odion Ighalo over the whole season, but has been on fire lately with four goals and an assist in his past five games. Oh, and Norwich has conceded 16 goals in seven away matches.
A more expensive bargain:
Gerard Deulofeu (EVE) [6,888 in Fantrax as a striker, 6.3 in Official as a midfielder] Has scored 9 or more points in Fantrax in four of his past five games as he's turning into a mini-Mesut Ozil with plenty of assists and the odd goal. Would be more attractive were he listed as a midfielder in Fantrax like he is in Official, but still a tempting price in both formats.
Well then, which of the above bargains are you looking to add into your team? Are there any others you've already fit into your squads or are considering?