<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1346 " src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/New-Matic-e1504808029450-300x109.jpg" alt="" width="705" height="256" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/New-Matic-e1504808029450-300x109.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/New-Matic-e1504808029450.jpg 550w" sizes="(max-width: 705px) 100vw, 705px" /></p>
<p><strong>Niall from the Fantasy Football Hub is here to brief players of the Sky Fantasy game on the wealth of midfield bonus options available as Sky rolls out its brand new ‘Overhaul’ feature until Saturday the 9<sup>th</sup> of September 2017.</strong></p>
<p><strong>For some, the new unlimited transfer feature introduced this season will be an ‘Overhaul’ by name, but not by nature. For many players the Overhaul will spell the brutal end for the original 11 players we spent the Summer months carefully and meticulously priming for Sky success.</strong></p>
<p><strong>We’re all well aware there is no room for sentiment in fantasy football. Well, at least not from us managers, so let&#8217;s run down three potential vital targets in that bonus midfield position…</strong></p>
<h3>Nemanja Matic (MUN)</h3>
<p>One man who has certainly appealed to the sentiments of Sky Sports’ Pundits is former Chelsea man Nemanja Matic. The 8.3m holding midfielder has had a dictionary’s worth of superlatives thrown at him over the first 3 Gameweek&#8217;s, picking up a man of the match award and a total of 9 bonus points in August.</p>
<p>He has averaged 66.3 passes and 2.3 tackles in his first 3 games, 8<sup>th</sup>, and 5<sup>th</sup>,highest in each respective area for midfielders.</p>
<p>This potential for bonus on both sides is a huge draw for the Serb, coupled with his fantastic value at just 8.3m, he looks to have all the characteristics of a classic Sky bonus magnet in the style of Jordan Henderson from last season.</p>
<h4><u>Post-Overhaul Fixtures</u></h4>
<p>Fixture-wise, things are still looking bright for his passing bonus prospects:</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1372" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-1-300x26.png" alt="" width="704" height="61" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-1-300x26.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-1-768x66.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-1-1024x88.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-1.png 1443w" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /></p>
<p>Four of Matic’s next six games feature opponents who’ve averaged less than 50% possession over the first 3 league games. Given Man United’s average possession (61.8%) is higher than all of their next six opponents, the powerful midfielder should be well-placed to maintain his high average number of passes per game (66.3).</p>
<p>Predicting tackles is just a little bit more difficult. The below table ranks opponents by the total number of times they have been dispossessed in the opening 3 games. I think this will indicate how prone opponents are to conceding tackles, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying this is an accurate indicator of a player’s likelihood to gain bonus in these games. The most relevant indicator of Matic’s potential to earn Sky bonus has to be his average number of tackles per game so far (2.3).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1373" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-2-300x25.png" alt="" width="708" height="59" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-2-300x25.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-2-768x65.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-2-1024x87.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Matic-2.png 1450w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px" /></p>
<h4><strong><u>Matic: Verdict</u></strong></h4>
<p>I think Matic is an excellent option at his price. I am a little concerned that, while his average passing and tackling numbers are good <em>(66.3 passes &amp; 2.3 tackles per game)</em>, they aren’t staggeringly strong, for example, as Jordan Henderson’s were last season <em>(73.6 passes &amp; 2.6 tackles per game avg)</em>. Because of this, I think he’ll narrowly miss out on bonus on a few occasions &#8211; as he did on the opening day against West Ham &#8211; with a frustrating 59 passes and 2 tackles.</p>
<p>That said, I think he offers more than just bonus, and is a real Sky MOTM candidate as the glue in that United midfield. He is currently in my post-Overhaul draft XI.</p>
<h3><strong>Granit Xhaka (ARS)</strong></h3>
<p>Xhaka, coming in at slightly more (8.7m) than Matic, is another very popular bonus pick. Many a Sky manager revelled in his somewhat unexpected 11-point haul on the opening day against Leicester, courtesy of 2 late assists. Since then, the Swiss midfielder has cemented himself at the summit of the table for passes completed with 239, a staggering average of 79.7 per game. Unsurprisingly, he’s recorded Tier 2 passing bonuses in all 3 of his opening games, and even managed it in the 4-0 demolition at the hands of Liverpool (despite his otherwise wretched performance).</p>
<p>This really is encouraging for the Arsenal man’s prospects, as he seems to be a very secure source of bonus regardless of the opponent. Sounds great, right? Don’t get too excited quite yet&#8230;</p>
<p>He’s yet to record any bonus from tackling this season. In fact, incredibly, he hasn’t managed a single successful tackle so far in his 3 outings. This <em>could </em>of course be a massive coincidence, but it’s certainly a cause for concern for potential Xhaka owners.</p>
<h4><u>Post-Overhaul Fixtures</u></h4>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1376" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-1-300x26.png" alt="" width="704" height="61" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-1-300x26.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-1-768x66.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-1-1024x88.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-1.png 1443w" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /></p>
<p>Arsenal’s average possession (66.5%) is substantially higher than any of their next 6 opponents. Those plumping for Xhaka can be confident that his high average passes per game (79.7) will stay high following the overhaul, consistently delivering them Tier 2 passing bonus in the process.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1377" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-2-300x26.png" alt="" width="704" height="61" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-2-300x26.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-2-768x66.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-2-1024x88.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Xhaka-2.png 1450w" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /></p>
<h4><u><strong>Xhaka: Verdict</strong></u></h4>
<p>After Bournemouth on Saturday, Xhaka faces 4 of the least dispossessed teams in the league throughout the first 3 games. Considering he’s yet to register a single tackle it would be hopeful to expect regular tackling bonus from the Swiss international.</p>
<p>Xhaka’s passing returns are almost unquestionable – he’ll pick up Tier 2 bonus in the vast majority of games he starts and finishes. Tackling, though, is clearly a concern. Last season, he carded an average of just below 2 tackles per game. Hardly N’Golo Kante numbers, but enough to see him pick up tackle bonus in a respectable 11 games out of 28. Without some confidence of these returns, for me it becomes difficult to justify his selection ahead of the likes of Matic, who looks primed to gobble up both sets of Sky bonus at a cheaper price.</p>
<p>Should Xhaka rediscover his eye for a tackle and continue to contribute more going forward, his solid passing numbers could see him make a mockery of the 8.7m price tag Sky have slapped on his head. The question is; will he?</p>
<h3><strong>Oriol Romeu (SOU)</strong></h3>
<p>One man who continually comes under the radar in Sky Fantasy Football is Oriol Romeu. He offered fantastic value last season and at 8.4m he threatens to do the same again this campaign. He managed just a single goal last season, so by no means is he the flashiest of picks, but the big Spanish midfielder looks a great bonus option immediately following the overhaul.</p>
<p>3<sup>rd</sup> in the overall Sky bonus points scored standings with one less than the 9 points scored by Xhaka and Matic, he’s managed some pretty impressive numbers. Owned by just 1.9% of managers, the Southampton man has averaged 70 passes and 2 tackles in the opening 3 games, a promising centre ground between Xhaka and Matic.</p>
<h4><u>Post Overhaul Fixtures</u></h4>
<p>This is where the case for Romeu’s inclusion truly ramps up. His next six fixtures are littered with teams amongst the lowest for average possession in the league; a trend which continues all the way to Gameweek 15.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1374" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-1-300x26.png" alt="" width="704" height="61" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-1-300x26.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-1-768x66.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-1-1024x88.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-1.png 1443w" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /></p>
<p>The relative security of bonus returns could well be the best way to exploit Southampton’s great run of games, especially given their struggle to score goals in recent seasons. His average of 70 passes per game looks primed to increase, unlocking a lucrative return of passing bonuses. Southampton have averaged 61.4% possession over their first 3 games, substantially higher than all their upcoming opponents, barring Manchester United.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-1375" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-2-300x26.png" alt="" width="704" height="61" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-2-300x26.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-2-768x66.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-2-1024x88.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Romeu-2.png 1443w" sizes="(max-width: 704px) 100vw, 704px" /><u><br />
</u></p>
<h4><u><strong>Romeu: Verdict</strong></u></h4>
<p>Again, Romeu’s output of 2 tackles per game on average is the biggest indicator, but his fixtures are far from off putting from a tackling perspective.</p>
<p>Averaging very respectable overall passing and tackling numbers, and with a nailed down spot in the double pivot of the South Coast side, Romeu is more than capable of giving Xhaka and Matic a run for their money over the next couple of months in Sky Fantasy Football.</p>
<p>Like Xhaka, his disciplinary record is a concern, and he’s already picked up 2 yellow cards in 3 games this campaign. But with fantasy managers stocking up on Southampton assets for their kind run of fixtures, the Spaniard could well be the smart choice.</p>
<h3><strong>Bonus Midfield Options: Have Your Say</strong></h3>
<p>We&#8217;ve provided a look a the appeal for Matic, Xhaka, and Romeu, as bonus options in midfield, and now it is time to have your say. Do you agree with our options, or do you have another midfield choice in mind? Vote below and comment on this article with your own thoughts.</p>
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