Fanteam Fantasy Football: Much-maligned Tottenham star to shine?

After an unpredictable round of Premier League fixtures, bar, of course, Liverpool's routine 2-0 win over Manchester United, there is a round of midweek action ahead of the FA Cup weekend. All 20 teams are in action and what better way to enjoy the round of games than with the opportunity to win money with FanTeam. 

The Weekly Monster! jackpot is on offer this week, as is the opportunity to secure a spot in the Spring Championship of Fantasy Football. There are two seats up for grabs in the midweek round of fixtures, but what exactly is the SCOFF? 

It covers the final two gameweeks of the 2019/20 Premier League season and it gives users the chance to turn €1 into €150,000! There are payouts all the way down to 90th spot in the SCOFF, with €150,000 guaranteed to the winner in the €500,000 prize pool. Unregistered users have the opportunity to test out FanTeam before having the chance to take part in the SCOFF as our good friends at FanTeam offer free €2 tickets for a €6,500 prize pool game, or beginners can try out the freerolls to get to grips with the system, meaning there is no need to deposit any money. 

Here, WhoScored.com run through their three tips and their XI to help secure a spot in the SCOFF ahead of the Premier League matches, which kick off at 19:30 GMT this evening... 

Troy Deeney (Watford) vs Aston Villa (8.9m) 

Watford are one of the form teams in the Premier League at present, with Nigel Pearson having the desired effect following his appointment. The Hornets now sit outside the drop zone and can take a huge step towards safety with a win over a fellow relegation rival tonight. Watford travel to Aston Villa as they seek to maintain their unbeaten run and do the double over the Villans. 

Key to that will be boyhood Birmingham City fan Troy Deeney, who has a fine record against Aston Villa. Indeed, the Hornets skipper has scored five goals in three Premier League meetings with Villa, including a brace in a man of the match display in the reverse fixture. 

Serge Aurier (Tottenham) vs Norwich (10.8m) 

Tottenham are yet to score a Premier League goal this year and came within 10 millimeters of securing a late win at Watford on Saturday, but while they are yet to score, a clean sheet will have boosted morale. Jose Mourinho is yet to strike the right balance between defence and attack, yet he will take solace from his side's defensive resolve in their 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road. 

Serge Aurier has been one to blossom from Mourinho's appointment, with the Ivorian granted the license to push forward on a whim to help stretch opponents. Aurier was the WhoScored man of the match at Watford and he'll be crucial to finding a way past Norwich this week. Daniel Farke's side have scored fewer away league goals (5) than any other Premier League side this season, so he is in line for a clean sheet bonus, too, provided Spurs can keep the Canaries grounded on home turf in midweek. 

Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) vs Sheffield United (12.9m) 

Despite seven of Riyad Mahrez's 19 Premier League appearances coming from the bench, the Algerian has still earned a WhoScored rating of 7.64 this season, that the third best in England's top tier. Factoring in just starts, Mahrez's WhoScored rating shoots up to a notable 8.32 and having started the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace from the bench, he is expected to come into the XI at Sheffield United on Wednesday night. 

Mahrez has seven goals and seven assists to his name despite registering just 1103 minutes of top-flight action this term, with the wing wizard having a direct hand in a goal every 79 minutes. Given five of City's last six away Premier League meetings have seen in excess of three goals scored, Mahrez will be aiming to mark his likely return to the City XI with another stand out display.