Riyad Mahrez and the three other Fantasy Football budget options

Fantasy Football’s Budget Options

(2015 Getty Images)

Unpredictable seasons can produce players performing at a higher level than would have been expected. This season is a clear indication of that. Many of the top scoring fantasy football players have not necessarily been the big names. In-turn, this has resulted in the availability of a vast number of excellent fantasy football budget options.

The Independent have teamed up with fantasy football game www.oulala.com to reveal four players that have shown fantastic value for money this season.

Oulala boast the most sophisticated scoring matrix in fantasy football, which comprises 70 different statistical criteria sourced straight from Opta. The ideal tool to identify the best players to pick when working on a budget in fantasy football.

We've checked out the stats and have come up with four bargains that you should be looking to bring into your fantasy football team this weekend.

Jack Butland kept his sixth clean sheet of the season last weekend as Stoke City saw off Manchester City with a 2-0 win at the Britannia. Only Joe Hart has kept more clean sheets this season (7). Butland has been in terrific form as highlighted by his formidable array of stats. The 22-year-old has made the third highest number of saves by any keeper (58). When broken down to a saves per goal conceded ratio, he leads the field with 4.1. The England number two is also averaging 3.7 claims per game, the third best from any keeper to have appeared in more than 10 league matches. His claim success-rate currently sits at an exceptional 98 per cent. Stoke travel to West Ham on Saturday, a side that has scored just three goals in their last five league outings.

The Riyad Mahrez bandwagon began with a bang as he netted a brace in Leicester City's 4-2 win over Sunderland on the opening day of the season. After his hat-trick away to Swansea City last weekend in the Foxes impressive 3-0 win, it continues to chug along. The stats back up just why Mahrez is scoring and assisting so many goals this season. Looking beyond his 10 goals and six assists in his 14 appearances, reveals yet more impressive numbers. The Algerian has had 42 shots, a high figure for a midfielder, at an accuracy of 63 per cent. Mahrez has completed 74 per cent of his passes, has created 31 chances for team-mates and has completed 50 successful dribbles. The 24-year-old has also put in a shift defensively winning 18 tackles, 16 interceptions and 11 clearances. The in-form Leicester host struggling champions Chelsea on Monday night.


 Riyad Mahrez is a Fantasy Football bargain
 (Oulala)

In Fantasy Football Jamie Vardy costs a fraction of what either Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez do, yet he has scored more goals than the pair combined. The Leicester City forward is the Premier League's top scorer by three clear goals with 14 in 15 games. The 28-year-old has had 58 shots with an accuracy of 60 per cent. His shot conversion-rate sits at an impressive 24 per cent. Vardy has also been creative this season setting up a total of 19 chances for team-mates and registering two assists. His explosive pace has been his most discussed attribute, however his physical presence and work-rate have been widely under-appreciated. Vardy has won 16 tackles, 45 aerial duels and has also made eight interceptions this season.

Odion Ighalo has arguably been the surprise player of the Premier League this season, however has been massively overshadowed by the exploits of Leicester duo Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. Following promotion to the Premier League, the Watford forward is the league's third top goal scorer with nine goals. Ighalo's stats highlight the true extent to his overall ability. He has attempted 49 shots with an accuracy of 55 per cent. He has also created 17 chances for team-mates resulting in two assists and he has also successfully completed 19 dribbles. An away trip to relegation battlers Sunderland on Saturday awaits.

Stats supplied by daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com

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