The bandwagon: [noun] a fantasy football term relating to a player that is on a good run of form.
Jumping on a successful 'bandwagon' as early as possible will pay dividends for your fantasy football side, as others (those 'missing the bandwagon') watch on.
The trick is to anticipate which bandwagons are about to explode, which you should stick with and which you should jump off.
Fantasy football game www.oulala.com has the most sophisticated scoring matrix in fantasy football, comprised of 70 different statistical criteria. Oulala has analysed a host of players who fall into each of these 'bandwagon' categories and, here, they reveal the three players that fantasy football players should consider including, holding or dropping from their fantasy football sides this weekend.
Buy
Newcastle's Georginio Wijnaldum should definitely be on your fantasy football radar in the coming weeks. The Dutchman faces Stoke at home this weekend, while in November his side will meet Bournemouth, Leicester and Crystal Palace. As Newcastle's standout player this season, the 24-year-old has impressed since his move from PSV in the summer.
Stats show that the attacking midfielder has been the heartbeat of Newcastle's attack. Scoring six goals from 15 shots has given Wijnaldum an impressive shot-conversion of 40%. He has also recorded an excellent shot-accuracy of 77% this season. The Dutchman is also performing well creatively. He has enjoyed a pass accuracy of 85%, provided team-mates with 10 key passes and has made one assist.
If you're looking for a midfielder that can provide your fantasy football team with an extra attacking threat, someone who the majority of your opponents probably don't have within their team - making him a decent differential - look no further than Wijnaldum this weekend.
Hold
Alexis Sánchez may have drawn a blank against Everton last weekend but the Chilean is a definite 'hold' if you have him in your fantasy football side.
The Arsenal forward is a player known in the fantasy football world as 'fixture proof'. He is capable of scoring big points against any team.
The 26-year-old's stats, provided by Oulala, fully support why Sánchez is fantasy football's main hold right now. As Arsenal's top scorer with six goals from 10 games, he is the key attacking threat for, arguably, the Premier League's most attacking side. His 48 shots may suggest that he is not being as clinical as he could be but the chances are there, showing a clear potential for more goals. A 58% shot-accuracy is a reasonable return.
Creatively, the Chilean is still yet to register an assist this season, but it won't be long until he does. The stats show that Sánchez has an 82% pass accuracy, has completed an excellent 30 take-ons and has provided 16 key passes for team-mates this season.
Sell
When a manager begins to lose faith in his players, it might be time for you to follow suit and drop them from your fantasy football team too.
Louis van Gaal's decision to drop Memphis Depay to the bench for Manchester United's last two league games should have you reaching for the eject button. After being substituted at half-time against Arsenal in Manchester United's 3-0 defeat at the start of October, Depay hasn't featured in the Premier League since. United have gone on to pick up four valuable points against Manchester City and Everton in his absence.
Oulala's stats backup van Gaal's decision to drop Depay from the first team. The Dutchman has only scored one Premier League goal this season from a total of 25 shots, a poor shot-conversion of 4%. He has also recorded a disappointing shot-accuracy of 44%. Depay hasn't been overly creative either, only providing four key passes from his eight games, resulting in no assists.
Will you be looking to jump on the Wijnaldum bandwagon this weekend? Are you keeping faith with Sánchez? And is Depay's time in your fantasy football side finally up?
Stats and Infographic supplied by fantasy football game www.oulala.com