Round 23 of the Isuzu UTE A-League season kicks off on Friday afternoon – and with the start of a new round comes fresh possibilities for you and your Official A-Leagues Fantasy team!
Consider these five fantasy options heading into Round 23, thanks to neds.
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Connor Pain – Western United
- Price: $392K
- Ownership: 1%
- Three-round average: 14.0 points
Connor Pain notched a goal and assist in Western United’s 3-3 draw on the road with Sydney FC in Round 22, in what was arguably his best performance of the season.
It was a continuation of the winger’s fine form through the backend of the season; he’s scored 10 or more points in four of his last seven outings, and with single-round scores of 18 and 21 coming from his last three appearances, only three players have averaged more points (Craig Goodwin 24.3 three game avg, Jay O’Shea 17.0 and Mathew Leckie (16.0).
Pain is certainly a player to consider heading into the weekend’s action.
Damien Da Silva – Melbourne Victory
- Price: $290K
- Ownership: 1%
- Three-round average: 12.3 points
Damien Da Silva has made a definite impact since his arrival at Melbourne Victory in mid-season, and his fantasy form will be valuable to any manager in need of some late-season funds to target players with a premium price tag in the run home.
Da Silva’s two most recent single-round point totals of 10 and 26 have helped his three-round average climb to 12.3; with a breakeven of -16 for Round 23, he is projected to increase in value by almost $90k at the end of the round.
Robert Mak – Sydney FC
- Price: $278k
- Ownership: 4%
- Three-round average: 10.3
The end of the season is all about targeting in-form players – and potential differentials. In Sydney FC forward Robert Mak – owned by just 4% of fantasy managers – you may just find the answer to any of your frontline woes.
Mak flies into Round 23 off the back of a superb brace in sydney’s 3-3 draw with Western last time out, which netted him 23 points for the round. Priced at just $278K, the Slovakian international appears value for money as an end-of-season punt.
Zach Clough – Adelaide United
- Price: $348K
- Ownership: 2%
- Three-round average: 9.0 points
Consistency is key for Adelaide’s number 10 who, in the last four rounds, has breached the 10-point mark on three occasions. He’s outperforming his season average of 7.1 as the quiet contributor to an exciting Reds frontline; Craig Goodwin steals the show week in, week out, but Clough is involved in plenty of Adelaide’s best attacking play.
Aiden O’Neill – Melbourne City
- Price: $453K
- Ownership: 3%
- Three-round average: 13.3
One of the form players of the competition, this Melbourne City midfielder appears primed to storm to the end of the season – and add goals to his tally on the way.
O’Neill exploded for 26 points in Round 20 off the back of a brace against Brisbane Roar; he continued his scoring form midweek in the rescheduled derby and, with a 13.3 point three-round average, is performing well above his season average of just 6.5. Next up? Wellington Phoenix, who are suffering a minor form blip. With Adelaide breathing down City’s neck in the title charge, don’t expect O’Neill or the league-leaders to take their foot off the pedal.
