Team of the Week: The Cross King, Sparta Everywhere and a Familiar Face
The absence of AZ, Feyenoord, PEC Zwolle and Fortuna Sittard was clearly felt in ESPN Fantasy Football. After a high-scoring opening round full of standout performers and chip usage, the average Fantasy score dropped to 47 last week and fell again to just 45 points per team in matchweek 3.
Still, plenty of players managed to shine. A quick look at the Team of the Week shows that several stars are stepping up at just the right moment.
Three storylines stand out this round: FC Utrecht continues to rely on familiar faces, Sparta has well and truly bounced back from its slow start, and for the first time this season, one player has earned a repeat appearance in the Team of the Week.
King. Emperor. El Karouani
Let’s break down the numbers since the start of last season—because one name keeps popping up.
Most open-play crosses? Souffian El Karouani with 164. Most chances created from set pieces? Again, El Karouani, with 45. Defender with the highest Expected Assists? El Karouani at 8.03. And the most actual assists by a defender? You guessed it: 11 for El Karouani.
The VriendenLoterij Eredivisie has a true specialist. His name? Souffian El Karouani (6.5M). His signature move? The cross. Whether it’s a whipped corner, a deep ball from the flank or a sharp cutback in the box—if FC Utrecht is threatening, chances are he’s involved.
With three bonus points added, El Karouani finished the Fantasy weekend on 14 points, tied for the highest total. Fun fact: teammate Victor Jensen (5.1M) matched that number thanks to two second-half goals against Excelsior.
All eyes on Sparta
The third player to hit 14 Fantasy points in matchweek 3 might come as a surprise. After a nightmare debut against PSV, Joël Drommel (4.5M) bounced back in style. A saved penalty and several key stops helped the on-loan keeper lead Sparta to an impressive 0–3 win away at Go Ahead Eagles.
And Drommel’s not the only Spartan in the Team of the Week. Full-backs Shurandy Sambo (4.5M) and Patrick van Aanholt (4.5M) join him, along with standout striker Tobias Lauritsen (6.5M).
Chery strikes again
A smartly taken penalty and his usual class on the ball were more than enough to earn Tjaronn Chery (6.7M) another spot in the Team of the Week. And not just any spot — the NEC playmaker becomes the first player this season to make a return appearance.
Considering NEC’s dominant style of play so far, the 37-year-old’s impressive fitness and the fact that he’s involved in nearly every set piece, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Chery become a Monday morning regular in the Fantasy spotlight.
Matchweek 4 is coming up with a full slate of nine games, starting Friday, August 29 at 8:00 PM in Groningen. After a shorter schedule last weekend, this is your moment to go all-in with your Fantasy team.
Make sure your team is locked in on time so you don’t miss out on any points. The deadline is Friday at 7:55 PM.
📲 Stay up to date via fantasyvoetbal.nl or watch the latest Fantasy Voetbal Show on ESPN’s YouTube channel.
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