Updated Player Rankings
It’s been a couple of weeks since I updated my player rankings (read player recommendations) for the month to come. With less than a month left I’ve decided to update them. If that makes little or no sense, just wait until you read this lot…
Very little changes high up in the keeper rankings. James remains at the top with a decent set of fixtures with Reina failing to topple him with the rotating Liverpool defence a consideration. Cech comes in third, hindered only by this weekend’s encounter with United. The threat of rest hangs over Van der Sar and hurts his ranking slightly but he holds in fourth, just ahead of Howard who has some tough fixtures. Schwarzer is the big climber to fifth place. He missed the defeat to Bolton with a back injury but, should he return as expected this weekend, he appears to be a decent bet given the fixtures he has to come.
Friedal follows him with decent form and fixtures, although Blackburn have kept just one clean sheet in the last seven. Then comes Harper with excellent form but tough looking fixtures. Cerny drops with the threat of a Robinson recall and a Spurs defence that has kept just a single clean sheet in seven. Gordon, Green and Hart complete the rankings.
Almunia and Lehmann are notable absentees despite a very decent set of fixtures - injury to Almunia and the prospect of starts for Fabianski have put pay to the idea of banking on an Arsenal keeper. There are more assured options in their defence.
Moving on to defenders then and again, there is no change at the top. Terry holds onto that spot after assured Chelsea defensive form. The United fixture is balanced by the threat of Terry at set-pieces - he is due a goal before the season is out. Ferdinand comes in just behind the Chelsea man. He has decent fixtures following the visit to Stamford Bridge but doesn’t carry quite the same goal threat, or FPL bonus potential as Terry.
Gallas and the Arsenal defence are the big climbers amongst the defenders, with Clichy presenting a worthy alternative to the Gunners skipper. Wenger’s men have very strong fixtures and while they have players missing in midfield which could hinder their goal output, defensively though, they should remain sound against Derby, Everton and Sunderland. Boro’s Wheater is another significant climber with very decent fixtures and a potent goal threat. Distin falls slightly just below him with the Pompey defence losing Hreidarsson for one game and the FA Cup final a potential distraction.
Geremi climbs further with excellent form but is hindered by a tough run of games to come. He still ranks above Carragher who is hindered by the threat of rotation. Lescott and Laursen then follow with continued goal threat but tepid defensive form.
In midfield Ronaldo just about holds on to top spot despite a slight dip in form and the threat of Fabregas who is the big climber with Arsenal’s excellent fixtures. Gerrard and Lampard both fall considerably with the threat of rest and a lack of form on Lampard’s part. That benefits the likes of Bentley, Reid, Barry and Reid who all shoot up the rankings. Lower down, Petrov is also a climber with a return to first team action and form. Bullard drops as Fulham’s teeter on the edge of relegation. Larssson and Osman remain decent long shots with a return to fitness for both. Villa’s Petrov is a new entry with form.
I’m still sticking with Berbatov at the top of the forward rankings. His fixtures remain strong for the final three games which is just enough to see off the charge of Santa Cruz - a big climber with form and decent games. Defoe drops to third then but should still fair well with two home games in three. Adebayor climbs slightly with strong fixtures but the slight doubt of rotation. Young comes next, with stunning form as Villa roll on with a decent set of games to come. Owen is just behind him, another big climber with form but some tricky fixtures. Torres drops right down the rankings with the threat of rotation for at least one of the three remaining games. Further down, Alves is a notable new entry with excellent fixtures. Crouch is just below - with good form but a threat of rotation.
anyone think Diaby could be worth a gamble? with Hleb’s suspension he looks like he might well play all 3 remaining games, and after his suspension will be looking to impress in the last games before the break… plus at 5.3mil he could be a bargain
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Diaby is a possibility but Gilberto would be my choice as he’s played the last three games and scored in the last.
He’s surely going to start against Derby and has something to prove if he wants to stay on the pitch and not on the bench.
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Is Gerrard almost certainly not gonna feature at the weekend?? If so, I’ll bring in Bentley for him, so the following week I can bring in Santa Cruz for Daryl Murphy (one of my usual subs) and have both of them versus Derby. Or is Barry/Young a better bet?
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who is a better captain Fabrigas or Adebayor. I know the poll favors Cesc but who wood you pick Mark?
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Hmmm…Petrov or Elano?
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Reply by Tim on April 24, 2008 11:14 am:
With City’s defensive problems Elano played at right-back at the wkend- this is likely to continue for the last few games which would drastically reduce his output.
go with petrov!
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Hmm Aussieclaret you may have a great idea there with Gilberto. With Hleb out he would be likley to get starts for the rest of the season I think. If you’re only going to have one Arsenal player this weekend though is it madness to pick him over Fabregas?
I’m trying to decide who to replace the redundant Diaby for.. Fabs, Gilberto or Barry.
One thing I don’t get though is why would Adebayor be at risk of rotation now? Arsenal don’t have many fixtures as they’re (sadly) out of competitions and Van Persie is still not firing. I’d have thought he’d be guaranteed?
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Reply by CK on April 24, 2008 9:23 am:
Adebayor being rested is purely speculation on here. I think it’s based on the fact that they have little to play for and have a few players who could be tried out with a few starts. With Van Persie not injured anymore it does look possible that Adebayor may not start V Derby (I hope not though) so it’s worth keeping an eye on.
I’m banking on Mark having a cup of tea and a scone with Wenger and getting the inside info!
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Reply by Ash on April 24, 2008 12:46 pm:
Arsenal still have a bit to play for..chasing 2nd place for the auto qualification into the Champions league. so I’d imagine Adebayor will still play
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Chelsea star Lampard set to miss title decider against Manchester United following death of his mother.
R.I.P.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 24, 2008 11:04 am:
Vidic is set to miss out too.
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Reply by CK on April 24, 2008 11:09 am:
Yeah according to SSN he will miss out - I’ll bet he will play!!
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we’re hoping that Sun Jihai will be fit and Elano won’t have to play at right back
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Sounds like Arsene might be getting the Rafa lurgy. Hard to se who he could rest with all the injuries though. Any thoughts Mark?
http://www.arsenal.com/article.....08+players
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Surely he couldnt rest Fabregas?!?!?
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Reply by Alex on April 24, 2008 3:37 pm:
Gallas / Clichy / Van Persie maybe?
But not Fabs…please not Fabs.
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Reply by Dr Sanchez on April 24, 2008 3:44 pm:
I’d just made up my mind to swap Caragher for Gallas when I checked the website for injuries. Now I’m all of a quandry. And as for the captaincy…..
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Can anyone help? Two games left and I still to use my wildcard in the fantasypremierleague. Im top and ahead by 28pts. Here is my current team:
Howard/Carson
Shorey, Distin, Laursen, Wheater, Geremi.
Ronaldo, Fabregas, Andy Reid, Johnson (man.City), Bullard
Defoe, Adebaynor, Crouch.
What should I do to get further ahead and put my wildcard to use? Appreciate any help. Was thinking Cruz since Blackburn playing Derby!
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