A laptop and an hour-long commute was just enough for me to bring you my picks after another long day. Apologies again for the tardiness – things will ease up for me soon and normal service will be resumed. Anyway, enough of the whining – let’s crack on with the business part…
Starting at the back and Arsenal have stiffened in defence of late with just 2 goals conceded in the last 6 league games. With Champions League football in midweek, the back four could be under threat of rotation so I’ll take Almunia as my keeper this week. He might see some action against Sunderland but I’m backing the Gunners defence to continue their run of form and return another Emirates clean sheet.
In front of him comes the ever-dependable Vidic – the rock around which United have formed an incredible run of 14 consecutive league clean sheets. It’s hard to see Blackburn ending that run at Old Trafford this weekend. Evra offers an option here but I’m quite happy investing that little more in the goal and FPL bonus potential presented by the big serb. His ban for the first leg of the Champions League against Inter also protects him for rest. The same can’t be said for Ferdinand and Evra.
Alongside Vidic, I’ve kept faith with the Liverpool defence and Arbeloa. Rafa’s rearguard don’t fill me with confidence but then neither does Man City’s attack away from home. I can see Rafa rotating things, perhaps looking to keep things tight and just do enough in this one. This looks an unspectacular 1-0 home win, which will do just fine for Benitez and for Arbeloa’s chances of bringing in a clean sheet. There are other options in the ‘Pool defence but for me, the Spaniard offers the best security for the best price.
Hull’s Mendy earns a starting role this week. He’s now established himself as a key attacking threat on the right of Hull’s midfield. Phil Brown and fantasy owners will again be looking to the Frenchman to provide the kind of returns he brought against West Brom last time out in the league at the KC stadium. Classed as a defender across the fantasy games and a cheap one at that – he looks a good bet against a Spurs side who have lost 4 of their last 5 on the road.
Bolton’s Steinsson is another defender who found himself in a midfield role last time out. He could well be switched to right-back against West Ham this weekend but with the Hammers lacking the considerable threat of Carlton Cole, I actually fancy Megson’s side to notch a cleanie at the Reebok. Steinsson offers assist potential – particularly if he’s kept on the right of midfield.
You want alternatives – you’ve got a few. The Fulham defence always remains an option, despite the midweek setback at the hands of United. They face a West Brom side that have goals in them, although Hangeland looks a decent shout with his threat from set-plays. Never a strong suit for the Baggies defence.
The Boro vs West Brom game has 0-0 stamped all over it for me, so Southgate’s defence is a short-term option and Wigan’s defenders hold their potential for another week. Wheater and N’Zogbia look the strongest options amongst them. Lastly there’s the solid Everton defence at Newcastle – although I have to admit, I see the home side notching a goal here. If you disagree, then Jagielka, Lescott and budget Baines are at your disposal.
Let’s now move into the midfield and my biggest dilemma of all this week. What do with Lampard and Ronaldo. Both look fragile this gameweek – Lampard due to strong opposition in Villa away; the other due to a lack of form and the threat of rest/rotation pre-Champions League. That all prompted to look around for alternatives.
I looked at Fulham’s Murphy at home to West Brom but wasn’t confident enough to invest twice in Hodgson’s side. Then there was Boro’s Downing playing just off the striker at the Riverside against Wigan but I just don’t see goals in that one. Liverpool’s Kuyt and Chelsea’s Kalou are both midfielder’s playing in more advanced roles but both run a slight risk given that Rafa has Madrid on his mind and god knows what Hiddink has on his with regards to Chelsea’s best lineup. Of course there’s no Gerrard option this week either, although I was tempted by the Benayoun option – he makes my bench.
In the end I’m left starring in the faces of the not-so-dependable duo sitting forlornly in my fantasy dressing room. I fancy Chelsea to get something at Villa and I fancy Ronaldo to start against Blackburn. That’s just enough to see Ronaldo and Lampard keep their places in the picks.
Matt Taylor is my second Bolton selection. Always a threat on the left and most prominently from set-plays, Taylor could find some joy with West Ham lacking regular right-back and club skipper Lucas Neill through suspension. Taylor is a good mid-term prospect too given Bolton’s forthcoming fixtures which sees them take on 3 of the next 4 at the Reebok, against beatable opposition.
Arteta is edging towards essential status in the FPL game with every passing gameweek. While he’s not so profitable in other fantasy games – he still looks a strong option this weekend as in-form Everton travel to a Newcastle side that has shipped goals at home.
Up front there are plenty of options available this week with Rooney and Berbatov looking strong at home to Blackburn. Torres – albeit threatened slightly by a Champions League rest or an early substitution – looking potent against City at Anfield and of course, last week’s hero for Everton, Jo, up against an obliging Newcastle defence. I’ve stuck with Arsenal’s Van Persie though – despite recent disappointment in fantasy terms.
With Eduardo out and Arshavin destined for the bench, it looks like a Bendtner/Van Persie partnership against Sunderland. The Gunners haven’t been fluent or free-scoring at home but they should be too strong for Sbragia’s side and the Dutchman should be the main threat and attacking points scorer. Bendtner is well worth a look as a budget alternative.
I’ve partnered the Arsenal man with Fulham’s Andrew Johnson who is expected to return to the attack after missing the trip to Old Trafford in midweek. Fulham have scored more goals over the last 5 home games than any other club and are up against a West Brom defence that always presents opportunities to strikers. Johnson has scored all his 5 goals so far this term at the Cottage and with 5 home games in the next 7, he looks a very strong bet for this week and the next month.