Despite only one of my punts producing goods last week, it was the most pleasing Gameweek for me. Many of the community turned their noses up at my pick of Glen Johnson and that is fair enough. His form for Liverpool had been poor and he hadn’t scored since December 2012. However, as I predicted, his pace allowed him to beat his man and nod in Rickie Lambert’s rebounded shot. Not only did he score but the leaky Liverpool defence kept a clean sheet so Johnson served up an incredible 15 points after bonus. Jefferson Montero was ineffective for Swansea and Andy Carroll threatened without any product but last Gameweek belonged to Johnson. Here is the first of two articles this week as I endeavor to reach last week’s heights. All Fantasy Premier League ownership and price figures are correct as of November 30th.
Brede Hangeland
Club: Crystal Palace
Position: Defender
Price: 4.8
Ownership: 0.9%
I am a big fan of Brede Hangeland. His physique makes him nearly impossible to beat in the air which means he is useful at the back and also a threat from set pieces. After arriving from Fulham in the summer Hangeland has not been first choice for Palace, but with Damien Delaney out injured the Norwegian is set for a little run of games. Believe it or not, despite playing a mere 588 minutes, only Mile Jedinak and Frazier Campbell have scored more Premier League goals than Hangeland this season for Crystal Palace. Hangeland opened his account in the opening Gameweek against Arsenal, notching from a corner and added a second goal in Gameweek 9 against West Brom, again from a set play. Statistics-wise, out of the three set pieces Hangeland has been involved in from an attacking perspective, he has scored twice. That is an incredible ratio and highlights his threat going forward. This Gameweek, Crystal Palace welcome Aston Villa to Selhurst Park. Ron Vlaar is in contention for a return but if he doesn’t make it then Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore will play at the heart of the defence. The average percentage of aerial duals won between these three is a mere 55.2% which is awful compared to Hangeland’s 75%. Whoever marks Hangeland is likely to be in for a torrid night. Dwight Gayle is a fox in the box, and should Hangeland win a header and not score, Gayle will be looking to latch on to rebounds, as he did against Liverpool. This makes assists a possibility for Hangeland as well as goals.
Palace fans are incredible and the stadium will be rocking for another evening fixture. Villa have been struggling for form lately, scoring only three times in their last nine games. Crystal Palace’s defence hasn’t been magnificent this season, only keeping two clean sheets. However, their form seems to be on the way up. Super skipper Mile Jedinak is leading the upturn, with goals in the last two, and after beating Liverpool and managing a solid point against Swansea, they will be full of confidence. Hangeland is an incredible threat from set plays and a favourable fixture against a weak Villa side makes him an enticing option this week.
Leon Osman
Club: Everton
Position: Midfielder
Price: 5.1
Ownership: 0.7%
I am prepared for this week’s midfield punt to fall flat, even more so than I was Glen Johnson. However, I have a gut instinct that Osman is the man this Gameweek. The main reason he is a punt, as well as his less than 1% ownership, is because of his uncertain starting place. Samuel Eto’o has been playing behind Lukaku in recent weeks, apart from against West Ham, when Osman scored. However, as the games come thick and fast for the Toffees I think the Cameroon international may be rested. Eto’o played the majority of the match against Wolfsburg whereas Osman came on as a sub (albeit in the first half). Then Eto’o started again against Tottenham last weekend and after a lacklustre performance was substituted for Osman in the 61st minute. Eto’o has played a lot recently and his fatigue was clear to see against Spurs so Osman deserves to start this Gameweek.
Everton’s midweek clash sees them return to Goodison and square up against Hull City. Statistically Hull have been the worst Premier League side this calendar year and after a close loss at the weekend Everton will be raring to get back into action. Hull have only kept two clean sheets in their last 12 fixtures so a goal-happy Everton side will be ready to exploit this. Osman’s statistics are impressive. An 89% passing accuracy on average means he is always close to bonus points and he creates more than one goalscoring chance each game. Osman’s goal threat, however, is more appealing than his assist potential. Osman himself has a goalscoring chance every 54 minutes and has had 10 attempts in his nine appearances this season. He loves to drop to the edge of the penalty box and this is where his goals come from. Romelu Lukaku is also enjoying a good spell of form at the moment, with two goals in his last three matches, and if Osman can link up well with him there could be assists this week, too. He is a workhorse and, should he start, he could profit against a weak Hull side.
Robin van Persie
Club: Manchester United
Position: Forward
Price: 12.4
Ownership: 1.9%
I couldn’t believe Robin van Persie’s ownership when I looked – a mere 1.9%! For a previous Premier League top scorer that is outrageous. But after a thunderbolt against Hull, Van Persie may be getting his mojo back. Louis van Gaal was quick to praise the striker for his performance last weekend so the fit-again Falcao shouldn’t pose a threat to his starting place. This Gameweek, United face Stoke City at home. Van Gaal’s side are gathering momentum, sit fourth in the league and have only lost one of their last eight.
Van Perise has had a fairly quiet season so far but has been cracking shots off. He has mustered 29 attempts in total this season with over half of them on target and an incredible 25 in the box. The fact that Van Persie has got so many shots off in the box shows that he still has his predatory instinct. He has scored from a set piece as well as taking free kicks and corners. The loss of Angel Di Maria, to a hamstring injury, will be a blow for United but they still managed to net three without him last time out so don’t let the loss of the Argentine put you off the Dutchman. Robin van Persie is a top class striker, proven on the highest of levels and gaining confidence and form. With an outrageously low ownership he could launch you up your mini-league should he explode.
9 years, 3 months ago
Another great trio...who will be this week's Johnson? 😉