Here’s another selection of footballers who might do rather well for fantasy points this weekend. As regular visitors will know, “might” is the key word here.
Take in the midweek meander and get your ears around this week’s podcast for some further insight into my thoughts for the weekend fixtures and if you’re already acquainted with all that, read on for this week’s muddled methodology….
Okay let’s dive straight in with my pick between the posts – I’ve gone of Green of West Ham. Not an obvious choice given that the Hammers have struggled for clean sheets at Upton Park, however they are on a decent run and goal-shy Fulham are in town. Hodgson’s side have drawn blanks in their last four away games and even if they do breach the Hammers backline, Green should be good for a few saves.
The selection of Green does free up some slots for defenders from the big two – United and Chelsea. Vidic has to keep his place – it’s hard to imagine a week without him nowadays. Untied face a trip to the Reebok which will test their resolve but given Bolton’s crippling injuries (Elmander is the latest likely to miss out) then Vidic and his defence should record that tenth consecutive cleany to equal Chelsea’s record. Evans and O’Shea are your cheaper, short-term options if you need them.
Talking of Chelsea, the Blues are at home to Stoke – a fixture that would normally scream “blue murder” and a clean sheet to us all. Stoke’s style of play and set-piece prowess will cause problems but in a week where defensive points look difficult to detect, it’s asking a lot to look beyond the Chelsea defence. Carvalho was omitted from the lineup at Southend in midweek, reportedly through an injury rather than a bust-up with Scolari. He is fit for this weekend however, and presents a good option. Cheaper than Bosingwa, he could also bring in FPL bonus if he can handle the Stoke aerial barrage.
Blackburn’s Emerton is a slight gamble but does promise points at the other end while he holds down a wide midfield role. Big Sam has been prioritising clean sheets and I see this continuing at home to Newcastle. With Dunn and Santa Cruz likely to return, Rovers could also be good for a couple of goals and Emerton’s supply from the right and set-piece delivery might return some profits. Samba is another consideration if you fancy Rovers at set-pieces.
Fulham’s Hangeland is my final pick in defence. He’s been in outstanding form all season, while Hodgson’s side have been so very tight on their travels. West Ham seem likely to be without Bellamy given events at the Hammers training ground today and that convinced me that the home side will struggle to break the considerable Fulham resolve, despite Zola’s side recent form.
Ronaldo and Lampard remain fixtures in my midfield. The United man has been on a poor run of fantasy form but remains the the best option when selecting an attacking player from Ferguson’s lineup. With United taking on an injury ravaged Bolton at the Reebok – they could be good for a couple of goals with some contribution from Ronaldo.
Equally this is not a week to look beyond Lampard. Chelsea should be too strong for Stoke and although they have struggled to score goals at Stamford Bridge, it’s hard to ignore their quality and Lampard’s threat from midfield and set-plays. Kalou and Anelka also offer decent options this week, should you allow yourself a third player from Scolari’s side.
Jay Simpson makes his debut in the picks this week. West Brom need another home win to keep their head above the relegation waters and they face a Boro side who always struggle for clean sheets. It’s often dangerous to bet against Southgate’s side but with Pogatetz a doubt, I can see them struggling to cope with the lively Arsenal loanee. A stunning goal in midweek, Simpson looks good to get off the mark in the Premier League this weekend.
I’ve followed a hunch with my final midfield pick and opted for Gamst-Pedersen. The perennial fantasy sleeper, Pedersen has spoken of his increase in confidence with the arrival of Allardyce. He’s likely to be up against Edgar in Newcastle’s defence and I see Rovers nicking a couple of goals with supply from wide areas a crucial factor. With Emerton and Pedersen in the picks – I should have this potential covered.
With that in mind, McCarthy was a temptation up front and I still see him amongst the points. Let’s not go crazy with a third Rovers player though. Instead I’ll bring in Robinho who should return at Eastlands as City take on Wigan. Steve Bruce’s side are in strong form and City may struggle to break them down. Robinho is a massive threat in City’s home games however and with Ireland out and Wright-Phillips a doubt, he’ll have to step up if City are to claim the points in this one.
The final pick up front sees me have a change of heart. Earlier in the week I predicted that Arsenal would again struggle for goals at Hull. However, the suspension to Zayatte and the return of McShane to Sunderland, leaves Phil Brown’s brittle defence looking threadbare. I see Arsenal nicking a couple of goals and Van Persie being the chief tormentor. He has the form and, while Turner will look to take care of Adeabyor, I see Van Persie doing the damage.
You’ll notice I’ve ignored the Liverpool back four – three reason’s here. Number one, I’m forced to opt for Carragher given that the rest of the defence are under threat of rotation. Secondly, Liverpool are in poor defensive form and thirdly they are up against an Everton side with an excellent away record of late.
Elsewhere in defence, I was tempted to gamble on Portsmouth’s Glenn Johhson. Adams will go to White Hart Lane determined to claim a clean sheet and I see them defending stubbornly with a 4-5-1. Fresh from signing a new contract, Johnson will also be a key threat attacking Bale who has been suspect in defensive terms. Defoe will be looking to prove a point on facing his former team-mates but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pompey equally determined on the day to make a statement to Defoe.
In midfield I like the look of Valencia at City, Ashley Young as always and even Downing for Boro at West Brom. I’ve stuck Arsenal’s Diaby on my bench though, should there be any late injuries. Up front meanwhile, aside from McCarthy, there’s a chance that Sturridge will start for City, so he could offer potential value.