Back home after another excursion – here are the belated picks for this gameweek. It’s a double fixture for four of our teams and without a meander to support these this week, you can get my more on the weekend’s fixtures via the podcast and this post earlier in the week discussing the double gameweek strategies.
Once you’ve digested that lot, rinse it down with the usual blurb that hopefully goes some way to explaining this week’s lineup.
The bright lights of a double gameweek for United, City, Fulham and Portsmouth can be very distracting. I’ve written at length on my views on the strategy for this and little has changed since then. The injury to Gerrard and the chance that Rafa will rest Torres, has bettered Portsmouth’s odds of bringing in defensive points somewhat, although you still back Liverpool to sneak a win at Fratton Park. As for Portsmouth vs City, to my mind you’re more likely to back City’s attacking players which means you’d be hedging your bets by looking the Portsmouth defence.
For me, it’s certainly worth backing United to the hilt. You should be looking to go into the gameweek with three of their players in your squad. As for City, again they look worthy of investment given their two fixtures (MID por). Goals should be forthcoming therefore I’m endorsing investment in their usual array of attacking talent. Fulham and Portsmouth in contrast look risky options. Their attacking form has faltered, particularly Fulham’s away from home. Defensively Fulham are perhaps worth a look although you shouldn’t plan for big returns and may have to rely on supplementary points likes saves from Schwarzer and even Hangeland’s goal and FPL bonus potential.
Of course this view is based around games like the Fantasy Premier League where goals, assists and clean sheets equals points. In the Guardian game, players can earn so many points for their defensive play – interceptions, clearances etc – it means that the likes of the Fulham and Portsmouth defence are very much in the picture. The fact they have tough opposition over the next five days makes them more likely to be busy and makes them even more attractive as short-term signings.
Let’s get on the with the picks though and start in goal. Before today I had Reina in place here, with a Chelsea defender, most likely Bosingwa in the defence. News of Cech’s injury and the start for Hilario has scared me off and changed that however, so I’ve opted to oust the Chelsea defender and go with a selection from Liverpool. That left the goalkeeper’s jersey up for grabs and that finds me reluctantly turning to Schwarzer once again. While I’m not overly confident of clean sheets from the Fulham stopper, he should generate some save points against Wigan and United and those could be just enough to warrant his selection in the FPL.
In front of him then I’ve opted for Arbeloa from the Liverpool defence. He is certain to play and a cheaper option than Carragher. He’s your man if you have the cash to splash – he’s always more likely to bring in FPL bonus in a Liverpool clean sheet scenario. Skrtel is even cheaper than Arbeloa but I do worry that with Crouch and, maybe the lofty Kanu, around for Portsmouth, Rafa will be tempted to draft in Hyypia. Arbeloa is reasonably priced and assured of a start.
Vidic keeps his place at the back of course – he remains a “must pick” particularly in a double gameweek situation. O’Shea is an option as he is set to start this weekend but Evra is back on the bench and could come into contention for the Fulham game. The same can be said for Wes Brown who will start for Neville tomorrow but is likely to be rotated out for the second fixture against Fulham.
The Everton defence has been rock solid of late and is now about to enter a run of favourable fixtures that should bring more returns. Lescott is pricey but carries the additional goal threat. Jagileka is cheaper and perhaps offers greater bonus potential. Baines meanwhile, is your cheap option but less assured of starts in the long-term with Yobo now fit. I’ve gone for Lescott this gameweek.
The final spot in my defence goes to Wigan’s new signing N’Zogbia who makes his debut against a Fulham side who have struggled for goals on the road all season. Bruce is likely to start N’Zogbia in a wide midfield role on the left so he could also bring in some attacking points with Zaki and Valencia back to boost Wigan’s goal threat. The former Newcastle man will be smarting from Kinnear’s comments over the last few days and will be eager to please his new fans at the JJB.
Moving to midfield and Ronaldo is a must for the double gameweek. He is still not firing by any means but he should have enough to continue his recent run of returns with games against West Ham and Fulham this gameweek. Lampard also keeps his place having had his red card at Liverpool rescinded. Thousands of fantasy managers sold him on this week in anticipation of his ban – he now looks an effective differential against them with a home game against a Hull side who have become allergic to clean sheets.
Double gameweek investment in City rears its head in the form of Ireland’s selection in midfield. He drew a blank at Stoke last time out but remains a strong option with a home game against Boro and the trip to Portsmouth.
The final midfield spot again reflects Everton’s confidence and run of forthcoming fixtures. There are several contenders Moyes’ midfield worth a look – Cahill will bring goals but Arteta perhaps has the edge in the FPL game where bonus points are a factor. If Everton start with Jo and Fellaini (if fit) then they will also have a mighty aerial threat which could even cause Bolton problems. Arteta is your man with set-plays and could profit. He also has spot-kick duties of course.
Up front Robinho is a good option but I’ve gone with Bellamy instead. He will be a handful for Boro this weekend and follows that with a trip to Fratton Park in the week. For some reason Bellamy always does well at that ground, so I’m backing an omen and backing the spritely City man.
The second striker is not an easy pick. My two player per team allowance prevents me from turning to the in-form Berbatov. Van Persie also has form but I worry about the goal potential in the Spurs vs Arsenal fixture – I see this one as being very tight with few goals. The Rovers frontline is prone to rotation, the Villa strikers off form. Carlton Cole faces United and I’m not sure whether Scolari will start with Anelka or Drogba. That all cuts my options down to size so I’ve decided to opt for Sunderland’s Cisse who should shake off a knock to hopefully end his recent goal drought with Stoke in town at the Stadium of Light.
If you want some cheap alternatives then it’s worth keeping faith with Ryan Taylor for one last week. He looks set to start on the right of midfield with Gutierrez suspended and he’ll offer threat from set-plays. Not a long-term option given Newcastle’s leaky defence however. The City defence with Zabalet and Bridge notable options, is also worth a look considering you have the safety net of the double fixture and attacking potential from that pair.
In midfield I’ve kept faith Richardson on my bench. He struck a post early on from a typical set-piece effort and will be a threat again for the Stoke rearguard. If you’re looking to spend a little more then Liverpool’s Kuyt could be worth a look again for the next couple given that he is likely to be pushed up with Torres in Gerrard’s absence.
Up front I’ve gambled on Roberts starting for Blackburn given that Santa Cruz got the nod in the midweek replay. Big Sam could well draft in Roberts who will be looking to prove a point if he earns the start. Crouch would be a big differential here and will undoubtedly be the key threat for a Portsmouth side who have the two fixtures. Certainly Crouch will be wound up for the visit of former club Liverpool this weekend, but without Kranjcar and Pennant I worry he will struggle for service.