Champions League rotation is in full effect, placing doubt over some of the heavy-hitting expensive options this week. On the flipside, rest, rotation and injury should give some opportunities to some new faces and the likes of Insua, Djourou and Kuyt all come into my picks as a result.
Check out the midweek-ish meander for the earlier views on the gameweek’s fixtures and read on for all the talk behind this week’s picks team sheet…
All the top defences are in flux this week through injury or rotation, making it difficult to pin down secure starts . I’ve gone for a mix of assured reliability, risky but cheap rotation options and a pair with strong attacking threats.
Cech takes the goalkeeping slot – he offers me the security of the Chelsea defence which looks strong at home to Bolton, plus the assurance of a certain starter. The Chelsea defence is shifting personnel constantly of late and with the situation with Carvalho/Terry and Alex uncertain going into this one, I’ve solved that doubt by opting for Chelsea’s consistent keeper.
The back four in front of him boasts some budget purchases which represent a slight gamble but offer outstanding value. Rafa is likely to tinker with his Liverpool lineup for the home game with Blackburn with the second leg with Chelsea in mind. That should see Insua, who ineligible for the Champions League, return at left-back for Aurellio. I’m backing Liverpool for a cleanie given Blackburn’s injuries up front and the likelihood that they will turn up with a 4-5-1 and look to park the bus.
Alongside the Liverpool man, I’ve gone for Arsenal’s Djourou. He looks a certain starter given the season-long injury to Gallas. Although the Gunners will be missing their skipper and Clichy at left-back, I still see them as strong candidates for a clean sheet at goal-shy Wigan.
Hreidarsson is a risky pick given Portsmouth’s defensive form, but against a West Brom side that has struggled for goals on the road all season and with a substantial goal threat, he looks a decent prospect. Add to this the fact that Pompey have a double fixture to come next gameweek and there was enough in support of Hreidarsson to have me bring him into the picks this week.
The final spot goes to Man City’s Zabaleta. True enough City have looked shaky at the back on their travels, but they have very strong defensive form at Eastlands and face a Fulham side who have rarely troubled home defences this season. Onuoha offers a budget option here and Dunne is the bonus point magnet in the City defence but Zabaleta should retain a midfield role which is enough to offer potential of attacking returns.
The midfield almost picked itself in midweek with the Tri-Force of Lampard, Ronaldo and Gerrard all looking strong options for profits again this gameweek. The doubt concerning Gerrard’s fitness and his starting role against Blackburn quickly forced a change of plan. The potential absence of Gerrard will likely see a shift in role for Kuyt however, who could sell move to a central attacking role either up an in place of Torres. That’s enough for me to opt for the Dutchman in a midfield that also sees both Lampard and Ronaldo retained, as they go into games against Bolton and Sunderland which appear to offer decent profits.
The final midfield slot goes to an old favourite and a contender for fantasy football player of the year – City’s Stephen Ireland. He scored City’s goal at Hamburg on Thursday and looks a certain starter for Hughes at home to Fulham. With Bellamy absent through injury, he will surely be a key attacking figure and is welcomed back into the picks with open arms after his recent injury.
Up front the pairing mentioned in my midweek-ish meander keep their places. Both Crouch and Beattie have form and have strong home fixtures against West Brom and Newcastle respectively. I’d fully expect one or both to continue to profit this weekend.
Looking at options on the bench, I’ve gambled on Boro’s Wheater for my defensive slot. Boro, believe it or not, have decent defensive form at the Riverside and Wheater presents a decent option for those fantasy managers looking to gamble on a differential this week. You have the Shawcross alternative of course, although I can easily see an Shearer inspired Newcastle notching one at the Britannia.
There were a few candidates in midfield with Portsmouth’s Kranjcar pushing hard for inclusion. I was nervous of investing too much in Portsmouth, given I’ve selected Crouch up front, plus I’d be breaking my own rule by selecting three players from the same club, so I’ve left the Croatian on the bench here. He still looks a decent prospect this week and going forward, with the fixture list falling in his favour.
Liverpool’s Benayoun and the Spurs pairing of Lennon and Modric also look solid options, while there has been a lot of interest in Fabregas this week given his impact on his return from injury. I’m still wary of the kind of role he plays for the Gunners if Wenger shifts to two up front at Wigan.
As for strikers – there are a string of expensive options that look attractive this week, including Adeabyor, Rooney, Anelka and Torres. All three carry a risk of rest/rotation going into the Champions League second legs though, so I’ve opted for a budget option on the bench.
The injury to Bellamy has opened the way for Sturridge to get a couple of starts against Fulham this weekend and perhaps West Brom next gameweek. He’s a very decent young player and could present some outstanding value for run-in if he can cement a starting role.
If you can afford to spend more then Keane and Carew offer mid-price alternatives with some decent form behind them – I’m a little wary of just how many goals we’ll see if their games however. I don’t see both the Villa vs Everton and Spurs vs West Ham games as being tight affairs.