Another gameweek, another burst of fantasy football factors to consider. Spend that lazy first hour at work by taking digesting my latest learnings, as we prepare for Liverpool and Villa to bring the Gameweek curtain down this evening…
Rotation is a bigger threat than ever…
Seven changes made by Ferguson. Four unlikely tweaks thrown in by Wenger, the same from Ancelotti on Sunday. God knows what we’ll see from Rafa once he has more players fit. The threat of rotation amongst the top sides looms large week-to-week making it almost impossible to seek out relative bargains in their lineup. Defensive options appear to be limited to the likes of Reina, Carragher, Glen Johnson, Terry, Cech, Evra, Vidc, Gallas and Almunia. Anyone else carries a health warning. The shuffling Chelsea diamond has put the likes of Malouda and Ballack on shaky ground and even Song and Bendtner look under threat, despite form and injuries elsewhere in the Gunners squad.
Rooney is in one of his spells…
Three goals in as many starts for the United man and it’s clear that he’s enjoying one of his “spells” of fantasy output. Form from previous seasons tells us that this will dry up but a more prominent and central attacking role might just prolong this spell a little longer. The likes of Defoe and Drogba are displaying similar form though, plus Rooney’s fixtures stiffen over the next four (ARS tot MCY stk)
The Jones bandwagon has edged ahead of Bent’s…
The big Sunderland striker always gains the odd FPL bonus point and his two goals against Blackburn helped him to another maximum to go with the three he gathered in gameweek one. That put him ahead of his strike partner Bent and, currently, he’s available for 0.2 less in that game. Strong fixtures for the Black Cats (stk HUL bur WLV) will ensure that both Jones and Bent remain popular signings over the next few gameweeks.
Arshavin needs to get moving…and quick…
Owners of the little Russian have a problem. There’s no doubting his quality but, with just one assist and one FPL bonus point to his name from 10 Arsenal league goals, he now goes into away games at United and City. With numerous strikers producing consistent and impressive returns, it will be interesting to see how many Arshavin owners get rid and invest in their frontline.
Hunt does have company after all…
The introduction of Jozy Altidore and his partnership with the lively Ghilas ignited Hull in their home game with Bolton and provided the goal that won the game. Both those players are available in the budget bracket. Worth a look then, along with Hunt in midfield who again impressed, as Phil Brown’s side enjoy a kind run of fixtures in the short-term (wlv sun BIR).
Fulham’s attack is impotent…
Chelsea were super efficient at the Cottage but Hodgson’s side lacked the ideas and methods to cause the Chelsea defence any real concern. Dempsey started up front with Zamora in the absence of Andrew Johnson who is sidelined for 5 weeks; that pairing doesn’t look to have the teeth to hurt opponents. Meanwhile, the opposition are learning that if you can stop Murphy getting time and space in midfield, Fulham are crippled for creativity. Greening needs to start and hit the ground running. In the meantime, it might be worth backing any defence coming up against Hodgson’s side in the next few weeks.
Spurs are still soaring but Modric is still disappointing…
Another win, another two goals on the road and again, little return from the busy Croat. Again it was Lennon who provided the big profits from midfield. The temptation is to keep the faith but Modric owners, faced with a straight swap for Lennon, will be getting very fidgety indeed. Maybe you should consider the recent Guardian chalkboards – they show that, although Lennon had far more crossing opportunities, he actually had just two efforts on goal compared to six from Modric. In fact, the Croat has had more shots than Lennon in every one of Tottenham’s three match so far. By the way, if you are still considering Lennon or even Modric, take a look at the fixtures – United and Chelsea are coming up in the next three gameweeks following the home game with Birmingham this weekend.
Turf Moor continues to be a fortress…
Burnley have now kept 8 consecutive clean sheets at Turf Moor in League matches – chipping in with two 1-0 wins so far in the Premier League after the victory over Everton. It’s Chelsea and Livepool coming next for Owen Coyle’s side but after that, the fixture list looks a lot more cuddly for them. Fantasy investment looks on the cards then with Jensen threatening Hart as this year’s Schwarzer, while Bikey looks to be the FPL bonus magnet in the defence. Elliot, Blaker, Patterson and Fletcher all look good budget options further up the field. Expect price rises following gameweek 5.
Wolves might just have it in them too…
A spirited display at City to follow the win at Wigan. In truth City should have taken their chances to win more comfortably but the signs are good for McCarthy’s side. We should note that they have some very kind fixtures coming right up (HUL bla FUL sun POR) making short-term investment a worthy consideration. With Ebanks-Blake still sidelined, there’s no real obvious targets. Hennessey is another strong budget keeper option if you want to gamble on the defence. Milijas, Jarvis and Keogh look the options in attacking terms. Indeed, the latter has already enjoyed a price rise in the FPL.
Selecting an Fantasy Premier League captain has never been trickier…
Fabregas withdrawn with a knock. Arshavin blanking. Lampard rested as Chelsea coast…it was a mightily disappointing gameweek for those fantasy managers backing that trio. If Gerrard and/or Torres fail tonight, it would cap a miserable week for the popular armband wearers. Those consistent high scores, obtained by getting your Ronaldo/Gerrard/Lampard selection correct, are looking far harder to come by so far.