And we’re back in the game. Friday nights haven’t been the same without the madness of handpicking eleven footballers to carry my Fantasy fortunes into the weekend.
It’s a ritual that handcuffs me to the laptop, has long since killed my social life and draws frequent frowns from my patient partner. I’ve missed this…
The Defence
Marcus Hahnemann
A decent long-term pick in tandem with another low-to-mid price keeper, the Wolves stopper always guarantee’s Save Points and has a decent clean sheet prospect at home to a Stoke side that struggled for goals on their travels last term. McCarthy will keep things tight for the season opener and I see Wolves being able to cope with a rusty Kenwyne Jones and Stoke’s set-piece threat.
Ahmed Al-Muhammadi
The Egyptian is a risk. He’s by no means guaranteed to start for the Black Cats against Birmingham but if he does he has the potential for returns at both ends. Available for a dirt cheap price of 4.5, Al-Muhammadi seems set to take up a midfield role for Steve Bruce and has the delivery to feed the bullets to both Darren Bent and Frazier Campbell. A clean sheet against a Birmingham side who can struggle to find goals is also well in the frame this weekend.
Jonny Evans
A cheap option within a top four defence, Evans looks secure for a good few gameweeks with Rio Ferdinand still troubled by back problems. Don’t expect attacking returns or even Bonus Points from Evans but he will give you a strong chance of a clean sheet return from week one against a Newcastle side that may well park the bus on Monday night.
Gary Cahill
I’m backing the Bolton man to enjoy a strong season in the Reebok rearguard. I’m projecting seven goals for the centre-back and improved clean sheet returns from Owen Coyle’s side who will surely improve on last season’s cleanie count. It could all start week one with a Fulham side in town under the new stewardship of Mark Hughes. It’s early days at the Cottage for Hughes and I see Bolton sneaking a home win with Cahill amongst the returns, possibly at both ends.
Maynor Figueroa
Backing a Wigan defender in any gameweek is not a policy I’m confident with but Figueroa is the first player to benefit from the advantage of hosting Ian Holloway’s Blackpool for a home encounter, giving the full-back every chance of defensive and attacking returns. Declared fit after suffering a pre-season knock, he is set to start and provide strong attacking instincts down the right-flank.
The Midfield
Florent Malouda
With Lampard an injury doubt with an ankle injury a swing in favour to Malouda looks likely to take place across many a Fantasy lineup this evening. The Frenchman enjoyed a superb last half of the season and there’s no reason to suggest that he won’t go on to provide strong returns this term whilst he remains pushed up in support of Drogba. Lampard’s absence could see him pushed back to a more central role against West Brom but with a start assured, he remains a certain starter and a strong influence in a Chelsea side that should see three points a few goals against the Baggies.
Martin Petrov
The Bulgarian has been reborn as a Fantasy prospect following his move to the Reebok and this is perhaps the one gameweek we can be sure he’ll be fit to take the field. He’s shown outstanding pre-season form and will go into Bolton’s encounter with Fulham as the most likely to provide the creativity and cutting edge for Owen Coyle’s side.
Gareth Bale
Despite his classification as a midfielder in the Fantasy Premier League game, Bale remains an irresistible Fantasy force and is set to provide a major threat to opponents down the left either from full-back or further forward. Concerns over his fitness for the City opener appear to have been dismissed by Redknapp today, clearing the way for him to start and provide more surging support and penetrative crosses for the likes of Defoe up front.
Ashley Young
Another risk – particularly given the upheaval at Villa and the speculation surrounding Young’s future at Villa Park. Even so I’m convince we will see an improvement in Young’s returns this term and in pre-season we’ve seen him sparkle in a central role played off a lone striker. With Agbonlahor still a doubt, I’d expect to see Young pitched up with Carew and his influence there will be a major threat to visitors West Ham.
The Forwards
Wayne Rooney
It’s Drogba vs Rooney and for me the United man has the edge when it comes to fitness, plus he’ll go into the game on spot-kicks. Those factors just earn Rooney the Scout Picks nod this week although form and confidence are still concerns following his World Cup. I’d expect Rooney to throw off those doubts with a strong display against Newcastle on Monday in front of his own fans.
Mauro Boselli
It’s not often you see two Wigan players in the Picks without Charles N’Zogbia being one of them. Boselli takes strong pre-season form into the opening fixture of the season though and is of course the first striker to come against a Blackpool defence that is expected to struggle at this level. Returns for a mid-price FPL investment look a good prospect.