You know what time it is. You know why you’re here. Let’s not chew the fat any longer and instead let me introduce you to eleven men who hold the key to my credibility for another weekend. A weekend that will likely return 0.3 clean sheets, two groin strains and another chance to see Didier Drogba’s beaming little face.
The Defence
Joe Hart
Options were considered – Scott Carson for West Brom at home to Bolton, Ben Foster at home to Everton. I see both that pair conceding however and that’s not something I can quite see Newcastle achieving at City. Hart was superbly protected against Chelsea and providing that Kompany and company can see off the threat of Carroll from set-pieces and stop Ben Arfa from weaving the unexpected, then Hart should return a fifth clean sheet of the season.
Seamus Coleman
A gamble but as Big Dunc outlined in the earlier “Spot the Differential” article, the young Everton full-back offers a significant attacking threat, particularly from his current position on the right of midfield. Coleman is due to start there again at Birmingham – that may not return an clean sheet for his investors but, in a week where shut-outs could be at a premium once again, Coleman at least presents decent potential for attacking points at a budget price.
Antolin Alcaraz
The Paraguayan centre back already has a goal to his name and has established himself as the key figure within the Wigan back four and is a potential Bonus magnet when a clean sheet is gained. Will that arrive against Wolves? Very possibly. Mick McCarthy’s side have no win in five and confidence is low. Once again you would expect the visitors to turn up with a point as the first objective, with attacking flair always low down on the menu. With Wigan also scratching around for goals, this has the makings of a tight affair. Wigan to sneak it for me, with Alcaraz keeping Fletcher and Doyle at bay and gaining recognition as a result.
Ryan Shawcross
I’ve backed him before and I’m going back for more. A stronger, more secure option than Adboulaye Faye, Shawcross, along with Robert Huth, present the clear and present danger from Stoke’s set-piece assault. Blackburn have the tools to cope and the Britannia match-up won’t be a pretty affair by any means. They could cancel each other out and we could be looking at another 0-0. That will suit Shawcross owners just fine but some attacking returns are surely just around the corner too.
Glen Johnson
The slick sports car amongst a series of mundane family saloons that is the Liverpool back four, Johnson is the obvious pick if you’re backing a clean sheet against Holloway’s Blackpool. With Konchesky sidelined as a cheaper option, Johnson requires a significant outlay but does offer that little extra quality coming forward. I’m not so confident about the home clean sheet – but I can see at least a couple of goals for the Anfield faithful to cheer. Johnson may just get in on the act and return an assist here.
The Midfield
Dirk Kuyt
Largely forgotten so far this term, Kuyt has been reborn as a Fantasy option by Hodgson’s tactical change that has brought him in from the flank and deployed him centrally alongside Fernando Torres. There’s a flicker of a partnership here and while Gerrard will be the heavyweight choice for Fantasy Managers this weekend, I prefer the potential offered by the cheaper Kuyt who returned a freakish goal last time out, but who could earn something a little more conventional against the Blackpool defence.
Nani
You can’t overlook this guy right now. Electric is a word that best describes his level of performance and his energy and trickery will surely be the main threat to a resolute Sunderland defence at the Stadium of Light. I’m expecting United to struggle with a Champions League hangover, but I still see Nani providing the catalyst for everything good that will come from Ferguson’s side.
Gareth Bale
Outstanding in midweek, Bale reminded us again just how devastating he can be when allowed the freedom to rampage the Spurs left-flank. Will Redknapp hand him that role against Villa? Possibly not. We may see him shifted to left-back with Modric perhaps deployed in front. Even so, Bale’s running will surely remain a key component of the Spurs home performance and I see some goals in the encounter with Villa. An assist and Bonus for Bale is my prediction. By the way, look out for an in-depth Members article on Bale and the left-back dilemma arriving later tonight.
Scott Parker
West Ham may just have turned the corner having gained that first win against Spurs last weekend. This time around they face another London rival with Fulham arriving at Upton Park and I see a similar outcome. West Ham’s attacking stats are impressive and, with Obinna and Piquionne now installed up front, they may well have the makings of a pairing that can start taking the weighty number of opportunities that have been carved out to this point. Parker is the inspiration in the engine room and well capable of chipping in with the odd goal to accompany the Bonus Point he’s likely to gain in a West Ham victory.
You want midfield alternatives? Look to Etherington of Stoke, Milner or City or even N’Zogbia of Wigan. For me, all three will be involved in games that could well offer few goals and opportunity to return – they remain however, very viable options for the Gamweek.
The Forwards
Fernando Torres
There are clearly cheaper options – many cheaper options in fact. Notably Odemwingie for West Brom, Obinna for West Ham and Rodallega for Wigan – I’m expecting all three to return points this weekend. I didn’t quite have the balls to overlook Torres though, when he’s surely about to be handed the best opportunity available to get his season rolling. The Blackpool defence is the most obliging in the league and Ian Holloway would have to sacrifice a kitten to the Gods of attacking football if he dared turn up and park a bus or two. After the Stamford Bridge experience, the visitors will attack Roy Hodgson’s side and that will surely afford the likes of Gerrard, Kuyt and Torres the room and opportunity to inflict damage.
Carlos Tevez
The City skipper is due a rest but it’s unlikely to come against a Newcastle side who have already proven that they have it in them to gain points away from home. City need Tevez right now – not least because Mancini seems determined to rely on a touch of magic, rather than sustained attacking football, to earn him three points. Tevez has magic to spare and in David Silva, he appears to have found a willing apprentice. That should prove too much for Hughton’s side and Tevez should emerge from a City with with FPL Bonus at the very very least.
