Continuing our new series – this week’s “Masterplan” considers the midfield – without doubt the key area for all Fantasy Managers in a season which has seen the 3-5-2 established as the dominant formation.
The Problem
We’ve an embarrassment of riches in midfield areas. With Nani remaining almost essential and with double gameweek’s looming for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, how do we best configure our midfield selection to maximise returns?
Plan A
The safe option, packed with confirmed big-hitters boasting set-piece dominance.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal have to be a priority given that they face double fixtures in gameweek 33. Both have decent attacking form and offer options with the potential to “explode” with double figure returns. Frank Lampard looks by far the best option in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield which reduces funds for the other four slots. Samir Nasri perhaps presents the best pick in the Arsenal engine room right now, although he could be vulnerable to rotation with Arsene Wenger also presented with plethora of options. Cesc Fabregas, given the selection of Lampard looks an expensive choice; as for Andrey Arshavin – can we really trust him to hold his form? Debatable and a risk as a result.
Nani is a given – it’s just too much of a gamble to overlook him. That leaves two spots with Rafael Van der Vaart, Ashley Young, Charlie Adam and Tim Cahill all offer strong appeal in the mid-price. Budget options meanwhile include the in-form Jamie O’Hara, Villa’s Marc Albrighton and the double gameweek appeal of Birmingham’s Craig Gardner.
For me, Van der Vaart is just too influential to overlook – there’s a risk that he’ll be rested but setbacks for Gareth Bale and Aaaron Lennon looks to have secured his starts for decent short-term fixtures, even with the Champions League tie with Real Madrid beckoning.
That leaves one spot – and, budget permitting, Ashley Young and his set-pieces just about edges over Tim Cahill, with Charlie Adam lined up for a transfer in for gameweek 33 to catch three consecutive home matches.
Plan B
A lighter option, still reliant on a couple of heavyweights but with two cut price selections and just a hint of a differential.
Go for Nani, Lampard and Nasri to capture the gameweek 33 doubles and then opt for Jamie O’Hara with either Adam or Albrighton taking up the fifth spot. Albrighton might well fair better over his next two gameweeks (eve NEW), with Adam facing a gameweek 34 clash with Arsenal. That’s his first of four home matches however, a factor that will surely see him get the nod for many Fantasy Managers from gameweek 33.
Plan C
Differentials are the objective here with a mini-league gap to close, although the foundations remain sound with two reliable expensive options.
Keep Nani and opt for Lampard to protect against big scores but go for the less popular Arshavin to cover the Arsenal double fixture. Gamble on Tim Cahill’s fitness for his three favourable fixtures (AVL wol BLA) and look to Villa’s Marc Albrighton to cover their kind run. Use the final slot to really hunt that differential – take a risk on the in-form Luka Modric who is pulling in Bonus points and could find goals and assists given Tottenham’s run of forthcoming opponents (wig STK ARS WBA). It’s still important to keep Adam on the watchlist for his run of home games.
