Despite United’s endeavours, there’s still plenty at stake in the Premier League. While Alex Ferguson will take his side to Ewood Park in search of a solitary point that will kill Chelsea’s hopes once and for all, there’s still unfinished business in the jostle for European spots and the desperate scrap for survival.
Seeking out highly motivated players who are certain to duck the threat of rotation is the key for Fantasy Managers. That means lowering our sights – looking to the basement battle for budget mid-price assets, whilst backing form players who look immune to the tinkering.
The Defence
Once again clean sheets are a major issue. We surely have to look to attacking potential once again to help plug the gaping holes left by the fact that, right now, no backline in the land can seem to muster a shutout.
Joe Hart was the only keeper to keep things pristine over gameweek 36 and so his selection is unsurprising. It also allows me to overlook Aleksandar Kolarov, thus assuring that the Serb will at last deliver on his promise and find the net in Tuesday’s game against Stoke.
The defence in front of the City keeper is made up of players who offer realistic hopes of points at both ends of the field.
Everton’s Leighton Baines has a tough trip to West Brom that seems unlikely to return defensive profits, but the former Wigan man is such a factor in the flow of Everton’s attacking play – he warrants inclusion. The fact that he remains on spot-kicks only reinforces his place.
Baines lines up alongside Branislav Ivanovic who, with Jose Bosingwa out, looks a secure option in Carlo Ancelotti’s defence against a Newcastle side who will arrive at Stamford Bridge without an obvious goal threat. With Kevin Nolan suspended, Chelsea should have more than enough to keep the Magpies at arm’s reach and, regardless of the importance of the occasion, they look well placed for defensive returns. Ashley Cole and John Terry also look certain starters, but Ivanovic has looked the most likely to trouble opposition on set-plays.
Birmingham’s Roger Johnson will face Fulham at St Andrews in a game that promises to be a tight, edgy affair. I’m tipping the home side for a narrow victory and Johnson, as the defensive leader, looks a good option for Fantasy Premier League Bonus if Alex McLeish’s side can keep the Cottagers at bay.
United’s Nemanja Vidic claims the final spot – there’s little justification required here. The Serb will skipper United at Ewood needing just a point to claim the silverware. With Blackburn out of the relegation mire, a narrow and somewhat polite away win would seem the most likely outcome.
Wolves’ Stephen Ward takes the Scout Pick bench role, he is set to continue in the striker support role for Wolves at Sunderland although, with Kevin Doyle in contention, there remains some doubt over his pitch time.
The Midfield
The midfield quartet is based on the firm foundation provided by Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, a player who, in recent weeks, has justified his price tag and billing as a heavyweight Fantasy option. Chelsea’s motivation against Newcastle on Sunday, 24-hours after United are likely to have settled the title race, is in question, but I’m willing to take a punt on a convincing home win in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful. With Newcaslte without the influence of both Nolan and Chiek Tiote in midfield, it’s a brave Fantasy Manager who goes into the gameweek without some cover in the Chelsea attack. Lampard, given his current level of scoring and role at set-plays and penalties, looks the most assured option.
The Chelsea man is joined by three players fighting for survival this weekend. Charlie Adam, like Lampard, is hugely instrumental from both deadball situations and open play and will surely be at the fulcrum of affairs when Blackpool take on Bolton at Bloomfield Road. Likewise Birmingham’s Seb Larsson has grown in stature over recent weeks and has established himself as both a creator and scorer of goals. He will be monopolising set-pieces when Fulham arrive at St Andrews.
The final spot is a slight risk considering the slight injury doubt surrounding Charles N’Zogbia, but the Wigan winger is simply too good a prospect to ignore. Available for a modest price tag, N’Zogbia is a regular fetcher of Bonus Points and has added goals to his repertoire in recent weeks to help keep Wigan afloat. A big player for the big occasion, he will surely be West Ham’s chief tormentor at the DW Stadium this weekend.
The Forwards
There’s little need to shift resources up front right now. The form of Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez and Peter Odemwingie is such that I’m struggling to see alternatives that warrant change.
Van Persie is just so influential – it’s hard to imagine an Arsenal victory go by without intervention from the Dutchman. Equally Suarez has settled in the Liverpool lineup and adopted the lead role in a string of supremely impressive attacking displays. His selection once again denies Dirk Kuyt a Scout Pick place – by all means double up on Liverpool at home to Spurs but, for me, Suarez offers sufficient cover on what looks set to be another three points for Kenny Dalglish’s side.
The are, once again, several strong alternatives up front. Daniel Sturridge was unfortunate to come out of last weekend’s defeat to Sunderland empty handed and will be a major concern for Blackpool this time around. Wolves’ Steven Fletcher goes to Sunderland with four goals in his last four appearances, while Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega was a “Fantasy Island Risk” in this week’s podcast and, along with N’Zogbia, will be the Latics’ key man against the Hammers.
