With just four weeks of the season left, desperation is starting to kick in. In Wigan’s case, that desperation seems to have spurred them on to go all out and produce their best football of the season, but for many Fantasy managers battling the odds in their own (equally important) leagues, that desperation needs a huge dollop of luck to go with it. A 50 point gap is not unassailable yet, but picking the same players from the same teams just won’t cut it; it’s time to wheel out the previously unthinkable, the outrageously risky and the downright unexpected…
David Dunn
There’s no greater motivator than the threat of relegation, and after watching Wigan and QPR pick up some unexpected points recently, Blackburn will be scrambling to turn around their fortunes in a similar fashion. Norwich rock up to Ewood Park this weekend having already secured their premier league status, and fellow strugglers Wigan visit two weeks later – the feeling is that it is probably now or never for Steve Kean’s men and the likes of Yakubu, Hoilett and David Dunn will all be instrumental if they are to pull off a great escape.
Fantasy football veterans will be more than familiar with Dunn’s frustratingly inconsistent returns. Capable of pulling off a bumper haul if you catch him in a burst of form, the downside is the succession of niggling injuries that seem to plague the 32-year-old. With just four matches remaining, however, Dunn seems to be coming into form at just the right time and at his price of 6.2 and 0.2% ownership, we reckon the tricky midfielder is worth a punt despite the risks.
Tomas Rosicky
Arsenal’s Renaissance man Tomas Rosicky epitomises the recent revival in his club’s fortunes; after spending 20 months out with a tendon problem, it was feared that Rosicky would never return to the same level but the Czech schemer has been back to his glorious best in recent games. As Arsenal’s best player against Wigan, Rosicky would probably have been a shoo-in for this weekend’s tie anyway, but with Mikel Arteta ruled out for the season and Yossi Benayoun ineligible to play against his parent club then he will surely be nailed on for the central role.
Chelsea will arrive at the Emirates just three days after a draining Champions league tie spent chasing the ball around their own half, and despite the recent resurgence under their new manager, Arsenal look like strong favourites to pick up the points. Another eight goal thriller would be a bit much to ask for, but if goals do arrive then Rosicky could prove to be huge differential considering his current price of 5.7, and low ownership of 1.2%.
Stephen Ireland
Villa can perhaps be forgiven their poor form considering their recent opponents, but this week is a huge test – Sunderland and Bolton park up at Villa Park having conceded 14 and 11 goals in their last five away games, and despite Villa recent impotence in front of goal, you have to fancy them to pick up at least a couple across the two games.
As the first name on the City team sheet (and many Fantasy football managers too) during the 08/09 season, Stephen Ireland’s decline has been pretty spectacular, scraping together just 555 minutes of play last season without a single goal or assist. The potential is always there however, and with a regular starting role in his preferred position behind the striker, he looks the pick of the Villa players right now considering his low price of just 5.2.
