Gameweek 12 DEFENCE: Toby Alderweireld (£5.0m) – Away v Aston Villa The Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld hasn’t received much praise for Southampton’s staggering run of form at the back – mainly because his name is difficult to spell. He’s been excellent though, and at a cheaper price than Nathaniel Clyne, Ryan Bertrand and Jose […]
Category Archives: GW previews
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen And The 5 #FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Gameweek 15
DEFENDER: Aly Cissokho (£4.5m) – Home v Leicester
No, Liverpool fans. That isn’t a typo.
Left-back Aly Cissokho has quietly had a decent season ever since ending his loan spell at Anfield and moving to Villa Park, and he starred when Villa ground out a crucial 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Tuesday – picking up three Fantasy bonus points in the process.
Paul Lambert’s side can pick up another crucial win at home to a drastically out-of-sorts Leicester City on Sunday, when Cissokho can impress again.
MIDFIELDER: Christian Eriksen (£7.9m) – Home v Crystal Palace
Having stepped up to the plate a couple of times in recent weeks, Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen will again be looked to inspire his side as they host Crystal Palace.
Home fans at White Hart Lane will expect a win as Spurs seek to keep up with the sides in the top half of the table, and the Great Dane will seek to be his side’s inspiration once again.
FORWARD: Charlie Austin (£6.0m) – Home v Burnley
With four goals in his last three Loftus Road appearances, and the sort of poacher’s instinct that you suspect will be vital in a relegation battle such as this one, Charlie Austin can make a crucial difference for QPR as Burnley come calling at the weekend.
The forward could be knocking on the door of an England call-up in the New Year if he continues this kind of form, and perhaps a call-up to your side should be in order too.
THE OUTSIDER: Harry Kane (£4.9m) – Home v Crystal Palace
It’s another mention for Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who appears to have finally earned the acceptance of manager Mauricio Pochettino and must surely start the game against Palace at White Hart Lane.
This is the sort of opposition against which you’d back Kane to find the net, and he could be a useful addition to your side before his price gets too high.
THE CAPTAIN: Sergio Aguero (£12.8m) – Home v Everton
A trip to Newcastle is never easy, and so Diego Costa might find goals hard to come by in the early kick-off at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Instead it might pay to wait until the late game when Sergio Aguero faces up to an Everton side whose away form against the bigger sides constantly seems to let them down.
Back that to continue against the champions.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney And The 5 #FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Gameweek 14
DEFENDER: Laurent Koscielny (£5.9m) – Home v Southampton
It is no coincidence that the return of Laurent Koscielny to the Arsenal side resulted in a clean sheet at West Brom at the weekend, and the Frenchman looks set to continue against a Southampton team no doubt still smarting from their loss to Manchester City.
Playing alongside Per Mertesacker, Koscielny makes Arsenal a lot tougher to score against, and the Saints could find that out on Wednesday.
MIDFIELDER: Mile Jedinak (£5.2m) – Home v Aston Villa
Set-pieces are crucial to this Crystal Palace side, and no-one benefits from them more than their skipper Mile Jedinak.
The Australian has scored five goals already this season, and against an Aston Villa side who are still failing to convince pretty much anyone then he’ll be looking to test Brad Guzan from a few free-kicks, or many even a penalty.
FORWARD: Wilfried Bony (£8.3m) – Home v QPR
All of Wilfried Bony’s six league goals this season have come in his last seven appearances, with another strike in the weekend draw with Crystal Palace proving that he’s a man in form ahead of the visit of QPR.
Having dropped points in that game, Garry Monk will be desperate to see his side earn a victory against Harry Redknapp’s relegation battlers, who could just provide Bony with plenty of chances to extend his recent good run.
THE OUTSIDER: Danny Ings (£5.7m) – Home v Newcastle
We’re fairly certain this will be the first Burnley player we’ve recommended all season, but with four goals in his last five games then Danny Ings is certainly worthy of consideration.
There are signs of life at the Clarets following seven points from their last three games, and at home to Newcastle the forward will be desperate to keep on improving.
THE CAPTAIN: Wayne Rooney (£10.3m) – Home v Stoke
With Diego Costa suspended we’re well aware that the ‘safe’ choice as your captain will be Sergio Aguero, but Manchester City’s recent record at Sunderland is desperately poor, and the Mackems showed against Chelsea that they can be a match for the top sides.
It might pay, then, to trust an in-form Wayne Rooney, who has five in his last four for club and country and three in his last two Old Trafford fixtures against Stoke. Feeling brave?
Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria And The 5 #FPL Players You Must Pick This Week
Gameweek 13
DEFENCE: Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) – Away v Sunderland
We’ve highlighted him before, but Cesar Azpilicueta really is one of the most consistent defenders in the game even if he doesn’t get the headlines – or the FPL ownership – to show for it.
Lacking the goal threat of the rest of his teammates he does at least make up for that with raiding runs from left-back, and more assists do seem to be on the way.
MIDFIELD: Angel Di Maria (£10.0m) – Home v Hull
That noise you can hear is Manchester United slowly clicking into gear, and although things might remain at mess at the back for them they have at least got outright quality going forward in Angel Di Maria.
Assists in his last two games take his tally to six for the season, and he’ll be looking to add to his three goals when Hull come calling to Old Trafford.
FORWARD: Harry Kane (£4.9m) – Home v Everton
He could be making appearance in ‘The Outsider’ section, but at his price you really can’t ignore Tottenham’s Harry Kane ahead of a home meeting with Everton.
The forward has forced his way to the front and centre of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, perhaps despite the manager’s best wishes, and after goals against Aston Villa and Hull he could be worth a gamble for one week only.
THE OUTSIDER: Jefferson Montero (£5.7m) – Home v Crystal Palace
Speaking of gambles… It’s a curveball, I’ll admit, but that is what the outsider pick is all about.
Swansea’s Jefferson Montero has looked lively as he started all of his side’s last four games, during which he’s provided two assists. He’s got Palace and QPR at home in his next two fixtures, and with just 0.3% ownership he could cause quite a bit of damage in your mini-leagues.
THE CAPTAIN: Diego Costa (£11.1m) – Away v Sunderland
You know the drill by now.
West Ham’s Stewart Downing And The 5 #FPL Players You Must Pick This Week
Gameweek 11
DEFENCE: Aaron Cresswell – £5.4m (Home v Aston Villa)
West Ham remain the apple of everyone’s eye and Aston Villa simply can’t do anything but lose matches at the moment, and so whilst the football gods have probably got this one down for an away win, logic dictates that the Hammers should claim the points.
Left-back Aaron Cresswell has quietly been one of the best signings of the season since joining from Ipswich in the summer. He’s played in every minute of the Hammers’ league campaign and has two assists in his last three games. Despite all of this, however, he’s still owned by just 0.6% of teams.
MIDFIELD: Stewart Downing – £5.8m (Home v Aston Villa)
We are forever blowing bubbles this week, and it’s impossible to ignore the form of West Ham’s Stewart Downing for much longer.
Once a failure in both fantasy and reality when he flopped at Liverpool, Downing is thriving in a central role in Sam Allardyce’s West Ham side and will be extremely motivated when he takes on one of his former clubs at Upton Park. England expects, Stewie.
FORWARD: Robin van Persie – £12.4m (Home v Crystal Palace)
It’s still business at the front and party at the back for Manchester United, but surely they’ll be able to cobble together a defence which will give them a chance to beat Crystal Palace at home?
Given Radamel Falcao’s injury struggles (so that’s why he was available…) and Wayne Rooney’s rustiness, the key to victory against Neil Warnock’s men is likely to be Robin van Persie, who had a couple of chances in the Manchester derby as his side suffered a spirited defeat.
THE OUTSIDER: Steven Fletcher – £5.3m (Home v Everton)
Ah yes, here he is. You’ve been keeping an eye on him and now could be the time to take a punt on Steven Fletcher.
The Scot has scored four in four, Sunderland will have become marginally less shambolic off the back of their win at Palace and they host an Everton side who’ll be heading to Wearside off the back of a Europa League tie. Gamble? Arr.. go on.
THE CAPTAIN: Graziano Pelle – £8.4m (Home v Leicester)
It would be a brave call but if you’re in need of some points to catch up on others in your mini-leagues then a punt on Graziano Pelle to do the business against a quickly fading Leicester might just be the way to go.
Southampton, of course, remain brilliant, but their statuesque Italian hasn’t scored in his last two league games, meaning that he might just be about to go Fox-hunting.
He’d look pretty good in tweed, wouldn’t he?
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and the 5 FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Oct 30
DEFENCE: Phil Jagielka – £5.5m (Home v Swansea) Everton’s flying full-backs might continue to get the most attention, but Phil Jagielka has stepped up in recent weeks and found some of his best form. A couple of goals have helped in that regard, too, and whilst the claim that he’s the fastest player in the […]
Swansea’s Wilfried Bony and the 5 #FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
DEFENCE: Kieran Gibbs – £5.3m (Away v Sunderland)
Fresh from the confidence boost of getting a nice goal in the Champions League, Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs should be backed to have a good game as the Gunners go to a Sunderland side still reeling from their hammering at Southampton.
Of course they’ll be desperate to recover following such a high-profile defeat but the Gunners should be good enough to get the better of them, and given that Gibbs is in my team it’s a surprise to me that his ownership rate is so low.
MIDFIELD: Gylfi Sigurdsson – £6.8m (Home v Leicester)
These are the sort of games in which the Icelander has been cleaning up all season, and although he hasn’t managed a goal since the opening day of the season you get the feeling that he’ll get a few chances against Leicester, a match in which Garry Monk will be desperate to win.
He could also add to six assists this season, too.
FORWARD: Romelu Lukaku – £9.0 (Away v Everton)
Burnley continue to struggle, and they won’t be looking forward to the visit of a player who got back in the groove with a goal against Aston Villa last week.
Romelu Lukaku hasn’t been at his best for the majority of this season but when he’s on his game there are few better strikers in the division, and he’ll be ready to trouble the Clarets at Turf Moor.
THE OUTSIDER (a player with less than 5% ownership): Wilfried Bony – £8.2m (Home v Leicester)
As you might be able to tell, I quite fancy Swansea to beat Leicester on Saturday, and after a slow start to his season I think it’s about time Wilfried Bony got going and showed his importance to the Swans side.
The Ivorian scored a penalty against Stoke last time out and he’ll fancy his chances against the Foxes.
THE CAPTAIN: Sergio Aguero – £12.4m (Away v West Ham)
There’s no Diego Costa, but the smart ones amongst you would have picked Sergio Aguero as skipper for the Spurs clash last week and should follow suit for City’s trip to West Ham.
The Argentinean is, on his day, the best player in the Premier League and he can prove that again at Upton Park.
Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling And The 5 #FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Gameweek 8
DEFENCE: Daryl Janmaat – £5.0m (Home v Leicester)
What’s this? A Newcastle defender? Newcastle?!
Correct, Newcastle. Summer signing Daryl Janmaat has looked okay since he arrived at St James’s Park from Dutch football, even managing a goal against Crystal Palace. As he faces a Leicester side who drew a blank at Crystal Palace last time out he’ll be looking to keep things tight from right-back whilst also getting forward, too. Could be worth a punt at a cheap price.
MIDFIELD: Raheem Sterling – £8.9m (Away v QPR)
Some things are just meant to be, and following the week he’s had (which included, let’s not forget, coming off the bench to win the free-kick from which England won the game in Estonia) then it seems likely that Raheem Sterling will have a huge say in proceedings back at his former club QPR on Sunday.
Liverpool’s well-rested teenager is likely to be teamed up with Daniel Sturridge again as his club and country teammate returns from injury, and that combination could help the Reds to a victory at a club who continue to struggle this season.
FORWARD: Saido Berahino – £5.6m (Home v Man Utd)
The prolific young Baggie Saido Berahino netted a penalty at Anfield before the international break, during which he impressed for the England under-21s.
The forward will fancy his chances against Manchester United’s dodgy defence on Monday night, when Louis van Gaal’s side will expect to win at The Hawthorns, but could do so whilst conceding goals at the other end to this lively youngster.
THE OUTSIDER: Gabriel Agbonlahor – £5.4m (Away v Everton)
The last time Aston Villa were on Merseyside they emerged from Anfield as 1-0 victors thanks to a winner from Gabriel Agbonlahor, and the Villa stalwart will be important again as they return to the area to take on an Everton side who have specialised in conceding goals this season.
Paul Lambert’s men sorely missed Agbonlahor during the 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City just before the internationals when he pulled out just before kick-off through illness, but now he’s back up and running he’ll be vital if the Villans are to take anything from Goodison Park. He could be worth a gamble.
THE CAPTAIN: Diego Costa – £11.1m (Away v Crystal Palace)
Yep, it’s him again.
As the evidence grows that Diego Costa’s ‘injury’ is just an elaborate wind-up from Jose Mourinho (as if he’d dream of doing such a thing!) then it really does make sense just to keep sticking with the Chelsea forward.
Costa finally managed his first Spain goal in seven appearances on Sunday, and now he’s got Palace in his sights.
Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao And The 5 #FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Oct 2
Gameweek 7 DEFENCE: Neil Taylor, Swansea – £4.6m (Home v Newcastle) How guaranteed a game after Ben Davies moved to Tottenham, fellow Welshman Neil Taylor has played the full 90 minutes in all of Swansea’s last five Premier League games – helping them keep clean sheets in three of them. Taylor also has assist […]
Leicester’s Leonardo Ulloa And The 5 #FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Gameweek 6
DEFENCE: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea – £6.0m (Home v Aston Villa)
Not as heralded as some of his teammates, and as a result a lot cheaper too, Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta has nonetheless turned into Mr. Reliable for Jose Mourinho.
He’s started all five of his club’s Premier League games so far and completed the full 90 minutes in all of them, and that’s despite many tipping that summer signing Felipe Luis would go ahead of him in the pecking order.
MIDFIELD: Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton – £5.8m (Home v QPR)
The one man who tried to force his way of Southampton who wasn’t successful must be feeling pretty content with life at the moment, as Saints start their campaign brilliantly and head into this winnable looking clash with QPR in extremely high spirits.
Morgan Schneiderlin has been key to that impressive form, and having added some fine goals to his game this season he’ll be looking to get on the mark again as his side host the R’s.
FORWARD: Leonardo Ulloa, Leicester – £5.7m (Away v Crystal Palace)
So it turns out that you all saw Leicester 5 Man Utd 3 too then, and it wasn’t just a weird dream?
Leonardo Ulloa certainly saw it, and was key to the remarkable action as his two goals took his tally to five for the season so far. Ahead of a few winnable games for a talented and underrated Leicester side, he could be a man to bank on.
THE OUTSIDER: Mame Biram Diouf, Stoke – £6.4m (Home v Newcastle)
Coming in at a little more expensive than Ulloa but which much less ownership, Mame Biram Diouf has made a solid start to his Stoke City career, scoring goals against Manchester City and QPR.
As the inexplicable Bojan Krkic phase dies down for many, it might be work transferring your allegiance to the Senegalese forward ahead of their Monday night meeting with Newcastle.
THE CAPTAIN: Diego Costa, Chelsea – £11.0m (Home v Aston Villa)
We switched allegiance from him last weekend and managed to get a goal out of Romelu Lukaku, but it just makes sense to put your trust back in Diego Costa ahead of Aston Villa’s visit to Stamford Bridge.
Astonishingly, over 60% of Fantasy Premier League players now have the part-Brazilian, part-Spanish, part-goal getting monster in their team.
The other 40% aren’t having good seasons.
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For those that do not know FantasyYIRMA is an independent blog ran by just myself (Ryan) and Mark and has stayed in this format for more than 2 years now. I run the twitter account and handle site admin and Mark provides content in the form of previews and features.
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