Arsenal play host to Manchester United on Saturday evening in a match which promises to tell us much about the two club’s respective goals this season, with Champions League qualification and a desire to catch up to Chelsea and Manchester City uppermost in their minds. Most importantly, though, it will be a match which will […]
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Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and the 5 FPL Players You MUST Pick For GW18
Gameweek 18
DEFENDER: John Terry – £6.3m (Home v West Ham)
Mr Chelsea grabbed his first league goal of the season in the win over Stoke on Monday night, and he’ll again be leading from the back when West Ham come calling to Stamford Bridge for the Boxing Day London derby.
Both the Hammers and Andy Carroll are in fine form, but you’d be foolish to back against a home win and Terry playing a key role within it.
MIDFIELDER: Santi Cazorla – £8.1m (Home v QPR)
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla has three goals and three assists this season, but five of those moments came in his last five games to make him a man in fine form.
The Spaniard has played the full 90 minutes in nine of the Gunners’ last 10 games, becoming an increasingly important part of Arsene Wenger’s side. Team selections over the Christmas period are always tough to predict, but you have to think he’ll be a starter against QPR.
FORWARD: Olivier Giroud – £8.3m (Home v QPR)
The QPR clash is also exactly the type of game in which Olivier Giroud has been shining in for Arsenal in recent years.
The Frenchman has quickly bounced back into form following his broken leg earlier in the season, with his goal at Anfield making it three strikes in two games. More could come on Boxing Day.
THE OUTSIDER: Adam Lallana – £8.3m (Away v Burnley)
It’s been a while which any Liverpool player appeared in one of these previews, but there are a couple of signs that the Reds have begun to find their attacking form in recent weeks, and even more that Adam Lallana is central to that.
The midfielder grabbed an assist for Martin Skrtel’S late equaliser against Arsenal, and over a festive run of fixtures which gives them a chance to get back in touch with the top four, Liverpool are likely to be relying on him.
THE CAPTAIN: Diego Costa – £11.2m (Home v West Ham)
Is this a week to roll the dice or to go with the tried and tested?
Logic dictates that Diego Costa will be due a goal-filled game soon, and whilst concerns over his fitness have to remain, you can see him grabbing a couple of strikes at home to West Ham.
@Mark_Jones86
Manchester City’s Yaya Toure And The 5 FPL Players You MUST Pick This Week
Gameweek 17
DEFENDER: Aaron Cresswell – £5.5m (Home v Leicester)
West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell’s stock has finally begun to steadily rise after we pinpointed him earlier in the season, with 2.3% of Fantasy bosses now owning him.
Trouble lies ahead in the shape of Christmas fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal, but if you need a quick fix for this weekend then the arrival of Leicester City to Upton Park should provide Big Sam’s Hammers – for whom Cresswell has played every league minute this season – with a clean sheet.
MIDFIELDER: Ross Barkley – £6.8m (Away v Southampton)
Everton might just be making the trip to St Mary’s at the right time, as a stuttering Southampton have now suffered five defeats in a row.
Missing key midfielders Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin, Saints will be lacking in the centre of the field, and Barkley – fresh from his wonderful goal against QPR – can take advantage of that for the visitors.
FORWARD: Andy Carroll – £7.0m (Home v Leicester)
He scored twice the last time he played at Upton Park, and Andy Carroll will now have Leicester City in his sights as he bids to keep up his side’s impressive season.
Carroll has now started all of West Ham’s last five league games, and although he has tough matches ahead this fixture against the Premier League’s current doormats should provide him with some chances.
THE OUTSIDER: Ayoze Perez – £4.8m (Home v Sunderland)
His goal in the 4-1 loss at Arsenal might not have meant too much, but it was a fourth strike in the first English season for Newcastle’s young Spanish forward Ayoze Perez, and his first since three in a row in October and November.
Perez is already well-liked on the terraces at St James’ Park, but a strike against bitter rivals Sunderland in what promises to be a fascinating derby on Sunday will see him take on hero status, and he could be worth a punt at a knockdown price.
THE CAPTAIN: Yaya Toure – £10.8m (Home v Crystal Palace)
Diego Costa scored last week but he might find opportunities hard to come by away at Stoke, and so instead we’re moving further back and picked an old Fantasy favourite.
Yaya Toure has scored in three of his last five and remains one of the first names on the Manchester City teamsheet, which will be displayed before a hugely winnable match at home to Crystal Palace early on Saturday afternoon.
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.
Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli And The 5 #FPL Players You Must Pick This Week
Nov 20
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 […]
19 Reasons That You Hate The International Break
1. You Spend Two Weeks Worrying That Your Team’s Best Players Will Get Injured
2. And Then They Do Get Injured
3. One-Sided Matches
4. There’s No Super Sunday
5. Adrian Chiles
6. Roy Hodgson
7. You End Up Missing These Two
8. Your Club Is On A Great Run, And You Don’t Want The Momentum To Stop
9. The England Band
10. Nowhere Near The Same Passion As Club Football
11. This Always Happens
12. Andy Townsend
13. Needless Drama Over Non-Stories
14. Weird Fans
15. Boring Matches
16. The Fact That Someone Actually Brought Their Butler To Wembley The Other Day
17. No-One Really Knows Where San Marino Is
18. Adrian Chiles, Again
19. And Of Course, No Fantasy Football!
FantasyYIRMA.com started out as most random fantasy football leagues do…
over alcohol.
People often ask ” What does the name mean? “
Long story short – One bloke says to the other “I need a name for the mini-league”
“the what??” came the reply.
“the fantasy league, we have to give it a name”
“I haven’t got a (Insert word of your own choosing ) clue. Sure name it after Yir Ma!”
This statement was thus taken literally and FantasyYIRMA was born!!
Since 2008 more than 10,000 people have now entered a Fantasy YIRMA mini-league.
The main league is free to play and the £100 prize fund is typically paid by the loser in the bet between the FantasyYIRMA admin team.
To take £100 off your mate in a bet is fun- to make him sponsor the league for an entire season …is funnier.
I think it’s fair to say, that if you had told me FantasyYIRMA.com would still be running almost two years after it started I would have chuckled immensely… but it has… we have… and as both the twitter (@FantasyYIRMA ) account and website have continued to grow, it genuinely is a pleasure to be involved in the ridiculously brilliant world of Fantasy Football.
The interaction online from #FPL fans across the world has been fantastic! Our goal now is the same as it was from day one – to try and provide interesting and quality insight and to help create as much interaction around the game as possible. Simply watching the evolution of the game over the past few years as the level of interest continues to grow has been fascinating.
Best of Luck to everyone for the 2014/15 season from us at FY!
#ScoreYIRMA
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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?
27 Signs That You’re Addicted To Fantasy Football
Nov 4
As we reach our landmark 100th Gameweek preview we’ve been left wondering just what it is that keeps us going. Why are we so devoted to Fantasy Football? After a beer or two, and then one or two more, we decided that the answer is simple. It’s an addiction! We then came up with 27 […]
FantasyYIRMA - Fantasy Football FPL 