Two weeks for Torres to shine?
Two weeks to go. Mini-leagues still to fight for. The Fantasy Premier League is up for grabs. As always, we’ll sort it out for you:
I. Tottenham @ Liverpool: Wigan and West Ham is just as big of a game, if not bigger, but the neutral may also tune in to Tottenham and Liverpool in the battle for 5th. Two big clubs who certainly hoped for more at the start of the season, but are probably where they should be, in all fairness, by the end.
Liverpool are in such great form that it’s tough to bet against Suarez, Kuyt, and even Maxi Rodriguez to continue firing in the goals at home. Andy Carroll also presents a cheap option if he can shrug off injury.
Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as permanent manager and have won four of their last five. Firm favorites, then.
Tottenham are in poor, poor form and really disappointed fantasy managers who invested heavily in their last double gameweek. Rafael van der Vaart- a popular captain option and transfer last week, didn’t provide an offensive spark, and other than a Defoe goal or Modric assist here or there, Tottenham looked average at best.
Carragher and Skrtel are susceptible to pace, so take a look at Defoe, Rose, Lennon, or even Pienaar as potential thorns in Liverpool’s side – but outside of Modric or VDV, no Tottenham players are really worth the investment.
Liverpool have the assets mentioned above and I think it’s Suarez and Kuyt again who lead the way in a home win.
Prediction: 2-1 Liverpool
II. Newcastle @ Chelsea: No trophies at Stamford Bridge this year and I expect a mini-reaction from Chelsea at home to Newcastle, who are safe and mid-table with not much to play for.
The only worry for fantasy managers in this one is rest and rotation for Chelsea’s stars. Will Ancelotti stick with Drogba? Malouda? Kalou? Or he will turn to Torres? Anelka? Benayoun?
It’s really tough to say. One thing is for certain, Chelsea have been superb at home over the last few months – and whoever plays up front, is worthy of fantasy consideration.
Lampard is the safest bet – on penalty kick duty, and worthy of the captain’s armband, and Chelsea will hope that Blackburn can upset United so their slim slim slim (slim!) title chances are still alive…
Not much to play for, but a clean sheet could still be on the cards so take a look at Ashley Cole and Cech if you have the spending power. David Luiz had an absolute shocker against Manchester United and was substituted at half-time by Alex – who played superbly well in the second half, so don’t be surprised if Alex gets the start alongside John Terry at CB whilst Luiz is relegated to the bench. A true toss-up, there.
Drogba and Lampard are the main men with Torres, Malouda, Anelka, Essien and Kalou as the darkhorses from a fantasy explosion standpoint, so let’s go with a convincing Chelsea home win and clean sheet.
Prediction: 3-0
III. Studs & Duds: We mentioned Lampard, Drogba, Suarez and Kuyt – all playing at home and worthy of the Captain’s Armband – all studs. Let’s not forget Arsenal – at home to Aston Villa. Aston Villa have lost only once in their last four trips to the Emirates. Interesting. Regardless, Arsenal players are studs. I see goals in that one. maybe 2-1 or 3-2 Gunners. Play Van Persie and Darren Bent with confidence, then. Studs.
You had to love our midfield weekly picks for you last time around – N’Zogbia (goal) Yaya Toure (goal) Modric (assist) and Ashley Young (goal) all delivered, but only N’Zogbia is a stud this week out of those four. Young is on the fence, as he’s on the road at Arsenal, and Toure could be rested after the FA Cup final this weekend, but stick with N’Zogbia – in amazing form, and home against West Ham. Stud.
Charlie Adam and Blackpool have a do-or-die game at home against Bolton, so the Tangerines Captain is a stud despite a poor string and penalty kick miss against Tottenham. Will DJ Campbell take the next spot kick for Ian Holloway’s men or will Adam keep his cool? Either way, Adam is a stud at home.
Manchester United pose a big issue for me – I just don’t know if they’ll go with their regulars (Rooney / Hernandez) or reserves (Berbatov / Owen) at Blackburn. Remember, last time these two teams met, United won 7-1 at Old Trafford. Berbatov scored 5. But will he play over Rooney and Hernandez? Tough, tough decisions for Sir Alex and that’s why United players aren’t studs. On the road. Blackburn. Have to be stud/dud fence. One player who is definitely a stud is NANI as he will be eager to cement a place in the Champions League final after being left out last week at home to Chelsea. He will surely start and cause Blackburn problems. Stud.
West Brom and Odemwingie – studs at home. Fulham are falling apart after losing to Liverpool 5-2 and I think they are duds on the road at Birmingham despite a great season from the likes of Clint Dempsey. Not this week. I can see a 2-1 loss or at best 1-1 draw for them in that one.
Sunderland and Wolves is a toss up game for me. Fletcher could do damage for Wolves as a cheap buy fighting for their life while Sessegnon is the pick for Sunderland – out of position and cheap. Stud/dud fence. Maybe a draw in that one?
Manchester City – Stoke is a wild card game for me. If Tevez doesn’t play in the FA Cup final, he’s a great pick in the league against Stoke. But if he plays on Saturday, he won’t on Tuesday – so Dzeko or Balotelli may benefit. I’d avoid further City investment at this point due to the uncertainty, though I expect a win. Hart should still start.
Lastly, don’t count out Bolton and Daniel Sturridge despite their recent poor away form. Blackpool really need to go for a win at home, a draw isn’t enough for them, so Bolton will be able to work Sturridge from the counter-attack where he is most dangerous. He was unlucky not to score last week (hit the crossbar) and though it’s the end of the season, fantasy managers shouldn’t lose faith or patience with him – he’s been superb in all the games he’s played – just been a bit unlucky in front of goal – and he has the chance to put one or two past Gilks. Stud despite the away matchup.
IV. Gameweek 37 Best Eleven:
GK: Hart
D: A. Cole – Smalling – L. Baines
M: Lampard – Adam – Nani – N’Zogbia – Kuyt
F: Van Persie – Suarez
Subs: Foster – Odemwingie – Flanagan – Onuoha
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Adam scored a penalty after he missed one (and the missed one was a good effort, not like a Kevin Davies miss). There is no reason to think DJ might take the next one.