Two of four teams in action twice this week, loading up on Manchester City and Everton players could prove fruitful at such a crucial stage in the season.
Gameweek 33 review
He might not have made the instant impact many were expecting at Old Trafford, but
Juan Mata has been very prominent for Manchester United of late, which, hardly surprisingly, has coincided with a switch to a more central role in the United attack.
Mata was the highest individual scorer this week with 19 points after a goal, two assists and three bonus points against Newcastle and ‘tis more the pity for those who have him in their team that United have no game this weekend.
Crystal Palace’s
Jason Puncheon was next best with 16 points after his brace against Cardiff City, going one better than
Steven Gerrard (two goals) and
Christian Eriksen (a goal and two assists) and two better than Chelsea’s
Mohamed Salah who scored a goal and made another against Stoke.
Eriksen’s Spurs’ teammate
Emmanuel Adebayor posted a 13-point tally after two goals against Sunderland and he is partnered in attack by
Romelu Lukaku after a goal and an assist in the comprehensive victory over Arsenal at Goodison Park.
Not for the first time of late
Liam Rosenior figured in the Dream Team after he earned 12 points for his role in Hull’s victory over Swansea and he is joined at the back by Crystal Palace’s
Adrian Mariappa (10) and West Ham’s
Guy Demel (9), with West Brom’s
Ben Foster between the sticks after collecting nine points in the win over Norwich.
J-League
Barry Curran’s Gambitbeer held onto their lead at the top of the J-League this week but his stranglehold over the chasing pack isn’t as strong as it once was despite him managing to increase his lead by two points this week.
James Curran – we still maintain a suspicion that Barry and James are related… Fantasy Football aptitude obviously runs thick in the Curran blood - is still just over 20 points off the lead in second place, but
Michael Roche’s Hyperloopin’ Away were the big movers this week with 81 points, a score that puts them in third place within seven points of James Curran in second.
Adrian Marnane’s Michu at De Gea Bar are still hanging in there in fourth a further nine points back, with
Des Finegan’s _The_K_Krew and
Eoin McGovern’s The Special 11 keeping touch with the big dogs back in fifth place.
J-League Top 5:
- Gambitbeer – Barry Curran: 2,230 points
- ^ Thank You ^ - James Curran: 2,209 points
- Hyperloopin’ Away – Michael Roche: 2,202 points
- Michu at De Gea Bar – Adrian Marnane: 2,193 points
- The _K_Krew – Des Finegan, The Special 11 – Eoin McGovern: 2,186 points
Man City and Everton on hand for some double trouble
We hardly need to say it, but squeaky bum time is already upon us as far as Fantasy Football is concerned. We’re through the looking glass here people and now is not a time to be indecisive.
If you’re lagging behind in whatever leagues you happen to be competing it at the moment, the shackles have to come off and risks have to be taken without worrying about the consequences. Gameweek 34 might not be the last double gameweek between now and the end of the season, but by the time the next one comes around (Gameweek 37) it might be too late, so it’s time to get off the fence.
Four teams are in action twice in Gameweek 34 and considering that one is in contention for the title (Man City), one is battling for Champions League places (Everton) and another is coming off the back of two wins and happen to have a good defensive record (Crystal Palace), then the potential for points is pretty big. Oh and there’s also Sunderland, of course. Don’t forget Sunderland.
By virtue of their places in the table, Man City and Everton are going to be the focus of most attention and there’s a good chance that a lot of you will pick the maximum number of players allowed from both City and Everton, or at least five players between the two sides.
From Everton you can’t really go wrong with adventurous full-backs Leighton Baines (£7.5 million) and Seamus Coleman (£6.9 million) and there will be a lot of love for Romelu Lukaku (£9.1 million) up front on the back of a recent hot streak in front of goal. If you’re tight for cash, meanwhile, Steven Naismith (£4.7 million) was outstanding against Arsenal and has two goals and 18 points in his last two games.
For City, any concerns about picking members of their squad for an incredibly tough to call title tussle at Anfield should be exacerbated by the fact that they play Sunderland – who are in abysmal form right now – at home on Tuesday night.
If you’re feelin’ lucky… punk, you might take a gamble on the returning Sergio Aguero (£12.0 million), but with four goals and two assists in his last five games we think that Edin Dzeko is a safer as well as a cheaper (£7.3 million) bet.
Yaya Toure (£10.5 million), as he has been for most of the season, is pretty much a cast-iron certainty, while David Silva (£9.6 million) has picked up 39 points in his last five games and is looking very sharp.
For Palace, meanwhile, Jason Puncheon (£5.0 million) will be full of confidence after his brace against Cardiff but it is at the back, through goalkeeper Julian Speroni (£4.7 million) and the likes of Joel Ward (£4.4 million) and our own Damien Delaney (£4.4 million) where managers are likely to pick up most points in what could be a crucial Gameweek come the end of the season.
What about Sunderland, we hear you ask? Probably best forget about them this week, the Black Cats are having no luck at the moment.
JOE’s Fantasy Football Picks:
Top Dollar: Romelu Lukaku (£9.1 million). With three goals and two assists in his last four games, Jamie Redknapp would probably say that Lukaku is literally on fire at the moment. Sunderland and Crystal Palace will be running scared.
Mid-Range: Edin Dzeko (£7.3 million). Possibly a slight risk because of Ageuro’s return and with Negredo also available but with 29 points in three games, he deserves a bit of trust.
Bargain Basement: Jason Puncheon (£5.0 million). Puncheon always offered decent value when playing for Southampton last season and he seems to be flying with the Eagles under Tony Pulis of late. A good bet to add to the two goals he scored last weekend in the two games he plays this week.
Irish Pick: Seamus Coleman (£6.9 million). Coleman gets the nod in this category most of the time but in a double gameweek, it’s a no-brainer.
Captain’s Pick: Yaya Toure (£10.5 million). The last time he had a double gameweek, Yaya scored 31 points and while we’re not expecting a repeat, we are expecting a continuation of his magnificent form this season.
