The three players you need in your Fantasy Football team this week

Luk who’s doing the business.

J-League

There was a little bit of a reshuffling of the pack in the J-League in Gameweek 24, but nothing could dislodge Ogie Nolan’s Tulig Panthers** from top spot after a solid score of 70 at the weekend. All but one of the remaining members of the top five managed a score in excess of that figure last time out, but Ogie maintains a healthy lead at the top, 32 points ahead of Alan Duggan’s Klippity Klopp. Robert White’s Cescy Time are a further 22 points back in third place and there is nothing to separate Robert’s charges from Barry Grennan’s Garrymore UTD. In fifth place, meanwhile, is Michael Quirke’s 3 weeks and get bored, who are making something of a mockery of that very name with the season about to enter the final straight.

J-League Top 5

1. Tulig Panthers** – Ogie Nolan: 1,482 points
2. Klippity Klopp – Alan Duggan: 1,450 points
3. Cescy Time – Robert White: 1,428 points
4. Garrymore UTD – Barry Grennan: 1,428 points
5. 3 weeks and get bored – Michael Quirke: 1,426 points

This week’s leaders: Tulig Panthers** – Ogie Nolan

Gameweek 25

Not for the first time since the turn of the year, the biggest game of the weekend involves Liverpool, who are going through their most difficult period of the season at present. By the time they play high-flying Spurs, the Reds could have fallen behind Manchester United in the table and may well be only three points clear of city rivals Everton, something that illustrates the importance of the clash at Anfield on Saturday evening. Prior to that, Hull will look to continue their recent excellent run against a fragile Arsenal side at the Emirates, where bargain-hunting managers should consider members of a rearguard that have kept clean sheets against Liverpool and Manchester United in their previous two outings. Elsewhere, Swansea’s home clash with Leicester has relegation six-pointer written all over it in light of the Champions’ recent form, while Burnley’s home form could present runaway leaders Chelsea with a stumbling block on Sunday afternoon. Bournemouth will need to drastically up their level if they’re to trouble Manchester City on Monday Night Football; a game that provides man of the moment Gabriel Jesus with yet another opportunity to showcase his undoubted class.

This week’s picks

Safe bet: Gabriel Jesus (£9.2 million). Dark horse last week, very much a safe bet this week after a brace of goals won Manchester City a hard-fought encounter against Swansea at the Etihad. The Brazilian is averaging a goal or an assist every 47 minutes in his brief Premier League career to date and he couldn’t have asked for a much better time to be playing Bournemouth after they conceded six goals at Goodison Park last weekend. Dark horse: Eldin Jakupovic (£4.0 million). After not playing a single minute in 15 matches, Jakupovic has been restored to the Hull starting line-up by Marco Silva and repaid that faith with two clean sheets and 24 points in four games. For that price, he’s a bargain, even if just as a back-up. Captain’s choice: Romelu Lukaku (£9.8 million). The Belgian can frustrate Fantasy Football managers by going for long spells without goals, but when he’s at it, he’s practically a must-have in anyone’s team. Four goals for a very much in-form Everton side last weekend would suggest he’s in the mood right now; Middlesbrough could end up feeling the effects on Saturday.