Fantasy Football Tips Game-week 36 – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
It is often said that getting over the line is the hardest part of a race, presumably by cheeky rapscallions who refuse to release the finishing tape properly at marathons. But is it really the case? As soon as the end roars into view the adrenaline bestows upon us a fresh surge of enthusiasm to complete our mission. A mission, which we chose to accept last August; one that became impossible once we realised we were all 300 points behind a bunch of flukey sods who started the season with 3 Leicester players. Nevertheless, we’ve come this far and we’ll all moan about it being gone come summertime.
So let’s all rally together for a final hurrah as we push towards the chequered flag and allow this following nugget of stoic Dunkirk spirit to inspire us all. As a teenager Jamie Vardy once paid £29.99 for a rare Prince vinyl, a tenner more than he’d budgeted for. He pledged to celebrate regardless stating defiantly, “Tonight I’m gonna party like it’s £19.99”.
In line with contractual obligations, here are some tips4U including some diamonds, the occasional pearls of wisdom, and a few Sexy MF’s (Midfielders). I’m personally on a wildcard right now and focusing on personnel to bring my team round the final bend. Most of them have 4 games left, but as we saw in DGW34 rotation risk is a sign o’ the times. More fixtures doesn’t guarantee more minutes so try to avoid those prone to being rested… and obviously Romelu Lukaku.
Goalkeepers
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/three_fourth]David De Gea has had few equals this campaign. While LvG’s side have failed to sparkle offensively, they’ve always had the lofty Spaniard minding things expertly from the back and a remarkable 5 clean sheets in 7 games has seen the noose loosen around his Dutch manager’s neck. With Norwich and Bournemouth on the horizon, DDG should add to his season’s shutout tally of 14.
Recommending a keeper from a relegation-threatened team would suggest the ramblings of a madman. So without further ado, here’s Vito Mannone, from relegation-threatened Sunderland. Only Leicester City have breached the Black Cats’ defence in the last 4 games, and to come are opponents who aren’t just mentally ‘already on their summer hols’, they’ve been practically turning up to games in Hawaiian shirts, scoffing on Scarborough rock. Take a bow Stoke, Everton and Watford.
Defensively West Ham have been a horror show of late, conceding an average of 2 goals a game in their previous 6. But a quick glance at the Hammers’ home stretch (West Brom, Swansea, Man Utd, Stoke) sees Adrian face teams who have less attacking threat than a sponge-wielding tortoise.
[divider_1px]
Defenders
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/three_fourth]Perhaps one of the reasons Bilic’s men have been so leaky of late is the cavalier approach of defenders like Aaron Cresswell, who has appeared on the radar of Manchester City and Liverpool. An assist against Arsenal and a goal at Leicester sees the 26 year-old become a tempting fantasy option too.
While Manchester United’s defending has been unquestionably sound this season, anticipating LvG’s line-up has been the stuff of FPL nightmares. Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo, or “Darjo” (see below) are only 2 of 11 different defensive options used by Van Gaal, and that’s not even including OOP midfielders such as Carrick and Blind. However, now that the Red Devils are safely into the FA Cup final, in Darjo we can now surely trust as the pursuit for Champions League qualification intensifies.
Those wishing to throw their hat in the Sunderland ring could do worse than taking a punt on Patrick van Aanholt. A lock-in for Big Sam’s starting eleven, the Dutch left-back offers the double whammy of offering offensive threat in a team keeping clean sheets.
[divider_1px]
Midfielders
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/three_fourth]It’s a shame that Hazard and Fabregas have waited so long to come to the party. Had they started earlier, they may have joined fellow duo ‘Vahrez’ in being given a fused nickname. Belatedly, I bring you Fabard. In 2014/15 Cesc Fabregas facilitated more scoring opportunities than a charitable brothel keeper. Much of this season has seen him struggle to recreate those stats, but has nonetheless been Chelsea’s second best player of the season (behind Willian). A hat-trick of assists against Bournemouth last weekend was a throwback to better times in a Blues outfit that has steadied the ship under Hiddink.
Team mate Eden Hazard’s absence of form has been little short of supernatural. However, two goals in the same game may see the Belgian regain some much-needed confidence. In an FPL season where form has been everything, expect to see decent numbers from him in the final throes of 2015/16.
Roberto Firmino is back from a short spell on the sidelines and been one of the few to escape Klopp’s rotating policy in Premier League fixtures. With Coutinho so often kept in cotton wool for European exploits, Firmino ‘seems’ the more reliable bet. With a game at Swansea next, followed by a double home game bonanza, choosing an ever-present Red could be crucial. Keep an eye on Jurgen’s pressers though.
Forwards
[three_fourth padding=”0 20px 0 0″]
[/three_fourth]If there’s a better header of a ball in European football than Andy Carroll, I’ve not seen him. With a bonce like a boot and a leap like a salmon, the 8’7″ colossus could feasibly nut the International Space Station out of the thermosphere, embarrassing NASA in the process (y’know, what with there not actually being any astronauts up there, but I digress).
No matter who’s at the helm at Old Trafford come August, Louis van Gaal’s lasting legacy will surely be his brave blooding of young players, none more notably than with Marcus Rashford. At a ridiculously cheap 4.7 he’ll surely be in most active wildcard teams planning for the final double gameweek. Having started each of the last 8 games it seems his goal-scoring exploits have earned the gaffer’s trust.
6 games, 5 starts, 5 goals, 2 assists. Despite what feels like a perennial threat of rotation/injury/other it’s becoming impossible to ignore Daniel Sturridge. With Origi out and Benteke only just back FPL managers will be chomping at the bit to bring the English poacher into their squad.
The plaudits have rightly been celebrating Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy. But Jermain Defoe is quietly having his best goal-scoring season for 6 years, and his second best ever. With everything still to play for down at the foot of the table, Defoe will be germane to Sunderland’s survival hopes.
[divider_1px]
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Tips Game-week 36. This article was written by Bryan Munich
[divider_1px_dashed]
Before you disappear from the site or move on to the next article, we’d like to point out a brand new game for the Euro’s brought to us in conjunction with Fanager who will be bringing us all a Euro 2016 Fantasy Football game like no other, and we’d love it if you guys would join us.
To pre-register your interest, please click the Fanager banner above and enter your name and e-mail address to get involved – it take less than 30 seconds. Once registered, they’ll soon be in touch to advise you of when the game is ready to explore and play, so please get involved, register your email address and tell a friend.
[divider_1px_dashed]
[divider_1px_dashed]
[row][span6]
Vote on our Captain Poll Now
[/span6][span6]
[/span6][/row]
[divider_1px_dashed]
I also have 1.8 in the bank
Somebody explain to me why Romelu Lukaku is the 3rd most transferred striker this GW? He has been in horrendous form.
This is a strange old convo! Anyway, people are just seeing ‘Bournemouth at home’ followed by a DGW and bingo. And hey who knows but yeah his form is terrible. I wouldn’t even be overly surprised to see Niasse or Kone get a run out although the rumours are that Niasse has been terrible in training and isn’t up to the standard. Nice scouting Roberto :noshake:
Big chat that the kid Dowell will see some game time
I fell for that logic the first time, no Lukaku for me
Hi all, WCing this week to BB in the double. Not a clue where to start. No doubles worth shouting about and rotation and poor performances from Liverpool and Everton are making it even harder to pick the team!
If you were WCing right now, would you keep some of the stand out players? E.g. Aguero/Kane
Also, who would be your ‘must haves’? Thinking about triple West Ham and a couple from United. Potentially Sturridge but not to keen on a lot due to rotation or poor fixtures – no point having a double if you score less than a guy with one!
Thanks in advance
I think your front 3 should probably be Carroll,Kun and Kane. Payet, Sanchez, DDG are probably the other must haves
Cheers Matt; think its really worth exploiting the DGWers or not?
Not as much as 34 was like I think you need to have a balanced team and definitely have some Arsenal cover with Villa in the last week so a few DGWERS with some nice single players should work
hi AT, actually i have the same scenario as yours.
I am drafting 8-10 dgwers, while sanchez n an arsenal def is the must have, imo
Hi AT,
I am wildcarding as well, and asking myself the same questions.
Further question is whether solid pkayers like Kane, Kun, Mahrez, will keep delivering even if they play, now that there is not a lot at stake.
My team for now is:
Gomes* / Ruddy*
BELLERIN – Simpson – Darmian* – Creswell* – PvA*
SANCHEZ – MAHREZ – PAYET* – Milner* – Townend*
AGUERO – KANE – Carroll*
Stand out players in capital letters, star for DGWers.
So you see, I load in West Ham players, but other than that it is one player by team with DGW (Watford, ManU, Sunderland, Newcastle, Liverpool).
I keep two Arsenals, Kun and Mahrez.
And I am still pondering whether I will do Kane for Sturridge…
I am very interesting in the compromise you will meet on your side!
Brilliant Article Bry. Cheers for this mate. How does this team look for the weekend? I’ve used my FT but I also want to sell Couthino just unsure who to sell him too. I’ve looked at Milner, Lallana maybe Willian but I really don’t know. Any ideas lads?
Willian of those 3 for me
Cheers inertia but is it worth the hit or should I leave it till next week??
hi, my wc team will look like this..:
ddg**, manone**
kosc**,simpson,pva**,moreno**,cress**
payet**, sanchez, townsend, fabre**, mahres/millner
sturridge**, kane , rashf/deeney
So, for bench boosting week 37, which one is better:
a. rashford, mahrez
b. deeney, millner
sry i did post to a wrong thread
cheerss, yo
I’d probably prefer b but only just.
Hi NbD
I would consider Moreno to Azpit’a – Kane to Carroll – Mahrez to Firminio
Thanks Bryan, great article. Can’t see beyond Sanchez for cappo this week. Anyone suggest alternatives?
Don’t see much point in gambling away from Sanchez to be honest Inertia. Hope you’re well mate.