Premier League - Fantasy: Choose 'em or lose 'em?

Eurosport - Fri, 01 Feb 15:57:00 2008

The transfer window may be closed for Premier League managers but the wheeling and dealing continues in the world of Fantasy football.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Liverpool Steven Gerrard Fernando Torres - 0

Only Liverpool (home to Sunderland) out of the "big four" (can they even still be said to belong in that category?) have an attractive match-up this weekend, with Chelsea (Portsmouth), Man United (Tottenham) and Arsenal (Manchester City), all having tricky looking matches.

So maybe this is the weekend to load your team with Liverpool players? But can you even know who Rafael Benitez will pick? Maybe you should just go for Birmingham players (home to Derby)? We offer you our tips.

NOTE: At the time of writing some recent additions such as Alfonso Alves, Rade Prica, and Felipe Caicedo have not been imputed into the system. Keep an eye on such players as they could be available for bargain prices when they do drop up.

Attackers

Choose 'Em

Fernando Torres (12.62) looks the stand-out pick this week; there is no way Benitez is going to risk dropping his star striker when his position as manager is under such scrutiny. Sunderland are also terrible away from home having picked up just two points (as many as Derby).

Speaking of Derby, despite a number of signings they still look - well rubbish, so consider Birmingham's strike duo of Cameron Jerome (8.78) and James McFadden (6.21).

If you are playing catch-up in your league and need to roll the dice then Reading's strike pair of David Kitson (10.26) and Kevin Doyle (11.48) at home to Bolton could be worthwhile gambles as their price tags will scare off most players.

Jermain Defoe has a tough match-up against Chelsea but looks too low at 7.57 to be ignored, expect his price to rocket in the forthcoming weeks.

Likewise Arsenal's Eduardo (7.03) remains great value with Arsene Wenger insisting he is in no rush to recall Robin Van Persie.

Lose 'Em

Away to Fulham may look like an attractive match-up for you to load up on Villa players, but Ashley Young has been their man creative force this season and with him out suspended, Gabriel Agbonlahor (12.40) and John Carew (11.88) don't look as attractive as they might have otherwise.

Meanwhile, it is hard to recommend Robbie Keane (14.31) or Dimitar Berbatov (14.62) at home to Manchester United, and Benjani (13.79) is unlikely to play given his current transfer saga.

Midfielders

Despite the tough match-up, keeping Cristiano Ronaldo (32.71) is a no-brainer if you already have him. If you don't, you may have no option but to go for somebody like Steven Gerrard (18.19) instead as he is 14 million cheaper and has the easier match-up.

Elsewhere, Joe Cole (8.84) has been an ever present in the Chelsea side these last few weeks and looks a bargain at his current price.

Olivier Kapo (7.69) has that lovely match up with Derby, so he will be popular, and Yossi Benayoun (9.05) has a habit of scoring against poor teams at Anfield (like Sunderland) so if he starts he could score heavily.

Kevin Nolan (6.54) looks attractive, he is being pushed further forward by Bolton now that Nicolas Anelka has gone and could nick a goal at Reading.

While, if you want a real bargain go for Damien Duff (4.29) - Kevin Keegan's sides have always relied heavily on wingers, and if they are to click into gear this weekend at home to Middlesbrough, expect the Irishman to be amongst the points.

Lose 'Em

Again, best dump those Tottenham, Portsmouth and Manchester City midfielders this week given their opponents. David Bentley (18.71) could also be bottled up by a mean Everton defence, and Michael Ballack (14.00) has gone from being an under-priced bargain to an overpriced risk after a jump in price of over eight million. Expect his price to level off next week.

Defenders

Choose 'Em

Liverpool defenders look attractive this week and Jamie Carragher at 6.84 looks a steal.

Ricardo Carvalho is suspended so expect Branislav Ivanovic (5.65) to make his debut in what should be a low scoring match at Portsmouth.

Wilfred Bouma (7.54) likes to get forward and against Fulham, an assist and/or a clean sheet is a possibility.

While the whole "pick anybody who is playing against Derby" tactic will make Stephen Kelly (5.10) a popular choice this week.

Lose 'Em

Jonathan Woodgate (6.17) screams value at his current price but against United he could be in for a tough match-up - look to add him on Monday though if he stays at that price.

Same logic applies to Portsmouth and Manchester City defenders, it is just too hard to justify giving them a start because of the opposition. You also get the feeling that Newcastle are going to trash somebody soon, so David Wheather (8.38) and Luke Young (9.31) are potentially risky picks.

Goalkeepers

Choose 'Em

Some decent options this week means that there is no need to spend big bucks on a goalkeeper. Shay Given (1.91) has stung Fantasy players in the past but he could come good this week at a bargain price. Birmingham's Maik Taylor (5.76) also looks great value, and if you want to spend a little more, go for Pepe Reina (8.04).

Lose 'Em

Anybody over 10 million is overpriced this weekend, while those eagle eyed people who picked up Radek Cerny (8.04) when Paul Robinson was dropped are advised to lose the Czech goalkeeper ahead of United's visit.

For more hints and tips make sure read Neal and Jeremy's blogs - they're updated daily and those guys are the real experts. Just click on the link below the photo and feel free to ask them who BFAY is!

Seán Fay / Eurosport