Premier League - Fantasy: Choose 'Em, Lose 'Em

Eurosport - Fri, 14 Dec 18:09:00 2007

Stuck picking you fantasy team this week? We advise you on some players worth picking up and others to avoid.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Premier League Super Sunday Picasso Rosicky Ronaldo Lampard Gerrard - 0

This week is a bit different, as all those top four big guns who have been hauling in the points for you week in week out are going up against each other on 'Smash Hit Sunday'.

Forwards

Choose 'Em: Benjani (10.62) has confounded his critics this season and any form striker would be rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of an under-strength Spurs defence coming to town.

Blackburn's Benni McCarthy (9.16) and Roque Santa Cruz (8.20) are both good value for a side facing Wigan, while Cameron Jerome (11.77) could well benefit from a travel-sick Reading.

Lose 'Em: Bolton's Nicolas Anelka (15.06), despite the occasional 'mare, is one of the most consistent point-earners, but the City of Manchester Stadium is not the free for all it used to be for visiting strikers when he called it home.

With no Didier Drogba (15.16) in contention for Chelsea at Arsenal, Avram Grant has the option of the inconsistent Salomon Kalou (11.54), the disappointing Claudio Pizarro (5.12) or the jaw-droppingly underwhelming Andriy Shevchenko (10.37). Best steer clear of the Chelsea attack.

Also, keep in mind how low scoring these uber-hyped matches usually turn out to be.

Midfielders

Choose 'Em: The stars are on show on Sunday, but there is one (relative) bargain to be had. With Francesc Fabregas returning from injury, his value has dropped to 16.00

Manchester City goldmine Martin Petrov (11.89) is likely to have a ball when he goes up against Bolton right back Nicky Hunt, especially if his partner in points-raking crime, Elano (9.94), returns from injury.

Similarly, Birmingham's Olivier Kapo (8.23) represents great value for his left wing duel with Reading's Graeme Murty, while the ever-surprising Clint Dempsey (7.55) could well give Fulham the lead at Capitulation Cottage.

Lose 'Em: As mentioned before, the guys who get put on the shiny stickers should be handled with care. Steven Gerrard (21.52), Frank Lampard (20.86) and Cristiano Ronaldo (a whopping 26.39) are by no means stick-ons for big games for this one. If you're going to stick with them, have a good reason.

Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas (14.62) doesn't like a fight, and the combination of pace and muscle in that awesome Portsmouth midfield could render him a spectator at Fratton Park.

Defenders

Choose 'Em: Critics of Aston Villa's Zat Knight (7.85) would say that the only thing going for him is his height. But it's that height that will be used to intercept all those long balls up to Kenwyne Jones. And if you can stop Jones, then you will most likely keep a clean sheet against Sunderland.

The last time Everton's Nuno Valente (7.32) linked up with Steven Pienaar, the Portuguese grabbed an assist and generally had a field day, while Arsenals' Bakary Sagna (6.63) represents one of the cheapest guaranteed starters on Super Duper Sunday.

Lose 'Em: The Liverpool veteran and hero that is Sami Hyypia (10.48) is not getting any younger, and is likely to get the run around from Tevez and Rooney. He may not concede, but he may be too slow to win too many tackles.

John Arne Riise (10.50) may have scored some blockbusters in the past, but he's going to be too busy with his hands full of C-Ron to get too many shots off.

Goalkeepers

Choose 'Em: Andreas Isaksson (5.44) is likely to have his goal tested mainly from distance by Bolton as he is shielded by a very efficient City defence, allowing him to collect a few easy save points, as well as plucking those long balls out of the air.

At the other end of that same pitch, Jussi Jasskelainen (8.59) may end up on the losing side, but City's penchant for only one striker has led to several 1-0 home wins.

Likewise, Spurs could well go down at Portsmouth, but Paul Robinson (5.19) will get the chance to showcase his shot-stopping abilities in the meantime.

Lose 'Em: If you are mad enough to have a Sunderland keeper, take care. Roy Keane hasn't yet announced whether he plans to keep Darren Ward (6.79) or restore the dropped Craig Gordon (a crazy 2.28), so the choice could backfire if they play or if they don't.

It's likely that shots, and therefore saves, will be at a premium in the 'Super G' matches, so better invest that big cash elsewhere.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport