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

Eurosport - Sat, 15 Mar 12:16:00 2008

Is this the week to pack your team with Derby players? Er, no. Instead it is all about Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham who all play twice.

2007-2008 Derby County Robbie Savage - 0

GOALKEEPERS

Choose 'em

Ben Foster (6.05) will start for Manchester United against Derby and most likely Bolton - at that money he represents an absolute steal.

Carlo Cudicini (6.04) is another back-up getting his moment in the sun. He is expected to feature for Chelsea at Sunderland and Tottenham. Perfect if you don't fancy Foster.

Lose 'em

It is tempting to say you should lose anyone else unless your keeper has increased significantly in value.

Manuel Almunia (12.83) and Jose Reina (11.05) have every chance of a clean sheet against Middlesbrough and Reading respectively, but they are pricy and only play once.

DEFENDERS

Choose 'em

Tottenham's Alan Hutton (7.91) should return for the Manchester City and Chelsea games after being cup-tied in midweek, while Rio Ferdinand (10.21) is a consistent scorer also playing twice. (There could be a theme developing here.)

Of those only playing once, you could do worse than Wigan's Erik Edman (6.54), who plays against Bolton, while Sun Jihai (5.58) should also get a run-out.

Lose 'em

Choose 'em or Lose 'em really put its neck on the block last week by suggesting you rid yourself of Derby defenders, and it offers similar advice ahead of Manchester United's visit. But you probably knew that.

Bolton might have a double chance to pick up points, but do you really trust them away to Manchester United and Wigan? Ricardo Gardner (8.08) fans, look away now.

You might also think twice before selecting the overpriced likes of Joleon Lescott (13.45), Gael Clichy (12.42) and Glen Johnson (11.80).

MIDFIELDERS

Choose 'em

It is the big decision of the week, and Choose 'em or Lose 'em is coming down on the side of picking Cristiano Ronaldo (27.16). Yes, it's a phenomenal amount of money, but how will you feel if you leave him aside and he scores 60 points in two games against Derby and Bolton?

If you think a player will match his value in points, you should consider him. If Ronaldo plays both games he should beat it with ease.

He might bottle penalties, but Steed Malbranque (8.08) is a reliable performer and one of the few decent midfielders whose value is still in single figures.

With Martin Petrov still suspended, why not take a punt on the very reasonable Gelson Fernandes (5.40) for Manchester City?

Lose 'em

If you've already got Frank Lampard (26.53), keep him. If not, it's hard to see him matching Ronaldo so wait until he drops to a fair value around the 20 mark.

Stewart Downing (17.63) is better in fantasy than he is in real life, and usually represents a sound choice. But not away to Arsenal.

Everybody loves Jimmy Bullard (13.52) because he is 'so underrated'. Not in this game, he ain't. It's a lot of money to spend on a Fulham player.

FORWARDS

Choose 'em

There would normally be no hesitation in recommending Didier Drogba (13.32), but he is a slight risk now he has Nicolas Anelka for company. Still, at that price it is hard to say no.

Marcus Bent (8.11) has finally returned to a decent price and faces a shaky Bolton back line.

Nicklas Bendtner (4.74) might have to give way to the returning Robin van Persie but if you are looking for a cheap striker he is an infinitely better bet than Emmanuel Villa.

Lose 'em

Dimitar Berbatov (19.29) is bang in form and plays twice, so why not pick him? Because at that price you should be going for Wayne Rooney (19.85) instead.

Michael Owen (8.82) is very tempting - he is Michael Owen after all. But for goodness sake, the man is finished. Only an avalanche of goals will convince Choose 'em or Lose 'em otherwise.

You have until midday Saturday to make your changes. Click the link below the photo to read the excellent Fantasy Football Blog!

Alex Chick / Eurosport