Premier League - Choose 'em or lose 'em

Eurosport - Sat, 20 Sep 12:20:00 2008

Tottenham are going to thrash someone sometime - so get on Roman Pavlyuchenko as our Fantasy Pick of the Week.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League - Roman Pavlyuchenko, Spurs, against Aston Villa - 0

GOALKEEPERS

Choose 'em: It may seem like complete lunacy, but why not have a punt on Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes (5.32) this week? Yes, we know Spurs are a shower of the smelly stuff at the moment, and yes we know that Gomes endured a total nightmare last weekend, but with a home game against Wigan, and considering the minimal cost involved in recruiting him, Gomes could turn out to be a bargain. If not, they're practically giving away Paul Robinson (1.39), so although he heads into the weekend with an impressive minus-12 points tally, we think the Blackburn number one has a good chance of turning things around at home to Fulham.

Lose 'em: Manchester United are yet to hit form this season and with the toughest of away fixtures at Stamford Bridge looming, it's time to ditch Edwin van der Sar (13.07) for Sunday's game against Chelsea.

DEFENDERS

Choose 'em: Many a defender has caught the eye over recent weeks, but none more so than Chelsea full-back Jose Bosingwa, who is still a steal at just 5.77. Pair him at the back with West Ham stopper Calum Davenport (7.71), who is set for an easy afternoon with crisis club Newcastle playing at Upton Park on Saturday. Otherwise, John Paintsil (4.81) and Ryan Nelsen (5.57) look solid, value-for-money buys this week.

Lose 'em: One thing we've learned over the years is never to rely on anything in a derby match. Predictable such fixtures are not, so get rid of Aston Villa's Carlos Cuellar (5.75), who has looked a little shaky since making his debut. Also ditch the Spaniard's team-mate Curtis Davies (7.10) - he may miss out, as he did against Litex Lovech in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. Meanwhile, Nemanja Vidic (7.81) is suspended for Manchester United's trip to Chelsea, so drop him, while Rio Ferdinand (10.46) seems like an expensive luxury that you can do without this week.

MIDFIELDERS

Choose 'em: Liverpool winger Albert Riera has clearly improved since his last spell in England and, having impressed on his debut against Manchester United, looks good value at 6.69 with the visit of Stoke coming up. West Brom's James Morrison has looked sharp when fit and could be worth a punt at 7.16 while if you need to cut back on expense, Nigel Reo-Coker (7.03) could be your man after scoring his first league goal for two years last Monday at White Hart Lane.

Lose 'em: Manchester United's Michael Carrick (6.59) and Arsenal's Samir Nasri (6.41) are sidelined so cash them in and buy instead one of the above midfielders.

STRIKERS

Choose 'em:Pavlyuchenko has finally made it into the game and to continue the 'Spurs can't get any worse' theme, why not snap the Russian up for peanuts (5.28)? There has to be a backlash sometime, and starting it at home to Wigan is as good a time as any. Similarly, former Spurs and current Liverpool striker Robbie Keane (10.96) has to start scoring sooner rather than later - why not against Stoke at Anfield? Finally, Amr Zaki is banging them in for Wigan and shows no sign of letting up. Pick him up for 10.49.

Lose 'em: Aston Villa's John Carew (11.20) may miss out so he is not worth the risk while Nicolas Anelka's run in the Chelsea side could be over as Didier Drogba eyes a return from injury. Oh and ditch anyone associated with Newcastle United Football Club.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 6 of 26

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  1. Why don't Eurosport make Fantasy Serie A and La­ Liga choose em or lose em? It's more difficult to­ follow the injuries, suspensions and the form of the­ players without it

    From martin.mitevski26, on Fri 19 Sep 2:07PM

  2. why doesnt anyone think of wigans palacios. although­ wigans fate hasnt been so great palacios is always­ around the field and at 4.52 if he is providing 8+­ points every week then he is a must have..

    From arathore, on Fri 19 Sep 1:42PM

  3. I think one can still pick players like Duff and Owen­ from the Newcastle side, it's harsh to say ditch­ all of them.

    From varsef, on Fri 19 Sep 1:23PM

  4. Go on, kick us while we're down! Get a proper­ f*@#?g job douche bags.

    From newskillsnortheasttraining, on Fri 19 Sep 1:22PM

  5. ill have to lose most of my team, grrrrrrrrr

    From nick, on Fri 19 Sep 1:17PM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    'ditch anyone associated with Newcastle United­ Football Club.' omg!

    From Page P, on Fri 19 Sep 1:05PM
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