Fantasy Premier League

The (Last) Week Ahead

Thu May 21 02:40AM

So, here we are at the end of the season. There are undoubtedly many battles left to be played out in private leagues across the Yahoo universe as well as jockeying for final position in the overall rankings. For myself, I know I'm hoping for a strong finishing kick to keep in the top half of my private league - yes, I'm still suffering from the sins of my goalkeeping decisions from, well, the entire first half of the season.

The dismal nature of my final standings aside, there is a lot to think about as you assemble your line-up for this final weekend.

Do you go with a combination of the best players from the teams who are still competing for something meaningful (Fulham, Spurs, NUFC, Hull, Sunderland, and if you're one of those eternal optimists Boro)?
Do you go with the young guys from one of the big clubs (ManYoo, Arsenal, Liverpool, and to a lesser extent Chelsea who don't have many young guys)?
Do you ignore all of the motivational questions and concerns and just go with the talented players with good match-ups who are most likely to start (you know, like every other week)?

I can certainly see the logic behind saying "yes" to any of the scenarios above. That said, the latter strategy gets me extremely nervous as managers are likely to be extremely unpredictable with their talented players in the last match of the season with no good reason to play them other than to give the supporters a good show (which none of us really believe is good enough reason to risk a valuable asset to a potential cruciate injury that could cost half of next season - I wish it were otherwise but it isn't).

That leaves a combination of those with something left to play for and the young guys from the big teams...

Here's how I'm breaking it down...

For the young guys, I'm looking at ManYoo guys (I have no faith in Hull) and Arsenal attackers (I have no faith that any version of Arsenal's defence is going to shut Stoke down when I'm sure they'll have a lot of pride tied up in beating Arsenal). Not wild about Liverpool options with Spurs having so much to play for - even with the match at Anfield.

For the desperate guys, I'm looking Fulham at home, Spurs on the road, and Newcastle on the road. Hard to get too excited about Sunderland doing much against any version of Chelsea or Hull against ManYoo's youth squad.

The nice thing about this weekend is that budget shouldn't be much of an issue with so many inexpensive players likely to feature.

Strikers
Here's the list in attack...Bendtner, Vela, Nevland, Dempsey, Defoe, Macheda, Viduka, Martins, and Welbeck with Anelka chasing the Golden Boot thrown in for good measure.

If I were really going to invest in my strikeforce, I'd go Bendtner, Defoe, and the Elk. If I were choosing between the two ManYoo guys, I'd go against the grain/hype and go with Welbeck over Macheda. If you're a believer in the theory that Viduka really only plays when his next contract is on the line then you might want to throw the 3 and change necessary to get him on your team (hmm, any coincidence that his last two teams are in danger of going down and the one before that has been down for a few years?)

Midfielders
And here's the midfield list...Modric, Denilson, Nani, Murphy, Richardson, and Guthrie with Lawrence and MGP thrown in because otherwise Jeremy would feel obligated to comment or post or something else.

My preferences are for Modric, Nani, Guthrie, and Murph but there are strong cases to be made for all.

Defenders
Fabio, O'Shea, Bale (he has to start with all those injuries right?), Pantsil, and Hutton. I'd go Pantsil, Fabio and Hutton as the best bets. If you're going to go off the board then you could/should also consider Samba and Scharner.

Keepers
How to cap off an ugly year of picking keepers...Hard to know who ManYoo will throw out there and Fabianski isn't a really strong option given Arsenal's inability to defend tall teams that play physically in the area. In my mind that leaves Schwarzer, Gomes, and Robbo if you want to go on the cheap side. I'd go all in for Schwarzer for my squad despite the cost.

Good luck going through your own mental gymnastics as you try to evaluate what managers intend to do on the last day of the season...

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From arekganteng on Thu May 21 02:46AM
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Thank you Jeremy and Neal for your two cents throughout the year - I am sure there are many players like me who do not comment on the board very often if at all, but appreciate the advice, whether we agree with it or not!
Just a suggestion or two to add a bit of variety for next season, how about running a "nightmare" league as well as a fantasy league? It would be easy to set up, the team with the worst (lowest)score wins...you could of course play safe and chose a bunch of reserves who never get a game, but the truly legendary Paul Ince style managers will see the worst in players and identify terrible match ups and the potential for lousy performances (see Myhill recently for Hull, 2 shots on, no saves, two goals conceded in the loss), and then play those guys...!
Another idea, the shoestring budget league, never allowed to spend more than half your money (50) to get the highest score. Anyone who goes over budget prior to kick off is booted from the league!
I think that these would be just as much fun as doing the real game...any thoughts on this readers?
From mackemh8er on Thu May 21 04:20AM
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With a 200pt lead in my private group I have found a squad that makes an exact team value of 100 mil Lets have some fun eh?
From kellz_86 on Thu May 21 04:37AM
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THanks for all the hard work, hope to see you next season.
From danielkct on Thu May 21 04:40AM
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Man Yoo will definitely use Kuszczak as he is the only option now.
Ben Foster is out as he just had a wrist operation.
From aeksama on Thu May 21 08:48AM
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Wrapped up all 5 of my private leagues some weeks ago, this week i'm chillin out cos saturday I will be on a beach somewhere in Spain. Fabiansk, Bridge, Scharner, Samba, Gerrard, Malouda, Walcott, Milner, Arshavin, Rodallega, Anelks! Should do enough to win me 5 trophies, beat that Sir Alex!
From petegoddard11996655 on Thu May 21 09:39AM
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Any thoughts on arshavin? The other point ive heard raised about arsenal is that Adebayor and other players who may leave will be given a start as their last home game....which maybe makes bendtner less attractive. Im looking at kamara too 3 goals in 2 games, he has to start right?
From joshtottenham on Thu May 21 10:00AM
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thanks for the tips thru'out the season. but i'm baffled by your tips of modric, defoe, gomes. i had to double check the fixture list... and yes indeed spurs are away to liv. modric was awful last wk at home 1.5 pt's, and he's usually pathetic away from home. MPet could be the bargain buy if robinho is def out
From pedropetrone on Thu May 21 10:25AM
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@2 - I like the suggestion of a shoestring league, but can we name the league after Arsene Wenger?
From hawk_60137 on Thu May 21 10:40AM
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any thoughts on rvp?I'm banking on him this week for the last hurrah!
From tuhau_ycb on Thu May 21 10:41AM
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I wouldn't be too sure on banking against Liverpool at home to Spurs. Reckon Rafa and his team will be wanting to finish as close to UTD on points as possible and will go all-out for it.
From mike_mackenzie on Thu May 21 10:51AM
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@11 Agreed. Avoid Skrtel/Agger/Hyypia as there's likely to be a sub in there with Sami bidding farewell. Not a chance I'm betting on Spurs to deliver points at Anfield - I think it's been about 10 years since they came close to winning!
From peterransom on Thu May 21 12:05PM
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for man yoo keeper..it'll be kusczak coz foster will go under the knife..
From aneel_tuzero on Thu May 21 02:40PM
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Wouldn't Huddlestone be a better bet than Modric based on recent performance?
From ndegel on Thu May 21 02:56PM
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THudd is injured if you don't have that information already. Sorry to disappoint you...
From fidan_recica on Thu May 21 03:04PM
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- is a depleted Man Yoo team better than some others teams?! Don't know if Kuszack will get you a CS?
@pedro: I'm baffled at YOUR pick of the week: MPet. He was f-ing garbage last week and didn't even make it thru the entire game. Citeh played better when he left the pitch. I'd take Modric over MPet in a heart beat.
- Yes, Spurs have a TERRIBLE record at Anfield. Don't you think Keano will want this game pretty bad?!
From owen1981 on Thu May 21 03:20PM
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Keano will get a KeNOck-out against passionate-like-never-before 'Pools defense. He's just a fringe player, who can make it only in a second string teams like Spurs are. Sorry if it sounds a little hostile but thats a fact (proven many,many times)... Take my advice, stay AWAY of Spurs players...
From fidan_recica on Thu May 21 03:30PM
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thx bloggers... though u guys did gave lousy tips sometimes, but overall ur opinions are great!!! keep it up!!!!
i bet on valencia this week, last audition for him, and i think he will leave a great farewell for wigan's fans!!!
From fung9815 on Thu May 21 04:23PM
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Dont go for Valencia - he's injured. Bruce has said he doesn't expect to see him in a Wigan shirt again.
From mjclough81 on Thu May 21 04:36PM
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Thx guys, your texts, comments and hints have been strongly appreciated. Keep up the good work
From matuskr on Thu May 21 04:45PM
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@16. lol. blinded by your spurs loyalty. ! mpetrov got 6 pt's away from home last wk including a shot on target. he will also be playing bolton who are absol useless lately..made sunderland, hull , and wigan look amazing in last 3 games. jussi saving them time after time. the number of shots he saves is just evidence of the huge no. of shots he faces from opposit'n teams.
From pedropetrone on Thu May 21 05:26PM
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BFAY is a doubt, but looks likely to somewhat play. But he's injured enough to make the switch to a MTay.
Josh. I need reinforcements! =p
From owen1981 on Thu May 21 06:57PM
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@15 why would that disappoint me? i was just asking a question. thanks for the info
From ndegel on Thu May 21 08:14PM
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You sound disappointed, bitterly.
From kelly.mealing on Thu May 21 08:37PM
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-first and foremost, thanks a million to jeremy and neal for keeping up this blog, especially with how idiotic YFF was at times this year. we appreciate your analysis and insight which is on the money much more than most.
-i have a hard time putting arsenal players on my team for the final week. they seem like they just aren't getting along or something; no team chemistry. but, who knows, they could put in a good showing to finish out the season.
-(17) Keane has had an off year, but hardly a fringe player, he knows how to score. He'll be looking to say F**k you to Rafa for giving him the shaft. Spurs have really put together a great season and will go all out at Anfield. For a team that was dead bottom of the table for quite a while, and are looking to finish 8th, I wouldn't sell them short. I think they'll be a team to watch next season.
-how about Utaka for 4.81? playing forward of his listed position
From mbean.rm on Fri May 22 02:38AM
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or any portsmouth players for that matter. i know they have nothing to play for, but wigan have lost 6 of their past 7 matches and two wins before that were against hull and sunderland.
From mbean.rm on Fri May 22 02:43AM
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Utake was 2.51 before the last match, I put him in, but fell into the 'i have 3 million spare so upgrade him' for which I now regret.
From alex.ayre on Fri May 22 07:37AM
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See you next year, and thanks for all the fish!
From trush217 on Fri May 22 07:39AM
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If spurs are "second string" what does that make everyone below 8th?? do you only select top 4 players?? Spurs have lost once to the top four this season and Keane and Berbatov were at least top 3, if not the best, strikeforce in the premiership a couple of years ago, so im not sure how he's 'second string' (which as a phrase regarding a whole other club doesnt really make sense): Considering liverpools strikeforce is Torres "the hamstring" and....no, thats it, thats a little bit harsh. Are you saying keane couldnt make it cos he was forced out by the brilliance of Ngog? I think youll find that Rafa never really gave him a chance there. That said keane was awful in front of goal last week , missing two chances (one an airshot) that really should have been goals, and spurs midfield is somewhat depleted. I dont think modric is going to be the fantasy player we all hoped for (not enough shots). Defoe is on a hot streak though, keane will want to prove a point and liverpool have nothing to play for though so either could be worth a gamble against a side that really should have conceded 2 or 3 to west brom last week.
@25,27 - did you guys see Utaka's penalty attempt and open goal miss the other week tho...i wouldnt second guess your decision to upgrade he looked awful that game.
From joshtottenham on Fri May 22 09:09AM
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i still have faith on Hull players to win on ManU junior team. Maybe we can consider Geovanni, Turner, Dawson and Fagan. Im sure the Hull players will all out on Sunday.
You may also consider some Blackburn players as they are facing relegated side (West Brom). MGP, samba, McCarthy, Diouf.
For goalkeeper position, to play safe, we can consider to have Robinson. I dont think Fabianski/ Schwarzer/ Kuszczak are great options
Striker - u must have Elk, Rodallega, Bentner, McCarthy, Geovanni
Midfield - lampard, fagan, nani, guthrie, MGP, Catermole
defender - painstil, alex, turner, dawson, samba,
keeper - robinson, reina, friedal, given
cheers and see you next season
From md_azree on Fri May 22 01:12PM
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