Fantasy Premier League

Fri Dec 14 12:45PM by Neal Thurman

Well, a couple of announcements before we get started looking ahead to Christmas Week.  First, Arsenal have announced that Robin van Persie will start against Chelsea on Sunday.  Given the match-up, his price is pretty outrageous but if there wasn't enough drama already with Showdown Sunday and all, here is another reason for fantasy managers to watch (sadly, this message was in no way sponsored by the Premier League though they might think of throwing a little cash this way if we continue to promote their matches so shamelessly).  The second bit of excitement is the arrival of Seba here in Washington, DC.  Sure, he was a wash-out at ManYoo and Chelsea but he represents a major upgrade over the typical MLS player and it will be fun to watch him come springtime.  Our little league will likely never rival the top tier leagues in Europe but we'll take whatever progress we can, plus, it gives Jeremy and I an off-season fantasy league to play in so that our significant others don't get too used to us having spare time on our hands.

OK, on to the matches and the complexity of trying to figure out who to pick when everyone has two matches...

First, a quick look at the Big Four - of the eight matches to be played by the "Big Four" over Christmas Week there are really only two extremely lopsided matches on offer - ManYoo heads to the Stadium of Light and Liverpool travels to Pride Park to see if they can re-create their early season destruction of Derby.  Otherwise, the Big Four are matched up against relatively competent opposition (Arsenal has the derby w/ Spurs and then Pompey, ManYoo host Everton and then @SUN, Chelsea @BLA & AST, and Liverpool are POR & @DER).  Not a ton to choose from there but I'll be monitoring Torres, Gerrard, Arbeloa, and probably Harry Kewell for the occasion.

Given what is written above, you probably want to stay away from Pompey as they face LIV and ARS. 

Of all the options, perhaps the MOST interesting come from Newcastle.  Talk about a holiday, they host Derby and then travel to Wigan.  If that isn't six points for Big Sam's men and a ton of fantasy points, well, I'd fire him on the spot.  Maybe this is why no one puts me in charge of anything.  I'll be tracking Martins, Milner, N'Zogbia, Given, and even Alan Smith who, while usually fantasy death, is pretty cheap and getting some playing time which makes him worth at least watching.

Another team worth keeping an eye on is Birmingham - no juggernaut themselves to be sure but they do have a chance to make some hay next week with @BOL and MID on the slate.  Jerome and Larsson are the highest on my watch list but I'll also be trying to figure out if Kapo is likely to start or if he's still being brought in as a late substitute (for reasons passing understanding).

The last team I'll be watching intently is West Ham.  They've quietly risen into the top half of the table and they get an @MID & RED double next week.  My man Dean Ashton was back amongst the goals last weekend and should their be even the slightest hint of that continuing, I'm likely to make a move for the holiday season.  Not too many others on the Hammers roster that I'll be watching - maybe Etherington, but probably not.

Since this is starting to resemble a Week Ahead post rather than a Barn Door Watch (Giles Barnes is out of the title until he starts producing something on the field) so I'll refrain from analyzing all the teams like Everton who have one relatively difficult match (ManYoo) and one attractive one (Bolton).  If someone from one of these teams has an outstanding weekend this weekend, it might be worth grabbing him before his price goes up but they shouldn't be the focus of your attention.  Stick to NUFC, West Ham, and Brum with a liberal sprinkling of ManYoo and Liverpool and you'll have a Merry Christmas (or whatever other holiday you may be celebrating) indeed.

 

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