FFantasy Football

Fantasy Preview – Match Week 12

It feels as though we have had more international football than domestic since the new season started, or is that just me?

Well, we can all get back to it this weekend as the Premier League takes centre stage once again. Do your fantasy teams need some attention? While I cannot guarantee success, here are my tips heading into week twelve

 

BUY

Yannick Bolasie – Midfielder, Everton, 6.1

He is currently top five in both take ons and successful crosses showing that he’s getting into very dangerous positions and doing something positive when he does. The complaint at Crystal Palace was that there wasn’t much end product, but he’s currently on four assists and with Romelu Lukaku up front, the likelihood that his passes and crosses end up as goals is obviously much higher. For me, he is the only Everton winger you can trust right now. Swansea’s biggest weakness is their defence and Bolasie should have a field day against their wingbacks.

Jermaine Defoe – Forward, Sunderland, 7.4

We know Defoe is a high end goal gamble, but it’s one that should pay off this week. He is in terrific form with two goals and an assist in the last two matches and this week comes up against Hull City and their league worst defence. I would genuinely be surprised if Defoe isn’t involved in at least one goal on Saturday.

Eden Hazard – Midfielder, Chelsea, 10.1

With five goals and two assists in his last five matches, Eden Hazard is now the highest scoring player in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). His early substitution on international duty gave me and many other Hazard owners a scare, but he and international manager Roberto Martinez have both come out and said he is not injured. Chelsea should have another big game this week against Middlesbrough.

Matt Phillips – Midfielder, West Bromwich Albion, 5.1

I think it will surprise some people that Phillips leads the Baggies in both key passes and assists. He had a fantastic match last time out (13 points) and with his crazy low ownership (0.2%) he is a very interesting differential option. The matchups are in his favour as well with none of his next three opponents ranking in the top ten in defence.

Erik Pieters – Defender, Stoke City, 4.5

He may literally be the least sexy option in all of fantasy. That having been said, Stoke have launched up the charts in defensive efficiency ranking second in the league over the last five matches. He is never going to be a terrific threat going forward but he does offer stability as a third or fourth option. The potential return of Jack Butland should help drag Pieters back to relevance as he will never offer much in an attacking sense.

 

SELL

Dimitri Payet – Midfielder, West Ham United, 9.3

There are some (@FPLHints) that believe in the “form over fixtures” philosophy of FPL. While I often agree with that sentiment, this run for Payet is not going to be a fun one for his owners. His next five matches, literally all of them, are against top ten defences. I’m sure I will own Payet again this season as he still leads the league in both key passes and crosses.

Harry Kane – Forward, Tottenham Hotspur, 10.7

I want to see it first. He looked a step behind the pace against Arsenal but with tough matches on the horizon I want to be absolutely sure he’s back before spending that kind of money. The long term upside is definitely still there and, though Tottenham have struggled to put the pall in the net, they still rank top five in chances created.

Adam Smith – Defender, Bournemouth, 4.8

Smith is suspended for this weekend’s match and I am having a hard time convincing myself that he is worth holding onto. Bournemouth have been a massive disappointment of late having kept just one clean sheet in their last five despite very kind matches. In fact, the one match where they did manage a clean sheet was against the toughest team in that run (Tottenham).

Hector Bellerin – Defender, Arsenal, 6.6

Like Smith, I’d be shipping off Bellerin even if he was able to play this weekend. He is the most expensive fantasy defender and only the fifth highest scoring. With Chelsea’s sudden dominance a “downgrade” to Alonso or Azpilcueta would help both your wallet and your team.

Eldin Jakupovic – Goalkeeper, Hull City, 4.0

He is currently the second highest owned goalkeeper, which is just ridiculous. I know he’s just a price dump, but at least Pickford and Grant (both 4.1) are starting. Jakupovic on the other hand, hasn’t gotten a start since september. Even if he was starting it would be behind the league’s worst defence. Sell, sell, sell.

 

TEB FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS – TOP TEN

Rank Team & Manager Round Score Total Points
1  same ROD’S ROCKETS – john bridge 54 651
2  same Glen’s Eagles – Glen Samuel 46 631
3  same himanshu_utd – HIMANSHU SAJWAN 64 625
4  same Soper’s No Hopers – Mike Soper 65 622
5  up King’s Army – Edward King 76 602
6  same Dynamo Dan Dan – Daniel Bright 56 597
7  up waddon_massive – Steve Larden 63 592
8  down Super Alan Pardew – Robert Naish 54 592
9  up Pepsi Guardicola – Craig Perry 60 589
10  down Dep’s Destroyers – Derren Depledge 51 587

 

 

Kevin lives in the US and hosts the EPL Roundtable podcast. He has more than a passing interest in Dutch football. Avid supporter of Spurs and Pittsburgh Steelers among others.

1 comment

  1. Yeah, but is anyone really looking to waste a transfer on getting rid of their second choice keeper, who shouldn’t be getting near your team unless there’s an emergency…

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