Friday 12 August 2011

The Matchday Insight

As the first week of fantasy football dawns upon us, it is time to take an in-depth look at what strategy and what players will help in kickstarting our season with a healthy points outcome. To do so let's breakdown each position and see which players should be worthy contenders for your fantasy teams.


FORWARDS:

Van Persie: Arsenal's new and willing captain who has always been fantasy gold should be a strong pick even though his price is steep and is playing an away fixture to New Castle. New Castle's is not known for its defence and this season doesn't see any change in that department. If its any thing like the 8 goal thriller from last season expect V.Persie to be right in the thick of it.

Gervinho: Will play the support role with RVP and if preseasons anything to go by then he will heavily be involved in the attacking build up. Expect him to haul in about 10-12 points. A cheap option with a lot of upside.

Aguero or Dzeko: Of both the Manchester City strikers Dzeko seems to have a chance of starting the game more than Aguero. Still what Mancini does with his strikers remains to be seen. Balotelli will not be a good pick for first matchday of the season as he is too unpredictable with his behaviour and you would want him spoiling your matchday. If there is a clear indication of Aguero starting the match by saturday then he should be in all fantasy lineups.

Carroll: The tall forward seems primed to use the boundless talent liverpool have bought and will heavily profit from both Downing and Adam skills of delivering balls from all angles into the box. He will just have to do what he's best at and head the ball home. A certain pick with the manager 50:50 over starting Suarez.

Holt: The best cheap option in terms of forwards. Has an abundance of goalscoring experience and going up against a team that defines the lower tier of the premier league. He should profit from the easy matchup and is always going to get those shots on target.

Roda: The soul owner of all goal scoring responsibility of Wigan and up against a newly promoted Norwich. His price isn't so attractive at 13+ and there are better options out there like Carroll for cheaper.
         
Rooney: A heavy investment at 19+ but playing against West Brom puts him into consideration. He can outclass anyone on his day and make your money's worth. It would be a toss up between V.Persie or Rooney with one having the better matchup and the other with the better consistency.


MIDFIELDERS:

Taarabt: This QPR midefielder is someone no fantasy manager would want to miss out on. His ability has been proved exceedingly well in the championship but now he's up against the best teams in England. Although, even if he produces half of what he did last season he'll be a gem to have. 

Ramsey: No Fabregas & no Nasri in the team sheet for Arsenal vs NewCastle implies Ramsey is the sure shot central attacking midfielder for the Gunners. He has the talent to produce the performances required to be valuable to fantasy teams and this just might be the beginning. At 4.27 he's a great bargain.

Downing: At Aston Villa downing was able to produce 77 successful crosses and 7 assists. This ratio is bound to go up with him moving to Liverpool. He has shown that he can hold his own with another talented player on his side with Ashley Young also their at Villa last season. 

Adam:   Pick of the Liverpool midfielders as he will be in the heart of the midfield. With Gerrard injured he will play an anchoring role and will create good chances for Carroll.

Silva:  Not been a good pick for fantasy in the prevoius season, but he seems to be getting more and more involved with how Manchester city play. Silva has the vision to create a lot of goal scoring opportunities and with Swansea's weak defence he should will be able to do so.

Young: His presence in the United lineup was well evident in the Community Shield last week. His speed and capabilities does threated the opposition. He takes corners, creates opportunities for the strikers, takes free kicks etc he should be able to give alot of points.  

Nani: Man of the match in the community shield, scored 2 goals to win United the shield. He is going to be a threat to every opposition and can single handedly destroy any team he plays against. He is expensive but if you can make a team around him, there is nothing like it.

DEFENDERS:

Vermalaen: Arguably Arsenal's best fantasy defender when fit. He seems to be back now and is going to need a couple of games to get going. He did start his Arsenal career with a goal and a brilliant haul of 18+ points 2 years ago so lets hope the restart is as spectacular.

Gibbs: The cheapest enabler out there on a decent Arsenal team. His inclusion in the team will open up a lot of oppertunities for your other position and whatever he provides will be a bonus. Add him and forget about it. 

Kelly: Injured Glen Johnson's replacement and has had backing from the manager from last season. He does tend to move up the field and deliver a few crosses. An improved liverpool is sure to help him improve his points potential.

Agger: Decently priced Agger has a tendency to get in there among the goals and collects good amount of points amongst all Liverpool Cbs. Should be the only pick you make when thinking between the Liverpool back two.

Richards: Decent price for a man city defender playing Swansea. He could start for City ahead of Zabaleta. Worth taking that risk as he plays Swansea and 7.38 is a steal price for Richards.

Kompany: No questions about the availability of this man. Sure starter in the defence of City and can score or atleast try to with set pieces. He is a sure shot point getter and worth the investment.

Rafael:  He got some game time last week in the community shield, should start tomorrow's match as he is fully fit now. He does put in some good crosses from the right wing. No competition as such in the right wing, should be a good long term pick for Fantasy teams. 

Riise: Back to premier league we could expect the very same what he has been used to. Crosses, some spectacular goals from his left foot, assists etc . He is not as good as a Bale but he is worth the price you would pick him at this point of time.


KEEPERS:

David De Gea: Best team's goal keeper for the least amount, playing a weak team away from home - The almost perfect combination. A very solid pick for the starting week.

Hart: The best premium option for the week. Man City will be out for blood with the loss of community shield to rivals Man Utd. and will try and rub it off with a Strong performance against promoted Swansea. Most likley to earn a clean sheet of all keepers. Dont know too much about saving shots on target if Swansea can let some off.

Kenny: A cheap option if you dont fancy Manchester United coming out with a clean sheet in their away game to West Brom. QPR had a great defensive performance (24 clean sheets) last season which should give you enough confidence to go with Kenny.

Reina: Well priced option even though last season wasn't one of his best with Liverpool. A good option if you dont want to spend the 4+ extra points to get the best keeper for the week.


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