It is time for us to pick our companions for this season’s last supper. Possible dining partners include captain picks, big hitters, clean sheets, and punts. Also, the last, and possibly the worst, analogy of the season.
Final picks
Well here we are. It’s come down to this, the last Gameweek of the season. For many the mini-leagues have already been settled. For others it’s squeaky bum time, quoting the recently retired Sir Alex Ferguson.
Your strategy depends on where you stand. If you are chasing a leader, you need to find a differential. Should the point gap be minimal, the one free transfer could be enough to make up ground with a well placed outside bet. More on that in the punts.
If you are leading the way the most reasonable play is to bet on the heavy hitters, especially those that still have something to play for. Make sure you all your players will start and resist the urge to take a hit, as the four point swing could be all that separates you from your rivals when the dust has settled.
If you are holding on to an insurmountable lead, or have already given up on the league, this is the perfect time to experiment. Take a hit or two and chase a feeling, or look at the stats and choose the most likely player to deliver an explosive Gameweek score.
Whatever you do, best of luck, and thanks for reading.
Captain Picks
Bale: Tottenham have everything to play for and have a home game against a Sunderland team that is now safe, following Wigan’s loss against Arsenal last Gameweek. He’s the obvious top pick and should likely be yours if you are leading in your mini-league. If you need to differentiate, I can understand putting your armband elsewhere, but understand that this is a risky move.
Walcott: Walcott is in the same situation as Bale, except Arsenal play away from home against Newcastle. Bale has shown consistency playing upfront for Arsenal and is a fine captain pick. He could even be considered a differential, as so many Fantasy managers will captain Bale.
Sturridge: Despite me harping on about picking players that have something to play for, I’m going for Sturridge. Why? For one, he’s in amazing form with 11 league goals and 5 assists in 13 games. Liverpool also play at home and face the frankly appalling QPR. Brendan Rodgers is focusing on building up for next season and will want to finish the season on a high, as witnessed by Liverpool’s big wins against Newcastle and Fulham.
Heavy Hitters
Aguero and Silva delivered against Reading without the sacked Mancini. A home game against a recently attacking Norwich team is the perfect game to finish the season on a high note and the Argentine will want to make a statement for the incoming manager.
Van Persie could be in the captain picks, if not for the uncertainty of whether he will be in the starting lineup. Perhaps it is likely, with Ferguson wanting to thank him for his part in the manager’s last title, and you should seldom bet against Van Persie in the Fantasy game.
Despite varied Fantasy results, Cazorla has to be in the picks, for his tendency to deliver explosive returns. Last Gameweek’s four assists were tremendous and Arsenal need another performance from the Spaniard to secure the Champions League spot.
Adebayor and Dempsey were the heroes last Gameweek and should start upfront in Villas-Boas’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Coutinho is dictating the attacking play for Liverpool and is the likeliest to provide assists.
Clean Sheets
Manchester City should keep Norwich’s threat to a minimum and Zabaleta should start after missing out on the last two games.
Liverpool should dominate the game against QPR, keeping possession and not give up many chances. If you have the cash, Johnson offers a decent chance of attacking returns.
Tottenham face a Sunderland team bereft of their top attackers and will be desperate to keep a clean sheet. Dawson is the cheapest in the Tottenham defence.
Punts
Hernandez has an amazing goal per minute ratio and could be set to start again with Rooney focused on other issues.
Giggs should start, if only for sentimental reasons, and is always looking for the killer pass. He’s very much the outer most of differentials and perhaps only a real pick for those wanting to experiment in the last Gameweek.
Michu was a surprise inclusion for Swansea against Manchester United. He scored and played well and is a cheeky captain pick this Gameweek. Swansea face Fulham, who are playing atrocious defence and seem to have already signed out this season.
With Benteke missing Agbonlahor should start upfront for Aston Villa who face an already relegated Wigan team.




