Friday Foreplay – Gameweek 22

Juan Mata is an obvious captain choice in Gameweek 22, given Chelsea’s double fixture.

Let’s enjoy the treat that is Gameweek 22. Goodies include captain picks, big hitters, clean sheets, and punts. Also, a disgustingly sugary analogy.

Captain Picks

1. Mata: The obvious choice, given Chelsea’s double Gameweek. The worry, as always with Benitez, is that he will be rested in Chelsea’s home game against Southampton. If you have him that is simply a chance you will have to take as I don’t see any other player with as good a shout for the captain pick this Gameweek.

2. Hazard: A somewhat inconsistent figure in his first season, I think we are yet to see the best sides of his game for Chelsea. He should come in with at least a few explosive Gameweeks before the end of the season and with two games this is a good a time as any to bet on him.

3. Lambert: A surprise choice, especially given he pushes Van Persie out of the captain picks. Again, the reasoning is simple. He will most likely play both games for Southampton and get four points or more. It hurts that Southampton have two away games but helps that one of those games is away against Aston Villa, who have been having a terribly hard time keeping the ball out of their own net.

Heavy Hitters

Ba misses out on the captain picks because I believe he will not play the full 180 minutes in the double Gameweek. Benitez would have to be awfully brave to leave Torres out of the starting lineup in both games. However, Ba is lethal and is a threat, even if he only comes on as a substitute in both games.

Berbatov’s stats have picked up lately. He has averaged 4 shots and 2.5 chances created per game in his last two against SWA and wba. Fulham welcome Wigan to Craven Cottage and should have chances aplenty against the inconsistent Latics.

Bale is back after his suspension and will test a possibly resurgent QPR team. Despite their clean sheet and win against Chelsea I think it unlikely that Nelsen and Hill keep too many clean sheets for the remainder of the season.

Fellaini’s first game after his suspension resulted in instant Fantasy returns with a single assist. He will be instrumental in Everton’s attacking play, possibly to test William’s and Flores’s physicality.

Van Persie is a must for any heavy hitter list. Suarez could be as good a shout, given United’s defensive displays over the course of the season, but I have a feeling this will be a much tighter game than the stats show.

Clean Sheets

Chelsea’s double Gameweek means that Cole doesn’t even need a clean sheet to get decent points.

Norwich’s home game against a Newcastle team in miserable form offers Fantasy owners of Norwich defenders to get a value return on their budget signings. Russel Martin is a popular choice, following goals in back-to-back games.

Everton’s home game against Swansea gives Baines a decent chance of defensive and attacking returns. To be fair, almost every game gives him a decent chance of both, but you get my drift.

Punts

Puncheon’s points per cost is impressive and his value is likely to be boosted this week with a double Gameweek.

Manchester United and Liverpool games often give us surprising results, often going against the season trend. I wouldn’t be surprised to see United be defensively sound against Liverpool, giving Rafael a clean sheet in addition to his useful attacking threat.

I wouldn’t go purchasing Southampton defenders only for this Gameweek as I think Aston Villa’s Benteke will cause problems.