Friday Foreplay – Gameweek 24

With most managers captaining Van Persie, Rooney is a differential pick.

Let’s prepare for the working day fixtures of Gameweek 23. Tasks include captain picks, big hitters, clean sheets, and punts. Also, a not-so-much of an analogy.

Captain Picks

1. Van Persie: The obvious choice for the Gameweek. The 45% who own the Dutchman will captain him. Others will cower in fear and hope he returns a rare blank. Captain him if you own him.

2. Rooney: Before the injury Rooney’s returns were 6, 2, 16, 12, and 7. He was outscoring Van Persie and is a fine differentiator if you need to catch up. I wouldn’t do it, but the logic is there.

3. Aguero: Manchester City looked back to their imposing best against Fulham and I would bet that they turn it on for the latter part of the season. Aguero is their best forward and was incredibly threatening in the short time he had last Gameweek. He’s the one most likely to deliver a hattrick and a worthy captain choice, even when playing away from home. It helps that QPR had a miserable week, being dumped out of the FA cup against MK Dons.

Heavy Hitters

Silva’s brace puts him back on the map of Fantasy managers after a disappointing Fantasy season so far. It’s hard to argue his inclusion in your team over over Mata, Bale, and Walcott, but he is one to monitor.

Walcott has been incredibly consistent since Gameweek 17, both in terms of Fantasy points and the underlying stats. He has amassed 67 points in six Gameweeks and his shooting stats back it up with over 4.1 shots per game. A counter point is that Liverpool’s defence has been impressive of late, but Walcott is just putting up too good numbers to ignore.

Bale’s shooting stats are even more impressive than Walcott’s, with 5.4 shots per game in his last five games. This is despite the fact that teams have started paying more attention to his attacking prowess, as witnessed by Manchester United consistently doubling up on him on the left flank last Gameweek. This has led to Lennon getting more freedom on the opposite flank and is a decent punt for those willing to spend less on a Tottenham asset.

Mata is probably the best midfielder in the league at the moment and will certainly play, given Hazard’s suspension. Reading have picked up form of late and are playing at home, but Mata is a threat in every game and should never be benched.

Clean Sheets

Stoke’s Wilson will be fantastic value if he comes back to the first team for 4.0. In the meantime, Wilkinson is a good shout at 4.3.

Sunderland are always a decent bet for a clean sheet at home. Despite their troubles this season they still have the 7th best defence in the league, conceding a little over a goal per game at home. O’Shea is the safe option but Bardsley is the interesting one at 4.6, coming back from injury. This Gameweek may be a little too early, though.

Manchester United have conceded two goals in their last four games and look like tightening up for the title battle. Evra is all the rage after two goals and three assists in the last six games but Rafael is still a good options priced at 1.2 cheaper.

Punts

Benteke is putting up decent numbers, with 13 shots and 5 chances created in his last three games. Aston Villa play at home against Newcastle in a game that is a surprising relegation battle. It is yet to be seen what effect Newcastle’s new signings have but the Magpies have been dire of late.

Arsenal are far from defensively sound, despite last Gameweek’s clean sheet, and Sturridge is looking an interesting Fantasy prospect at Liverpool. He’s a valid punt for those wanting to free up cash from Suarez but still want Liverpool attacking cover.

Fletcher is one of the few players that consistently deliver attacking returns from relatively few shots on goal. Two goals and two assists in his last four is a fine return for player priced at 7.1.