Friday Foreplay – Gameweek 26

Gerrard is one of three Liverpool players dominating this Gameweek’s Captain Picks.

Let’s jam in preparation for the our Gameweek 26 gig. Songs include captain picks, big hitters, clean sheets, and punts. Also, a lazy musical analogy.

Captain Picks

1. Suarez: Liverpool players are the obvious pick this Gameweek, due to their double fixtures. Both games are at Anfield where Liverpool have both been tight and are scoring freely. Despite Sturridge’s arrival and the slight tweaking of Suarez’s position he is still Liverpool’s main threat and deserves the number one spot in this Gameweek’s captain picks.

2. Gerrard: Gerrard has delivered a goal or an assist in ten of his last twelve games, claiming bonus points in six. He’s found his old form and is hard to ignore for the double home fixtures.

3. Sturridge: The new boy has delivered three goals and an assist in his four league games for Liverpool, averaging 5.25 points per game. Brendan Rodgers moved him directly to the main striker spot upon his arrival, as witnessed by his average of 4 shots and 1.75 chances created per game. He is marked as having a thigh injury but will most likely have recovered since Liverpool play their first game on Monday. It is worth mentioning that he is cup tied for the Europa League, meaning he will not play Liverpool’s away fixture against Zenit Saint Petersburg on the 14th of February. So he will start in both league games, providing he is fit, and will be fresh in the second one.

Heavy Hitters

Considering recent results between the teams, Manchester United’s and Everton’s matchup should be a tight affair. Everton haven’t lost a game since Gameweek 19 and Fellaini dominated their last meeting at Goodison Park. However, United are unbeaten in their last thirteen games, have won the last nine at home, and are scoring 2.67 goals on average at Old Trafford. Their midfield not an option so far with Nani and Valencia out of form, Kagawa not guaranteed game time, and Cleverley industrious tidy but lacking end product. The only viable Fantasy options are Rooney and Van Persie. For those chasing there is the possibility of forsaking Van Persie and going with Rooney to free up funds. It’s a risky proposition, but one that could both return points in Rooney and allow for a major upgrade in midfield.

Bale has over four shots per game on average this season and has come to the fore again with goals in consecutive games. I believe he is essential for the rest of the season, especially if he is deployed further forward following Defoe’s injury.

Mata’s 1.8 shots per game in the last 10 fixtures isn’t all that impressive but is backed up by 2.7 chances created on average in the same time. Both him and Walcott are showing impressive consistency and are hard to ignore. Chelsea have a home game against Wigan, an easier fixture on paper than Arsenal’s away tie against Sunderland. I would play both though, if you have them.

Despite having had a quiet spell in his last six games, Michu is still Swansea’s best Fantasy bet for the double fixtures. He’s owned by almost half of Fantasy managers which means someone like De Guzman offers a differential option should you be chasing in your mini-league.

Clean Sheets

Again, the double Gameweek means we have focus on Swansea and Liverpool defenders. Davies and Rangel are my picks from Swansea who have a decent chance of a clean sheet in their home tie against QPR but Liverpool’s two home games gives Enrique and Johnson the edge. I wouldn’t go overboard on either defence and it’s perfectly reasonable to go with a single defender from both teams.

Pulis has spoken of the need for Stoke to defend as a team following a difficult spell lately. They have attractive fixtures coming up and now is the time to invest again in their defence. Although Shawcross and Huth are tempting, Wilkinson is the cheapest option.

Punts

Benteke has goals in three consecutive matches and an average of four shots per game in his last five games. That he is also creating chances seems like a bonus considering his low but rising price of 6.7.

Fulham are a different team away from home and struggle defensively. Snodgrass had four shots and three chances created last Gameweek and is a decent punt this Gameweek as well as a long term fourth or fifth midfielder.

The illogical punt of the Gameweek is Sunderland’s Fletcher who has a single shot in his last two games. I have a sneaky feeling he will do damage against Arsenal but have nothing to back up my likely bullshit instinct. Do with it what you want.