| Badges | This Week | PTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (1) |   Michael Sheehy |   4 | +70 | 1170 | |
| 2 (2) |  Wayne Hubbard | 5 | +70 | 955 | |
| 3 (3) | sensisoccerworld | 3 | +55 | 855 | |
| 4 (4) |  Malcs | 4 | +25 | 780 | |
| 5 (4) | Rutland Gooner |  6 | +5 | 760 | |
| |
With 10 teams playing twice this week there's an awful lot that can happen for fantasy managers. Those who have held on to their bonus chips will hope to use their bench boost or triple points for their captain this week. There's still another double Gameweek for eight teams before the season ends and another opportunity to use those bonus chips.
Saturday April 16
Norwich City v Sunderland
12.45pm BST, Carrow Road, Norwich
Norwich lost away to Palace last week, but stayed four points above the bottom three as all the teams below them lost too. They have taken 20 of their 31 points at home, but only three other teams have conceded more goals at home. Their mini revival came to an end last week, but the seven points and two clean sheets from the previous three games still has them in the best position of the three clubs looking to finish fourth from bottom.
Despite their recent improvement I can't see any Norwich players who might make a difference for fantasy managers.
Sunderland lost at home to Leicester last week and they're running out of time to try to avoid the drop. They have only won two of their 16 away games and no other team has conceded more goals on the road. They have only lost twice in their last eight games, but they drew five of those games and only wins will do now.
Like Norwich I can't see any Sunderland players who might do the business for fantasy managers for the rest of the season.
This is a real relegation six pointer and both teams will badly want to win it, but I think it will end in a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Everton v Southampton
3pm BST, Goodison Park, Liverpool
Everton drew away to both Watford and Palace in the last week to remain in the bottom half of the table. Only Villa and Palace have lost more home games than Everton and only Villa have conceded more goals at home. They haven't won any of their last five games and their minds might just be on their FA Cup semi final next week.
Everton might play twice this week, but it's still not easy to see which of their players to choose for fantasy managers considering their recent form.
Southampton won easily at home to Newcastle last week and they're still in with a chance of a top five finish. They have only won five of their 16 away games with only three teams scoring less goals away from home although only two teams have conceded less on their travels. They have won three of their last four games and will fancy their chances against a struggling Everton side.
Graziano Pelle has been in very good form for fantasy managers recently and should certainly be considered.
I think Southampton will continue their recent good form and win this game by the odd goal.
Prediction: 1-2
Manchester United v Aston Villa
3pm BST, Old Trafford, Manchester
United were well beaten away to Spurs last week and they're going to find it hard to catch the top four now. Only Leicester have lost less games at home and no other team has conceded less goals on their own patch. Despite that defeat at Spurs last week they have three clean sheets in their last five games and they will be boosted by their midweek FA Cup quarter final win at West Ham.
United's defenders have done well for fantasy manager recently and they could be a good choice this week with two home games against struggling teams.
Villa lost yet again last week and they will be relegated if their lose this game and even if they win it they won't be in the Premier League next season. They have only won once in their 16 away games and only Newcastle have scored less away goals. They have lost their last eight games and they failed to score in five of those games too.
I can't see any Villa players to remotely interest fantasy managers.
I can't see anything other than a comfortable United win in this game.
Prediction: 3-0
Newcastle United v Swansea City
3pm BST, St. James Park, Newcastle
Newcastle lost away to Southampton last week and they look less likely to stay up with each passing game. They have taken 18 of their 25 points at home and Everton are the only team in the bottom half of the table to have scored more goals at home. They have only taken one point from their last seven games and have only one clean sheet in their last 17.
I don't think any of the Newcastle players have too much to offer fantasy managers even if they do play twice this week.
Swansea put an end to Chelsea's long unbeaten run last week and relegation is no longer a worry for them. They have only won three of their 16 away games, but a win in this game could move them very close to the top half of the table. They have taken 13 points from their last six games and kept clean sheets in three of them, but all of those clean sheets were at home.
Gylfi Sigurdsson has been very good for fantasy managers and the Swansea defenders have done well recently too.
Newcastle need to win this game, but I have a feeling Swansea will manage a narrow victory.
Prediction: 1-2
West Bromwich Albion v Watford
3pm BST, The Hawthorns, Birmingham
West Brom came very close to getting a result away to City last week, but ended up losing 2-1. They have only taken marginally more points at home than away from home and they have conceded less goals on their travels. They have only taken one point from their last three games and they failed to score in two of those games too.
None of the West Brom players have done too well for fantasy managers and they're probably best avoided despite playing twice this week.
Watford drew at home to Everton last week and they have dropped to 15th in the table, but they still have 11 points to spare over the bottom three. They have won as many games away from home as they have at home and they have scored more goals away from home too. They have only won twice in their last 15 games and have failed to score in six of their last nine.
I can't see any Watford players to interest fantasy managers even if they do play twice this week.
Neither of these teams are in great form at the moment, but I think West Brom should get the better of this game.
Prediction: 2-0
Chelsea v Manchester City
5.30pm BST, Stamford Bridge, London
Chelsea lost away to Swansea last week, but they're still just about in the top half of the table. They have only won five of their 16 home games, but only three other teams have scored more goals at home. That defeat was their first defeat in 16 games, but they did draw half of those games.
Chelsea players haven't done too much for fantasy managers this season and it's not easy to see which ones to choose.
City won 2-1 at home to West Brom last week and it was the first time they won back to back league games since October. They have only won six of their 15 away games, but only Spurs have conceded less goals away from home. They have taken 10 points from their last five games and kept clean sheets in three of them too.
Sergio Aguero has to be a good option for fantasy managers with two games this week even if they are both away from home and City's defenders have done well in the last few games too.
This will probably be a very close game and a draw is the most likely outcome.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunday April 17
Bournemouth v Liverpool
1.30pm BST, Dean Court, Bournemouth
Bournemouth won away to Villa last week and their place in the Premier League for next season is as good as secured. They have only won five of their 15 home games and they taken more points away from home. They have won four of their last six games, but they will have their work cut out against Liverpool.
Bournemouth players haven't done too well for fantasy managers recently.
Liverpool won 4-1 at home to Stoke last week and they can still probably finish as high as fifth place. Only the top three have won more away games than Liverpool and only those three teams have scored more away goals than them too. They have taken 13 points from their last six games and they scored 18 goals in those games.
With two games this week players such as Phillippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Roberto Frimino all have to be serious considerations for fantasy managers.
I think Liverpool should be good enough to take all three points once they're not too tired from their heroics on Thursday night.
Prediction: 1-3
Leicester City v West Ham United
1.30pm BST, King Power Stadium, Leicester
Leicester won 2-0 away to Sunderland last week and they will be champions if they win three of their remaining five games no matter what any other team does. They have only lost one of their 16 home games and that was back in September and no other team has taken more points at home. They have won their last five games without conceding a goal although they only scored six goals in those games.
Leicester's defenders have been great for fantasy managers recently while Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have been great all season long.
West Ham drew 3-3 at home to Arsenal last week and they're still harbouring hopes of a top four finish. They have only lost four of their 16 away games and only four other teams have scored more away goals. They have only lost twice in their last 19 games, but they did draw 10 of those games.
Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have been very good for fantasy managers while it's hard to ignore Andy Carroll's performance last week and West Ham play twice this week.
I think this will be a very close game and West Ham might just slow Leicrster's progress a little.
Prediction: 1-1
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
4pm BST, Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal led 2-0 at West Ham last week, but could only draw 3-3 and their faint title hopes ended with that result. They have four of their last six games at home and only United have conceded less goals at home. They have taken 14 points from their last eight games and scored eighteen goals in the process, but it wasn't enough to keep up with Leicester.
Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Hector Bellerin all look good for fantasy managers with two home games this week.
Palace won at home to Norwich last week and drew at home to Everton on Wednesday night to dispel any lingering relegation worries. They have only lost five of their 15 away games and have taken more points on their travels than they have at home. Despite their win last week Palsce have only won once in 16 games, but they do have an FA Cup semi final to look forward to.
With two tough away games this week it's hard to see any Palace players excelling for fantasy managers.
Arsenal need to win this game to at least attempt to catch Spurs and I think they will win by a couple of goals.
Prediction: 2-0
Monday April 18
Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
8pm BST, Britannia Stadium, Stoke
Stoke were well beaten away to Liverpool last week, but they still have a good chance of their highest ever Premier League finish. Despite winning seven of their 16 home games no other team in the top half of the table has last more home games. They have only won once in their last five games and have only one clean sheet in their last 11.
Bojan Krjuc has scored in his last two games and is available at a good price for fantasy managers.
Spurs easily disposed of United last week, but they're still seven points behind Leicester with only five games to go. Only Leicester have taken more away points than Spurs while only Arsenal and Leicester have scored more away goals than them. They have taken 10 points from their last four games and kept clean sheets in three of them, but it hasn't been enough to keep pace with Leicester.
Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld are all looking good for fantasy managers.
I think Stoke won't make things easy for Spurs and will take a point from this game.
Prediction: 1-1
Tuesday April 19
Newcastle United v Manchester City
7.45pm BST, St. James Park, Newcastle
Newcastle play at home for the second time this week and they desperately need to take at least four points from the two games. If they can beat Swansea they will have some hope in this game, but defeat in both games will leave perilously close to becoming a Championship team next season. They have only played two of their last seven games at home, but four of their last six are on their own patch.
As I said above it's not easy for fantasy managers to pick Newcastle players.
City might be through to the last four of the Champions League this season, but they still need to secure their place in it for next season. Their trip to Chelsea on Saturday will be no easy task and they might badly need the three points from this game. Despite their shortcomings in front of goal away from home they will fancy their chances against a team in the bottom three.
It's hard for fantasy managers to ignore Aguero and many of them will have him as their captain.
I think City will get the win they need and push City closer to the drop.
Prediction: 1-2
Wednesday April 20
West Ham United v Watford
7.45pm BST, Upton Park, London
West Ham will be bitterly disappointed to have gone out of the FA Cup to United and they need a strong finish to qualify for European football next season. They have only lost two of their 14 home games and haven't lost at home since August. A home game against a team as out of form as Watford offers them the perfect chance to keep up the pressure in the race for Europa League football.
As I said above Payet, Lanzini and Carroll might not be bad choices for fantasy managers this week.
Watford have two away games this week before they get to play in their FA Cup semi final next week. They'll be glad when they have another couple of points to reach the magical 40 point mark, but they will do well to get any points this week. Their form in the second half of the season has been far from good and they will need to do an awful lot better if they are going to win the cup.
As I said previously Watford players don't look like a good fantasy bet at the moment.
I think West Ham should be good enough to win this game by a couple of goals.
Prediction: 3-1
Liverpool v Everton
8pm BST, Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool will hope to qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League with their hopes of a top four finish almost gone. They have only won six of their 15 home games and they need to improve on that with four of their last six games at home. It's never easy in a local derby, but they are playing an awful lot better than Everton at the monent.
If Liverpool play their strongest side in both games this week then Coutinho, Sturridge, Origi and Frimino all have to be very good fantasy choices.
Everton looked very poor in their two games last week and the league can't end quickly enough for them. They have only lost two of their 16 away games with only Spurs and City conceding less goals on the road. If they want to set themselves up for a semi final with United then an away win against Liverpool would be just the tonic they need.
I chose Ronelu Lukaku as my fantasy captain last week and he did nothing in two games so it's probably best to avoid Everton players at the moment if possible.
This will be a very tight game, but I think Liverpool will get the better of proceedings.
Prediction: 2-1
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
8pm BST, Old Trafford, Manchester
United have an opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them with two home games against struggling teams this week. They have only lost two of their 15 home games and they will be expected to continue that form in this game. Wins against Villa and Palace could put pressure on both Arsenal and City if they drop any points.
As well as United's defenders their attacking players might do well this week with two home games against teams at the wrong end of the table.
Palace managed to halt their slide in their last two games, but they face a tough week. Away games against Arsenal and United are hardly the ideal build up for a semi final and they will do well to get anything from these games.
As I said previously I can't see any Palace players making a difference for fantasy managers this week.
I think United should be good enough to win this game by a couple of goals.
Prediction: 2-0
Thursday April 21
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
7.45pm BST, Emirates Stadium, London
Arsenal play at home for the second time in a week and again it's a must win game for them. The league title is beyond them, but they have to at least try to catch second placed Spurs. They have found goals easier to come by away from home and they could do with scoring a few more at home.
With Arsenal's defensive record at home their defenders are a good choice for fantasy managers while they have been a lot better in attack in recent weeks.
West Brom will find this game a lot harder than their home game against Watford. They nearly got a result away to City last week though and they will make things tough for Arsenal. Only the bottom two teams have scored less away goals than West Brom and they have only won four of their 16 away games.
I can't see any West Brom players making an impression in this game in particular this week.
Prediction: 3-0
That's it for this week.
See you next week.
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