| Rank | Player | Res | Cls | Exa | Slm | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 - |  | 38 | 88.5 | 63 | 18 | 207.5 |
2 - |  | 33 | 100.5 | 48 | 18 | 199.5 |
3 - | | 34 | 72 | 63 | 13 | 182.0 |
4 - |  | 30 | 73.5 | 57 | 11 | 171.5 |
5 - |  | 31 | 73.5 | 48 | 12 | 164.5 |
My choice of Jarrod Bowen for my captain went very well for me last week as West Ham and Southampton showed a lot of attacking intent and their players could be ones to watch for fantasy managers. With eight teams playing twice this week there’s a lot of thinking to do and the possibility of using the wildcard or free hit chip is definitely one to consider. If I had to choose a couple of players who might do well this week I think Emmanuel Dennis and James Maddison might be the best bets given their opposition in their two games.
Of course any choices you make can be affected by an outbreak of Covid at any team and that is making it very difficult to pick a team at the moment. I think it’s important to make sure all of your subs are players who will get a game for their club as the chances are most of us will have to empty the bench.
Friday 14 January
Brighton And Hove Albion v Crystal Palace
8pm GMT, AMEX Stadium, Brighton
Brighton won 3-2 away to Everton in their last game and that win was enough to move them back into the top half of the table. They have only won once in their last six home games with only Norwich and Wolves scoring less goals at home. They have taken seven points from their last three games after failing to win in the previous 11.
Both Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay could be good choices for fantasy managers as Brighton have a good run of games coming up.
Palace lost 3-2 at home to West Ham in their last game, but they’re still only two points off the top half of the table. They have only won once away from home so far and they have lost their last three away games without scoring. They have only won twice in their last nine games, but only Brighton and Southampton have drawn more games.
With Conor Gallagher back he’s a good option for fantasy managers while Odsonne Edouard has done well recently and Michael Olise could do very well given some game time.
I think this will be a very close game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the spoils shared.
Prediction: 1-1
Saturday 15 January
Manchester City v Chelsea
12.30pm GMT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
City won 2-1 away to Arsenal in their last game to move 10 points clear at the top of the table. They have won their last five home games and they scored 13 goals in their last two games at home with no other team taking more points, scoring more or conceding less goals on their own patch. They have won their last 11 games and they scored 33 goals in those games with no other team scoring more or conceding less goals.
As always with City it’s a matter of who plays and who doesn’t, but their defenders and keeper are very good choices along with Kevin de Bruyne.
Chelsea came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Liverpool in their last game and they’re in second place 10 points behind City going into this game. They have won six of their last eight away games with only City taking more points on the road and no other team conceding less goals. They have only won two of their last seven games, but they drew four of those games with only City conceding less goals.
Chelsea’s defenders and keeper haven’t been as good as usual in recent weeks while Mason Mount looks like their attacking player most likely to make an impact.
This is a bigger game for Chelsea than it is for City and the chances are a City win will end any title hopes Chelsea might have.
Prediction: 2-1
Burnley v Leicester City
3pm GMT, Turf Moor, Burnley
Burnley lost 3-1 away to Leeds in their last game and they’re still in the bottom three, but they have played less games than all of the teams around them. They haven’t lost in their last four home games, but they drew three of them and only Norwich have taken less points at home while only Wolves and Norwich have scored less goals. They haven’t won in seven games, but they drew four of those games with only Brighton and Southampton drawing more games.
With Maxwel Cornet on international duty I’m not sure there are any Burnley players to interest fantasy managers despite them having two games this week.
Leicester didn’t play in the last round of games for the obvious reasons, but they managed to hold on to their place in the top half of the table. They haven’t won in their last four away games and they conceded 11 goals in those games with only Norwich conceding more goals on the road. They have won two of their last three games and they scored eight goals in those games, but only four other teams have conceded more goals.
With two games this week James Maddison looks like a very good choice for fantasy managers as long as Leicester’s games go ahead.
I think Leicester should be good enough to take the three points and pile some more misery on Burnley.
Prediction: 1-2
Newcastle United v Watford
3pm GMT, St. James’s Park, Newcastle
Newcastle haven’t played in the league since their 1-1 draw at home to United over two weeks ago, but they’re still only two points away from safety. They have only lost one of their last five home games, but they drew four of them with only Southampton drawing more games at home and no other team conceding more goals on their own ground. They had lost three games in a row before drawing with United and they conceded 11 goals in those three games with only Norwich conceding more goals.
If Newcastle are going to move towards safety then Allan Saint-Maximin is their player to have for fantasy managers and he could do well in this game.
Watford haven’t played since losing 4-1 at home to West Ham over two weeks ago and they’re only two points above Newcastle going into this game. They have lost their last three away games with only Norwich losing more games on the road. They have lost their last six games and they’re the only team without a clean sheet to their name.
With two games this week and the only three teams below them in the table in their next three games Emmanuel Dennis looks like a very good bet for fantasy managers at the moment as long as he’s fit to play.
This is a huge game for two teams at the wrong end of the table and I think the most likely outcome is a draw.
Prediction: 2-2
Norwich City v Everton
3pm GMT, Carrow Road, Norwich
Norwich lost 2-0 away to West Ham in midweek, but they’re still only three points from safety despite looking destined for relegation. They have only taken one point from their last four home games and they failed to score in each of those games with no other team losing more games or scoring less goals at home. They have lost their last six games and they failed to score in each of those games with no other team scoring less or conceding more goals.
I can’t see any Norwich players to recommend to fantasy managers at the moment.
Everton lost 3-2 at home to Brighton last time out and they’re only eight points above the bottom three. They have only taken two points from their last seven away games, but their next two away games are against the bottom two. They have only won once in their last last 12 games and they lost eight of those games.
With Everton’s upcoming run of relatively good fixtures both Demarai Gray and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be of interest to fantasy managers.
I think Everton should take the opportunity to get three very important points and keep Norwich at the foot of the table.
Prediction: 1-2
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Southampton
3pm GMT, Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
Wolves won 1-0 away to United in their last game and they have a chance to get a lot closer to the top six if they can win this game. They have only taken two points from their last three home games and they failed to score in each of those games with no other team scoring less goals at home, but only Liverpool and City conceding less. They have taken seven points from their last three games and they kept clean sheets in each of those games with only City conceding less goals, but only Norwich scoring less.
The Wolves defenders and keeper have all done very well recently for fantasy managers and they’re certainly worth considering.
Southampton won 4-1 at home to Brentford last time out and they’re now only one point off the top half of the table. They have taken four points from their last two away games after losing the previous three and only Norwich have conceded more goals away from home. They have taken eight points and scored 10 goals in their last four games, but they haven’t kept a clean sheet in nine games.
James Ward-Prowse is in good form for fantasy managers at the moment while Armando Broja is worth considering too.
I think Wolves will more than likely win this game by a single goal.
Prediction: 1-0
Aston Villa v Manchester United
5.30pm GMT, Villa Park, Birmingham
Villa lost 2-1 away to Brentford in their last game, but they’re still only three points off the top half of the table. They have lost four of their last six home games, but their home games get easier for a while after this one. They have lost three of their last four games, but their four games after this one are all against teams below them in the table.
Villa have a good run of games coming up after this one which could make Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Danny Ings attractive to fantasy managers.
United lost 1-0 at home to Wolves in their last game, but they’re still within touching distance of the top four. They have only won two of their last six away games, but their next four away games are all ones they will hope to win. The defeat against Wolves was their first one in seven games and only one other team in the top half of the table has conceded more goals.
With two games this week both Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes should be good choices for fantasy managers.
I think this will be a very close game and the chances are it will end all square.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunday 16 January
Liverpool v Brentford
2pm GMT, Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool let a two goal lead slip away to Chelsea in their last game and they had to settle for a point which saw them fall 11 points behind City at the top of the table. They have won their last four games and they scored 12 goals in those games while only conceding one with no other team conceding less goals at home. They have only taken two points from their last three games and they conceded five goals in those games with only City scoring more goals.
Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold could be the Liverpool players to have for fantasy managers while others are away with their countries.
Brentford lost 4-1 away to Southampton in midweek, but they’re still only two points off the top half of the table. They have only taken two points from their last six away games and they conceded 16 goals in those games. They have only won three of their last 13 games and they lost eight of those games, but they still have a lot of points to spare over the bottom three.
Brentford might play twice this week, but they are both tough games which doesn’t make their players too appealing to fantasy managers.
I think Liverpool should have enough to win this game even without the services of some of their most important players.
Prediction: 3-1
West Ham United v Leeds United
2pm GMT, London Stadium, London
West Ham won 2-0 at home to Norwich in midweek to move back into the top four. They have taken 13 points from their last six home games and their next three home games are all against teams in the bottom five. They have won their last three games and they scored nine goals in those games with only the three teams above them scoring more goals.
Jarrod Bowen is the West Ham player for fantasy managers to have at the moment while Michail Antonio isn’t the worst choice either.
Leeds won 3-1 at home to Burnley in their last game and that win was enough to move them eight points clear of the relegation zone. They have only taken one point from their last four away games and they conceded 12 goals in those games with only Norwich conceding more goals away from home. They had lost three games in a row before beating Burnley and they conceded 14 goals in those three defeats with only the bottom two conceding more goals.
Raphinha remains the only real option in the Leeds team for fantasy managers, but Patrick Bamford could be back soon.
I think West Ham will continue their current good run of results with three points in this game.
Prediction: 2-0
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
4.30pm GMT, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Spurs left it late last time out, but their 1-0 win away to Watford moved them very close to the top four and they have games in hand on all of the teams above them. Only City have taken more points at home and they have taken 13 points from their last five home games. They’re unbeaten in eight games and they kept clean sheets in five of those games.
With Heung-Min Son injured it looks like Harry Kane is the Spurs player to have for fantasy managers while Lucas Moura and Sergio Reguilon could be worth a shout too as they play twice this week.
Arsenal lost 2-1 at home to City in their last game and that defeat saw them drop out of the top four. They have won their last two away games after losing the previous three and they scored nine goals in those two victories. They had won four games in a row before losing to City and they scored 14 goals in those four wins with only the four teams above them scoring more goals.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have all done well recently for fantasy managers.
I think this will be a very close game and a draw is probably the most likely outcome.
Prediction: 1-1
Tuesday 18 January
Burnley v Watford
7.30pm GMT, Turf Moor, Burnley
Burnley play their second game of the week and this is a big game for both teams as they’re so close to each other at the wrong end of the table. With two home games in a week Burnley will hope to climb the table, but they have struggled for wins and goals at home so far. A win in this game might lift them out of the relegation zone though and it’s something they will be desperate to get.
I know Burnley players aren’t a great choice for fantasy managers, but Chris Wood might do well with two home games in a week.
Watford play their second game of the week and they’re both away to two of the three teams below them in the table. As bad as their away form has been recently this game is one which they will target to win. If they can take the three points it will give them some real breathing space at the wrong end of the table.
As I said already Emmanuel Dennis is the Watford player to have for fantasy managers and I suppose Josh King could do well with two games this week.
I think this is a game which could go either way, but the chances are Burnley will win.
Prediction: 2-1
Brighton And Hove Albion v Chelsea
8pm GMT, AMEX Stadium, Brighton
Brighton play their second home game of the week and Chelsea should be a tougher proposition than Palace for them. They have actually taken more points away from home than they have at home so far, but they are no pushover no matter where they are playing. Anything they can get from this game would be a real boost for them in their quest to stay in the top half of the table.
This might not be the best game for Brighton players from a fantasy manager’s perspective, but players who play twice in a week are always hard to ignore.
Chelsea play their second away game of the week and they will see Brighton as an easier opponent than City. They have struggled at home recently, but their away form is still very good and they have actually taken more points on the road than they have at home. With City only playing once this week they have a chance to close the gap at the top of the table if they can win their two games.
If Chelsea are going to make up any ground on City they will need goals from Romelu Lukaku which could make him a good choice for fantasy managers.
I think Brighton will make a real game of it and will probably manage to take a point off Chelsea.
Prediction: 1-1
Wednesday 19 January
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur
7.30pm GMT, King Power Stadium, Leicester
Leicester get to play one of their games in hand, but it won’t be easy for them against a team chasing a top four place. They have won their last three home games and they scored nine goals in those games including a win against Liverpool. They are still in with a chance of a top six finish and the two clean sheets they kept in their last three games were very welcome after only keeping one in their previous 15 games.
With two games to play this week both Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes might be of interest to fantasy managers along with the obvious choice of Maddison.
Spurs get to play one of their games in hand too and they will be looking for all six points to get much closer to fourth place. They have only lost one of their last five away games, but only two other teams have scored less goals on their travels. With two wins this week they could find themselves in the top four and that’s where they will hope to be come the end of the season.
With two games this week Spurs players are looking very good for fantasy managers, but I’m still not sure they will return points regularly enough.
This is a game which could go either way, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended in a draw.
Prediction: 1-1
Brentford v Manchester United
8pm GMT, Brentford Community Stadium, London
Brentford play their second game of the week and a home game against United is probably a slightly easier game than their trip to Liverpool. They have won three of their last four home games after losing the previous three, but they won’t find it easy to get anything from this game. They have made it difficult for some of the big teams at times and they will hope to do so again in this game.
As I said already I don’t think Brentford’s two games this week make their players easy to recommend to fantasy managers, but Ivan Toney has the chance to make a good impression.
United play their second away game of the week and they’re both against teams in the bottom half of the table. Their away record is fairly similar to their home record so far this season, but they will want to improve that away record in their two games this week. At this stage a top four finish has to be their goal this season and two wins this week would be a huge boost to their hopes.
As well as Ronaldo and Bruno I suppose both Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford could possibly do well this week.
I think Brentford will give United a run for their money and they might just manage a point from this game.
Prediction: 1-1
That’s it for this week.
See you next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment