FanPost

Time to roll the dice on the Fantasy Premier League

Alex Livesey

It’s that time of the year that marks the men out from the boys in the Fantasy Premier League. With only four games to go, its time to gamble if you’re still in the running for the championship and need to catch-up some points on your fellow managers. Don’t die wondering what might have been!

I think the easiest way to gain a short term advantage over your fellow managers is to pick-up players that are not on your rivals’ rosters. It’s not time to be adding Suarez, Gerrardand Rooney unless you know that your biggest rival does not own these players.

I’ve looked at 5 players who are owned by less than 15% of managers on fantasy.premierleague.com, who could help gain you an advantage and I’ll also highlight 5 players who you should drop from your roster.

Five to pick-up

Christian Eriksen (midfielder) – The lone bright spot of Tottenham’s recent implosion, attacking midfielder Eriksen is arguably the Premier League’s man in form. It has taken the Dane a while to establish himself in the team but a haul of four goals and three assists in the past 4 games suggest that he has finally settled into Tim Sherwood’s game plan. A steal at just £6.8m and with Spurs having a favourable looking schedule until the end of the season, Eriksen is a must-add. Gameweek 35 fixture – Fulham

David Silva (midfielder) – With Yaya Toure out of the side through injury for at least the next two games, Spaniard Silva has the opportunity to step up and be City’s top fantasy performer. He has more assists than any other player in the Premier League this season and also has seven goals to his name. Gameweek 35 fixture – West Brom.

Update - Silva was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup against with Sunderland due to a slight ankle injury but has five days to recover for Monday night versus West Brom and is expected to be fit.

Jon Flanagan (defender) – 21 year old local boy Flanagan’s combative style has established him on the left side of league leaders Liverpool’s defence this season and he may even make a late run for a place in England’s World Cup squad.Liverpool face a struggling Norwich side this week, who are more likely to focus on preventing Liverpool scoring than threatening themselves. At just £4.4m, Flanagan is a bargain buy. Gameweek 35 fixture – @Norwich

Andy Carroll (forward) –West Ham may only have pride to play for in their final four games but former Liverpool man Carroll still harbours outside hopes of an England call for the World Cup. Having scored only two goals this season, the rangy striker will need a big finish and with matches coming up against Crystal Palace, West Brom and Tottenham, this may just happen. Owned by less than 1% of managers in Fantasy Premier League, Carroll could help you get one over your rivals. Gameweek 35 fixture – Crystal Palace.

Peter Odemwingie (forward) – With four goals in his last 5 games and a favourable looking schedule, starting on Saturday with former club Cardiff, Nigerian Odemwingie could be a valuable addition in the closing weeks of the season. Pacy Odemwingie has added a different dimension to unfashionable Stoke’s forward line this season and his price of £5.5m would allow you to spend your remaining budget elsewhere. Gameweek 35 fixture – @Cardiff.

Five to drop

Yaya Toure – Influential Man City midfielder Toure sustained a muscle injury early in Sunday’s top of the table clash with Liverpool and is likely to miss the next three games including Wednesday night’s meeting with Sunderland. Don’t be tempted to stash him on your bench until his return as dropping Toure will allow you plenty of spare money to re-invest in your roster.

Jordan Henderson – The young England midfielder has quietly been a solid fantasy contributor this season but his red card on Sunday rules him out of the next three games and he should be replaced or benched at the very least. Consider replacing him with Eriksen (see above).

Daniel Sturridge – Dropping the fourth highest scorer in Fantasy Premier League this season may seem like a gamble but that is what you might need to do to gain an advantage at this stage of the season. Dynamic forward Sturrige is without a goal in his last 3 matches and was substituted against Man City after 65 minutes. He’s also rumoured to be carrying a slight injury and so may not even make the team against Norwich on Sunday. This move is a perfect example of a way to differentiate your team from your rivals as Sturridge is owned by 31% of teams.

Eden Hazard – There’s a 50/50 chance that midfield schemer Hazard will be fit for Saturday’s game with Sunderlandbutnow is the time of the year to be decisive and drop him. Even if Hazard is half-fit, Jose Mourinho is likely to keep his key man on the sidelines against bottom club Sunderland to ensure he his available to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

Christian Benteke – Towering Belgian Benteke has a ruptured Achilles tendon ruling him out of the rest of the Premier League season and the World Cup. Drop him if you haven’t already!

Please note, the values and ownership figures are based on fantasy.premierleague.com.

Trending Discussions