He's impatient for you to pick him!
Here’s your weekly fantasy footie advice from the NCNB team.
TOP 3 PREDICTED PERFORMERS, Gameweek 3
Fernando Torres, ST, Liverpool
The Spanish World Cup champion has yet to score this season but was rested for Liverpool’s midweek Europa League win.
Drogba, Anelka, and Tevez are the more “in-form” options in the premium striking category, but Torres is world class when fit.
He’s not fully fit, but he should put one past West Brom. Going into this fantasy weekend without one of the four aforementioned (Drogba, Anelka, Tevez, Torres) or at least a Wayne Rooney or Jermain Defoe is basically fantasy football suicide. These premium strikers all have superb matchups (Stoke, Sunderland, Wigan, West Ham, and West Brom are the opponents) and I expect a goal or assist from each.
Let’s stick with Torres as the main man though, having rested since Monday night. Note of caution: Steven Gerrard is complaining about a back problem and this could reduce Torres’ supply (with Joe Cole still suspended) if Gerrard misses out. Look for Kuyt to fill the attacking void left by Gerrard if Stevie can’t make it.
Didier Drogba, ST, Chelsea
Rinse and repeat (see last week’s preview here) Drogba, Malouda, Lampard and Anelka should combine again this weekend to see off Stoke. Don’t expect 6-0 and don’t put all your eggs in the Chelsea lopsided wins basket, but 2-0 or 3-0 should do it. Astute fantasy managers may remember that Chelsea beat Stoke 7-0 last season but that it was Lampard and Kalou, and not Drogba, that did the damage. Drogba played all 90 minutes in the 7-0 win against Stoke but did not score a goal. Look for Kalou, then, to press for a starting role perhaps at the expense of Malouda or Anelka. Ramires is also in lign for a debut – in place of Mikel, perhaps, and is a fantasy risk but should produce similar returns to Essien. Lastly, at the back, Ivanovic is a doubt due to injury but Alex is a nailed on starter.
Cesc Fabregas, CM, Arsenal
Like Torres, he is a big name who has yet to pick up a goal or assist this season. Like Torres, he won the World Cup and is world class. Like Torres, you probably ignored him in the first 2 weeks of the fantasy season due to injury or rest concerns, as well as difficult matchups. Guess what? Like Torres, he should play a pivotal role this weekend for Arsenal. The Gunners travel to take on Blackburn and while Allardyce keeps his troops extremely organized at home, a Cesc threaded through ball could be the difference – an assist should be expected. RVP is the other standout performer here to be counted on, but don’t be fooled by Walcott’s hat trick last weekend, he won’t do it again. Owning one of RVP, Fabregas, or Torres this week could be superb for fantasy managers looking to “differentiate” from their mini-league rivals who have teams filled with Malouda, Drogba, and Anelka.
HOT AND NOT, Gameweek 3
Who’s Hot: Tottenham Hotspur
Qualification for the Champions League group stages for the first time in club history. A hat trick for Crouch. Defoe’s groin looks OK. Bale is in amazing form. Cudicini is a cheap option at ‘keeper with Gomes out due to injury. You could do worse than picking up Cudicini if Gomes is out for a long while. Bale is an automatic selection and even Assou-Ekotto is getting forward from his left back role. The likes of Crouch / Defoe will look for goals against Wigan this weekend and should win.
Who’s Not: Wayne Rooney, ST, Manchester United
His goal drought continues and he let down hundreds of thousands of fantasy managers last weekend (and Manchester United fans) by missing out due to a stomach bug. He trained this week and even made a PR appearance – the bid to bring England the 2018 World Cup is on – so he should be fit and ready to go. Please read this sentence: He has just as high of a likelihood to score this weekend as Drogba and Torres. Form or no form, he’s playing West Ham at home and is on penalties. Don’t ignore Wayne. Yes, Drogba is a “safer” option – but Rooney will end his drought sooner rather than later and if you buy him, you can look like a genius to your mates. “No goals since March, Rooney to score this weekend.” Told you so – type of stuff.
So there you have it. A brief look at this weekend’s best Fantasy Premier League options. Come challenge us at our Never Captain Nicky Butt Fantasy Game and put your skills to the test or send us a tweet at http://www.twitter.com/nickybutt and we’ll answer all of your fantasy footie questions.
Defoe didn’t have the surgery?
My team sucks. I blame you.
Keith: you reading? I need to know who’s in for Villa.
This isn’t at all relevant but I just saw a former student wearing a EBJT England jersey. Actually, maybe it’s a sign that I should start John Terry.
^^The real reason my team sucks.
@OM
Why does it matter? They’re terrible!
/kidding
/or am I?
@ JT: b/c I was wondering if it was worth starting Albrighton/yes, I put him on my team after Keith talking him up prior to Week 1
All I know is that Tom Fire at Will Huddlestone got boned by the scorekeeper in the City ‘Pool game. It was Richards’ goal!!!!!!!!
_
Also the Yahoo UF league isn’t even fun when the leader in in the top 500 of the entire Yahoo fantasy community.
I wish I had the guts to pick Torres but he’s just too expensive right now without much indication that his form is going to change. Yes, West Brom can improve anybody’s form but I just don’t trust him yet. If Torres were 3 units cheaper I would have a lot less trouble with this.
Albrighton is a risk with Agbonlahor fit, but he did look like Villa’s best player in the second half of their Europa League loss. He’s a rotation risk but CHEAP across most games.
Defoe DID NOT have the groin surgery after all, but will probably still have it during international break. He should play 60 + against Wigan. He scored 5 vs Wigan last year!
@ Ibra: Thanks for that. My midfield’s a bit dicey w/Modric’s injury.
I’m tempted to just put out the Spurs starting XI this week.
I”m totally playing Mascherano… think he’s going to have a huge week for Liverpool. Wait… what?
“Look for Kuyt to fill the attacking void left by Gerrard if Stevie can’t make it.”
Ha! Have you ever WATCHED Dirk play? ;)
I was surprised by how easily I was able to pick up Joe Hart this week.
I was suprised that Gareth Bale was 13 earlier this week, I got him at that now he’s 17.
F**king yahoo scoring glitches. i love them when they help me but hate them when they don’t.
Who’s who’s not my arse.
Rooney goal and assist.
Torres goal.
Drogba goal.
Business as usual this weekend in the Premier League. Glad I owned all three.
@Ibra
How on earth do you own all three? Is the rest of your team made up of Asmir Begovic x 8?