Premier League big boys to smash this week's Yahoo! Fantasy Football
Tottenham and West Ham would have already played by the time Yahoo! Fantasy Football gets underway from Saturday but there are still plenty of opportunities to rack up with some points with interesting fixtures right the way down the schedule. However, this weekend could prove a big hitter for the Premier League big boys and that is where we focus our attentions in midfield in attack.
Before running through our XI this weekend, make sure you enter the FREE Whoscored.com contest to be in with a chance of winning £500 in prizes. Not only that, but make sure you enter the WS50 promo code when you deposit at least £5 and you will be rewarded with a £50 bonus that can be used to enter any cash games. There is some serious money to be made on Yahoo! Fantasy Football - don’t miss out!
Goalkeeper – ARTUR BORUC
The Bournemouth goalkeeper should collect maximum points this weekend. Only Tom Heaton (134) and Jordan Pickford (115) have made more saves in the Premier League this season than Artur Boruc (110) but that shouldn’t persuade you against picking the 37-year-old. Bournemouth host a Stoke side that have failed to score in any of their last six Premier League away matches, the longest goalless run this season!
Defender – CHARLIE DANIELS
Why stop at Boruc? You may as well look to get a clean sheet bonus with a Bournemouth defender as well, and Charlie Daniels will not only cover that, but also provide an offensive threat. Only Joshua King (25) has scored or assisted more Premier League goals for Bournemouth than Daniels (15), a defender!
Defender – JAMES TARKOWSKI
Bargain buys are always sought after in fantasy football and Tarkowski might be the man to play that role this weekend. The 24-year-old has impressed in the absence of Ben Mee at the heart of Burnley’s defence in the last two matches and is set for a third game in a row when Burnley host West Brom. The Clarets have picked up 82.1% of their points at home and, importantly, West Brom have failed to score in their last 5 matches and their last 3 away from home.
Defender – ANDREA RANOCCHIA
Hull are still battling for their Premier League survival and they will be looking to achieve that in their remaining home games. Marco Silva has done an amazing job since taking over in January and will be looking to protect an unbeaten home league record that extends back more than three years! They host an already-relegated Sunderland side this weekend that have failed to score in their last four away games. You should therefore turn to Hull’s highest rated player, Andrea Ranocchia (7.13).
MIDFIELDER – RYAN FRASER
In keeping with the theme that Bournemouth will strengthen their push for Premier League survival, why not look at one of their attacking players? Joshua King is an obvious candidate, but he will be leading the line this weekend in the absence of Benik Afobe and that is new territory for him having enjoyed an immense run of form playing behind the striker. Therefore it might be a wise decision to invest in Ryan Fraser, someone Bournemouth will hope can create chances for King. The 23-year-old has registered assists in each of his last two appearances.
MIDFIELDER – CESC FABREGAS
The start of the season was a disaster for Cesc Fabregas but he has since proven one of the most useful back-up players in the Premier League this season. The Spaniard averages a goal and an assist every 80.5 minutes of league action this season and is in line to start against relegation strugglers Middlesbrough on Monday night. Chelsea can expect the lion’s share of possession and it should be set up perfectly for Fabregas to breakdown their defence with his range of passing.
MIDFIELDER – JUAN MATA
Jose Mourinho has confirmed he will rotate his squad heavily for their trip to Arsenal on Sunday and this should benefit Juan Mata, who has started the last two matches on the bench since returning from injury earlier than expected. The Spaniard was arguably one of United’s most important players before being sidelined and will be looking to force his way back into Mourinho’s thoughts with an impressive display against a vulnerable Arsenal. Let’s not forget, Mata has scored five goals against Arsenal, against no team has he netted more in his career.
MIDFIELDER – MARC ALBRIGHTON
Leicester are bidding to win five straight league home games for the first time since April 1984 when they host Watford on Sunday. The Hornets have lost nine of their last 11 away games and failed to score in each of their last four attempts! It could be set up nicely for Albrighton to put deliveries into the box that can cause havoc in the Watford area and rack up some points on Yahoo! Fantasy Football.
FORWARD – PEDRO
Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League may only be one point by the time they play Middlesbrough on Monday evening and Antonio Conte should not be concerned given they will be enjoying home comforts. Perhaps no Chelsea player has enjoyed the lights of Stamford Bridge more than Pedro this season, who has really excelled on home soil. In fact, 12 of the 16 goals Pedro has scored or assisted have come at Stamford Bridge!
UTILITY – GABRIEL JESUS
With Sergio Aguero ruled out of Manchester City’s meeting with Crystal Palace, it will be up to Gabriel Jesus to lead the line for Pep Guardiola’s side. Not a bad stand in! Jesus has looked sharp since returning from injury and will be desperate to make up for lost time to help City’s push for Champions League football. Jesus averages a goal or an assist every 59.4 minutes of Premier League action and will be up against a Palace side without Mamadou Sakho. Palace have lost 22% of the games he has not started this season in the league.
FORWARD – JAMIE VARDY
Jamie Vardy has rediscovered his best form for Leicester since Claudio Ranieri’s dismissal and that should continue this weekend against Watford. The England international has scored in each of his last three appearances at the King Power Stadium and has scored or assisted 12 goals in his last 14 appearances for club and country. He should definitely be an option in your Yahoo! Fantasy Football team.
