Gameweek 28 Preview

Firstly an apology for the lack of posts this week, real world has taken over and I've struggled to even manage my own time nevermind a fantasy football team. But fear not, help is here and the forum for gameweek 28 is officially open.
Last week's transfers/captain really picked themselves as we all flocked to United players to capitalise on their double gameweek. For this we were rewarded with big games from Rooney and Valencia as well as clean sheets all round on Tuesday night. This week however is a different story.

With only 8 games in play, no United or Villa players and some big name absences like Adebayor (suspended), Arshavin (injured), Gallas (injured, Lennon (injured), Diaby (injured) and Cech (injured) it is going to be a struggle for many to pick a team. Knowing that I needed to start making up points as soon as possible, I sold my soul to the devil last week and while my three United boys did me proud (53 points between them) I am now left with 5 players set to take no part in EPL action this week.

Who to sell
Rooney is in must own territory now and have met or even surpassed the great Cristiano Ronaldo in fanatsy play in the past few months. That said, if you were on the bandwagon relatively late and you aren't sitting on a huge cash gain then it might be an idea to drop him this week and use your cash elsewhere knowing that 40%+ of players are going to have 12m sat on their bench this week. It is almost inconceivable that his price falls so you should be able to get him back without losing too much cash. The obvious replacement is Drogba but he is out himself in week 29 so would be purely a one week fix. I therefore like Torres, provided he can prove himself fit for Friday's appetising game with Blackburn (H). He didn't start today against Unirea and wasn't needed off the bench so I would fancy him to start on contribute on the weekend against Allardyce's team. As for the United defense, their upcoming fixtures are generous so Evra owners might want to stand pat. If you own one of the fringe players (like Wes Brown) now might be time to cut loose as after their bye week they should have a fully fit squad to choose from which will limit the minutes of Brown, Neville, Rafael et al.

Clean Sheet Rankings
  1. Liverpool
  2. Chelsea
  3. Burnley
  4. Birmingham
  5. Tottenham
  6. Sunderland
  7. Arsenal
  8. Fulham
  9. Bolton
  10. Wigan
  11. Stoke
  12. Wolves
  13. Portsmouth
  14. Everton
  15. Blackburn
  16. Man City
Captain Rankings
  1. Fernando Torres
  2. Didier Drogba
  3. Frank Lampard
  4. Steve Gerrard
  5. Darren Bent
  6. Cesc Fabregas
  7. Peter Crouch
Sorry for the brief preview this week - normal service should resume next week.

Comments

Unknown said…
Not so sure Torres is the right pick for top of the captain rankings.

IMHO based on this weeks matchups, Torres' chances of playing even 45 minutes and his fitness level I'd go Fab or Drogba over him.

skip
Steven said…
Drogba all the way
Unknown said…
fletcher jeromer or kevin davies or bedtner
Chris said…
Skip - youre probably right that he shouldnt be number 1 given his injury status but benitez suggested he will play and if he does he has a much better fixture than drogba. definately a risk but one I felt was worth taking.
Steven said…
Did I say Drogba? I meant Tevez all the way :)
Ryan said…
Chris or anyone,

Do you fancy Everton getting a clean sheet against Hull at home next weekend?
Chris said…
Well Torres didnt hit the heights of Tevez or Lampard but I'll take the goal and hopefully some bonus points to come. Very impressed with Cesc this week in a tricky away trip to Stoke. Ran the show, even after being shaken by the Ramsey injury. The Spaniard is back and could be the man to lead you to fantasy glory given Arsenal's decent run in.
Chris said…
Ryan - Everton look like a great play next week. Hull average just 0.54 GPG on their travels while Everton give up about a goal a game at home (and this has been getting better of late). They'll be in the top 5 rankings I'm sure. Utd, Arsenal and Fulham also look good bets.
Ryan said…
Cheers! Do you think David Moyes left Saha out of the Spurs match merely to rest him (after their defeat to Sporting Lisbon 3 days earlier) or because he's injured? The former reason seemed to apply to Donovan who started on the bench.
Real JT said…
Saha is hurt (thigh). The French called in Cisse to replace him for the match against Spain. Don't know how long he'll be out for though.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/01032010/58/world-cup-2010-saha-thigh-problem.html

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