Here’s my picks for fantasy premier league DGW31. Remember its just a team for this gameweek. No other fixtures are taken into account. The point of the DGW31 picks post is just to help you with any last minute transfer decisions. If you think that someone has a good chance of points in DGW31 over someone else than maybe that will swing the argument. The teams not meant to be affordable either by the way. Its the best for DGW31 despite cost. The comments are very brief but there’s more stats and details on players in my “ones to watch” articles
fantasy premier league – FFGeek picks for DGW31
McGregor
The Hull home defence may not have the same ability to get clean sheets at the start of the season but a home game to WBA holds nothing to fear. The 2nd game against West Ham is a tricker prospect with Carroll fit but still its a good pair of fixtures clean sheet wise. McGregor is mid priced between the attacking prospects of Davies and the budget of Chester and Rosenior
Adrian
West Ham have 2 home fixtures. The first to United is a difficult one to keep a clean sheet given Uniteds recent good record away from home. Home to Hull though is as good as it gets with the Hull attack blanking 7 times in 14 fixtures and only scoring more than 1 goal on 3 occasions. West Ham now have a full strength defence and have had 2 home clean sheets in their last 5.
Zabaleta
Apart from Hart Zabaleta is the only defensive player with gametime security given the ban on Kompany. He’s not quite in the attacking class of Kolarov but he’s still a continued threat down the right flank and should cause makeshift LB Richardson all sorts of problems. The home defence has only conceded 9 goals in 13 games and has 7 clean sheets. Fulham have also blanked 8 times in their 15 away games and have young Woodrow leading the attack. The United game isn’t so straight forward but without RVP their chances have improved
Koscielny
He’s only scored 1 goal this season but he’s the bonus magnet at the moment of the Arsenal defence. While the Chelsea game has minimal prospects of a clean sheet Arsenals home record should see a clean sheet against Swansea given Arsenal have only conceded 7 goals in 14 games and 9 clean sheets. Swansea away have blanked in half their away games.
Skrtel
On the back of fixtures against 2 of the weaker attacks in Cardiff and Sunderland and on the back of 2 consecutive clean sheets Liverpool actually look like a reasonable defensive prospect for the DGW for the first time in a while. Skrtel with 4 goals this season and 13 bonus points is the best bet while Flanagan at £4.3m offers a cheaper route going forward
Coleman
6 goals this season is undoubtedly the attraction for Coleman as the highest goal scoring defender in fantasy premier league. Evertons defensive record is a bit mixed with only 1 clean sheet in their last 5 but they still have 10 clean sheets overall and may have Jagileka back to steady the ship. Swansea away have blanked in half their away games which is the main fixture attraction while Newcastle look toothless at home or away without Cabaye and Remy.
Dummett
Dumett is a bargain at £3.9m who Pardew has confirmed will have a big role in set pieces. The Newcastle defence is without its 2 first choice full backs bit will have Coloccini back to strengthen it. Theyre not in the best form though with 1 clean sheet in the last 5 and only 4 clean sheets at home this season but home to Palace is about as good as it gets as a fixture. Palace have only scored 6 goals away in 14 games and blanked 8 times in those 14 games away from home. The Everton game isn’t so clear cut but even they have blanked 5 times away
Mirallas
With Pienaar injured Mirallas should be guaranteed of selection. He may not be the most consistent returner but has the potential to score big particularly against easier opposition at home. Swansea have conceded 20 goals away from home and only 2 clean sheets. Newcastles home defence is little better conceding 19 goals at home.
Nolan
Nolan makes Mirallas look very consistent but with 3 double figure point hauls home to WBA, Swansea and Southampton a home game against Hull (who’ve conceded 21 goals in 14 games away) is another fixture with a realistic chance of repeating those hauls. The home game to United is a more difficult prospect given that they’ve got 3 consecutive away clean sheets. However, they are a side with extensive defensive injuries which will weaken them. Andy Carroll back in the side will also greatly assist Nolan as they have an excellent understanding
YaYa Toure
A big prospect with pen duties and the possibilty of his advanced role against Hull being continued. Also has a home game to Fulham which is a major attraction. Fulham have conceded 34 goals away from home. Norwich are the only side to have conceded more. United maybe a more difficult prospect at Old Trafford but WBA, Stoke and Fulham have scored 2 and they have extensive defensive injuries so goals are certainly possible
Gerrard
The most consistent returning midfielder with returns coming pretty much solely from pens and set pieces. With Sterling, Sturridge and Suarez on fire at the moment there’s no hint this wont continue. Only Fulham have conceded more goals at home than their first opponent Cardiff. Even better, Cardiff have also conceded more than 1 goal on 8 occasions. The Sunderland away defence isn’t quite as bad with 21 goals conceded away in 13 games but only 6 sides have conceded more.
Silva
The luck that has deserted his finishing in recent weeks may have finally found it’s way back to him after the goal and assist at Hull. Has the best overall shooting and creating chances stats of any midfielder but has just been unlucky in front of goal. As I have said with YYT the Fulham home game is the main attraction. Fulham have conceded 34 goals away from home. Norwich are the only side to have conceded more. United maybe a more difficult prospect at Old Trafford but WBA, Stoke and Fulham have scored 2 and they have extensive defensive injuries so goals are certainly possible
Rooney
With RVP out for 4 -6 weeks Rooney will pick up pen duties which is a big plus. RVP’s absence will also help him positionally. It’s possible he may become the most forward player which would be a major boost given his excellent finishing. However even if he has to play behind Welbeck at least it should prevent him from going into midfield to accomodate Welbeck. Rooneys returns are better without RVP in the team. West Ham are a mixed defensive team at home and this is shown by the fact that theyve conceded 3 goals at home 6 times. Chelsea, Arsenal and City have all put 3 against them. City away from home will have Kompany back but they have conceded 18 goals in 14 games and conceded more than 1 goal on 6 occasions
Suarez
Suarez is the master of battering the lower table teams and he’s got 2 good fixtures to aim at. He’s also back on form after getting 26 points in his last 2 games. As for Cardiff I repeat what I said for Gerrard, only Fulham have conceded more goals at home. Cardiff have also conceded more than 1 goal on 8 occasions. The Sunderland away defence isn’t quite as bad with 21 goals conceded away in 13 games but only 6 sides have conceded more.
Sturridge
Having scored or assisted in 84% of his games this season Sturridge is always going to be near the top of the list for picks. The last 2 games though have only seen 1 assist and this co-incides with Rodgers introducing the diamond syatem. Personally I think Sturridge is too good for the returning not to continue and Liverpools counter attacking style suits him to a tee.
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