GOALKEEPER

Hart – £4.0m – quality  

As per each week, the best defence and Kompany is the only other secure choice.  Still in FA Cup in tough game away to Stoke

Begovic £3.0m value

Outside the elite teams where Hart is clearly the best option in telegraph fantasy football due to closeness of price of the other teams, Begovic is the only other choice.  The most clean sheets and the best underlying stats of the better value teams.  Fixtures are ok as well.  Tough home game to City in FA Cup

DEFENCE

With points being deducted for goals conceded in telegraph fantasy football  my view is you should stick to the top 6 teams for defender

Gibbs £3.7m  

Gibbs is the best value for a secure member of this underrated defence.  Fixtures are reasonably strong and they have an additional premier league game.  Good FA Cup fixture away to brighton

Zabaleta £3.2m value 

With Maicon and Richards both injured Zabaleta has no competition at RB and has added an attacking dimension to his game.  City are still the best defence and even though the fixtures are a little average every telegraph fantasy football team should have some representation whether in def or at GK.  Hard FA Cup fixture away to Stoke

Cameron £2.9m  value 

The cheapest buy in a good defensive team especially at home.  I dont take the last 2 games as indicative of a massive problem and think they will return to their strong defensive ways

Luiz £3.8m (Playing in Mid)

Unless you want the game time risk of Azpilicueta to save £0.5m Luiz playing in midfield (although this hasnt happened in the last 2 games) makes the most sense.

Fixtures aren’t easy but Chelsea have the ability to defend with Benitez in charge despite the Saints game.  Easy FA Cup game away to Brentford but may result in rotation.

Vertonghen £3.9m

Expensive option but its hard to see who else that’s cheaper will definitely be selected in defence.  The defence is performing well at the moment.  Fixtures are fairly ordinary though.  Tricky FA Cup fixture away to Leeds

Rafael £3.6m

Only Evra is safe from rotation in the Utd defence but he’s significantly more expensive than Rafael who seems the best value choice with some attacking prospects as well.  The United defence especially away from home hasn’t been impressive this year but with Vidic back there’s cause for optimism.  About to go throuh another kind run of fixtures.  Good home fixture to Fulham in the FA Cup but rotation is the risk.

I wouldn’t buy anyone outside this group but if you’re looking for some value with game time security here’s some options

Davies – Swansea £2.7m

O’Brien – West Ham £2.8m

Bassong – Norwich £2.9m

Neville/Distin – Everton £3.2m

MIDFIELD

With no reserves in telegraph fantasy football you want everyone to be able to contribute

Michu £3.3m form value 

2nd in the overall shooting stats and 3rd in the last 6 on the back of tricky fixtures.  Playing as a striker a reasonable amount of the time or just off the striker and seems to be a clinical finisher.  Fixtures are quite good and apart from a couple of exceptions returns better with the easier teams.  Fantastic value.  No FA Cup fixture

Bale £5.5m Quality form fixtures

Not cheap in TFF but worth the money.4th in the overall shooting stats and 8th in the last 6 game weeks even though only played 4 games.   The best all round midfielder in my mind and also with Mata the only one also in the season chances created top 10 overall table.  Fixtures are pretty ordinary though not that it seems to matter for him.  Away to Leeds in the FA Cup

Mata £5.8m form

Not cheap in TFF and I prefer Bale if you need to choose but a very good option.  Has just creeped in to 10th in the last 6 and the overall shooting stats but is one of the few players who also is in the creating chances overall table.  Returned in his last 6 starts and if you ignore the jaded first 3 games to the season has returned in every game he’s started apart from the City game.  RVP type consistency.  Fixtures are ranked 12 of all the teams in terms of fixture ease.  Away to Brentford in the FA Cup but will probably be rotated

Cazorla £3.2m value

An absolute steal at this price.  Isn’t consistent but this is really a value play for a player integral to Arsenal’s attacking. Away to Brighton in FA Cup and a rotation risk.

Walcott £4.3m (playing as a striker)

Playing up front as a midfielder, although you have to hope that theSWansea FA Cup game on the wing was just to give Giroud a run.   Top of the last 6 shooting stats.  Prior to last week Koscielny sending off disaster had returned in his last 4.  Good fixtures as well.  Has an extra game against West Ham. Away to Brighton in FA Cup and a rotation risk.

Fellaini £3.8m fixtures

An assist and a 3 point bonus since his return from suspension but quiet on the stat front despite playing Newcastle and Swansea and in his favoured position supporting Jelavic.  He is top of the shooting stats for the season despite playing far less games than anyone but isn’t as lethal as Michu in 2nd.  With Everton having some of the best fixtures of everyone he’s worth purchasing and keeping the faith for those days when he’s unplayable but he definitely needs monitoring as the last 2 games stats are worrying.  Bolton away in FA Cup should play

Sessegnon £4.0m  fixtures

I think there are better options at the moment but he is 57th in  the last 6 shooting stats despite them being generated from difficult fixtures and is adding creating chances to his game.  Another playing in that advanced midfield position.  Will give you a difference against your league opponents and Sunderland probably have the best fixtures of anyone.  Out of FA Cup

Gerrard £4.4m value

Has come from no where to be 2nd in the last 6 shooting stats albeit on the back of very good fixtures and is also 4th in the last 6 creating chances. has returned in all his last 6 games.  This is all despite being in the midfield 3 rather than the front 3. Has penalties in his locker as well as some set piece involvement.  Only issue is difficult fixtures but good value when you compare him to Mata and Bale as other options.  Great FA Cup draw away to Oldham.  Rotation risk though.

Budget

Puncheon £2.4m

Sterling £2.6m

Schneiderlin £2.8m

Noble £3.0m

De Guzman £3.0m

Taarabt £3.5m

JCole £2.9m

FORWARDS

RVP – £7.0m – QUALITY form fixtures.

Even with Rooney coming back  RVP looks like he should be locked in to everyones team.  3rd inthe overall and last 6 shooting stats.   Fixtures aren’t as strong but are on the up but that doesnt seem to matter.  Has returned in 18/20 starts.  After Rooneys pen miss in the FA cup may even get these duties.  Will probably not play in FA Cup

Suarez £6.6m quality

The first evidence of him playing with Sturridge was not good as he definitely dropped deeper.  Norwich at home this weekend and Sturridge may even be fit to  start with Rodgers saying he’s “very very close” so its not a sell but definitely a monitor.  I wouldn’t buy at the moment with the position issues and terrible fixtures but wouldn’t sell just yet.  Will probably be rested for FA Cup away to Oldham

Tevez £6.4m quality

Played very well against Arsenal and returned 2 assists and although Aguero is potentially back this week potentially has to have a reasonable chance of partnering him.  Is still in the overall shooting stats but game time means not in the last 6.  Fixtures arent great so I would probably hold rather than buy.  Hard FA Cup draw away to Stoke

Aguero  £6.7m quality

Could be back this week against one of the leagues obliging defences in Fulham.  All class but need to monitor his return.  Hard FA Cup draw away to Stoke

Ba – £6.0m  form .

Some disturbing comments about being managed by Benitez yesterday which hint at rotation.  2nd in the overall shooting stats but has dropped to 7th in the last 6 on the back of terrible fixtures and Newcastles injuries.  Has quality to get through all that and benefit from the more creative midfield f he starts.  I would be holding but not buying at the moment as fixtures are only ok.  Away to Brentford in FA Cup.  Could play although Torres probably the favourite

 Budget

Lukaku – £3.5m

Weiman £4.1m

Benteke £5.1m

Berbatov £5.2m

Lambert £4.9m

K Jones £4.7m