Here’s the GW24 Barclays fantasy premier league “ones to watch”. This is a menu of fantasy premier league players to pick from for your team with factors stating why. (values as at Saturday 26/1 AM). If I’m recommending a player from the same team in the wording of another player, I’ve highlighted them in bold
At the bottom is a key if you want a bit more detail on the factors listed in the decision
GOALKEEPER
Hart – £6.9m – quality SELL
As Nastasic and Zabaleta and even Clichy get more established and less rotated with the European exit at £5.6 £6.0 and £5.6m respectively then paying £6.9m for Hart seems an expensive luxury. Time to sell accept a little rotation and use the funds elsewhere
Begovic £5.8m form SELL
I’ve defended the Stoke defence but the Swansea 3-1 loss was the last straw with their being no statistical defence to their performance. At this price he’s far too expensive(more that Szczesny?). Invest in Cameron as coverage or do what I’ve done and wait for Wilson to become fit and get a £4.0m cheapie as coverage.
Szczesny £5.3m fixtures BUY
Good fixtures good defence despite what you’re told.
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Liverpool (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Stoke City (H) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Sunderland (A) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | Aston Villa (H) |
03 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 28 | Tottenham (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Everton (H) |
De Gea £5.5m fixtures BUY
I know its weird picking him at a time when he’s at his most criticised and when there are various rumours about his replacement. however, I just cant see someone being bought in to replace him this late in the transfer window and SAF seems to have totally lost faith in Lindegaard so his place seems reasonably secure. That’s more than you can say for anyone in the Man U defence except maybe Evra. However no defence is worth the £7.1m that he costs, let alone the Man U defence which has not been at its best. However I’m banking on Vidic and fixtures to produce more clean sheets
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Southampton (H) |
02 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 25 | Fulham (A) |
10 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 26 | Everton (H) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | QPR (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Norwich (H) |
09 Mar 12:45 | Gameweek 29 | West Ham (A) |
Budget (chose those that rotate home and away as home games get more clean sheets if you’re going for 2 budget keepers)
Federici – £4.3m
Bunn – £4.1m
Boruc – £4.4m
DEFENCE
Sagna £5.2m fixtures BUY
The Arsenal defence is underrated despite what pundits may say and Sagna also brings good attacking potential at a really reasonable price. Seems to have weathered the awful performance against Chelsea. Reasonable fixtures as well. Gibbs at the slightly higher price of £5.7m is also a BUY option and more secure game time wise.
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Liverpool (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Stoke City (H) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Sunderland (A) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | Aston Villa (H) |
03 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 28 | Tottenham (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Everton (H) |
Zabaleta £6.0m value BUY
With Maicon and Richards injured and neither with a return date on Physio room, Zabaleta looks to have the RB position sewn up. Definitely the best defence in the league and apart from the certainty of Kompany at £7.1m this is the best option. Has experienced a strong upturn in attacking returns this year as well. Nastastic and Clichy at £5.6m also look an option at a slightly cheaper price but you need to accept more rotation with these.
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | QPR (A) |
03 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 25 | Liverpool (H) |
09 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 26 | Southampton (A) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Chelsea (H) |
04 Mar 20:00 | Gameweek 28 | Aston Villa (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Wigan (H) |
Cameron £4.9m value BUY
Going through a terrible patch with 13 goals in 4 games but apart from the awful performance at Swansea there has been a statistical defence in the games before. Cameron gives coverage without having to pay for the ludicrously overpriced Huth and Shawcross. Stoke still have an overall very good defensive performance and I wouldn’t sell him at this price. Doesn’t give you the bonus or attacking potential of the other players but much better value. Personally I’ve cashed in and are waiting for Wilson to recover from injury and then have coverage at £4.0m
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Wigan (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Arsenal (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Reading (H) |
23 Feb 12:45 | Gameweek 27 | Fulham (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | West Ham (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Newcastle (A) |
David Luiz £6.7m injured sell
Unfortunately the injury reports don’t sound good so sell. Azpilicueta now looks the best value at £5.7m and seems to hold favour with Benitez give his recent consistent selection. Cole is the more secure option but comes at a higher price of £6.5m.
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Reading (A) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Newcastle (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Wigan (H) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Man City (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | West Brom (H) |
10 Mar 13:30 | Gameweek 29 | Fulham (A) |
Rafael £6.0m fixtures attack BUY
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Southampton (H) |
02 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 25 | Fulham (A) |
10 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 26 | Everton (H) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | QPR (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Norwich (H) |
09 Mar 12:45 | Gameweek 29 | West Ham (A) |
Dawson £4.5m value BUY
lets not kid ourselves the CB position at spurs under AVB is a total rotational lottery but £4.5m is a total bargain for coverage of the Spurs defence and he’s now played the last 4 fantasy premier league games. Walker at £6.1m is the cheapest with secure selection but toome thats too bigger value gap to warrant his selection
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Norwich (A) |
03 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 25 | West Brom (A) |
09 Feb 12:45 | Gameweek 26 | Newcastle (H) |
25 Feb 20:00 | Gameweek 27 | West Ham (A) |
03 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 28 | Arsenal (H) |
10 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 29 | Liverpool (A) |
Distin £5.3m value fixtures BUY
A new contract and Everton getting 2 CSs in a row mean plus good fixtures and the fact that he’s played 11 straight as the best value Everton defender means its time to think of putting him in the team. Home to WBA is certainly a good start
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | West Brom (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Aston Villa (H) |
10 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 26 | Man Utd (A) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | Norwich (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Reading (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Arsenal (A) |
Budget
Clyne £4.0m
Shaw £4.0m
Davies £4.3m budget
Turner – £4.1m
R Martin – £4.1m
Demel – £4.0m (was awful against arsenal so selection risk)
Mariappa – £3.8m
Fabio £4.2m
Not Included
Wisdom and Naughton who I expect to be replaced soon by Enrique and BAE respectively, potentially early as GW24
Johnson – liverpool fxtures too expensive
O’Brien – too expensive for west ham defence and fixtures
Aston Villa – hopeless defence
WBA – fixtures and defence not performing
Wigan – fixtures and defence not performing
MIDFIELD
Mata £10.0m quality BUY
Has just creeped in to 7th in the last 6 but is one of the few players who also is in the creating chances overall table. Returned in his last 8 starts apart from the saints game and if you ignore the jaded first 3 games to the season has returned in every game he’s started apart from the City and Southampton games. RVP type consistency. Fixtures are ranked 12 of all the teams in terms of fixture ease
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Reading (A) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Newcastle (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Wigan (H) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Man City (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | West Brom (H) |
10 Mar 13:30 | Gameweek 29 | Fulham (A) |
Walcott £9.4m fixtures striker BUY
Even with Giroud looking back as striker Walcott almost looked like he was a second striker in the West Ham game and certainly on form and fixtures its still a definite buy in my mind. Will need monitoring to see how Giroud affects his position but at the moment looks nailed on. Top of the last 6 shooting stats and 5th overall.
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Liverpool (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Stoke City (H) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Sunderland (A) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | Aston Villa (H) |
03 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 28 | Tottenham (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Everton (H) |
Michu £8.3m form striker BUY
2nd in the overall shooting stats and 2nd in the last 6. Playing as a striker a reasonable amount of the time or just off the striker and seems to be a clinical finisher. Fixtures are only ok, 10th in the fixture ease schedule and although apart from a couple of exceptions returns better with the easier teams its still a buy for me.
9 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Sunderland (A) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | West Ham (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | QPR (H) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Liverpool (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Newcastle (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | West Brom (A) |
Fellaini £7.7m fixtures striker HOLD
An assist and a 5 point bonus since his return from suspension but quiet on the stat front despite playing Newcastle, Swansea and Southampton. Spent the 2nd half of the Southampton game in CM which was very worrying. However, 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 (WBA home this week) he’s worth keeping the faith for those days when he’s unplayable but he definitely needs monitoring as the last 3 games stats are worrying.
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | West Brom (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Aston Villa (H) |
10 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 26 | Man Utd (A) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | Norwich (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Reading (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Arsenal (A) |
Bale £9.8m Quality BUY
4th in the overall shooting stats and 5th in the last 6 game weeks. 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 poor though not that it seems to matter for him.
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Norwich (A) |
03 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 25 | West Brom (A) |
09 Feb 12:45 | Gameweek 26 | Newcastle (H) |
25 Feb 20:00 | Gameweek 27 | West Ham (A) |
03 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 28 | Arsenal (H) |
10 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 29 | Liverpool (A) |
Silva £9.4m Quality BUY
Haven’t got that great fixtures but he is an option if for some reason you don’t want Aguero or Dzeko upfront. 8th in the overall and lat 6 shooting stats and played in a very advanced position against Fulham
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | QPR (A) |
03 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 25 | Liverpool (H) |
09 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 26 | Southampton (A) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Chelsea (H) |
04 Mar 20:00 | Gameweek 28 | Aston Villa (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Wigan (H) |
Puncheon £5.0m budget BUY
still the best cheap midfielder even with Southampton having poor fixtures. 4th in the last 6 shooting stats and 6th overall
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Man Utd (A) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Wigan (A) |
09 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 26 | Man City (H) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Newcastle (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | QPR (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Norwich (A) |
Sessegnon fixtures £7.1m BUY
I think there are better options at the moment but he is playing in the advanced midfield position and has had periods of good performance. Not in the shooting stats at the moment and he was hopeless against Wigan. This is a gamble on fixtures and his advanced position. You certainly will differentiate yourself from others in the league.
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Swansea (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Reading (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Arsenal (H) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | West Brom (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Fulham (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | QPR (A) |
Gerrard £9.4m SELL
fixtures are just too difficult for someone not playing in that advanced position.-
Budget
Schneiderlin – £4.5m Saints
McCarthy – £4.8m
Maloney – £4.8m
Guthrie £4.1m
Kacaniklic £4.4m
Kebe £4.6m
RVP – £14.1m – QUALITY fixtures BUY
RVP looks like he should be locked in to everyone’s team. 3rd in the overall and 5th in the last 6 shooting stats. Fixtures are strong. Has returned in 19/21 starts.
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Southampton (H) |
02 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 25 | Fulham (A) |
10 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 26 | Everton (H) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | QPR (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Norwich (H) |
09 Mar 12:45 | Gameweek 29 | West Ham (A) |
Ba – £8.8m form HOLD
Looks like he will be significantly rotated given Benitez’s talk about being “managed” but to me the next few fixtures make it difficult to sell him. I expect Torres to play against Brentford which will mean Ba starting away to Reading which despite some improvement has goals for Ba written all over it. For that reason its still a hold but to be honest I see Mata as the Chelsea coverage of choice when thee’s no reason to hold.
30 Jan 20:00 | Gameweek 24 | Reading (A) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Newcastle (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Wigan (H) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Man City (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | West Brom (H) |
10 Mar 13:30 | Gameweek 29 | Fulham (A) |
Suarez – £10.5m Quality HOLD
The Norwich home game was much more positive for Suarez and he also looked more like a 2nd striker although Sturridge definitely occupied the central zone and got the tap in that Suarez should have got if he was the lone striker. I wouldn’t buy at the moment with the position issues and terrible fixtures but wouldn’t sell just yet.
Tevez £8.9m /Dveko £7.5m BUY ONE
We should see who lines up with Aguero on Tuesday before the game week closes and this should give a clue to Mancinis preference for the future. Personally I see Aguero as the City striker of choice but he’s not the cheapest that’s for sure. Both these players are great value and its just a question of who partners Aguero.
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | QPR (A) |
03 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 25 | Liverpool (H) |
09 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 26 | Southampton (A) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Chelsea (H) |
04 Mar 20:00 | Gameweek 28 | Aston Villa (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Wigan (H) |
Giroud £7.8m value fixtures BUY
Has held his own in the shooting stats despite lack of game time and seems likely to keep playing. Good fixtures but probably Walcott is your Arsenal coverage of choice although Giroud is great value as an alternative.
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Liverpool (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Stoke City (H) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Sunderland (A) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | Aston Villa (H) |
03 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 28 | Tottenham (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Everton (H) |
Sturridge £7.4m value BUY
The fixtures are against him but great value and a good cheap option if you want to raise cash. Maybe worth waiting until after Arsenal and Man City away which will be my policy
30 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Arsenal (A) |
03 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 25 | Man City (A) |
11 Feb 20:00 | Gameweek 26 | West Brom (H) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Swansea (H) |
02 Mar 17:30 | Gameweek 28 | Wigan (A) |
10 Mar 16:00 | Gameweek 29 | Tottenham (H) |
Fletcher £7.1m BUY
I’m not a fan and this is a fixture play only if you want a punt. I don’t think you can buck the underlying stats but if you’re ever going to have him in your team now is it as they have the best fixtures of anyone
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | Swansea (H) |
02 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 25 | Reading (A) |
09 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 26 | Arsenal (H) |
23 Feb 15:00 | Gameweek 27 | West Brom (A) |
02 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 28 | Fulham (H) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | QPR (A) |
Aguero £10.9m Quality BUY
Total and utter quality. 4th in the overall shooting stats and 2nd in the last 6. Fixtures could be better but he will be the striker of choice and with no European games and with Utd to chase it seems likely he will play virtually all games.
29 Jan 19:45 | Gameweek 24 | QPR (A) |
03 Feb 16:00 | Gameweek 25 | Liverpool (H) |
09 Feb 17:30 | Gameweek 26 | Southampton (A) |
24 Feb 13:30 | Gameweek 27 | Chelsea (H) |
04 Mar 20:00 | Gameweek 28 | Aston Villa (A) |
09 Mar 15:00 | Gameweek 29 | Wigan (H) |
Budget – for those wanting to squeeze in to the midfield
Jones – £5.0m
Pogrebnyak – £4.4m
EY
quality – an elite player for his position
value – a player at a value that is less than the returns I expect
fixtures – a player facing good fixtures over the next 6 games
budget – filler at the minimum price the position allows. Should play
sleeping giant – a player with past form who may have had a quiet season last year but has the potential for far greater returns than his value
YC – card magnet
DGW – has 2 games in the specified game week
pens – should take penalties
short term – will only play for a few games
Form – current form
hope that stimulates some thought for your fantasy premier league team.