This week is complicated by the double gameweek 36 for Man City Chelsea Spurs Swansea WBA and Wigan  and this tends to distort the rankings particularly as i think you should make the most of double game weeks.

1. Bale

Underlying stats ranking:  1  Fixture ease 3 DGW    points in last 3 starts:  38

I don’t think I really need to try and sell this to anyone.  The top midfielder without question.

2. Michu

Underlying stats ranking:  2  Fixture ease 10  DGW    points in last 3 starts:  12

Producing great stats whether he’s striker or behind the striker.  Keep the faith for the DGW definitely

3.  Hazard

Underlying stats ranking: 5  Fixture ease 11 DGW     points in last 3 starts:  17

The better choice in the Mata/Hazard conundrum.  Shoots more and can create chances.  Better when Mata rotated and plays centrally which probably wont happen given the magnitude of the games.  All chelsea players come with rotation risk and difficult games in the DGW though

4.  Nasri

Underlying stats ranking: 1 Fixture ease 1 DGW    points in last 3 starts:  21

A great scoring record recently but hasnt been backed up in the underlying stats which does question the longevity of the returns. However given the fixtures and the DGW City attacking coverage is essential and Nasri is the best option for me in the midfield.  Nasri shoots more and although Silva creates chances  recently this hasnt been significantly better than Nasri

5.  Mata

Underlying stats ranking 7 –  Fixture ease 11     points in last 3 starts:  22

Great returns and very consistent over the season even without the underlying stats to back it up. However this has been a consistent feature of the season.

6.  Oscar

Underlying stats ranking: 4  Fixture ease 17     points in last 3 starts:  23

This guy has the shooting stats and the returns.  Again tough games and rotation arent ideal but has a better shooting stats and is cheaper

7.  Walcott

Underlying stats ranking: 8  Fixture ease 8     points in last 3 starts:  16

Has produced again recently and is playing well up the pitch.  Underlying stats haven’t been as good as expected although played well against Utd and has good fixtures.

Some fixture Punts

Here’s a couple of players not figuring significantly in the underlying stats tables but who have good fixtures

 Snodgrass

Underlying stats ranking: –  Fixture ease 6     points in last 3 starts:  7

returns havent been great in this defensive side but has an advanced position set piece involvement which could see returns given the fixtures and the need for Norwich to win games

Dorrans

Underlying stats ranking: –  Fixture ease 13 DGW     points in last 3 starts:  12

The best of the attacking midfielders for this DGW team although recent games havent seen any returns and has no underlying stats.  Cheap at £5.0m though

Maloney

Underlying stats ranking: –  Fixture ease 2 DGW     points in last 3 starts:  9

Hasn’t really touched the underlying stats but probably the most advanced midfielder for Wigan although he played wider than usual against Spurs last week. Again good value at £5.2m

Budget options under £5.0m

Diame – Scored recently although its only 3 all season but still doesnt consistently get in the box as much as you would want.  Regular starter though with good fixtures

Karagounis – a safe 2 points only option here as should start.  Doesnt really get forward enough to be effective in fantasy premier league as evidenced by 1 goal all season

Schniederlin  – consistent starter and top points scorer for this price range.  Has 5 goals and an assist

McAnuff – consistent starter doesn’t score but gets the odd assist and has 8 for the season

McCarthy DGW – consistent starter 2 goals and 3 assists for season.  Pretty much just a 2 point player though

Henderson –  Top of the form schedule for this price range and seems to be getting forward recently

Westwood – consistent starter but aagin plays quite deep.  A couple of assists against Sunderland but very little before