Fantasy premier league – FFGeek picks for GW20

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Here’s my picks for fantasy premier league GW20.  Remember its just a team for this gameweek.  No other fixtures are taken into account. However this becomes more relevant as we get nearer to the January wildcard as you can undo any transfers you do now with an early wildcard.  The point of the GW20 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 GW20 over someone else than maybe that will swing the argument. The comments are fairly brief as alot of the players are covered by my “ones to watch” articles so excuse that.  

Fantasy premier league – FFGeek picks for GW20

 

gw20ffgeekpicks

Mannone

Poyet is certainly improved the Sunderland defence.  As I said he ran a tight ship at Brighton previously.  Its 3 clean sheets in the last 4.  Home to a goal shy Villa who still have Benteke as an injury doubt looks a good chance to add another.  Villa have blanked 4 times in their last 7 games.  They do have injury doubts to their main defensive players in Brown and O’Shea which is a  risk though.  Bardsley at £4.5m is your other option at the moment

Mignolet

Hull at home again another game when you say that surely they can keep a clean sheet.  Liverpool haven’t kept a home clean sheet since GW11 against the hapless Fulham side.  Hull have blanked in 4 of their 9 away games and only scored more than 1 on one occasion. I would’t get carried away by the Fulham 6-0 result.  It was notable that the only striker on the score sheet was Matty Fryatt.  Hull are a different team away from the KC. Surely Liverpool can keep a clean sheet.  Deja vu anyone?  Johnson and Skrtel are your picks if your’e looking elsewhere.  Johnson has attacking potential.  Flanagan is your cheapie who apparently could be fit.

Mertesacker

Arsenal showed again what a strong defensive team they are away to Newcastle with a clean sheet.  Since GW9 they’ve kept 7 clean sheets.  Mertesacker also gives you an attacking edge with 2 goals and an assist.  Cardiff have blanked in 5 of their 9 away games.  They’ve only scored more than 1 once at Fulham.  Koscielny or Sagna are your cheaper options at £5.3m and £5.4m respectively

Kompany

Its 7 games since an away clean sheet.  That was against Stoke in a 0-0 who weren’t really interested in scoring anyway.  This year its a stat myth about Kompany being the key to away clean sheets.  They haven’t kept a clean sheet away with him in the team.  Having said that there’s no doubting his quality.  City have shown enough in the underlying stats for me to believe that they can keep clean sheets.  They will also have a full strength defensive team to pick from with Zabaleta and Nastasic back. Swansea’s record at home is reasonable.  However they dont have last years sensation Michu out with an injury.  Dyer who can also score is also out.  New signing Bony is yet to find his shooting boots having not scored since GW11.  I’m backing City to get a CS here.  A cheaper alternative is Nastasic at £5.1m.  Zabaleta is the assist machine at £6.0m

Coleman

The Suarez of defenders. 3 goals in his last 4 games.  With Arsenal probably the best defence at the moment.  Alcaraz at £4.3m offers an intriguing cheapie short term option while Jagielka is injured for a month.  Stoke at home don’t have too bad a scoring record.  Coleman is a defensive must have at the moment.

Ward

Since Pulis became manager Palace have got 3 clean sheets in 6 games.  Added to that were 2 very respectable defences at Chelsea and especially at City.  Ward has played in midfield as well.  He had 2 great chances to score against City showing he can get forward.  Norwich have blanked in 4 of their 9 away games.  Gabbidon is your more expensive bonus bet at £4.3m

Terry

On the face of it this doesn’t look like a great fixture for Chelsea.  I suspect though that Mourinho may bring his defensive a game that he bought to United and Chelsea to get a clean sheet.  Even if he doesn’t then he’s always a scoring possibility.   Southampton are strong at home.  This is about how Chelsea are set up and Terry’s ability to score goals.  He’s got 2 and an assist so far this campaign

Hazard

Either brilliant or anonymous.  Against Liverpool he was definitely brilliant.  Its now goals in 2 consecutive games and 3 returns in his last 5.  Seems fairly rotation proof as well.  Despite the abundance of attacking midfielders he’s started every fantasy premier league fixture apart from 1. Hard to see him left out of such a difficult fixture.  Will be rested for the FA Cup.  Southampton have one of the best defensive home records but if the right Hazard shows up he can dazzle against any team.   Could have young RB Chambers against him as well as Clyne works his way back to match fitness.  He only played 3 minutes against Saints.

Sterling

3 goals and 2 assists since coming back into the side.  Has been the most advanced midfielder in a front 3.  Looked exceptionally good especially on the counter against sides playing high up the pitch.  This wont be the case with Hull who will sit back with a defensive 3.   However, Hull are not the defensive force away from the KC and should Liverpool score early and Hull have to come out of their shell he could be deadly.

Walcott

The most transferred in player with the visit of Cardiff to the Emirates.  4 goals and 3 assists in the 8 appearances (4 as sub) since he came back into the team.  Outside chance he could play striker if Giroud rested although Podolski is probably the slight favourite is this happens.  Cardiff have kept 2 clean sheets away from home but Chelsea and Liverpool have given them a bit of a pasting with 4 and 3 goals scored respectively.  Confusing reports of a shoulder injury but should start as was pictured training today

Nasri

Silva’s suspended and Nasri was benched for rest purposes last week (he had 36 minutes gametime).  Therefore this looks a good chance for him to step into Silvas creative shoes and supply the chances for Negredo and co.  2 goals and an assist in his last 5 is pretty respectable.  Swansea have had 3 clean sheets but can concede goals at home.  Man Utd  and Stoke have scored 4 and 3 respectively.  Arsenal and Liverpool have scored 2 each.  I expect goals from City at Swansea at Nasri has the opportunity to be the provider.

Puncheon

Hasn’t returned in 4 and its only 2 assists in 14 starts.  However has looked threatening in recent games and home to Norwich is a good chance to rediscover your scoring touch given their woeful away record

Lukaku

4 goals and 3 assists in his last 8 games.  Can be quiet but has the talent to explode at any time.  Stoke have a good record at home but Everton have the potential to score ay any venue.

Negredo

After being on the bench for rest at home to Palace and Pellegrini talking about splitting them for rotation Negredo should be a certain starter.  Even with the loss of Silva for suspension City have enough fire power and creativity to open any team.  2 goals and an assist in his last 4 starts.  Swansea have had 3 clean sheets but can concede goals at home.  Man Utd  and Stoke have scored 4 and 3 respectively.  Arsenal and Liverpool have scored 2 each.  I expect goals from City at Swansea at Nasri has the opportunity to be the provider.

Suarez

Was well  marshalled against Chelsea but was unlucky not to return against City.  His record speaks for itself.  A must have.  Hull aren’t anything like the defensive force away from home that they are against the KC.  Could be another rampant afternoon.

Happy new year to everyone and have a safe night where ever you are in the world

 

 

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