Here’s my Barclays fantasy premier league gameweek 32 “ones to watch”.  This is a menu of players for your fantasy premier league team.  Remember its not just for this gameweek but as if you were putting them in to your team this week

1.  Cazorla

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

With Arsenal having good fixtures to the end of the season including a DGW33 where they have the best fixtures and  Walcott injured Cazorla is my number 1 essential midfielder to get in to your team.  Has suddenly found the ability to shoot from good positions rather than the halfway line and has the added bonus of creating chances

2.  Walcott (injury doubt)

Underlying stats ranking:  5  Fixture ease 3  DGW    points in last 3 starts:  10

The Caveat on Walcott is that he’s injured at the moment so this assumes he is fit for DGW33.  He has dropped off the stats in the last 3 and the underlying stats have been further distorted by his injury missing 1 game but again with the fixtures to the end of the season and the DGW coming up if he’s fit he’s a must have in my book.  Not playing striker but still keeps in a very advanced position making it almost a 4-4-2.

3.  Bale

Underlying stats ranking:  2  Fixture ease 18     points in last 3 starts:  23

Only the fact the Spurs have no game in DGW33 and others have a double means that Bale isnt the top of the list.  Ignore the fixture ease ranking opposition doesn’t matter.  The best midfielder by a mile in points and although Michu’s underlying shooting stats are better Bale also creates chances for others.  Again a must have

4.  Fellaini (Suspended until GW33)

Underlying stats ranking: –  Fixture ease 7DGW     points in last 3 starts:  21

Has dropped off the underlying stats due to suspension and some positional issues but definitely the best choice for the Everton DGW33.  Really found some returns in his last 3 games although 12 of those points were against Reading.  Again for the DGW a must have.

5.  Michu

Underlying stats ranking: 1 Fixture ease 20     points in last 3 starts:  10

Ended a nightmare run of 1 returning game in the last 10 with a goal against Spurs but has always continued to get shots in the box but has just been unlucky not to score and in my mind the goals were always going to return.  The big question mark now is fixtures.  Swansea have the worst set of fixtures to the end of the season and Michu has shown an emphasis on scoring against poorer opposition.  He’s not a must have for this reason but if you have room I still think he will get returns

6.  Hazard

Underlying stats ranking: 6  Fixture ease 15     points in last 3 starts:  18

The thing about Hazard is that virtually all his big returns are against poor opposition at home whereas his colleague Mata is a little more consistent.  Chelseas fixtures aren’t great and there is the horrible rotation cloud that hangs over them due to fixtures but he has shown strong recent form which warrants his inclusion.  A but but with some risk attached

7.  Mata

Underlying stats ranking: 7  Fixture ease 15     points in last 3 starts:  11

Has lost the title of Mr Consistency in the midfield when not returning in 2 of his last 3 and has moved off the last 6 underlying stats.  However produced good form and stats in the loss to Southampton and is at least a hold until after the Sunderand game although there’s no guarantee he will play in this given the Thursday Europa league fixture

Some fixture Punts

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

Sissoko

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

Personally I’m not a fan as underlying shooting stats have tailed off after a good start.  Does play in the advanced position but to me he’s a punt on fixtures and Fulham at home is a good one to start

Lallana (injury doubt)

Underlying stats ranking: –  Fixture ease 5     points in last 3 starts:  9

Now this guy I am a fan of.  He’s produced some good underlying stats in recent starts without getting the rewards they deserved.  Away to Reading is a good place to take a punt on, providing he’s fit

Walters

Underlying stats ranking: 8  Fixture ease 4     points in last 3 starts:  13

The most advanced Stoke midfielder and the only one to show any inclination to shoot rather than hoof the ball up to Crouch Jerome Jones etc.  Not a keeper by any stretch but if youre willing to take a fixture punt then home to Villa is a good place to start.

Budget options under £5.0m

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  – consistent starter 2 goals and 2 assists for season

Henderson – far more of a punt as inconsistent starter and plays reasonably deep.

Robson Kanu – I’m a fan of this guy but difficult to guarantee selection with a new manager

Townsend – lots of competition in midfield at QPR so gametime is a bit of a risk plus points have come from Cazorla style shooting from the halfway line which wont continue but a reasonable punt