Here’s my imaginary fantasy premier league wildcard team for game week 20 plus a few comments on each player
- Szczesny
- £5.3
- A reasonably good way of getting value for the Arsenal defence which is vastly underrated although Gibbs and Sagna give reasonable attacking potential.
- Bunn
- £4.1
- A great cheap backup keeper in a reasonable defence. Has game time security to Feb with Ruddy injured long term. Don’t worry about the poor fixtures he’s just a back up.
- Caulker
- £4.8
- No guarantee he will play but at this price he’s a bargain with their fixtures. Doesn’t seem to come on as sub either for those annoying 1 pointers. Not sure whether its him or Gallas in favour at the moment although its probably Gallas who’s a little more expensive. BAE adds another negative dimension but he’s great value even for the risk as you get a top 4 defender at a relegation team value.
- Luiz
- £6.6
- Playing in midfield in a much tightened defence so clean sheets plus attacking potential as well as free kicks. Azpilicueta is cheaper but comes with game time risk
- Nastasic
- £5.6
- Same points here as Caulker except Nastasic has the lead on the CB position which you cant say for Caulker. Only Kompany and Hart are safe in the City defence but unless you’re printing money they’re hard to fit in to your fantasy premier league team. Seems to be ahead of Lescott, who I wouldn’t be surprised to see leaving in the jan window and K Toure is definitely not the solution. Has rotation and game time risk but good value
- O’Brien
- £4.3
- Some exposure to the West ham defence is advisable due to their ability to keep clean sheets and their good fixture list plus 2 games in GW23. Reid and Collins are just a little expensive compared to O’Brien but have more security
- Cameron (Suspended this week)
- £4.7
- Suspended this week but everyone should have someone from the Stoke defence in their team. Cameron is the best value.
- Puncheon
- £4.8
- The best cheap midfielder under £5.0m no question. Fixtures arent great but gives you a really good back up option. Has potential for more goals as well when fixtures return
- Michu
- £8.0 (Injury doubt)
- Even when not playing striker he’s a threat. Continues producing the stats and goals no matter what the fixtures.
- Bale
- £9.7
- Still cant believe I used the phrase my favourite fantasy premier league midfielder but hadn’t managed to rotate him back in to my team for his hat trick
- Walcott
- £8.5
- It was between him and Mata for this spot but Walcott lining up as a striker with probably James Perch as CB and the 2 game week in GW23 was just too tempting.
- Nolan
- £6.6
- I’m taking a punt on my stats with Nolan. No returns in 7 but the fixtures are with him and Cole isn’t suspended plus its Reading away. I put Bale in my team instead of him this week so I’m hoping I don’t regret it for my team but do for everyone else who has faith
- Van Persie
- £13.4
- No caption needed. Rooney injury should make him rotation proof
- Suarez
- £10.2
- The one person who can reverse the phrase of “stats dont lie”. Has great shooting stats but goes through periods when he just cant score. I’m keeping the faith although rotation in a couple of fixtures maybe on the cards
- Benteke
- £6.7
- In the absence of his countrymen Lukaku playing regularly I rate Kone and Benteke as the best strikers under £7.0m. The better fixtures and Kone going to ACON made me plump for Benteke
