Fantasy Football Tips and Info – 14/08/15

Fantasy Football Tips

Are you a fan of fantasy football? Are you looking for that edge over your friends? Maybe some of you have money wagered on the potential winner? Well you’re in luck, each week I will offer tips of potential players to look out for, as well as teams to try and avoid.

Goalkeepers

Now, if like me, Courtois has already messed up your team, it may be a good idea to cash out now, rather than relying on your back up keeper during his suspension. Valued as the most expensive keeper, a little extra cash could be added to the bank for future trades.

Romero £5M

This may be seen as a risk but if Van Gaal decides to stay loyal to Romero, he could be looking at a long stint in goal, especially as De Gea ‘s future is still uncertain. Maybe not quite a household name as of yet, the Argentinian number one performed very well in his first game, making important saves and dealing with the ball when called upon.

The fixture list plays a massive part in any team selection with United having a favorable month, playing Newcastle and Swansea before the international break. This means the likelihood of clean sheets and points is vastly improved.

I do however suggest waiting until the teams are announced before making the trade, just in case De Gea is recalled.

Mignolet £5M

If Romero doesn’t start this Friday, then its Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet who I would place between the sticks this week. Same price as Romero, Liverpool face a Bournemouth side who lack a real goal threat. It’s a game that should go Liverpool’s way, especially at home with the Kop’s support.

Liverpool will look to make this two wins out of two against a side who are likely to have a defensively minded set up, to avoid an embarrassing loss and some early season confidence blows.

Defenders

Chris Smalling £6M

After his man of the match performance against Tottenham on the opening day, Chris Smalling looks ready to finally prove his critics wrong and cement himself as United’s first choice centre back.

They face a trip to Villa Park for an unusual Friday night fixture and will be looking for another three points. Villa may have won their opening game, but lack a real threat in front of goal and with the influx of defensive players for United this summer, it could mean another clean sheet for Van Gaals men.

Like Romero, Smalling faces a favorable fixture list for some early points, hopefully giving you those bragging rights down the local boozer.

Midfielders

Theo Walcott £9M

An expensive choice, but one who could potentially be this season’s point leader. Walcott may have started the last match on the bench, but started the previous three competitive fixtures as a lone striker, which suggests this will be his new home for the majority of the season.

Now as Walcott is regarded as a midfield when playing fantasy football there is an opportunity to in fact have four strikers in your team at any one time, with the added bonus of Walcott picking up midfield clean sheets as well as more points for scoring. Walcott has the possibility to score a lot of goals this season and if, for once, he can manage to have an injury free season, I envisage big things.

Not one to lose a team points either, he has only been booked five times in his league career, suggesting his points will only ever rise. In terms of the fixtures, Arsenal travel to Palace this Sunday, looking to kick start their season and after Giroud’s poor display last week, I imagine Walcott will be giving the nod. The potential for a very tight affair, especially against a well organised Palace team, Walcotts pace could prove vital.

Andre Ayew £7M

After a well taken goal in his opening premiership game, many Swansea fans will be hoping for more of the same from the Ghana winger. A side who looked very strong against last seasons Champions, they were always a threat, with both flanks attacking the box and causing problems.

Not the usual solid Chelsea we have become accustomed to hate over recent years, Swansea’s wide men proved a key factor in the overall demise. They face the two Tyne-Wear clubs in the next few weeks, with the possibility for more goals if they manage to compete to the same standard. They do however, face United before the break, but in such an open game there is always the potential to nick a goal, with the luxury of not losing points if they are hammered.

Forwards

Arouna Kone £5M

Kone is a forgotten man in terms of football after a fantastic first season back in 2013. Here lies a hidden gem – At £5 million Kone is a bargain for any team, his pace and physical presence make him a perfect replacement for Lukaku, if he should get injured.

After saving Everton’s opening day embarrassments with an excellent finish, he is still likely to spend the opening weeks behind Lukaku, but a few more impact appearances could lead to a flurry of starts. Look at Kone as a potential investment, similar to Harry Kane last season, his value hopefully will skyrocket.

Everton’s next four matches see them host the leagues favorites Man City and Chelsea, as well as travel to Southampton and Spurs. Games which could see Everton leave with absolutely nothing. This does however play into Arouna Kone’s hand. The chances are, Everton may trail in most of these games, meaning Kone will be thrown on to make the difference, just as he did on the opening day. I have no doubt if Kone can produce the goods in these games, the starts will follow.

Odion Ighalo £5M

Not one many of you may have heard of and may be a surprise entry but Ighaldo comes to this league off the back of a tremendous season with Watford. Scoring 20 league goals last season, 13 of which came in his first 9 games of 2015. Ighalo is an unknown talent to the league this year, who could be the surprise package. Starting from the bench on the opening day, he did not let this deter him, scoring after a mazey run and calmly slotting home from outside the box, for £5M he could be a steal.

Watford face West Brom and Southampton at Vicarage Road in the next two games, which promise to be very open, with each side trying to secure maximum points. Unlike the Everton game, I assume Watford will revert back to last season’s formation of 3-5-2, meaning Ighalo should partner Deeney up top.

Teams to avoid

This section will talk about teams to avoided picking players from, based on upcoming fixtures before the next international break.

Newcastle

Newcastle face a very tricky start to the season, traveling to Swansea and United, as well as hosting Arsenal. I would advise against selecting Newcastle defenders during this period as well as strikers, as it doesn’t look promising in terms of goals for and against.

Crystal Palace

Like Newcastle, Palace face Arsenal, as well as Chelsea and Villa before the international break. Though the Villa game will be seen as winnable, it will definitely be an open one with both teams looking for the win. As for the Chelsea and Arsenal fixtures, though Palace in the last two season have been very oragnised and hard to beat, one bad afternoon could be very damaging.

Arsenal for example, after losing their first game will look as this fixture as one to kick start their season. Have a great opportunity to do great things this year and if Arsenal score the early goal, I’d worry for the Palace defence. I’d avoid using any Palace defender or Striker during this stage, as its unlikely Palace will match their opening day feet of three goals.

I would however consider Yohan Cabaye, who I believe will always be a danger at set pieces and is always likely to create chances.

I am happy to discuss any of the tips made above and encourage all of you to make your suggestions in the comments below.