Fantasy Football Preview – Gameweek 17

We are back with our weekly Fantasy football preview column where we help you have an upper hand in the transfers you need to make to your team so that you come out smiling and have a weekend to remember. Here are this weeks picks and dumps.

THE PICKS

Jermaine Defoe

The Spurs hit man should be on your radar. Tottenham have two consecutive home games against Swansea and Stoke followed by an away fixture against Villa. With Bale not likely to be back soon, look for Villas Boas concentrate on playing it through the England international who has been in scintillating form this season.

Grant Holt

The big man finally found the back of the net in his last game and against Wigan, he face the leakiest defense playing this gameweek. A very good option if your finances are short.

Carlos Tevez

Look for the Argentine to get back to his merry ways after he was inexplicably dropped in the Manchester derby. Newcastle’s defensive efforts have really been lacking. Following gameweeks of matches against struggling Reading and Sunderland should give you the extra incentive for this pick.

Aaron Lennon

With Bale taking most of the limelight its hard to see Lennon’s fantasy football stats can easily overlooked. With two game that should be relatively comfortable schedule coming up, the prerogative to take Lennon should be high.

Robert Snodgrass

The Scottish winger lead the championship in assists last season and his display last week was just a taste of what he is all about. With Norwich flying high and at home maybe its time you caught the breeze.

Glen Johnson

The Liverpool defense has been reasonably sound except for individual errors which has plagued their season. Two consecutive home games against Villa and Fulham should provide you enough reason for you trust the right back from Merseyside. His ability to go on the offensive just provides the extra incentive you may need

Rafael

The new hair cut seemed to have done wonders and games against North East rivals Sunderland and Newcastle on the horizon along with a trip to Swansea coming forth, its time you went back to the Brazilian full back.

Gareth McAuley/ Goran Popov

Look for West Brom to bounce back as it has a West Ham side in front of them which will be without Carroll and Diame.

Mark Bunn

With John Ruddy’s return still not near the horizon, Bunn might give the extra option on the goalkeeping front if your main man between the post has an unfavourable match-up. Priced at only 4million, he may just end up giving you that extra cushion that you need to buy that expensive forward you were looking for.

DUMPS

Adam Le Fondre

Many had picked up the forward as he was on the cheap as well as having a double gameweek last time around. His double against the red devils might have given you the extra impetus to add him to your squad, however he flattered to deceive. With games against Arsenal and Manchester City in consecutive gameweeks it will be foolhardy to expect much from the Englishman.

Demba Ba

Ba has been in great form and second in goal scoring charts but this has nothing to do with his form. Fantasy football is a game of match ups and capitalizing when favourable matchups appear. With players like Suarez, Tevez and Defoe having much favourable point scoring weeks in front of them, may be its time you open you eyes to them.

Steven Fletcher

With the double gameweek behind him its a good time that even you may leave him behind as well. Games against the two halves of Manchester in the next two of their next three games it might as well be time to say Tata For Now!!

Hatem Ben Arfa

The hamstring injury should rule him out against city this weekend. A trip to Old Trafford forthcoming, its time to drop the Frenchman when you have other players having much more favourable matchups.

Steven Pienaar

The South African may have given you food for thought after scoring 10 in the previous gameweek but its not every week you score 2 in the last five minutes. With away trips to two stubborn defences in Stoke and West Ham awaiting, the Vuvuzelas may just be sounded on him.

The Everton defenders and the Baines analysis

Two tough away trips and a Everton defense that’s a fantasy catastrophe except for Leighton Baines. Baines always gives you that extra spurt from the defensive end but even he may be sacrificed to make room for that expensive player in the midfield or up front that you don’t have the finances for.

Sunderland defenders

Away trips to Manchester United and an in-form Southampton side. Followed by a home game against the defending champions. Need I say more?

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