Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal v Aston Villa are among the games profiled in part one of our weekly tips column.
After a long protracted gameweek last time out, fantasy football players will be glad to know this one stretches from just Saturday to Monday.
It was a difficult one to predict, but we hope you followed our tips to pick Thomas Vermaelen and Djibril Cisse.
Onto this week’s early Saturday kick-off, Chelsea v Tottenham- which both sides will be desperate to avoid losing.
At this point it is looking like Emmanuel Adebayor will miss the match with injury, and the early game won’t help his recovery time- so avoid him. It is difficult to predict Chelsea’s team selection up front especially, but Juan Mata looks to be about the only guaranteed starter in attack, and has scored for Chelsea in home games against both Arsenal and Manchester United.
John Terry is set to return, boosting Chelsea’s defence, so the big question is Cahill or Luiz, we think Cahill may get the nod, having scored two in two. With both teams struggling for form, it is difficult to find any other stand out players who can guarantee a return, so onto the next one.
If you are looking for guarantees, look no further than Robin van Persie, who will fancy his chances of adding to his impressive scoring record against Aston Villa. You should look no further than the Arsenal man for your choice of captain this week, it should be a banker.
Villa do have a good record at the Emirates, and pushed Arsenal hard in the FA Cup, but that was with Darren Bent. The big question here is, with Villa having a week’s rest, will their freshness show?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a good tip here, having started on the bench in midweek he is likely to be rotated in, while Andre Santos may return to the side.
Bolton v Blackburn is more difficult to predict, with Blackburn on a great run of form, while Bolton’s preparations have obviously been affected by Fabrice Muamba.
Ryo Miyaichi was man of the match and had an assist in his last game at the Reebok, and could do so again, while Junior Hoilett has three goals in two games and could be worth another gamble.
Onto Liverpool v Wigan, where in theory the Anfield club should be in for a big win. Except this is exactly the type of game they have struggled in this season and having lost four league games in the last five, they look shakier than ever.
Steven Gerrard is worth a look, after scoring three in his last home match, while Luis Suarez remains a tempting striking option, but if he doesn’t score in this one, he may be worth giving up on for this season. Jean Beausejour‘s crosses will pose the biggest threat to Liverpool, but there are better options around for the same priced player (5.0) and you’d be a brave man to put him in for this one.
Norwich will fancy their chances against Terry Connor’s Wolves side, who will be desperate to get something out of this game. Anthony Pilkington was unlucky not to score against Newcastle last week, and we are tipping him to have a big say in this one.
See part two for the rest of the weekend’s matches, including both Manchester clubs…
Our tips in summary: Mata, Van Persie, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Miyaichi, Hoilett, Gerrard, Suarez, Pilkington
image: © cactusbeetroot
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