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Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has not been in the best of form of late. Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
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Fantasyland: Get ready for a genuine Super Sunday

Gameweek 5 sees clashes between Liverpool and Man United, and Man City versus Arsenal taking place.

AFTER LAST SUNDAY consisted solely of Tottenham’s game with Reading, some fans may have questioned the legitimacy of Sky’s use of the term ‘Super Sunday’.

However this week, the phrase undoubtedly applies, with four games taking place, including: Man City v Arsenal and Liverpool v Man United.

But of course, the prospect of big clubs meeting does not necessarily spell good news for Fantasy Football players.

It is at times difficult to predict the outcomes of these high-profile fixtures, with previously reliable FF picks sometimes having a tendency to go missing on the big occasion.

Consequently, just like in the Premier League itself, it is these weekends that separate the men from the boys in Fantasy Football terms too.

Two players to pick this week

Demba Ba (Newcastle): The striker has proved he is no mere one-season wonder, starting off this season as he finished the last one, and at £7.7m, he represents great value. He also recently scored Newcastle’s 1000th goal of the Premier League era, and was on the scoresheet twice in total in their game against Everton. Moreover, Newcastle are playing Norwich at home. They thus seem odds-on to secure victory, given that Chris Hughton’s men have started the season poorly, and expect Ba in particular to thrive.

Ashley Cole (Chelsea): The defender has been consistently one of the highest points scorers in Fantasy Football over the years, and this season is no exception. And while Chelsea face tricky opposition in the form of Stoke this weekend, they have started the season excellently and have the added benefit of being at home, so a clean sheet seems a definite possibility.

Two players to avoid

Pepe Reina (Liverpool): For quite a while now, the goalkeeper has been a solid Fantasy Football pick, owing to his invariably assured displays in a Liverpool shirt. However, he has been anything but solid of late, featuring in a side that has often looked short on confidence and unsure of itself in general.

Juan Mata (Chelsea): No, I’m not crazy. Though Mata is a fine player and has started the season reasonably well, his teammate Eden Hazard has overshadowed his displays with some stunning performances thus far. Moreover, during the week, Oscar’s debut was so impressive that he may well be preferred to Mata again against Stoke this weekend.

Predictions

Swansea 1-2 Everton

Chelsea 2-0 Stoke City

Southampton 1-1 Aston Villa

West Brom 2-0 Reading

West Ham 1-1 Sunderland

Wigan 2-2 Fulham

Sunday

Liverpool 1-2 Man United

Newcastle 3-0 Norwich

Man City 1-1 Arsenal

Tottenham 2-1 QPR

How my team got on last week:

I picked up a solid 48 points, not helped by the fact that Tim Krul was injured, and my sub goalkeeper is Stephen Henderson.

Who’s leading TheScore.ie Primera Division?

Gavin Gingles’ ‘Meath Lovers Pizza’ have taken a narrow lead at the top, following a disastrous week for previous leaders, ‘Release The Krakens’.

Read: Laudrup wants Swansea fortress>

Read: The Magnificent Seven: teams who ended long waits for trophies>

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