WE’RE APPROACHING THE stage of the season that literally (in the Jamie Redknapp sense) separates the men from the boys.
The likes of United, City and Chelsea are starting to open up a gap at the top of the table, as Liverpool fans realise that another false dawn is upon them.
And similarly, in Fantasy Football, it is the time where the type of people who compulsively get up at 5am in the morning to make sure they remembered to install Nani as their captain tend to break away from those who are merely playing ‘for the laugh’.
So with that in mind, let the FF nerdiness continue…
Two players to pick this week
Robin Van Persie (Arsenal): Arsenal have slowly but surely been recovering some of the confidence lost following the sales of Fabregas et al, and huge credit must go to the Dutchman for playing such an influential role in the turnaround. Arsene Wenger will be hoping the striker continues to keep playing the way he is and avoid being distracted by talk linking him with a move elsewhere.
Kevin Davies (Bolton): Admittedly, Davies is not the most accomplished footballer, technically speaking anyway. And he is probably not someone to consider appointing as your captain anytime soon. Nonetheless, sometimes it is necessary to have players of his ilk in your side – solid performers, who play more or less every game and who, despite rarely setting a match alight, constitute cheap and worthwhile investments.
Two players to avoid this week
Gary Cahill (Bolton): Bolton currently hold the worst defensive record at the moment, so despite Cahill being linked with a move to Inter Milan during the week, don’t believe the hype. Even though they’re playing at home against a struggling Sunderland side, a clean sheet is by no means a given, in light of how leaky they have looked so far this season.
James McCarthy (Wigan): There’s been talk about the Scottish-born midfielder being the future of Irish football, however he still has some way to go before he attains that status, if his performances this season are anything to go by. Wigan players, in general, should be avoided at the moment, as their patent lack of confidence continues to hamper their bid for Premier League survival.
Predictions for the week:
Wolves 2-1 SwanseaAston Villa 2-0 West Brom
Bolton 2-2 Sunderland
Newcastle 2-1 Wigan
Liverpool 3-1 Norwich
Arsenal 3-1 Stoke
Fulham 1-1 Everton
Man United 3-1 Man City
Blackburn 2-2 Tottenham
QPR 1-3 Chelsea
How my team got on last gameweek: 36 points – not great by any means. I unwisely kept Rooney as my captain, and to make matters worse, I benched Warnock, who went on to score six points. D’oh!
Who’s leading TheScore.ie’s league*? Pa Morrisey’s Bullcelona have once again taken the lead.
*Entries to TheScore.ie’s Fantasy League are now closed.
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