The Matchday Insight : Week 22

Torres reflects on his luck...

We all seem to be left with the bitter aftertaste of yet another miserable unexpected week for most. These seem to be coming on a more regular basis than the usual odd one or two during the course of a full season. I seem to be somehow escaping these weeks with another decent output of 84 but that was more to do with my unavailability to change my team before deadline rather than my picks of choosing.


On to this week there is a sense of comfort that can be felt with 4 of the top 5 teams playing each other making the possibilities of the big name players being added in teams go down. This can be good. Choices will feel simpler and managers will have more confidence going in this week due to the fact that big investments will be avoided and spreading the points is the direction to go with. The best matchups are as follows:



Chelsea @ Nowich with the sole team left in the top 5 not playing any other team in the top 5, Everton vs Blacknburn, Liverpool @ Bolton and Sunderland vs Swansea.
Forwards: Torres(Its hard to justify Torres in terms of fantasy production this season....actually its not possible to justify his inclusion in ur lineup fantasy wise BUT he is bound to score, isn't he?? He did come the closet that he has ever in the last few months if thats any satifaction), Sturridge(Will be back in the starting line-up and is unlike Torres very dependable for his mid tier value), Donovan(Was avaiable at 5.** before barndoor closed and is decent for a return of 7-10 points with chances of improvement in return. Worthy of full price too), Bendtner(He looked lively in the last match and is coming up against the ugly side of the swans...ie the travelling one). Bellamy(The only considerable Liverpool forward).
Midfielders: Lampard(The man got a goal from Torres's brilliant efforts just because he was in the right place at the right time...What I'm trying to say is that he knows the right time and the right place like no other midfielder in this game as he has already tallied 9 goals this season. If you barn doored him at 16.** then hes worth a spot, just keep a look out for the early kickoff starting lineups too make sure he starts.) Gerrard(He's potentially up for a typical Gerrard performance because his team is depending on it and I feel it'll happen this week), Larrson/Sessgnon/Mclean(All are priced at mid tier and I feel atleast one of those names on your team sheet is required for the midfield to feel complete, who depends on the funds you have available.)
Defenders: Cahill(This depends on the early kick-off to see if he debuts. He has shown that he is a fantasy producing defender in the past and he also demands a price but now that he is in a top team too, he will be worth that much more. With Cahill/Essien coming into Chelsea's mix the team is bound to defensively receive a major upgrade and Cahill will sure be leading the fantasy charge), Romeu(He's a great asset but with Essien returning it is hard to predict if he would last 75 mins for a potential clean sheet or not. This Essien axe hangs potentially on all the Chelsea midfielders including Lampard and Ramires. At a discount take the risk after confirming the starting lineup). Baines(Hes a very good pick coming into this week with his price dropping to around 16.87 and him having a great match with most of you with money to spare. Go for him). 
Keepers: Cech(With the new additions to Chelsea's defence the keeper should see an increase in the clean sheet numbers, If barndoored at 9.83 should be held on to), Howard(Good match if you can afford him)


Rest Of The Lot:
Forwards:
Fletcher: He keeps on scoring no matter what opposition. This time around the opposition is even more favourable.
Aguero: He's great at a discount or for that matter not on a discount. Made a great run last game to score before dzeko took a lame shot coming into his path a took a decent total away.
Macheda: A good enabler but no guaranteed start.
Crouch: He can score zero one week and in 20s' the next so can be taken a chance on.


Midfielders:
Dempsey: Went missing last week instead of a potential blow out match. Will do well this week back at home ground.
SWP: He has the tendency to keep taking shots and not a bad option to get your moneys worth.
Etherington: Is mid priced and will be a straight fight between him and larsson...although larsson should win. Great if you have them both.
Sigurdsson: The player gave 10 points with not even a shot on target. That is what defines "The phantom points machine" and he could be one of the better ones.
Silva: Should be held on to if on a discount
Bale: Only worth keeping if in team at a price below 19.


Defenders:
Savic: A decent option till kompany returns.
Santon: He's making the Newcastle's LB spot his own now and is a very good play. He's attack minded and eventually that would reflect in his points. 
Woodgate: Starting to spend more time on the field and crossed the 75 min mark to get the cs points. Good play this week
Verm/Brown: Both should be expected back this week if not then surely the next. If you take the previous zeros then u should probably hold on now. All bets off if they look iffy even after this although there is a longer break and should definitely recover.


Keepers: 
Krul: Holding Krul on a discount is the best situation as there are no stand out keepers this week at a decent price.


Good Luck All.