Fantasy Football Tips: Naismith must-pick, Wijnaldum in good form

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  • With the January transfer window in full swing and some big matches this weekend, Sport360 is here to help you pick your best team to pick up much-needed points.

    Norwich v Liverpool

    Following last weekend’s late defeat to rivals Manchester United, you would expect a reaction from Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side as they seek a first win in four games. Adam Lallana is likely to miss the clash at Carrow Road through injury so ditch the former Southampton man from your line-up while Steven Naismith, Alex Neil’s new signing, is a snip at £5m to select.

    The Scot is set to be a key man in the Canaries’ survival bid and relishes the big occasion. Former Everton man Naismith netted a hat-trick against Chelsea earlier this season and is a menacing threat to the opposition. Expect this fixture to be tight and with Liverpool having scored only one goal in their last four away matches, why not gamble with the inclusion of Christian Benteke to break the Reds barren run.

    Watford v Newcastle

    If you haven’t already included Georginio Wijnaldum in your ranks, then you should do so quickly. The Dutchman is enjoying a fine first season in the Premier League and has attacked the opposition’s goal more times than any other player, bar Dele Alli, in the last four rounds of matches. He is in the mood to steer Newcastle away from the relegation zone while Aleksandar Mitrovic could also be a wildcard pick. Watford have lost their last four matches so Steve McClaren’s men will be going to Vicarage Road to score goals and pick up a priceless three points.

    Jonjo Shelvey’s man of the match debut performance last weekend put him in the limelight again and expect a strong finish to the season from the 23-year-old, who will be the Toon’s chief orchestrator in the middle of the park.

    Manchester United v Southampton

    Two wins in two for Ronald Koeman’s side has lifted what was an air of doom and gloom around St. Mary’s and the Saints go to Old Traffic with renewed confidence. And given the fact the South Coast side won at the Threatre of Dreams for the first time in 27 years last season, it will bring back good memories for them.

    Although goals have been in short supply for United at home (Louis van Gaal’s side have scored just once in four matches), defensively they have been solid – keeping 11 clean sheets this season – more than any other top flight club. It is worth selecting one of Chris Smalling, Daley Blind or potentially Cameron Borthwick-Jackson for this game, as the youngster is likely to come in for the injured Ashley Young.

    The battle between the hosts’ defence and Southampton’s attack will be interesting as new signing Charlie Austin is set to make his bow. Consider the former Queen’s Park Rangers man a snip at £7m and he will be determined to carry on where he left off in his second coming as a Premier League player. Under-rated, at times, England under-21s captain James Ward-Prowse has been performing well for Saints in midfield and at £5.5m is definitely an option if you have a midfield gap to fill.

    Who to drop

    Crystal Palace are not in the best form – Alan Pardew’s men have failed to score in their last five matches and Champions League-chasing Tottenham visit Selhurst Park in great form. Discard any Palace midfielders you may have and defenders as Spurs are favourites to get the three points.

    After an impressive FA Cup victory over Leicester, try and utilise one of Ali, Harry Kane or Christian Eriksen in your team. These stars come at a high price but goals and assists are certainly guaranteed.

    West Ham v Manchester City

    This is without doubt one of the most interesting clashes of the weekend. Manuel Pellegrini’s men are in good form as are the hosts, who lost their first match in nine against Newcastle last week. Make sure Sergio Aguero is in your team – he has netted four goals and created two assists in his last seven appearances against the Hammers.

    While City clearly rely on their leading lights to weigh in with the lion’s share of goals, West Ham have had 14 different goalscorers this term – but maybe it’s worth picking Nikica Jelavic as a makeshift option. The Croatian is being used as a bit of a battering ram for West Ham, making room for the club’s creative players, and he scored his first goal in almost a year last time out.

    Midlands Derby

    West Brom and Aston Villa clash in the midlands derby and Remi Garde will be hoping his men can build on their last two performances. Joleon Lescott and Jores Okore have been paired at centre-back for the Villains and the latter, in particular, has shown some encouraging displays, and is a viable option to add to your defence.

    The Baggies were drubbed 3-0 last weekend so expect Tony Pulis to have his team well organised for this contest. It is worth adding one of his defender to your ranks, given Villa’s poor attacking threat this term.

    Elsewhere, pick Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt. Sam Allardyce’s side are desperate for three points at home to Bournemouth and they will be relying on the star defender to score again – and if he does – it will be his fourth in succession. He is owned by just one per cent of Fantasy football managers – so help to change that statistic.

    Sunday’s football

    In Sunday’s clash, Everton, who have drawn their last three matches, will be hoping to seal a win instead of letting it slip at the death. The Toffees will be buoyed by the return to form of Leighton Baines, who grabbed a pair of assists last weekend, and at £6.2m, it’s worth including the Toffees star to tighten your defence. Baines has been a must-pick in recent seasons and after recovering from injury needs a big end to the campaign as he looks to reclaim his England berth for Euro 2016.

    The goals have dried up for Leicester recently – just one in their four Premier League matches and hosting Stoke is not an easy match for Claudio Ranieri’s men. This could be the fixture though where their barren run changes. Jamie Vardy is due a goal so it’s worth putting the Foxes hitman back in your line-up.

    Arsenal v Chelsea

    With Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil fit, Arsene Wenger is set to employ both stars as the Gunners look to win for the first time in three matches. You would certainly expect Arsenal to win this one based on current form but Chelsea have not lost in eight meetings against their London rivals and have not lost in their past six Premier League games. Diego Costa is set to be fit for this one and is worth including as he starts to get back to the level he enjoyed last season.

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