Each week, Sport360 will bring you tips for the English Premier League’s official fantasy football game.
For most players, it is a crunch period as the festive season draws closer and injuries set in while big decisions need to be made over transfers, wild cards and paying very close attention to selection and form.
This week’s fixture list is not necessarily one to get the blood pumping, but there are still some big talking points and decisions to be made – and Sport360 is here to help.
– MOURINHO: Special One sacked as Blues boss
– GALLERY: The men in line to replace Mourinho
– MESSI: Barca now better than Guardiola’s side
– SHARE, RATE, WIN: Sport360 ValoraFutbol
Many of you have probably by now ditched most of your Chelsea players from your fantasy team after their dreadful start to the season.
But could this be the week to recall some of the reigning title-holders to the first-team mix?
Following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal as Chelsea boss, expect the Blues, despite being managerless, to bounce back with a performance against hapless Sunderland at home.
Who should I get?
Both Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have enjoyed dismal seasons so far, with the latter speaking out in support of exiled Mourinho on Thursday. However, two of the stars of Chelsea’s title-winning campaign have points to prove and if they are on-song, both could well be amongst the goals and create assists against Sam Allardyce’s men.
It may also be worth recalling Pedro, who was impressive when returning to the pitch during the defeat at Leicester, and still has that bit of magic in his locker to out-think the opposition defence. But priced at £8.9m, he is not exactly a bargain or like-for-like replacement for most players.
Loic Remy, who has been a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge so far, grabbed a consolation header on Monday night and is a streaky striker when it comes to goals, so is worth considering for a recall. Plus, he’s linked with a move away in January and the Frenchman will want to place himself in the shop window.
Must-pick, game of the weekend – Everton v Leicester
Romelu Lukaku seems like he’s set on chasing down Jamie Vardy’s record-breaking goal-scoring run. The Belgian has netted seven in his last six appearances and the 22-year-old comes up against Vardy on Saturday afternoon, as Claudio Ranieri’s men travel to Goodison Park. At the start of the season no-one would have marked this fixture in their diaries, but on an otherwise unspectacular weekend fixture-wise, this has goals written all over it.
Options
The Toffees have been squandering leads of late so it would be a good idea to replace any Blues defenders with sturdy Stoke or West Brom stars for this weekend, given their matches, both at home, to Crystal Palace and Bournemouth respectively, look like they could be tight affairs.
Watching my Fantasy League Captain Lukaku miss all these chances like… pic.twitter.com/p9xcvTaPY8
— Declan (@DeCLaN_W00d) December 12, 2015
But from an attacking perspective, Lukaku is a must-pick and should be considered to captain your team. Vardy, Riyad Mahrez (it goes without saying that no-one needs any advice to pick the Algerian) and Gerard Deulofeu for the Toffees are likely to be among the goals. Defenders look away now.
Manchester United v Norwich
Are we set for another goalless draw? Maybe, but much like Chelsea, you’d expect a reaction from the Red Devils after the Bournemouth disaster. Skipper Wayne Rooney, hasn’t exactly been in a rich vein of form points-wise this term, but is back from injury and can always come up with a goal when it matters. Fit-again Chris Smalling is a must pick to if you’re banking on Louis van Gaal’s men to keep a clean sheet.
Other fixtures: Who to buy and Who to ditch
Ronald Koeman’s Southampton side are struggling for form at the moment and the return of Mauricio Pochettino to St. Mary’s is a tough test – ditch any South Coast defenders you may have and replace them with Spurs or Liverpool stars as both teams have been good on the road.
With Aston Villa’s woes continuing and Newcastle fresh from beating Tottenham, Remi Garde will have his work cut out to stop the Toon. Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic will both be in the mood and could be transferred in to save cash as less glamourous options.
