We haven’t forgotten about the sneaky extra game week. Here are the transfers you need to make
It would be all too easy to overlook the rare Fantasy Football midweek round. But we’ve got your back and here are three players you should ship in, and three you should ship out, before Tuesday’s deadline
Three players to sign:
1. Robin van Persie
Fixture: Manchester United v Stoke
Price: £12.4
Selected by: 2%
A combination of a high price and a poor season thus far has meant a man who was a Fantasy Football banker for years has fallen by the wayside. But after a gentle rocket up the arse from Louis van Gaal, RVP showed the sort of form against Hull that was very much an old-school performance by the Dutchman.
A goal, an assist and a bonus point added up to 10 points for the striker, and if he can keep it up, he will be seriously worth the big wedge again. Add in the fact that Diego Costa is suspended and you might just steal a march on the crowd if you swap the Brazilian for the Dutchman. It’s a gamble but hey, you have to speculate to accumulate in this game.
2. Mile Jedinak
Fixture: Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Price: £5.2m
Selected by: 6.8%
The big Aussie has scored in his last two outings, racking up 17 points and with Villa, Spurs and Stoke next on the slate, we can see him keeping up the pace. In all of last season he only managed one goal but with five to his name this season already, Jedinak is a real bargain at £5.2m, especially when you consider how pricey some other goal scoring midfielders are. Yaya Toure, with four less points so far this season, is over twice the price.
3. Enner Valencia
Fixture: West Brom v West Ham
Price: £6.8m
Selected by: 1.1%
With West Ham flying high, and top man Diafra Sakho injured for this one, Valencia could make his return to action at the Hawthorns. The Ecuadorian has settled in far better than we expected and he is the perfect combo of decent return and low ownership, just what you want if you need to catch up on some pesky fellas stuffed with big hitters.
Even if Valencia only has a cameo role against the Baggies, his next few fixtures (Swansea, Sunderland, Leicester) should see him back in the goals/assists business, and we’re confident you’ll be the only one in your league to have him.
Three players to sell:
1. Daryl Janmaat
Fixture: Burnley v Newcastle
Price: £5.2m
Selected by: 8.7%
Janmaat has been a very useful budget defender for a while but now is the perfect time to sell him on. Not only is he a doubt for the trip to Burnley due to injury, but he is also heading into a storm of tricky fixtures after Turf Moor, which won’t be easy either.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Sunderland, Manchester United and Everton are the next five for the Magpies, which is about as hard as they come. Add in that Tim Krul is also out for the next few weeks and clean sheets will be rare as Mike Ashley fans at St James’ Park. Goodbye Jan, thanks for everything.
2. Pablo Zabaleta
Fixture: Sunderland v Manchester City
Price: £6.4m
Selected by: 4.3%
This is a fixture that City have really struggled with in recent years, bizarrely losing it 1-0 for the last four seasons. However, even if you don’t believe in omens, City are shaky at the back this term and the weekend’s clean sheet against Southampton was just their fourth in the league.
Zabaleta was a Fantasy banker once upon a time but a mixture of City’s leaky defence and his position being taken by Bacary Sagna in some games means he should be avoided. Add in Vincent Kompany’s probable absence, and Mangala’s suspension, and City could be down to bare bones at the back. Don’t be surprised if Sunderland land another win at home.
3. Danny Welbeck
Fixture: Arsenal v Southampton
Price:£7.1m
Selected by: 13.1%
Yes he scored at the weekend but don’t be lured in, now is the time to sell. For one, with Olivier Giroud back, Welbeck is bound to get moved out to the wings so his chances may become more limited. Secondly, the games on the schedule, such as Southampton this midweek and Stoke away at the weekend, don’t look particularly fruitful for Arsenal strikers.
If you have the cash, now might be time to upgrade to Giroud, or, if you now have an injured Angel Di Maria on your team, cash in and get Alexis Sanchez to ensure you have Arsenal cover.
