Gameweek 32

Picking the clubs who are likely to get a clean sheet has proven the bedrock of many winning teams over the past season. Your defence should be your first port of call when picking your team. Man Utd & Chelsea are the meanest defences, each having conceded just 9 goals at home all season. This week-end they welcome Fulham and Wigan respectively. Fulham have the Zamora back and he looks in fine form. He’ll be a threat, but you still would have to favour Utd to shut them out. Wigan are the lowest scoring team away from home this season, 11 goals so far. Surely they are odds on to be shut out again this week-end. Pack your defences with keeper/defenders from Utd & Chelsea as a good base to build your squad.

Ok… All going well we now have 2 clean sheets & 36 points in the bag. Possibly a little more if Luiz, Terry, Cole, Vidic or Evra make an assist or get on the end of a corner. That’s a good start.

I have no strong opinions on who should make the final defensive position and will leave to you and move onto those most likely to find the net or help along the way.

Next I look at the fixtures I think most likely to deliver goals or more importantly fantasy football points. To my mind, Blackpool games are always worth a look as their style of play always throw up a few goals. This week-end is no different. They welcome the Gunners who will be hurting from last week-end’s draw with Blackburn. Blackpool’s all out attack style of play will surely leave them exposed. Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott and Van Persie are all likely to figure. I suggest Walcott & Fabregas as the strongest options this week-end.

Sunderland v West Brom is another that should throw up a few goals - mainly because of West Broms defensive frailties away from home. Only problem is that Sunderland ain’t exactly prolific in front of goals. Gyan played well for Ghana recently is a possible, but I might steer clear of this one.

Tottenham v Stoke. There’s an interesting match. The Tottenham midfield will surely stick a brace past Stoke. Stoke have lost their last 6 away games. Tottenham midfielders van der Vaart, Modric or Bale to score? I think the Dutchman is the best option, but the Welsh wizard can support him in the role.

Blackburn v Birmingham & Villa v Newcastle are likely to be low scoring, so best avoided. Bolton v West Ham is a little more interesting. The Hammers have been doing well of late until Rooney spoiled the party last week-end. Nonetheless, they move well and I think Demba Ba is the real deal. I would consider him to lead the line.

Finally you need to throw in a few players for Monday night’s game. City’s performance last week-end was awesome. They travel to a Liverpool side who have been very strong at home of late. Gerrard is out, but Suarez is fully fit and will surely test the City defence. A hard game to figure, but for the sheer entertainment value it’s worth picking either Suarez, supported by Kuyt or Meireles, or Tevez, supported by Silva or Toure. All you’ll need to do then is to sit back and hope the game turns into a goal feast!

N.B. Choose your substitutes carefully. Week 31 leaderboard might have looked quite different if bridiefurbo had a sub for Dzeko or punter had a sub Cahill. Remember all teams must play in a 4-4-2 formation, so make sure you have cover in important positions. A good policy is to have 1 defender, 1 midfielder and 1 striker available to spring from the bench.

April 8, 2011 at 11:06 am | Premiership News