Gaffer’s Banter

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Week 19 Picks

Don’t you just hate these weeks on YFF? Just when you thought you were putting together the backbone of a team that could take you through a large part of the season, you end up with one of these funny double-weekers with only two teams playing twice…

So what is it? Drop all of those guys you’ve stuck with over the past weeks and go for all United or Wigan players?

Utd v Chelsea is unlikely to be pleasing to the eye… A hard fought 1-1 draw is my prediction with a lot of dirty tackles and bookings – possibly a sending off?

Whilst the reports told us that Ronaldo walked away unhurt from his mid-week car crash, surely writing off his Ferrari and the subsequent public attention will affect his concentration ahead of the big game… He’s never really shined at these big encounters with Chelsea so who’s to say that he will this time? So, the big question is whether to go with Ronaldo and have an average team or to drop him and have a stronger overall 11?

Here’s my advice ahead of the weekend games:

Up-Front

With United playing the double-gamer this week, we have to start by looking at their strikers. Tevez is the cheap option but he’s been in poor form this season and is unlikely to get the nod for this big game. Fergie has favoured the pairing of Rooney and Berba this season so take your pick from these boys. Rooney’s the more expensive option and is generally a more consistent YFF point scorer. Berbatov, a slightly cheaper option, scored against Boro and will be looking to continue in that vain.

Elsewhere, Villa entertain bottom of the table WBA so expect plenty of goals here. A Young and G Agbonlahor have been in fine form this season but neither of them come cheap.

Torres has returned from injury and will be pushing to get the nod as Liverpool travel to Stoke. Keane will also be ‘keen’ to make up for a couple of average performances against Newcastle and PNE.

Whilst Wigan have a couple of tough games against Spurs and Utd, their recent home form is second to none so both Heskey or Zaki could be good options at home against Spurs.

Some might also be willing to gamble on Defoe scoring on his debut return for Spurs…

My Top 3 striker picks this week:

Rooney, Torres, Agbonlahor

This week’s bargain:

Emile Heskey (Wigan)

Midfield

I’m expecting most teams to feature Ronlado this week despite his inconsistency over the past few weeks. For those who have the balls to pick a team without him, I expect to see a much stronger overall squad. The other strong double-weeker midfielders include, Wigan’s Valencia, Carrick and Park.

Gerrard has been in flying form of late and I expect no changes there as he continues to prove himself on the field. Both Riera and Benayoun have also been in good form and could be good cheaper options to bolster your team.

Ashley Young could be one of the picks of the week in my opinion. I expect Villa to destroy West Brom despite their sketchy home form. Tim Cahill could also be a good pick. Home against an out of sorts Hull, I expect Cahill to continue his good form and for Everton to collect all 3 points comfortably.

With Fabregas out, a number of Arsenal’s midfielders will be looking to step up and prove themselves. I expect both Nasri and Denilson to return good points this week.

My Top 4 midfield picks this week:

Gerrard, Ronaldo, Arteta, A Young

This week’s bargain:

L Cattermole (Wigan)

Defense

Those who might be looking to minimise risk with fewer double-weeker midfield and striker picks might consider opting for four at the back. There are some decent defensive double-gamer picks in my opinion this week with Evra returning from suspension. I also expect Ryan Taylor to score well against Spurs and me might deliver some dangerous set-pieces against United to score well. Figueroa is a decent cheaper option at the back and Gary Neville could also be worth a punt at just over 6 units. Like Taylor, Vidic is an expensive defensive pick but with an average of just under 10 points per game, he should be solid for the double-game week.

Elsewhere, Clichy and Bosingwa remain two of the most consistent YFF point scorers around so I don’t expect anyone to be dropping them if bought on the cheap. Sol Campbell could do well against a struggling City who play without their two midfield playmakers, Ireland and Wright Philips.

Villa also boast some nice defensive picks this week: Zat Knight, Davies and Luke Young are all pretty affordable and should pick up the CS bonus.

For those of you willing to risk Benitez’s defensive rotation, the return of Aurelio and Skrtel as well as the fine form of Agger, Hyppia and Carra should offer some nice options at the back. Note, Insua is away playing for Argentina in the U20 South American Cup so Aurelio is likely to get the nod at left back.

My Top 4 defensive picks this week:

Vidic, Evra, Ryan Taylor, Paul Scharner

This week’s bargain:

Gary Neville (Man Utd)

Goalkeepers:

Van der Sar is unquestionably the hottest pick this week. Utd will likely come away with at least one clean sheet this week and I expect VDS to be well tested in both games so watch him rack up the points.

Kirkland is a pick for those risk takers amongst us. As I said, I expect Wigan to beat Spurs and they’ll test United away at Old Trafford.

For those of you who picked up Robinson at 1 unit and want to stick with the cheap keeper option, I expect him to face a tough test at Craven Cottage. Nonetheless, I expect Allardyce to have focused a lot of efforts on strengthening Blackburn defensively so he may do well.

Tim Howard, Alumnia and Reina could all keep clean sheets.

My Top goalkeer pick this week:

Edwin Van der Sar

This week’s bargain:

Chris Kirkland

Good luck!