Gameweek 13 – Goals

Earlier in the week I went to a charity do where Garth Crooks was chairing a discussion between; Gabrielle Marcotti, Mick Dennis and Big Sam.  It covered all the big issues in football; racism, agents, footballers as role models but there was one debate conspicuous by its absence.  Fantasy Football.  The elephant in room that the panel didn’t dare touch on.

As I wrote in my gameweek 12 fantasy football review – it is all about the strikers at the minute.  RvP, Aguero, Adebayor.  Unlike previous seasons where galactico midfielders led the way, this year it is all about the boys up front.  So who are the top picks for Gameweek 13?

Shane Long
The Irish striker has a decent points / game ratio at 4.0 just 0.1 below Luis Suarez.  He has stepped up to the Premiership with 4 goals (and 5 bonus points) and has overcome a maiming from Alan Hutton. If he is fit is a good shout for Gameweek 13.  £5.7million  is probably the best price you’ll get for him.

Javier Hernandez
The little Mexican has 5 goals in only 7 starts for United this season and a whopping 9 bonus points. With Rooney seemingly playing in centre midfield (now more likely – with Anderson injured) Hernandez is now the main goal threat for United.  From a fantasy football perspective he gets bonus points every time he scores.  This is good.

Ivan Klasnic
The Bolton striker is in great form this season and has 6 goals in 7 starts for Bolton.  For a team that is struggling this is pretty impressive.  Klasnic is cheap too at £5.8 million and on penalties.  At home to Everton.  Get him in.

Got a fantasy footy question – give me a shout on twitter @mjmaxwell.

Gameweek 12 – The International Break

The international break is one long yawn. Not only is boring but it adds another layer of confusion to fantasy premier league.

Take Manchester City and their options up front; Aguero, Dzeko and Balotelli – not even mentioning Tevez. Before the international break it was complicated enough. Aguero starts pretty much all the time with Dzeko and Balotelli rotating. But now – who knows?

Aguero got injured-ish on international duty for Argentina, initially ruling him out of gameweek 12 but then in a twist of fate he came on as a sub in Argentina’s 2nd game to score the winner against Columbia.

Dzeko played 2 play off legs for Bosnia against Portugal in the 6-2 defeat. In the last international break this cost him his starting place in the Manchester City line up.

As for Super Mario he continued his good form to score the winner for Italy against Poland.

If I was a betting man I’d guess Balotelli would start up front for City with Aguero coming in off the bench.

Gameweek 12 is a toughie as there aren’t any stand out easy games. United and Arsenal are away. City are at home to the tight Newcastle and Chelsea and Liverpool are playing each other. So who is on the watch list?

Jonathan Walters
The man with the mo did the business for Ireland away at Estonia and is in fine form for Stoke. At home to QPR and then Blackburn I predict points for the man with 3 goals to his name already this season.

Victor Moses

In pre-season Big Vic was banging the goals. 5 in 5 games. Confident. But then the season started. With Hugo Rodallega off form, N’Zog at Aston Villa Vic has found it hard to step up in the Premiership and has a fat 0 for goals and assists this season. Despite this lack of end product, in every game I have seen him play he has looked decent. Against Wolves in Gameweek 11 he was the most dangerous Wigan player and against Blackburn this week I predict Moses to convert his good play into goals and bonus points.

Nicklas Bendtner
The big Dane with the big ego was in fine fettle for Denmark mid week. He banged in the winner against Finland and then went on a drunken rampage with Daniel Agger and reportedly kicked a fan called Jensen.

According to the Daily Mirror, Jensen told a Danish newspaper: “We were both feisty. But he kicked my shoulder and you could see a foot print on my shoulder.”

What magnificent agility and flexibility from Nicky B to reach Jensen’s shoulder. If that is not a sign for goals at home to Fulham I don’t know what is.