Kellz (Week 13) Player Picks

Goalkeepers:

Mignolet - Knowing that Liverpool's defense has not been very solid at the back lately (only one CS in the league since game week 3) Simon Mignolet still comes in as one of the top keeper choices for week 13. Even while conceding 3 goals away to Everton, he still managed 9 saves. Bottom line, Mignolet may be expensive, 13mil, but he is facing a Hull City side that have only scored 9 goals so far this season. The match up looks good for Liverpool to get back to winning ways and keep the clean sheet.

Pantilimon - Manchester City's home form is undoubtably the best in the league, generally scoring for fun. But their defense is also much more soid at home as well. With Joe Hart taking over the #1 spot in goal for the Champions League dead rubber match (as well as conceding 2 goals), we may yet continue to see Pantilimon continue to start in the league. At 10mil, he is a cheaper option than Mignolet with a solid home match up. For those who kept him on the barn door then keeping him is probably a no brainer.

Tim Howard - Everton at home to an inconsistent scoring Stoke City and playing as a huge differential pick - what more could you want from the big American? At the same price as Pantilimon, Howard offers a bit more security knowing he is Everton's sole #1 and has amassed a fair number of save points this season. Throw in the fact Stoke are always likely to throw up a big fat 0 in the goals department any given match week, Howard looks primed to make some saves and keep the clean sheet.

Brad Guzan - Sunderland have yet to really find their feet since Gus Poyet has taken over, meandering through some up and down matches. Villa are coming off the back of a fantastic come from behind draw away to bitter rivals West Brom and will be looking to get back to winning ways against a por travelling Sunderland side. At 6mil, Guzan represents my bargain pick of the week with a good match up, an ability to make saves, and most importantly playing at home. If you don't have the cash for the big boys and fancy a gamble, look no further than Villa's #1!

Jussi Jaaskelainen - I have long written about West Ham's horribly negative 4-6-0 formation and how it really hasn't worked well for the most part. However, West Ham are facing an in trouble Fulham side who rarely have a go at the other team away from home. That is why I am putting Jussi in for my final keeper recommendation. Against teams such as Fulham that really don't have the cutting edge to get around a tightly packed defense, the 4-6-0 formation should in fact do quite well. Although the game may very well end 0-0, Jussi should get a few saves and keep the clean sheet. At only 7mil, Jussi offers a decent value albiet my most risky pick. Honestly I don't think I have the balls to pull the trigger on this one, but maybe you do!

Defenders:

Flanagan - The young Liverpool defender has played in only two matches this season (Arsenal and Everton both away), but has been praised by Brednon Rodgers in recent weeks for his attitude and commitment in training. With Enrique out and questions over Aly Cissohko's starting status, Flanagan may represent a relative steal in Liverpool's defense at him barn door price. Even at his current price of 8mil, Flanagan offers the cheapest alternative to the much more expensive Liverpool defenders. With a decent shout of a clean sheet this week, Flanagan should remain in your side at least until team news comes out.

Glen Johnson - Okay this is the third Liverpool player from the defense that I am recommending, I know, I know, I just feel they have a solid opportunity to keep the clean sheet against Hull City (who couldn't even score against 10 man Crystal Palace - at home no less). At a much more expensive price, 15mil, Johnson represents the best attacking defender in the Liverpool ranks. His ability on the ball is quite good for a right back and his marauding forward runs are always likely to produce attacking returns. If you have the money, then this Red should be occupying a slot in your starting 11.

Zabaleta - Returning to the player picks for what looks like another clean sheet and win for the Sky Blue's at the Etihad. At 15mil, Zabaleta is expensive but also a consistent attacking and defensive threat. Given City's dominance in home matches so far this season, Zabaleta could well be worth the money.

Demichelis - Slowly creeping up the expensive ladder but showing good signs of phantom production, Demichelis offers a cheaper way into City's back line at the affordable price of 10mil. As stated above, City have been dominant at the Etihad this season and there is no reason to think they cannot continue that at home to an up and down Swansea City side. The only thing that makes this pick more obvious is if you have him at his introductory 6mil price.

Ivanovic - Another expensive defender, but with the boost in funds this season in YFF we find ourselves more able to buy the "big guns"each week. Not saying I truly like this ability, but hey not gonna argue (yet). Southampton have been excellent this season, punching well above their weight and pushing towards a possible European berth. However, I expect travelling to the Bridge for a result just might be a bit too much to ask. I expect the game to end much like the Arsenal match did, home win and clean sheet. But regardless, Ivanovic has proven to be an attacking and defensive point machine and well worth a look if you have a defensive slot free.

Debuchy - Those who kept the Frenchman over his period of suspension will be delighted that he will return this match week against West Brom. Even at his current price, just under 10mil, Debuchy offers what we all want from defenders, points without a clean sheet. Newcastle will be flying high after a great run of results that have lifted them within striking distance of the top 4. Throw in the fact West Brom are coming off the back of losing a 2 goal lead against Villa, and signs look good for Newcastle to take this one.

Zverotic - It's horrible I know, but yes I am recommending a Fulham defender this week. With Reither still serving one more match of suspension, Zverotic will continue to start in his absence. Normally I'd avoid Fulham, especially on the road, but West Ham's truly dire 4-6-0 formation makes for a much greater chance of a clean sheet for both sides. As I stated above, I rate this match as a 0-0 draw and for 6mil, the Fulham right back could be worth a look if you are out of ideas.

J. Ward - Many managers had noticed Ward's ability to grab phantom points early on in the season and his price of 12mil reflects that point tally. I thought I'd never recommend a Crystal Palace player, let alone a defender, but this week is a bit different. Norwich City are dreadful at the moment (all season?) and Crystal Palace are coming off the back of a hard fought away win against Hull City, down to 10 men no less. For this week and this week only Ward offers solid potential. Good on those who picked him up at a much lower price early in the season.

Martin Olsson - Not a popular pick, especially given he plays for Norwich City, but in the fair spirit of this wonderful fantasy blog it is our duty to inform the masses when a player is playing above their position. Given injuries to key wingers for Norwich (Snodgrass and Pilkington), Olsson was been pushed up to the left side of midfield. Given his current price of 9mil and playing at home to Crystal Palace who won't score often if at all, could be the differential pick you need to boost your self up the rankings. Certainly one to watch.

P. Jones - Returned from injury midweek and started in midfield. Not the greatest match up, but another player likely to play out of position. I'd be more confident if United were playing at home, but Spur's will be shaken by the 6-0 throttling handed to them at City. Priced at 9mil, could be a decent differential pick if you fancy United to do the business away from home.

Midfielders:

Ozil/Ramsey - You have at least one of these guys but both are staying put. Ozil hasn't been as good away from home, but I feel Arsenal wil prevail where United could not, bench at your own risk.

Cabaye - Another decent fixture for the Newcastle man. he was taken off in the second half against Norwich but that was more of a pre-cautionary action. Still one of the premium priced players at 17mil, but offers a wicked delivery from free kicks and generally runs the tempo of the match from midfield. If you have him even at slight discount, given Newcastle's run of form, it will be hard to ignore the Frenchman this week.

Coutinho - Returned to the starting line up after a long spell out injured against Everton and the young Brazilian did not disappoint. Grabbing a goal and generally making himself a menace for defenders to track, Coutinho showed why we have missed him so much in recent weeks. The price is getting high, but even at 14mil, would you bet against him from pull the strings against Hull City? He is my top midfield choice this week and will likely grace many teams. You run the risk of falling behind if he is not selected this week!

Nasri/Navas - You can't really know just when each respective player will contribute, but last week it was Navas who set the fantasy world aflame with a well taken brace against Spurs. It is really up to you which player you'd fansy more, but price may dictate your selection. Nasri is less expensive at 9mil, while Navas shot up via his brace to a lofty 13mil. In the absence of Silva, one or the other might be useful this week.

Redmond - Another Norwich City pick? Yes, given the injuries to the midfield, Redmond should be nailed on to start and has already produced some limited but fine displays this season. A bit pricey at 9mil for me, but he offers the only real spark for Norwich City and will take the occasional free kick. On outside bet yes, but also at home to Crystal Palace, so it's food for thought.

Oscar - The most productive of the Chelsea midfielders and continually a threat on goal leads me to recommend Oscar yet again. He's getting up to the heights of a premium pick and his price of 15mil reflects that, but if any one has the trickery to unlock a usually solid Southampton defense, it will be the little Brazilian. I prefer him with his consistency over say, Lampard on the barn door.

Nolan - Playing the furthest forward of the midfield, albiet with limited success, Nolan offers the best chance of a goal (highly unlikely as it is) against Fulham. I wouldn't go so far to say he won't do well, but the chances are low however given his forward position, warrents at least some thought. 9mil isn't so much of a gamble, but still a bit more than I'd want to spend.

Forwards:

Sturridge/Suarez - Undeniably the best striker partnership in the league, both on 9 goals and in super form. Sturridge frustrated those who dropped him last game week by coming off the bench to score the crucial equalizer against Everton, only to push his price back up. However this game week will be too hard to ignore the pair and given Liverpool's attacking form and the return of Coutinho, Suarez and Sturridge are in for a goal fest. Most will have kept Suarez at his huge discount, but taking both strikers will be under consideration of many managers.

Aguero - You cannot deny the ability this man has with the ball. He frustratingly scored a well taken brace in the Spurs route leaving managers like myself to wonder why he wasn't chosen in my side. Well I won't make the same mistake twice, City are rampant at home and facing a Swansea City side yet to find consistency this season. Even at his current price of 24mil, Aguero seems a nailed on pick and my premium striker of the week. Every one will have him, but you need him to not fall behind.

Loic Remy - Continues to be a goal scoring machine, but a lot is left to be desired when it comes to phantom production. Remy also has the tendency to go missing especially after he scores a goal. This wil be a worry for some, but given his goal record this season, it could be excused (as long as the goals keep coming). At home against a West Brom side that conceeded 2 goals in the second half against Villa, returns look promising for the on loan striker.

Lukaku - Okay, so he can score 2 goals against Liverpool but go missing against Crystal Palace? Frustrating yes, but Lukaku will be looking to build of his derby success with a home match against a physical Stoke side. Lukaku seems to relish the chance to throw his body at defenders and i expect him to continue that dominating performace that had the Liverpool defenders up in arms. He is on my team at his barn door price, but even at 17mil is a decent bet this week.

Giroud - Although Cardiff have proven to be tough at home (taking 4 points off the Manchester teams), they give up goals. Giroud returned to goal scoring form against Southampton and looks primed to lead the line against Cardiff. He isn't a tp choice this week, but if you snagged him at any discount, it probably isn't the time to drop.

Well that wraps up another exciting player picks post! My current team at the moment is a mess and not even close to what I will end up with so wait for me to follow up with my selection after I get a moment to reshuffle. In the mean time how are your teams shaping up? Who did you look to barn door at the weekend? Any players i might have missed for this game week?

Cheers!