Alternative Picks Week 31

With so many expensive premium picks for the double round can we find something to set us apart from the field.

By Inactive User 1021395 Mar 19, 2014, 12:53pm PDT

I scored against Swansea in the cup, I will do so again

First up its a double week so the golden rule is to let go of your discounts and find yourself a minimum of 11 players from the teams playing twice this week. The options are

Newcastle United

The leagues in form team also have the on paper at least easiest pair of fixtures. Expect to see many team full of Liverpool players.

So this post is to try and try some alternative picks to the obvious and the good thing is you will need to find some to afford your choice of the premium picks. Even with 150M you cannot get yourself near picking all of these so we hopefully see some variety in the team selections come Saturday morning.

Adrian

Facing Man Utds RVP and Rooney duo would normally be a bad idea. Not so much this season though and as stuttering United head to their always tricky West Ham away tie in terrible shape. Further West Ham are now a very well organised back four and a handful at home. The second tie is also a home game with FA Cup minded Hull. A win and maybe even better if Adrian wasn't so expensive he would be a more popular pick. If Utd turn the Champion League around the momentum may mean caution but Adrian isn't as bad a pick as it looks.

Tim Krul

A pair of home ties should make Krul appeal to a few. First up Palace who are getting shot shy away from home followed by an Everton who are getting results but not firing goals. The tough part is the impact of Newcastle having no touch line manager. A little early but some players may already be looking away and with no Debuchy or Remy they are missing their match winners. He will make plenty saves but will he offer a win/clean sheet to go with them.

Paul Dummett

If you think he starts twice and you lack the courage to risk Ktul in goal then young dummett offers you options. Getting shots off and playing for his place a couple of home ties should suit. Its just will he start twice?

Bacary Sagna

Playing for a new contract sometimes provides great performances. An opening tie marking Edin Hazard should provide plenty of TW chances but the FC could rack up as well, Arsenal are solid at the back and they will need plenty of phantom defensive points against Chelsea while the home tie against Swanseas should offer attacking chances.

Liam Rosenior

Davies will get the Hull votes but Rosenior have provided ok consistent points. A possible clean sheet in game one and if he can keep his FC under control he could offer a 20+pt score over the two games.

Marcos Alonso

An all action type when I watch him he often finds himself in shooting positions. With two away ties he will be racking up the defensive points. At 15.84 like Sagna he will be too expensive for most but take the last round 16pts with a clean sheet. You would take two 10pt games wouldn't you? He is my gut pick but probably won't fit in my final team.

Michu

Back in the Swansea side fighting relegation, Michus timing is perfect. He only played 30mins last weekend so it is hard to see 180mins from him but at 7ish he will not need to do much to return value. A gamble with two away ties however he scored twice at Arsenal last season.

AJ

Adam Johnson was flavour of the month a few weeks ago. I was on the train through most of those points and he should be giving everything he has with a view to a possible world cup place in the England squad. Not picked in the recent friendly and subbed early a couple times recently has taken his fro must have to should I. Played very well v Palace and should start twice but may only get 135 minutes.

De Guzman

Most will mix Yaya/Silva/Cazorla/Gerrard but for premium price you could go De Guzman. He will start twice and will be on kicks. Tough games but very possible he racks up a couple 10pt games.

Raheem Sterling/ Jordon Henderson

Again the fab four above will be in many team but you could swap Gerrard for one of these. Often 5pt players that have shown they can go 20+ on occasion. Hendo is the safer bet of two games and despite me not rating him has never played better. I never ever thought Id pick him but I'm tempted.

Ahmed Elmohamady

This guy has been playing really well recently and has a pair of fixtures where he will be able to get at the fullbacks. His end product can be inconsistent but without a goal he looks good for 15pts so with one?

Nikica Jelavic/Shane Long

Nico/Long are cup tied so are nailed on for two games and are tasked with getting the goals to avoid relegation. The double act can be dangerous and will have chances in both games. Nico is the pick of the two.

Luke De Jong

He keeps hitting the target so something has to go in sometime. As alternative as it gets and a pair of home fixtures you get the feeling if he score once he will score a trio over the two games. Anybody brave? Ken? Yewtree I'm think of you!

My side looks like this

Mignolet, Johnson, Demichelis, Baines, Cazorla, Silva, OX, Gerrard. Dzeko, Carroll, Suarez

Its a BD team nothing I have had time to work on and I can assure you only Baines Cazorla, Suarez are 100% in.

Stall