Premier League Fantasy Player Picks, Week 12

The Picks

David De Gea

• DDG has been the only world class performing player in the united line up for some time.  While the attacking side of Manchester United have been lacking the defensive side has been - Arsenal away apart- as solid as it has looked in a few seasons.  DDG has 3 clean sheets in a row in the league and has made a number of saves to keep it that way.  WBA will likely lack the attacking approach of others so the saves may not come as frequently but a 1-0 home win looks possible.

Joe Hart

• 5 clean sheets in 7 away and facing an Aston Villa who have lost their last 7.  We do have to respect the effect a new manager brings in but an away win with a clean sheet looks a good shout.

Maarten Stekelenburg

• Sunderland will be better than the performance against Everton but as we saw against Newcastle they reply on the counter attack to score goals.  Southampton are a much more compact side than either Everton/Newcastle and there will be less space for the Black Cats on the break than in their last two fixtures.

Simon Francis

• Newcastle have failed to score in 9 of their last 11 away from home so the numbers help.  Better is the fact that Francis has shown himself pretty good at racking up the fantasy points, particularly in Togga's Perfect 11.

Chris Smalling

• With United holding the joint best EPL record for goals conceded and Smalling being the most reliable starter he is the best bet.  Smalling is also handy at set pieces and due an EPL goal.

Alberto Moreno

• The Liverpool full backs are bringing the width to the sides system right now and play very far forward.  It's a toss up to which is the best option but in the last home game Moreno had 3 shots and 3 crosses while he added 7 crosses in the win at Chelsea.  Crystal Palace and their pace on the counter may mean no clean sheet for the reds left back but there is a good chance his potential turns into attacking fantasy points this week.   A Togga must have.

Ryan Bertrand

• Bertand was one of our favourite last season and now he is fully fit he can be once more.  Often a good scorer of phantom points, he has an assist and clean sheet last time out returning a disappointing 12 points.

• Against a Sunderland side with a poor successful pass rate he can add those phantoms once more.  An away from home clean sheet is never a certainty but the lack of pace and creativity in Sunderland's play suggests Southampton's well drilled side could achieve one.

Sadio Mane

• Sunderland have conceded 25 goals in 11 matches and as long as the backline has one of Coates or Kabul in it there will be plenty of chances for a side that commits players forward in numbers.  The home win over Newcastle flattered the Black Cats big style and if Newcastle had taken their chances the numbers would be worse.  You would think Sunderland's defending will improve under Big Sam management but right now minus John O'Shea they are very vulnerable.

• The Saints have won just once in 12 away games but Mane's pace and movement seems all wrong for the Sunderland back line.  In Fantrax Mane is a pricy risk and I'm undecided on him if I become tight on funds.

Matt Ritchie

• With the Magpies conceding at least twice in 7 of their last 8 away games any trip away from St James is tough.  In a game that could already be viewed as a crucial relegation battle the Cherries must view this as winnable.

• In the 5-1 defeat by Tottenham Ritchie delivered 7 crosses and 5 shots on goal.  If he can do that against a tough Spurs defence he should have much more joy against Newcastle.

Kevin De Bruyne

• Villa have lost by a 1 goal margin in 5 of their last 6 home games suggesting while they go down they don't go down easy.  If this pattern is to continue then the City attack isn't as attractive as in recent weeks.  KDB has shown himself to be a very good summer signing so far and the most reliable player to win the game without Kun Aguero and maybe David Silva.

Dimitri Payet

• Payet is becoming fixture proof it seems and if you hold with heavy discount in Fantrax a player you should hold until injured long term.  In Togga you can look to pick him up based on the fixture and if Sunderland can score twice against Everton then West Ham can.

Willian

• The only form man in the champions starting 11, he has added the attacking returns to his undoubted defensive abilities.  At a time when many are letting the manager down, Willian has stepped up and in doing so has secured his starting position over Eden Hazard/Pedro, something few would have thought in the summer.

• In Fantrax his last 5 leagues games he has scored 16, 9, 10, 15 and 15.  Had Hazard been producing those numbers then you would pick him for the Stoke clash, Willian should be in your thoughts.

Wilfried Bony

• If you can't afford KBD then Bony is your affordable way into the City attack.  A scorer in Seville he comes into this one in form.  I still need convincing away from home in a city shirt but the price in Fantrax is right for the risk.

Olivier Giroud/Alexis Sanchez

• The Gunner's have scored at least 2 in their last 5 league games whilst Sanchez has attempted the most shots in the league with 52.   When Arsenal play anyone at home you should consider one of their attacking threats.

• After the mashing in Munich, they have a point to prove.

Jamie Vardy

• The man of the 2015/16 premier League season so far, Vardy is chasing Rudd Van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in 10 consecutive games. Stubborn Watford come into this one with back to back clean sheets. They will sit deep meaning space for Vardy to run in behind will be reduced.

• Stopping Vardy though is something that looks tougher each week and with a vocal crowd behind him it would be no surprise to see him move within one week of sharing the record.

The Alternative

As you know I love an alternative pick.  Given the responsibility of this week's players picks I have thrown a few together for your comments.

Adam Lallana

• Since the arrival of Jürgen Klopp Lallana has looked much more like the player Liverpool purchased.  Scores of 10, 8 and 9 in Fantrax since Klopp's appointment shows signs of the fantasy player we saw at Southampton.

• I had thought him certain to start after playing 81, 67 and 89 minutes of the three games under the new manager.   With Benteke back Gavin is of the view its either Lallana or Milner making way.  Milner took a few reported verbal bashes from Klopp during the win at Chelsea and was subbed early.

• Lalllana is always an early sub risk but while many of you will have picked up Phillipe Coutinho on the barn door, super cheap Lallana looks a great option this week if you think he starts.

Junior Stanislas

• In 45 minutes at St Marys Junior fired in 6 crosses and 4 shots on goal.  He also looked sharp getting into positions in the League Cup tie at Anfield and should have scored through on goal.  With Bournemouth struggling for goals you can see a chance that he starts this game.

Matthew Jarvis/Robbie Brady

• In the last home game against West Bromwich Albion Jarvis put in a huge 15 crosses.  Brady meanwhile put in 11 in the same game and 8 more at City in week 11.  For those of you playing the crazy Draft Kings any cross gets you a point rule (assuming that it still does after the rule changes) they could do you well regardless of the result. NOTE Jarvis is an injury doubt.

• Facing a less than convincing Swansea you have to think the crosses will keep coming and someone will be on the end of them sooner rather than later.

Wayne Rooney

• Wayne finally moved part to the no10 role midweek or at least until LVG subbed Martial and we saw an improved Rooney performance.  Wayne may never get back to his level of a few years back but he is a much better player than we have seen recently.

• Wayne is also a streaky goal scorer and this pick is based him both playing the no10 and being at the start of his streak.

Ayoze Perez

• Take a look at Perez's last 5 scores in Fantrax - 13, 11, 17, 6 and 23pts.  Against Stoke he fired in 17 crosses with 5 successful.  The underlying stats are there to suggest he is due a breakthrough week.

So there you go. Who do you see as this week's picks?  Do you have something different in mind?

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