Week 35 Player Picks; FPL and Togga

It's a single week in FPL and Togga and in this testing season as fantasy player week 35 is a challenge.  With Togga we will get to know the starting 11's which helps if you are free to the information at that time.  In FPL it's a more difficult guessing game.

Manchester City v Stoke City

The initial thought is to look to load up on City talent but they face the midweek Champions League Semifinal 1^st leg race against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Prior to the Quarter final we saw Kevin De Byrne given a breather but to be fair he was just coming back from injury.   With the ongoing injury issues with David Silva and Yaya Toure they seem both likely to get a rest.  Raheem Sterling came back in the 2^nd half at Newcastle and is your sleeper pick of the weekend.  Gael Clichy still seems to be 1^st choice and missed the Newcastle game so Alexander Kolarov could again start.  A home win is still the favourite result and Joe Hart currently sits in front of a defence that had looked more secure in recent weeks.

The biggest plus was the midweek results.  Manchester United's win moved them within a point of City therefore they seem certain to need to field a strong team.   Many of you will hold Sergio Aguero and there is nothing I can say to persuade you dropping him.   Having said that it will be interesting to see if the manager starts him with a view to getting the Stoke game won then subbing after an hour or taking the calculated risk to bench him and see if Wilfred Bony and co can get the job done.   The thought process may depend on how Manual Pellegrini views Ryan Shawcross's tackling techniques.

For Stoke it's hard to love any of their options.  But I wonder if after the home hammering by Tottenham if the players have something to prove.  If they do have the bit between their teeth then they do have talented players who can take advantage of the space left around the city CB's

Picks

Joe Hart

Alexander Kolarov

Sterling

KDB

Kun

Aston Villa v Southampton

Villa are still terrible and the players have shown little to no reaction to the removal of their manager.   The club face extremely testing months ahead and for all the talk of bouncing back up they may well be happy just to avoid relegation again next season.  Southampton are in the dangerous midtable position but I think the players do have something to play for.  Whilst not as severe as the last couple years there are clubs who will be looking at their talent in the summer.  Pelle/Mane have both been linked with moves and may have new suiters to persuade.

Saido Mane clearly looks to want engineer a move and is in red hot form.   His pace and direct running looks a nightmare to a hopeless Villa back line.   Graziano Pelle has been linked to a move back to Italy and also comes into this one in form.  Vincent Van Djyk has been a consistent fantasy player all season and can often pop up with a goal attempt or two.  He will also have a great chance for a clean sheet.  Fraser Forster may only have a few shots to deal with but can offer the now standard clean sheet and win points playing Villa seems to bring.

For Villa playing at home I really want to offer someone but I just can't.

Picks

Mane

Pelle

Forster

Van Djyk

Bournemouth v Chelsea

The Cherries should be safe whilst the Guus Hiddink return magic seem to have run out after back to back defeats at Swansea and home to City, It's a hard match up to call with both sides looking flat.   As always though there may be the odd player that can produce and I don't see either keeping a clean sheet.   I always like Max Gradel and Matt Ritchie at home and they will enjoy the space and time this current Chelsea side give.  On the flip side the only Chelsea player that interests me is Willian.  He is a pretty healthy scorer in Togga and seems the most likely point's producer.

Picks

Gradel

Ritchie

Willian

Liverpool v Newcastle United

This fixture is as frustrating as the City/Stoke game.  Once again we have a very strong home win shot on any normal weekend but European distractions to mess with our thoughts.   Under Jürgen Klopp we have already seen a very attack minded Liverpool and we know the Magpies defending is at times horrific.   We also know that under Klopp he prioritises fixtures and seems keen to rotate players around the European adventures.  Having played the Merseyside derby midweek the Newcastle game is sandwiched between that match and the UEFA cup semifinal 1^st leg in Spain.  There were 10 changes at Bournemouth and I see rotation against Newcastle.

Injury to Origi means Daniel Sturridge could start but equally he now remains their only fit forward.  Klopp will want him fully fit for both semifinal legs and after already making comments about the minutes Sturridge has played recently may decide to rest his easily injured player v Newcastle.

For Newcastle its name the best 11 for the rest of the season and whilst they hardly get your juices running there is no rotation issues.  Andros Townsend is the easiest pick and likely in many teams.  Alexander Mitrovic should also be in that category but his starting spot in never certain.  I was sure he would start against Swansea and Man City but old favourite Papris Cisse got the nod.  JonJo Shelvey has always been a good fantasy player but has fallen out of the side since the arrival of Rafa Benitez after a bright start under Steve McClarren.   Having said that a player facing his old club has often been a route to fantasy goals so I think he is worth a gamble should he start.

Picks

Simon Mignolet

Sakho

Daniel Sturridge, James Milner, Firminho and Phillipe Coutinho if they start

Andros Townsend

Sunderland v Arsenal

A couple weeks ago this one would be a confident away win.  Since then Sunderland have found the end of season spirit they are known for while the Gunners have for some unknown reason, broken down.  The Gunners title race is over and I'm not as sure as the fans that the players care as much about finishing above Tottenham as they do.  The Black Cats had a moral and confidence boosting win at Norwich and probably can't come into this match with a better mindset.

Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez look the certain starters and whoever doesn't start against WBA will start likely start against Sunderland.

With Petr Cech looking rusty and Gabriel unconvincing Sunderland can pinch a goal in this one.  Old Spurs boy Jermain Defoe is the obvious pick.

Picks

Alexis Sanchez

Mesut Ozil

Aaron Ramsey should he start

Jermain Defoe

Leicester City v Swansea City

The pressure is really on the Foxes now.   This one is must win and they will have to do so without Jamie Vardy.   For Swansea they will want to put right their performance from the poor effort at Newcastle last weekend.

Rihad Marez is being linked with some big summer bids.   Performing in moments like this will have an influence on the size of these bids.  Swansea will likely deal with him by numbers rather than a specific player.  With all the attention on Mahrez there may be more space for the other Foxes attackers.  In defence all of the back line appeal.

For Swansea Siggy is the form player and the one Leicester will need to be careful to mark tightly.

Picks

Mahrez

Ulloa

All of the Leicester back four and the keeper.

Siggy

Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion

Just as last week, Spurs reaction may depend on the Leicester result from the day before.  Regardless a win is the only result Spurs can accept.  The front four of Harry Kane, Eric Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Deli Alli have been great in the last few matches, all with be involve here.   The spurs defence has also been very good and WBA have looked pretty toothless in attack for a while.

WBA face this game on the back of a trip to Arsenal.  Both matches look backs to the wall games so it's possible Ben Foster could rack up a high number of saves.  In the past Spurs have shown themselves vulnerable to weaker sides who sit deep at White Hart Lane.  If this happens again Foster could go big.

Picks

I can make a strong argument to go all in and pick the whole Spurs side.

Ben Foster

Who do you think are the best picks for the Official game and Togga this weekend?

Lets chat

Stall