Week 22 Player Picks

Simon Mignolet

Fantrax thoughts - Swansea may have a new manager but they are still to be opposed and it’s hard to see them taking anything from Anfield. You will have the obvious concern that the away side have the one shot one goal turning 10 points into 1 and that could be the case. Even if it is the Swans were lively against Arsenal and with Siggy, Routledge and Llorente may fire in enough shots on target to balance the worry.

Ben Foster

Fantrax thoughts – A little pricey for a keeper but the clean sheet/win double looks very possible this week.

FPL thoughts – Great shot of a clean sheet and hopefully a fully confident Jermain Defoe can help him provide the save points on top.

Ragnar Klaven

Fantrax thoughts – With Liverpool facing a pretty crazy situation with Joel Matip likely to be out of this game Klaven shodul keep his spot. At 3.42m you get a nice filler option with clean sheet potential.

FPL thoughts – At 4.6m he is good value for a one week run but don’t plan on him remaining in the starting 11 for long.

Hector Bellerin

Fantrax thoughts – Against an opponent who fail’s to keep possession, Bellerin will provide the width to many of the Arsenal attacks. Certain to exceed his cost with a clean sheet, perhaps go big and perhaps match the cost even if Burnley score.

FPL thoughts – 6.5m is pricy but although a luxury he has great fixtures and can prove his worth in the next few weeks.

Leighton Baines

FPL thoughts – While he is a slight injury doubt let’s look at him for the long term. With Everton building a mighty defensive shield with Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye clean sheets surely become much more common. On top he is penalty taker once more with assists always around it is almost like old times where Mr Baines is essential.

Marcus Alonso

Fantrax thoughts – Alonso has just one double digit score in 10 weeks and that was his 27 point brace last week. With the game viewing him as a midfield player he doesn’t tempt me at retail.

FPL thoughts – The must have defender in the game. Playing almost as an attacker but getting clean sheets he offers points all over the place. Not buying him with the obvious signs early in the season is one of my biggest mistakes. Being too stubborn to buy him since is a pattern I can’t seem to shift either.

Nyom

Fantrax and FPL thoughts. In both formats he is the cheapest way into the WBA attack but we will need to check his starting status.

Matt Phillips

Fantrax thoughts – A tad on the pricey side but anybody playing Sunderland can go big.

FPL thoughts – 3 assists and a goal in his last 3 mean he has been a great pick up for those smart enough to buy him. With their upcoming fixtures he is one more decent midfield option to free funds for elsewhere.

Nacer Chadli

Fantrax thoughts – 7m and home fixture against Sunderland has to tempt you. He scored in the reverse fixture but we haven’t seen the best of him since his return from injury. He is a gamble as he has been subbed after an hour most games recently. Having said that what better fixture is there to get back in the grove?

Phillipe Coutinho

Fantrax thoughts – You have to think it’s time for him to start once again and Coutinho can be devastating in Fantrax fantasy. A home game against Swansea will offer chances and while he won’t play the full 90 he can score heavily in the 60-75 minutes he plays.

FPL thoughts – He was becoming viewed as essential in some player eyes before his injury. Most will be on a watching brief until he secures full game time but there is the temptation to try and get him a little earlier than many other fantasy managers. To make the point he is facing Swansea at home!

Roberto Firmino

Fantrax thoughts – Firmino is a player growing in performance level now he has settled into the league. He has a bit of nastiness and strength to him which I think Klopp enjoys and many didn’t expect him to have. Taking up a forward spot with the likes of Kane, Kun, Giroud and Sanchez may make it hard to find room but having his buddy Coutinho back will help share the attacking burden and I think he scores this week.

FPL thoughts – Less explosive than Coutino, Firmino seems to be the one who makes it all tick but doesn’t get as much of the hype for doing so. I really like him in this format over the next period and would like to get him and Coutinho in.

Junior Stanislas

Fantrax thoughts – I tipped him last week and after 3 minutes he had 10 Fantrax points, he ended the game with 9 grrrrrrr. The rest of the Cherries attackers play inconsistent minutes so he is our best way into a good fluid home attacking unit.

FPL thoughts – He did the business last time and remains a great 5^th midfielder at just 5.2m and some nice fixtures coming up.

Yohan Cabaye

Fantrax thoughts – He let me down last week with a surprising display. I still believe he will be one to improve under Sam and say it starts this week against and Everton side on a high.

Eden Hazard

Fantrax thoughts –Hull at the Bridge is a prime fixture and it’s hard not to feel this is an opponent made for him to look good. Maguire at right back must be having sleepless nights. Obviously hold at discount but if you have the funds, even consider buying at retail.

FPL thoughts – I have him in my side but will be considering selling him following this fixture. His lack of consistent big point’s means my decision to sell Sanchez for him a few weeks ago has proven the wrong one. Still it’s Hull City this week and he may just may have the captain’s armband for his swansong in my squad.

Pedro

Fantrax thoughts – At 8.59 he is a one more with a great price for a great fixture. Seems to be ahead of Willian if there is a choice between them.

FPL thoughts – At 7m he is beautifully priced. Just cheap enough to tempt you but not cheap that everyone is on him. My mini league rival has him over Hazard which means I won’t make the swap but I would suggest he is better value than the bigger name Belgium.

Ross Barkley

Fantrax thoughts – A goal and 2 assist in his last 3 maybe just maybe Barkley is on a hot run. Priced under 10m he faces a side that have lost 6 of their last 7 homes.

Alexis Sanchez

Fantrax thoughts – facing a Burnley side that has lost 8 of their last 9 away. Maybe too expensive at retail but he is so explosive. Shoots on site and greed is great in fantasy.

FPL thoughts – Consistent provider of points and likely to keep that run going this week. Suspect he will be many peoples captain.

Olivier Giroud

Fantrax thoughts – Still doesn’t produce enough fantasy points beyond goals for me but he is still cheap, better value than Sanchez points per pound in recent weeks and now fit once more.

FPL thoughts – Giroud could be one more choice to replace Diego Costa should you choose to make that move. With great fixtures and Arsenal under pressure just to stay in the top 4 let alone win the title, Wenger may have to stick with him for now.

Romelu Lukaku

Fantrax thoughts – A more effective weapon in home games his price will see many avoid. Differential option then.

FPL thoughts – With Diego Costa both a doubt to play and questions over his mind-set even if he does you may want a replacement. Lukaku has a great run of fixtures and likes to pick on the smaller teams

Kun

Fantrax thoughts – He remains a great price for him in this format under 15m. He scored 9 points without a goal last time out but faces the most in form league side. Tottenham have had plenty of trouble dealing Kun in the past who has 10 goals in 9 games against them. It’s a classic decision, the league’s best player, not in great form, in a side in not great form and facing a side who are white hot. I do think City will score in this game and of course Kun is the most likely to be the man.

FPL thoughts – Too expensive in current form and tough fixture. Better options out there for me but if you do hold him then you may as well hand him the armband. Gabriel Jesus now has clearance to play for City and manger’s under growing pressure often make big eyebrow raising calls. Playing Kun to his strengths seems such an obvious move and its amazing from a fans view to see Pep not doing this.

Salomon Rondon

Fantrax thoughts – At the first consideration I view his retail price 11.09m as too pricey for a player that has only scored his cost in points twice in the last 10 weeks. Those 10 weeks did also include a zero point return against Hull City!!!!! But this time he plays at home against Sunderland who have lost 7 of the last 8 away’ s and conceded 3 or more in their last 3 away games. Finally the scores over 11 were 32 and 21 points. Seems he does have monster potential. I’m not in love with the pick but I can easily talk myself into it.

FPL thoughts – In this format however he tempts me more. At 6.8m there are few 3^rd spot forwards with his fixture run.

Stall