It’s getting to that point in the fantasy league season where bold decisions can win you a championship. If you’re already in a good position, well done to you. But if you’re still trailing by a few points, a few bold decisions will get you to the top or back in the race.
One tip I can give you is to stay away from the teams who are comfortable. For example: Stoke, Swansea, Newcastle, and West Ham are all teams that I would consider “comfortable.” They’re not quite in the battle for European places, and also safe from the relegation fight. These are dangerous teams to be employing on your fantasy squads.
European Football Weekly: Sportsnet 590 The FAN’s Dan Riccio, Derrick Brandao and Thomas Michalakos take an in-depth look at the beautiful game on the European Football Weekly podcast. For more details and to listen to past shows, CLICK HERE
Just a reminder that you can join European Football Weekly’s Fantasy Footy League by CLICKING HERE. (League ID: 10067 and Password: m0d2xng)
Here’s what else I’m looking at for Week 28 in fantasy football.
GOALKEEPERS
Joe Hart (9.59M) – Manchester City: The Citizens are away to the relegation threatened Burnley this weekend and in desperate need of three points to stay in the title race. Hart is pricey, yet worth it.
Honourable mentions: Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace), Mark Schwarzer (Leicester City)
DEFENDERS
Jeffrey Schlupp (9.69M) – Leicester City: A must win for the Foxes at home to Hull City if they hope to save themselves from relegation. Schlupp is a midfielder categorized as a defender in fantasy football, which is always a good thing to have.
Kurt Zouma (5.27M) – Chelsea: Southampton is having a horrible time trying to score goals of late, as they’ve scored just twice since the start of February. Any of the Chelsea defenders are a good choice, and Zouma has upside and is the most affordable.
Hector Bellerin (9.61M) – Arsenal: The young marauding right back can provide offence from your back line as the Gunners play host to struggling West Ham.
Eliaquim Mangala (7.11M) – Manchester City: With Vincent Kompany getting dropped, Mangala is the biggest benefactor. Can he help City to a clean sheet at Turf Moor? If you can afford Zabaleta or Clichy, they are fine choices as well.
MIDFIELDERS
Yaya Toure (8.63M) – Manchester City: Manager Manuel Pellegrini will be looking for the Ivorian to get Manchester City back into the title race.
Yannick Bolasie (8.45M) – Crystal Palace: Bolasie hasn’t been as effective since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, but he has had some huge games in the past. Let’s hope a home date with QPR turns out to be another one.
Juan Cuadrado (4.33M) – Chelsea: We’re still waiting on the Colombian to come good for Chelsea. Mourinho will look to switch things up from the devastating Champions League performance. A big Blues showing may come at the expense of Southampton.
Mesut Ozil (12.53M) – Arsenal: While the World Cup champion does take a lot of flack, he has three goals and four assists in his last 10 appearances.
FORWARDS
Wilfried Bony (8.46M) – Manchester City: The expensive January purchase is getting opportunities but not finishing yet for his new club. By his own admission, he just needs one before the goals start pouring in.
Diego Costa (12.33M) – Chelsea: The most polarizing figure in world football? Costa is certainly up there. He hasn’t scored much of late (one goal in seven appearances) but that could be a good thing as your opponents may have soured on him.
Saido Berahino (10.37M) – West Bromwich Albion: Four goals in his past six matches. He’s also among the league leaders in home goals this season. Baggies host Stoke on Saturday.
Honourable mentions: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Andrej Kramaric (Leicester City)
My starting XI: Schwarzer; Clichy, Okore, Ward; Bolasie, Cuadrado, Yaya, Ozil; Bony, Costa, Berahino