Collecting fantasy football points is not only about finding the players who will score. Defenders can hold a high value on a weekly basis, as well.
Crystal Palace’s Joel Ward is one of those defenders. He is often overlooked by fantasy owners because of his price tag (12.14M up from 9.2M last week). However, this is the second season running that he is among the top scoring defenders. Jores Okore of Aston Villa has collected 118 points across 17 appearances, for an average of seven points per match.
Finding and owning players like this are key to fantasy football success. It gets harder as the season rolls along, but we’ll make an attempt at finding some of the stronger under-the-radar performers for the stretch run here.
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Here’s what I’m looking at for Week 30 in fantasy football.
GOALKEEPERS
Adrian (5.49M) – West Ham United: As I mentioned last week, picking West Ham players is risky at the moment but this is a good spot for them. The Hammers are home this weekend to Sunderland who’ve just sacked manager Gus Poyet.
Joe Hart (8.6M) – Manchester City: City’s struggles have put them further out of the title race and closer to falling out of the top four—they are just four points up on Liverpool. England’s No. 1 ‘keeper will have to carry his strong mid-week performance at Barcelona into West Brom this weekend.
Honourable mention: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
DEFENDERS
Kyle Walker (8.06M) – Tottenham: Spurs are going to look for a rebound performance this weekend at home to Leicester. A clean sheet and offensive points could be a possibility for the marauding right back.
Vincent Kompany (6.57M) – Manchester City: Time for the captain to pick his team up, and get them back trending in the right direction.
Southampton defenders: If you’re looking to gain an edge, Nathaniel Clyne is the choice. But his 11.7M price tag is not easy to squeeze into the team. Jose Fonte, Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld are fine choices as well.
MIDFIELDERS
Filip Djuricic (2.9M) – Southampton: There’s a reason the Saints brought him in during the winter transfer window.
Scott Sinclair (3.21M) – Aston Villa: The former Manchester City bench warmer is getting an opportunity under Tim Sherwood. He and the rest of the Aston Villa side are thriving with the recent change of philosophy.
David Silva (12.11M) – Manchester City: If City’s offence is going to start clicking again the Spaniard is going to be leading it. Yaya Toure continues to look fatigued, leaving the weight of this task on Silva’s shoulders.
Nacer Chadli (7.91M) – Tottenham: The Belgian just doesn’t get enough love. Chadli has scored eight goals and added five assists this season. He’s a great start at home to Leicester this week.
Honourable mention: Montero (Swansea City)
FORWARDS
Harry Kane (17.59M) – Tottenham: I don’t expect the Hurricane of goals to stop now that he’s got his first England call up.
Diego Costa (13.02M) – Chelsea: Back atop the scoring ranks, Costa figures to go on a goal-scoring run again in the next few weeks. The lack of Champions League play will help keep him fresh for the stretch run.
Wilfried Bony (8.56M) – Manchester City: I think City will be looking to get Bony more involved, as some squad changes could be coming in the summer. Bony is safe since he was recently purchased.
Shane Long (4.79) – Southampton: He played an important role for the Saints last week against Chelsea, and he’s a cheap bet to get amongst the goals this week.
My starting XI: Adrian; Clyne, Okore, Walker; Sinclair, Chadli, Djuricic, Silva; Bony, Costa, Kane