Fantasy Football Guide and Predictions for this Weekend – April 18th 2015

Welcome to another week of my fantasy football guide. This week we have a mix of players from the Premiership fixtures as well as from the FA Cup semi-finals.

 

We will review last week’s team and see if any if my players deserve to stay in and who gets booted out!

 

Tweet me your comments, views and opinions on Twitter @tommorogers.

 

Last Week’s Team:

David De Gea – 1 point

John Terry – 6 points

Hector Bellerin– 6 points

Nathaniel Clyne – 2 points

Jose Fonte– 6 points

Ander Herrera – 2 points

Santi Cazorla– 2 points

Eden Hazard – 5 points

Philippe Coutinho – 2 points

Harry Kane – 2 points

Wayne Rooney – 5 points

Total – 39 points

Verdict – Relegation form

 

Team for next week:

 

Goalkeeper

1. Simon Mignolet

Next fixture: Aston Villa (A) – FA Cup

Previous match: vs. Newcastle – Won 2-0

Other than the 4-1 thrashing by Arsenal, Liverpool's away games have been extremely low scoring recently. Mignolet tops the 6-week form guide for goalkeepers by some way and I feel that with Liverpool gaining a comfortable victory over Newcastle on Monday, they will keep it tight against Villa too. They have 8 clean sheets in their last 20 away games and despite Villa’s decent form, I feel Liverpool will snatch victory by a single goal.

 

Defenders



2. Scott Dann

Next fixture: West Brom (H)

Previous match: vs. Sunderland – Won 4-1

Scott Dann has been Palace’s rock at the back all season and given their fine form of late, I think his inclusion in my team is fully justified. West Brom are the visitors to Selhurst Park on the weekend and their form has been particularly poor. I am expecting another Palace win and a clean sheet to boot.

 

3. Hector Bellerin – Arsenal

Next fixture: Reading (A) – FA Cup

Previous match – vs. Burnley – Won 1-0

Bellerin had another good solid game against Burnley and this season has turned out to be a very productive one for the young Spanish fullback. He is now first choice at right back and his form definitely justifies this. The next match against Reading will be tough but I expect Arsenal to keep things tight and come away with a victory.

 

4. Laurent Koscielny – Arsenal

Next fixture: Reading (A) – FA Cup

Previous match: vs. Burnley– Won 1-0

Koscielny is in good form and has contributed to a solid looking Arsenal defence recently. Their form is top notch and I expect them to dominate the possession against Reading, which should mean a quiet game and a clean sheet for the Frenchman.

 

5. Daley Blind – Man United

Next fixture: Chelsea (A)

Previous match: vs. Man City – Won 4-2

The Dutchman is another of United’s top performers this season and has really established himself as a key player in Louis Van Gaal’s team. He has made key contributions to United’s magnificent form lately and even with the trip to Stamford Bridge coming up, I feel he will contribute to a solid defensive showing and maybe even come up with an assist or who knows, maybe even a late winner.

 

Midfielders

6. Yannick Bolasie – Crystal Palace

Next fixture: West Brom (H)

Previous match: vs. Sunderland– Won 4-1

Palace will do well to keep hold of the talented Congolese winger over the summer. He has grabbed the attention of the big clubs with some mesmerising skills as well as a clinical hat trick last weekend against a woeful Sunderland side. Palace’s form has been excellent under Alan Pardew, and coupled with West Brom’s poor form of late, I think Bolasie will be showcasing his skills once more!

 

7. Santi Cazorla – Arsenal

Next fixture: Reading (A) – FA Cup

Previous match: vs. Burnley – Won 1-0

Cazorla has been a mainstay in The Gunners’ midfield this season and he has really wowed the fans with some outstanding performances. He was rather quiet against Burnley at Turf Moor, but the game was always likely to be a tight one. As Arsenal look to secure a place in the FA Cup final, I think Cazorla will be a top performer.

 


8. Eden Hazard – Chelsea

Next fixture: Man United (H)

Previous match: vs. QPR – Won 1-0

Hazard was a constant threat to QPR’s defence but they handled his mazy dribbles very well and ended up only facing one shot in target throughout the entire match which ended up providing the winning goal. Chelsea have a tough task against Man United on Saturday, but with Diego Costa ruled out, Hazard will once again be Chelsea’s main man and I expect him to step up his game even more in this one.

 

9. Juan Mata – Man United

Next fixture: vs. Chelsea (A)

Previous match: vs. Man City – Won 4-2

The little Spaniard has been in blistering form lately and has scored clinical goals against Liverpool and Man City. He will certainly have a point to prove against Chelsea with Mourinho deeming him surplus to requirements last season. With Chelsea finding it hard to score goals at the moment, will Mourinho rue his decision to let Mata transfer to one of their main rivals? In the form he's in, the Spanish midfielder may well spoil Chelsea’s title run in with a goal against his former club.

 

Forwards



10. Olivier Giroud

Next fixture: Reading

Previous match: vs. Burnley – Won 1-0

Giroud has 4 goals in his last 4 and but for the form of Harry Kane, the Frenchman would have appeared in this team earlier. With the weekend’s fixtures, I think Giroud is the striker most likely to score with a trip to Reading in the cup. But for an early season injury, Giroud would be challenging for the golden boot and would have a lot more fantasy points. Since returning from his absence, his form has been outstanding and his tally of 15 goals from his last 22 domestic games shows a striker on top of his game.  

 

11. Wayne Rooney – Man United

Next fixture: Chelsea (A)

Previous match: vs. Man City – Won 4-2

Rooney is the man for the big occasion, and with Chelsea up next, United will be looking to send out a statement of intent for next season. England's captain will be itching to prove that they can match the very best in the league and maybe just put a tiny bit of doubt in Chelsea minds as they close in on the title. Chelsea have a magnificent record at home and any United victory will be extremely hard fought; I reckon Rooney will be right up for this one!

 

That's my team for the upcoming fantasy football week! Why not share your fantasy football teams and wildcard choices with me on Twitter @tommorogers.

 

Ladbrokes are giving new customers an amazing offer for Chelsea v Man United and if you have not got an account you must open one this weekend and you can bet £10 on either Chelsea to win at 5/1 or Man United to win at 10/1.

 

How to get 5/1 Chelsea or 10/1 Man Utd:

1. Click this link straight to Ladbrokes

2. Open a new account for free

3. Bet £10 on either Chelsea at 5/1 or Man Utd at 10/1

 

***UNLOCK THE 5/1 CHELSEA OR 10/1 MAN UTD OFFER USING THIS LINK***