Oh, you again
If you are a new reader, looking for that extra edge over your work colleagues, welcome. I sincerely hope this column helps you win your office league. If you are a returning customer, welcome back old friend. I hope life is treating you well and the points are stacking up as we approach the final few games of the season – that went quickly, eh?
You don’t need me to tell you that there are two FA Cup semi-finals on this weekend – well, you might – so make sure to bench or remove completely any Wolves, Watford, Manchester City, or Brighton players from your team. Also, Spurs, Manchester United, Fulham and Cardiff City will all have the weekend off as a result.
In their place, I recommend any of these five players.
Also, you’ve only got until 7pm to do this. Go. Now.
1. Jamie Vardy – Leicester, £9.1m
Vardy’s has racked up an impressive 130 points this season and should continue his hot run of form as Leicester travel to already relegated Huddersfield. A depleted, disjointed defence against a rampant goalscorer who’s full of energy? It’s a no brainer.
2. Ashley Barnes – Burnley, £5.7m
Very few people enjoy watching Burnley play football, but it cannot be disputed that their style of football can be extremely effective in getting results. That would explain why the Austrian forward has 100 points this season despite playing for a manager whose philosophy very much subscribes to the school of ‘defence first’. Burnley travel down to Bournemouth, who are consistently the most inconsistent team in the league.
3. Berndt Leno – Arsenal, £4.8m
If you’re looking for a cheap goalkeeper who plays for a team that win most of their games, may I recommend Arsenal’s Berndt Leno. While he is not in the top ten goalkeepers in terms of fantasy points earned this season, he has shown some excellent form recently and has only been selected by 3.1% of managers. If you’re looking for a temporary Ederson replacement while he plays in the FA Cup, Leno is good value for money.
4. Luka Milivojević – Crystal Palace, £6.4m
If I could include Milivojević in every single one of these articles, I would. The Serbian midfielder is so reliable from 12 yards, he is Crystal Palace’s top goalscorer, with 10 goals and one assist. The Eagles head up to Newcastle this weekend, where Wilfried Zaha should have plenty of opportunities to run at the likes of DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummet. With his ability to win a penalty, it seems fairly likely that Milivojević will get on the scoresheet again.
5. N’Golo Kanté – Chelsea, £5m
While Maurizio Sarri’s decision to move Kanté into a defence-orientated number 8 role this season has been subject to criticism, it seems Kanté is enjoying the freedom to press and win the ball high up the pitch. He’s got himself 102 points this season in the world of fantasy football – exactly the same as Willian, a winger. Chelsea play West Ham this weekend and Kanté will be key in shutting down the threat of Manuel Lanzini in the Hammers’ left channel. At just £5m, it would be rude not to select him. I mean, how can you say no to that smile?
