EPL Fantasy Picks for the Week

by Foolsgold

Some of these are bargains, but for the most part these are just guys who I think will have good matches this weekend. Per usual, this only applies to the Yahoo!UK Fantasy League and the time stamp at the bottom of this post is when I last received information for these players, so if they aren't playing, it's your fault. Cheers.

Forwards
Obafemi Martins, Newcastle United, 10.82
The 28, uh, I mean 22-year-old forward did not play in his country's continental qualifier versus Lesotho this past Saturday and though you never know what Big Sam is going to do, I have to think that he'll rest Owen after playing two full matches for England in five days, leaving a definite place for Martins. They are playing at Derby and though it is on the road, it's Derby County.

Cameron Jerome, Birmingham City FC, 7.94
A bit of a risk, but he's cheap and playing at home against Bolton. A Cameron Jerome compliments a Didier Drogba with a side of fava beans quite nicely I'd say.

Midfielders
Mikel Arteta, Everton, 17.10
I know he's expensive and I know they are playing Man U, but if you can afford him, buy him. Why? Well, because they are playing at home, Arteta hasn't played in two weeks, and I have no faith in Man U's defense, especially without Neville and with Ferdinand and Vidic coming off full mid-week international matches. Plus with the return of Rooney and Ronaldo, who wants to bet me that Man U will not be relying on their offense to win this one for me?

Charles N'Zogbia, Newcastle United, 7.34
Should be itching to play after the break and he's a class above anyone at Derby can put on him.

Nani, Man United, 8.30
A bit of a risk since it's an away game at Everton and Nani's never played at Goodison Park. Also because Ronaldo's back and Giggs has had a couple of weeks off to heal his knocks and bruises, but I look it this way, if he starts, he'll probably get some points, if he comes off the bench, he'll probably earn some points, and if he doesn't play at all, it doesn't cost me any points.

Florent Malouda, Chelsea, 6.30
He's dirt cheap and playing at home versus Blackburn, who I have to think won't respect him.

Elano, Man City, 6.80
With injuries to Johnson and Geovanni, despite coming back from the US after being part of the two-match touring Brazilian side, I have to think he'll play. The only thing that worries me is that it's against Aston Villa, though I'm hoping the home crowd gives the side a boost.

Defenders
Micah Richards, Man City, 8.97
If I have to tell you then you just don't get it.

Pascal Chimbonda, Tottenham, 8.94
Arsenal at White Hart Lane, these are the kind of games Chimbonda loves.

Gareth Bale, Tottenham, 8.65
It's scary taking two players from the same side, but he who dares, wins. Arsenal seems to just the type of opposition the offensive-minded Bale would cherish.

Keeper
Craig Gordon, Sunderland, 7.67
With Reading depleted by injury and fatigued from international duty, I got to believe Roy Keane will try at the very least to shut out the visiting team. If not, Gordon should make a couple of great saves for at least a couple of points.

Originally posted here