Fantasy Premier League Strategist

Good afternoon all. Last week, I wrote to you from the glitz and glamour of London. Now that I’m back home, things are beginning to get back to normal. It feels a little like gameweek 32…the first week back after a week of indulgence, craziness and fantastic times that the double gameweek 31 bestowed upon us all.

However, the double is now a distant memory – it’s back to basics. Regular gameweeks are the bread and butter of the game and we need to focus on them just as much as the upcoming doubles in gameweeks 34 and 37.

A couple of bluebirds make their way into the Dirtsheet today – hopefully we will all be tweeting and signing about a bumper score come Monday evening!

Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 33!

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THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 33

The Eleven – (3-4-3)

Brad Guzan (AST)
Opponent – Fulham FC (H)
The American shotstopper has a solid home fixture against Fulham, but I feel that Villa will play a more defensive game after Benteke was ruled out for the season and Agbonlahor emerged as a doubt. I think a home clean sheet is on the cards.

Stephen Caulker (CAR)
Opponent Crystal Palace (H)
It seems that the Welshman likes to fly in the face of regular defensive mantra – he has no clean sheets in his last 5 but 3 goals to his name. His threat from set pieces is unbelievable, down in part to the deadball accuracy of his team mates. Even if Caulker concedes against Crystal Palace, he could easily notch a goal. Caulker also has a good run of fixtures over his next five and is a decent long-term option.

Branislav Ivanovic (CHE)
Opponent – Stoke City (H)
Simply put, this is a must win game for Chelsea. After losing to both Villa and Palace recently, Mourinho’s men have fallen behind in the title race and cannot afford any more slip-ups. I think Stoke are one of the better teams to defend the aerial threats of John Terry and Gary Cahill, and so I look to Ivanovic to return defensive and attacking points against Stoke.

Pablo Zabaleta (MCI)
Opponent – Southampton (H)
Although I’m the first to admit that the attacking returns of the Argentinian have dried up in recent months, there is no denying his security of starts. Unlike the other full back position, there is no competition for Zabaleta right now and I expect him to start vs Southampton in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. Prior to the draw with Arsenal last week, City had kept 5 consecutive clean sheets and, despite the Saints recent attacking showings, I think a home clean sheet is a distinct possibility. Should the game open up, Zabaleta will get forward more and could return attacking points.

Jordan Mutch (CAR)
Opponent – Crystal Palace (H)
When a new manager takes the reigns of his new club for the first time, it’s sometimes difficult to know how certain players will react and adapt to new ways of doing things. It’s now very apparent that, after winning the faith of Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer, Jordan Mutch is now a massive differential as we head towards the end of the season. He now has 3 goals, 3 assists and 6 bonus points in his last 4 games, and is in the form of his life. Cardiff have shown no problems in scoring as of late and Crystal Palace do not possess the same defensive stability away from home as they do at Selhurst Park.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Stoke City (H)
Many commentators felt that Hazard was largely anonymous in Chelsea’s loss to Crystal Palace last weekend and it seems that a poor Hazard performance can correlate with a poor Chelsea performance far too often. Having said that, I can see Chelsea going for the jugular at home to Stoke. I have a feeling that Chelsea will not start any of Torres, Ba or Lampard which will see Hazard become even more involved than usual. Two goals and two assists in his last 5 games is not a stellar return for a player priced at £11.0, but Hazard has the ability to score double figures in the blink of an eye. Chelsea put 6 past Arsenal in their last home performance and will look to return to winning ways as soon as possible.

Yaya Toure (MCI)
Opponent – Southampton (H)
A tight game versus Arsenal saw Toure return his first blank in 5 games, but I expect him to be back in contention for attacking points against a Southampton side whose defensive performances can be very hit and miss. I do feel that the Saints struggle against physical sides and Toure will continue to play a more attacking role in the continuing absence of Sergio Aguero.

Juan Mata (MUN)
Opponent – Newcastle United (A)
While a number of United midfield may see a rest this weekend ahead of the Bayern Munich game, Mata will not be one of them as he is cup tied. He is beginning to settle nicely into David Moyes’ side and he notched his first goal in United colours against Villa last weekend. I expect him to play in the number 10 position this weekend against a Newcastle side who have conceded 7 goals in their last 2 games.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – West Ham United (A)
After months of writing about the incredible talents of a certain Uruguayan, I’m beginning to run out of facts. I may have to resort to making things up if he continues to score and assist as he has done since he returned from his much-publicised ban. Interesting Suarez Fact: Luis grew up in Salto, Uruguay’s second biggest city. It is famous for the ‘thermal pools’ which are kept at over 100 degrees fahrenheit throughout the year. Oh, get Suarez if you haven’t already.

Wayne Rooney (MUN)
Opponent – Newcastle United (A)
Edit: it seems Rooney is out of the game vs Newcastle with bruising in his toe. With that in mind, I’m selecting Snodgrass as a replacement. With 4 goals in his last 2 games, it is clear that Rooney is revelling in the advanced striking position afforded to him by the absence of Robin Van Persie due to injury. Now, I’ll be honest…there is a slight chance that Rooney will be rested this weekend – after all, he has a crucial game against Bayern Munich next Wednesday, and for most players, rotation would be a massive concern. However, it’s a well-known fact that Rooney is the type of player that needs to keep playing games in order to main form and so there is a chance that Moyes will start Rooney and perhaps take him off after 65-70 minutes if United are cruising. My suggestion here is that, if you have Rooney, you start him. If you do not have Rooney, then do not buy him – remember that he has no game next week.

Emmanuel Adebayor (TOT)
Opponent – Sunderland (H)
I expect Adebayor to return from injury to lead the line against Sunderland. He has ben a revelation since Tim Sherwood’s installment in the Spurs hot seat, but I feel he will overcome his little dip in form as Spurs fixtures become significantly easier.

The Captain – Luis Suarez (LIV)
Although Rooney is in great form, it’s impossible to look anywhere but towards the Liverpool man.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Aston Villa, Manchester City, Hull City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Norwich City to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Ron Vlaar (AST)
Midfielder: Miguel Michu (SWA)
Striker: Andy Carroll (WHU)
Captain: Yaya Toure (MCI)

And that’s a wrap! It’s quick, it’s informative and it’s helpful. It’s the Dirtsheet, and it’s here every Friday! Please share this on Twitter and Facebook! Every follower counts!