The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 20

Posted: December 31, 2013 in Uncategorized
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While my own personal team has been decimated by injury and suspension in recent weeks, at least I know I am not the only one being affected by the festive turmoil. To make matters even worse, it seems that a number of doubts regarding the fitness of some key players have surfaced in recent hours, none more so than a shoulder problem for Theo Walcott – a player who was heavily transferred in this gameweek. EDIT: Walcott has now been seen training today so should start!

So no Suarez in the Dirtsheet this week. Thankfully, I have not lost my mind. I have left Suarez out of the Dirtsheet this weekand the reasons are simple. First and foremost, almost everyone that is currently playing has him (1000 of the top 1000 players have him), and if they do not, it is for a very good reason. Secondly, he has a home tie against Hull which is almost certainly going to result in double figures – no point in debating this any further. Finally, and most importantly, we have a lot of serious doubts and rotation risks this week. I want to give everyone three/four good striking options who should start this gameweek – no point in wasting a slot on Suarez as it’s painfully obvious he would be selected otherwise…let’s say that, for this week only, Suarez has transcended the need for a Dirtsheet place – if you don’t have him by now, I cannot keep advising you to do so!

Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 20! Happy New Year all!!!

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 20

The Eleven – (3-4-3)

Vito Mannone (LIV)
Opponent – Aston Villa (H)
With Westwood still injured for Sunderland, I’m opting for Mannone to keep a clean sheet at home to Villa. Mannone seems to attract bonus points when Sunderland keep a clean sheet, and they do look defensively solid. Villa have just 2 goals in their last 5 games, and so another clean sheet for the Black Cats is highly likely.

Per Mertesacker (ARS)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
Cardiff City look to be in turmoil and unfortunately there seems to be no signs in this changing soon. Although there are a number of doubts about many of the Arsenal attacking options, there can be little doubts surrounding Mertesacker taking the field. Another super performance against Newcastle saw him claim 3 bonus – it seems that anytime Arsenal keep a clean sheet, he is in the mix for bonus points. Arsenal should keep the Bluebirds at bay and a ninth clean sheet for the season is a good bet.

Seamus Coleman (EVE)
Opponent – Stoke City (A)
Coleman’s recent form in front of goal makes no sense. He is playing deeper han he did last year and his stats are not significantly different from the last 2 seasons, but it seems that stats are going out the window when it comes to the Irishman. He is playing with confidence and belief well beyond his years. His 4 goals in 7 games makes up for Everton’s pretty poor recent defensive run – they have no clean sheets in 5 games. Even if Stoke score (which is possible as the Toffees will be without Phil Jagielka and possibly Sylvain Distin), Coleman will look to expose a defense that crumbled against Newcastle and Spurs in successive gameweeks.

Joel Ward (CPL)
Opponent – Norwich City (H)
Crystal Palace showed what they were capable of last gameweek when they held the usually free-scoring Manchester City to just a single goal. It’s easy to forget that Palace have 3 clean sheets in their last 6 games, and look very solid at home. Norwich City have been very reliant on the services of Gary Hooper, and it will come to a great relief to Palace that the player is nursing a minor muscle injury which could see him miss the game – certainly Chris Hughton will not want to risk his main goalscorer if there is any lingering doubt. Even if he is fit, I still fancy Palace to hold the Canaries at bay. Ward is playing centre midfield at the moment so might be more likely to get involved in the Palace attack than his defensive colleagues.

Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
UPDATE: It appears that Walcott took full part in training today and wrestles Jordan Hendeson’s place away from him. Walcott’s form and fixture is excellent, and with 4 goals plus an assist in his last 4 games, Cardiff may have a tough day ahead of them.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Southampton (A)
Unfortunately for the Saints, the fortress that had been built at St. Marys earlier in the season have been breached multiple times since then and now faces another bombardment at the hands of Chelsea. Eden Hazard gets my pick after scoring a superb 10 points last week – that’s 3 double-figure hauls in his last 6 games. At £10.2m, he’s not cheap, but he seems to be rotation proof.

Yaya Toure (MCI)
Opponent – Swansea (A)
After being rested against Crystal Palace at home, It’s pretty certain that Toure will start. In the absence of Aguero, he will be on penalties and will take a fair share of direct free kicks. The loss of David Silva will be a boost for Toure – he usually seems to fare better when Silva is out. With 4 goals and 6 bonus points in his last 6 games, I think Toure will fare well against the Swansea back line.

Kevin Nolan (WHM)
Opponent – Fulham (A)
With so many managers looking to use their wildcard next week, it’s the perfect time for a little gamble – step forward Mr. Nolan. He has 1 goal and 3 assists in his last 2 games and faces a Fulham side that look, quite frankly, awful at the back. A warning: Nolan is on 4 yellows so he needs to avoid a yellow tonight or he will be banned for next gameweek, but as a gamble, he is perfect for tomorrow.

Lucas Podolski (ARS)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
With injuries and doubts destroying the Gunners attack, it’s time for a Podolski to stake a claim for a starting spot at the expense of Giroud. His limited game time have shown how effective he actually is – 3 goals, 1 assist and 5 bonus points in a little over 100 minutes so far this season. He clearly has pedigree and will be delighted to be facing a Cardiff City side that could easily capitulate tomorrow.

Alvaro Negredo/Romelu Lukaku (MCI)/(EVE)
Opponent – Swansea (A)/Stoke (A)
I’ve decided to give two options here for the different tastes of the FPL community. One is consistent (Negredo) and one is explosive (Lukaku). Having been rested for the Crystal Palace game last week, I’m backing the form of Negredo to breach the Swansea back line. While not an explosive striker, his consistency is perhaps a comfort to managers who will probably take every point they can get amid a raft of suspensions, injuries and down affecting a multitude of high-cost players. Sometimes, consistency is preferred to explosive returns – this could be one of those weeks. However, if you want an explosive option, then look no further than Lukaku. He has been completely out of form but scored his first goal in 6 last gameweek. Does this mean we might see a return to form against a Stoke side who have been leaking goals and who are missing Robert Huth? Who knows with Lukaku – he could do nothing or he could get a hattrick. So depending on your own preference, you now have a pick to suit your style!

Wayne Rooney (MUN)
Opponent – Tottenham Hotspurs (H)
I think Rooney will be ok to start this crucial game at Old Trafford on Wednesday afternoon. United must win to keep their title hopes alive, and I would be confident that a victory ofver Spurs would he a good way to end a year that can only be described as rocky for the Red Devils. If Rooney is even 90% fit, he will start this one. With 4 double-figure returns in his last 6 games, it shows how ingetral he is to the United attack right now.

The Captain – Luis Suarez (LIV) –
While I have explained why Suarez does not make the Eleven, he still gets my captaincy for the gameweek. Hull at home is a great fixture for the Uruguayan, and I would be stunned if Suarez did not get on the score sheet.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Sunderland to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Phil Bardsley (SUN)
Midfielder: Samir Nasri (MUN)
Striker: Marouane Chamakh (CPL)
Captain: Lucas Podolski (ARS)

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 19

Posted: December 27, 2013 in Uncategorized
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It seems like all I have been doing recently is writing Dirtsheets! As the gameweek’s come thick and fast, we are seeing a number of injuries to key players, no more so that Aaron Ramsey who has been a staple in most sides all season. There is a clear choice to be made…to stick with the Welshman and hope that his injury is not too serious or to make a clean break and sell him on for a clever differential.

My own team has been decimated in recent weeks with injuries, suspensions and bench warming duties affecting 8 of my team. It’s very tough to get out of such a rut, but had I taken my own advice that I give to you every week with the Dirtsheet, I might be faring much better!

Come 17:45 on Sunday, we will be halfway through the season. Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 19.

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 19

The Eleven – (3-5-2)

David Marshall (CAR)
Opponent – Sunderland
It’s actually quite difficult to choose a goalkeeper this week, so I’ve opted for David Marshall to cover the Cardiff home tie against Sunderland. The Bluebirds will be hoping to avoid a similar capitulation that saw Southampton score three without reply on Wednesday night. Against a 10-man Everton, Sunderland could not score from open play and so I feel Cardiff could walk away with a narrow win and a clean sheet.

Vincent Kompany (MCI)
Opponent – Crystal Palace (H)
The City captain has been an unlikely source of goals lately, with 2 from his previous two games. While a third goal would probably come as a surprise against Crystal Palace, a clean sheet would not. The returning Marouane Chamakh should pose some threat but the pairing of Kompany and Nastasic (in addition to the returning Zabaleta) should be enough to keep a clean sheet at the Etihad.

Phil Jagielka (EVE)
Opponent – Southampton (H)
A rare defensive and offensive blank for the Everton backline allows us to highlight how poorly Coleman fares compared to the center-back pairing of Distin and Jagielka when the time comes for bonus points to be allocated. I still feel that Coleman is punching above his weight and I think Southampton will be smart enough to keep tabs on him tomorrow. With that in mind, I’m opting for Phil Jagielka to cover a possible Everton clean sheet. I’ve said it before – in games when Everton win by a few goals to nil, Jagielka always seems to lead the race for bonus points.

James Chester (HUL)
Opponent – Fulham (H)
Having almost made it 2014 with just 4 goals conceded at home, it will have annoyed Steve Bruce to throw away three points and three goals to his former side. I can see Hull bouncing back to keep a clean sheet against Fulham. Chester scored against Manchester United only to put through his own net, but it’s clear that the potential is there. At just £3.9, he is certainly a budget friendly option, especially for those looking to squeeze Walcott into their side by freeing up some funds locked in the defense.

David Silva (MCI)
Opponent – Crystal Palace (H)
The first of two City attacking players, David Silva take his place after an assist and 2 bonus in the midweek win over Liverpool. I am of the opinion that Silva is the best midfield pick in the City side, but Yaya Toure seems to have a habit of pulling a goal out of the hat from a set piece which can sometimes take the shine off yet another Silva masterclass. I have read some arguments for the idea that Silva could be rested, but I cannot see this happening. Alvaro Negredo walked off on Wednesday with a heavy limp, and whether he is tired or injured, I cannot see Dzeko leading the line by himself without Silva to create the chances. Palace can be a stubborn side to break down at times, and I cannot see Pellegrini taking any chances with his team selection.

Theo Walcott (ARS)
Opponent – Newcastle United (A)
Since returning after a longstanding injury, Walcott has emerged as yet another big-budget midfielder to vie for our attentions. Leading the total transfers in this week, he is the perfect replacement for Aaron Ramsey who was taken off after 62 minutes with a calf injury on Wednesday. A very strong captain candidate this week, he has a great record against a Newcastle side who will not be afraid to attack the Gunners. There could be goals in this one, and I can see Walcott on the score-sheet yet again.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Liverpool (H)
The Belgian is clearly living up to his tag of being undroppable by Mourinho, and despite lingering doubts as to weather he would start last game week, he ended up starting and scoring the game-winning goal. Like Suarez, he is the player most likely to be involved in any goals scored by his side.

Yaya Toure (MCI)
Opponent – Crystal Palace (H)
With so much confusion surrounding the City front-line going into tomorrow’s match, I’m opting for a second City midfielder and that can only mean Yaya Toure fills the final midfield spot. If it weren’t for the fact that Toure is on penalties and most direct free kicks, I think Silva would trounce him in FPL, but unfortunately he is on both while Aguero is out. This means that Toure could do little attacking for an entire game and still score direct from a set piece. Palace will be buoyed by their smash and grab win at Villa Park, but City will be too much for them in the middle of the park.

Ashley Young (MUN)
Opponent – Norwich (A)
I have been very impressed with Ashley Young’s contributions to the United cause in recent weeks and I am very confident that he will start against Norwich who are finding things very tough at the moment. With Januzaj on the other side and Rooney helping out in midfield, it’s giving the wingers more of a chance to get inside their man and Young is superb in these areas. It’s perhaps a little gamble, but at £7.1m and just 0.2% ownership, it’s one that I am considering myself.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – Chelsea (A)
By all accounts, it seems that the it was not Manchester City that prevented Suarez notching some attacking points on Wednesday night, rather the combination of dreadful officiating and poor finishing by his wasteful teammates. Up next is another difficult game against Chelsea who have been known to park the bus in such matches – a tactic that Arsenal and Manchester United have both witnessed first-hand this season. I cannot see many goals here, but if Liverpool are get a result, it has to involve Suarez.

Wayne Rooney (MUN)
Opponent – Norwich City (A)
David Moyes has been lauding the contribution of Rooney to the success of the Manchester United team as of late, and based on recent performances, it’s hard not to agree with him. United seem to be a much more direct and dangerous force lately, and most of that is down to Rooney dropping deep to free up other players. Thankfully, these excursions do not appear to be affecting his output – a goal and assist in his last game was a fantastic contribution, especially when you consider that Hull had only conceded 4 all season at home, and never more than 1 in a single game. The Canaries will need to have a very good day at the office to stop Rooney and company.

The Captain – Wayne Rooney (MUN) –
Given the aforementioned tactics that might be employed on Sunday afternoon by the home side, it may be difficult for Suarez to score enough to warrant the captaincy this week. In the City game, I need to be 100% that my captain is playing, but a home tie against Palace is a good a time as any to rest key personnel. It’s not enough of a concern for me to omit their players from the Eleven, but it is enough to look elsewhere for the captaincy. For me, it comes down to Walcott and Rooney. Both players have an away fixture, but it is clear that the Gunners will be more severely tested. Newcastle are beginning to climb the table in recent months, and I cannot rule out the possibility of a tighter game than is usual in this fixture. With this in mind, I’m giving the armband to Rooney this week. He has the form and he is working incredibly hard for the team. The other players around him are clearly benefiting and there is now a clear sense of self-belief flowing through the Old Trafford side.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Hull City and Cardiff to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Michael Dawson (TOT)
Midfielder: Yohan Cabaye (NEW)
Striker: Emmanuel Adebayor (TOT)
Captain: Theo Walcott (ARS)

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 18

Posted: December 25, 2013 in Uncategorized
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A very Happy Christmas (or Holidays!) to all my readers around the world. I hope I find you all in the same position as I am today…full of good food and surrounded by loved ones. I learned two things today – firstly, my brother makes the most incredible goose fat-covered baked potatoes and secondly, my fiance is the most devious shrew when it comes to getting me presents 🙂 She completely blind-sided me with something that was apparently sold out for months.

Anyways, back to FPL! Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 18!

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 18

The Eleven – (3-4-3)

Tim Krul (NEW)
Opponent – Stoke City (H)
Newcastle will be buoyed by a superb display against a usually solid Crystal Palace side, and will look forward to kicking off the festive period with a home tie against Stoke. Clearly, they will need to deal with the service to Peter Crouch, but proper closing down of any potential balls from midfield will help to eliminate the threat.

Martin Olsson (NOR)
Opponent – Fulham (H)
With Berbatov struggling to be fit, I’m looking towards Norwich for a clean sheet against the Cottagers. With little to separate any of the Canaries back line in terms of attacking threat, I’m choosing the budget-friendly option presented by the Swede.

Seamus Coleman (EVE)
Opponent – Sunderland (H)
Although any player in the Everton back line is a great pick against Sunderland this game week, it’s impossible not to select Seamus Coleman. While I still think that the recent attacking returns are well above the normal for the player, the loss of Wes Brown (and possibly John O’Shea) means that Coleman stands head and shoulders above his defensive team mates. Can he extend his run of 3 goals in his last 5? My statistics say he cannot, but the Irishman may as well be sitting beside tearing up those stat reports!

Per Mertesacker (ARS)
Opponent – West Ham United (A)
A number of months ago, I had the simple choice between Koscielny and Mertesacker to cover the Arsenal backline, and I chose the Frenchman over the German – boy was that the wrong move! Mertesacker was the outstanding player in the home draw versus Chelsea, and with a visit to the stuttering West Ham up next, another clean sheet is likely.

Yohan Cabaye (NEW)
Opponent – Stoke City (H)
With 2 goals, 2 assists and 7 bonus points in his last 5 games, I’m opting for Cabaye ahead of the home tie against Stoke City. Cabaye will likely play right behind Remy which will allow him to contribute more to Newcastle’s attacking play. Stoke have not traveled well in recent weeks and I can see a home win for the Magpies.

Theo Walcott (ARS)
Opponent – West Ham United (A)
After seeing the dynamic duo of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey dominate the Dirtsheet over past number of months, I’m freshening things up by selecting Theo Walcott for the second week in a row ahead of visit to West Ham. Arsenal seem to have more of a cutting edge when Walcott plays and will thrive on the service that Arsenal have been supplying (without much fruit) to Olivier Giroud.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Swansea (H)
Although Hazard has only one assist to his name in the last 3 games, we must remember that he scored 42 points in the 4 games previous to this. I do feel that Hazard will start at home to Swansea and I am hoping he returns to scoring ways. If Chelsea are cruising after 60 minutes, Hazard may get a rest, but I think he could have done enough damage to have earned his dirtsheet slot.

Yaya Toure (MCI)
Opponent – Liverpool (H)
It’s a close call to select the player who will cover the City showdown with league leaders Liverpool, but in my mind, it comes down to two players – Yaya Toure and David Silva. While both players are great choices, I’m opting for Toure. He will be on direct free kicks and penalties at the Etihad. Given the immense attacking threat posed by both sides, there could be a landslide of goals and with neither defense looking to pull punches, there may be plenty of opportunities for Toure to score from a dead-ball situation.

Emmanuel Adebayor (TOT)
Opponent – West Bromich Albion (H)
The lack of Romelu Lukaku is certainly a huge call – after all, he has a great chance to get back to scoring way with a home tie against Sunderland. However, it’s hard to ignore the form of Adebayor, who seems to be a different player under Tim Sherwood – the former Spurs man has placed his faith in the Tongolese powerhouse and he seems incredibly eager to repay the faith that previous managers have failed to show. 4-4-2 certainly seems to fit the Spurs team far better than any team selection which isolates Soldado up front by his own.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – Manchester City (A)
As I said last week, Suarez is capable of scoring against any team on any ground in the country, and he will certainly be looking to send a clear message to the rest of the league tomorrow – that Liverpool ARE genuine title contenders and a win over title rivals City will go a long way to proving the doubters wrong. Arsenal scored three against City two weeks ago and I am putting my money on Suarez to breach the City back line – even with club captain Vincent Kompany back to rally the troops.

Wayne Rooney (Hull)
Opponent – Hull City (A)
Again, Lukaku runs Rooney close for a final Dirtsheet place. Certainly, Hull’s home defensive form seems to indicate that United might struggle to break down such a well-disciplined side. However, Rooney has been dropping deep into midfield in recent games which has had a huge effect on United’s fortunes. They are beginning to score more freely, and we need to remember that Rooney is also on penalties and free kicks. If United get an early breakthrough, they may score 2-3 goals and I think Rooney could be heavily involved.

The Captain – Luis Suarez (LIV) – On most weeks, I don’t even have to think about this choice. However, it’s not every day that Liverpool travel to the Etihad. In addition, we have a number of other candidates for the armband, and most seem to favor Rooney as a viable alternative. Even with this in mind, I still have to opt for the Uruguayan. His recent returns are the best that I have seen since I started playing FPL, even eclipsing those of Ronaldo and Van Persie. City have been poor defensively and there could be plenty of space for Suarez to run riot yet again. If you have Rooney and Suarez, I would urge you to go with your gut instinct on this occasion. For those looking to pull back points against opponents who will certainly captain Suarez, then Rooney might just the better option.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham, Norwich, Arsenal and Everton to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Patrice Evra (MUN)
Midfielder: Pete Whittingham (CAR)
Striker: Romelu Lukaku (EVE)
Captain: Wayne Rooney (MUN)

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 17

Posted: December 20, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Dirtsheet readers! Thanks so much for your support all year long! It’s great to see the thousands of readers lighting up my stats each week. I wish you all a very happy holiday.

I want to address a certain topic before we get into the Dirtsheet – how do I make money from this website? The honest answer is that, I do not. I’m lucky to have a good job and this website allows be to do a good service to the FPL community.

If you do want to make a donation as a thank you, please make it to your local charity. There are many people out there who have more to worry about this year than who to captain for GW 17 😀 .

If you are living in the UK, plase consider Cancer Research UK. A single donation of £2 will make a great difference. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate

If you are in Ireland, I raise money for a local animal sanctuary called Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW). They do stellar work and never put a healthy animal to sleep – text LAW to 50300 will donate 2 euro to the cause. http://www.limerickanimalwelfare.ie/

Please RT this post if you are going to RT anything today!

Again, thank you to everyone that reads the Dirtsheet and have a merry Christmas!

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Here’s the dirtsheet for Gameweek 17.

 

I think I learned a season-long lesson last week.

“Always captain Suarez”

Opponent? Doesn’t matter.

Home or away? Doesn’t matter.

Liverpool missing key players? Doesn’t matter.

I would go as far as to say that Suarez is the single most reliable captain since Cristiano Ronaldo took it upon himself to single-handedly destroy teams on a regular basis. Last weeks 5-0 hammering of Spurs at White Hart Lane sums it all up. Two goals and three assists for a Liverpool side away from home and without Steven Gerrard is the sign of a player who simply must be in your side. The first goal in particular was a thing of beauty, and there will be many more to come from now until May.

Thankfully, a Liverpool home tie vs Cardiff City puts the captaincy dilemma to bed. He is leading most captaincy polls by a laughable margin – that’s one less topic for me to focus on in this weeks Dirtsheet. I’m not even going to list a differential captain this week. There is a time and a place for a cheeky punt – this week is not one of them. If you have Suarez, captain him. If you still do not have Suarez, buy him.

It’s a 3-4-3 this week as I focus on the myriad of choices in the middle of the park.

Here’s the dirtsheet for Gameweek 17.

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 17

The Eleven – (3-4-3)

Simon Mignolet (LIV)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
A clean sheet against Spurs will certainly boost the confidence of the Liverpool back line ahead of the visit of the Bluebirds. I think Cardiff pose a great threat from dead ball situations, but I feel the strength of the Liverpool defense will hold solid.

Seamus Coleman (EVE)
Opponent – Swansea (A)
Seamus Coleman seems to be in the right place in the right time far too often in recent weeks, and despite my belief that Jagielka will outscore Coleman 9 times out of 10 when Everton keep a clean sheet, it’s hard not to select the Irishman. Swansea have had an up-and-down season so far but Everton have been simply electric in recent weeks.

Joel Ward (CPL)
Opponent – Newcastle United (H)
The Magpies players seem out of sorts, none more so than Loic Remy. Ward has been the standout Palace defender for me in recent weeks and a clean sheet and an assist in his last two games backed up his Dirtsheet selection two weeks ago.

Patrice Evra (MUN)
Opponent – West Ham United (H)
A goal and a clean sheet in the Carling Cup quarter-final against Stoke puts the Frenchman in good stead before a potentially prosperous home tie against West Ham. I have a feeling that David Moyes might field his strongest defense just in case United struggle without Rooney and van Persie. Evra is a good bet for a clean sheet against a Hammers side with just a single point from their last 4 games.

Jordan Henderson (LIV)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
After coming very close to the Dirtsheet last week, I’m going to opt for the young Englishman for the tie against Cardiff after his 13-point haul. In the absence of Steven Gerrard, Henderson has certainly taken his chance to impress and I back him to continue in similar fashion on Saturday.

Theo Walcott (ARS)
Opponent – Chelsea (H)
Walcott returned from injury to score two against a solid City defense last week. Although I do see Chelsea parking the bus against a frightening Arsenal offensive unit, Walcott will certainly start and could be the knife that cuts through Terry and co. I can see the Gunners winning this one.

Kevin Mirallas (EVE)
Opponent – Swansea (A)
With an injury to Gerard Duelofeu now confirmed, Mirallas knows he has about 6 weeks to cement his starting place prior to the return of the mercurial Catalan. He is showing all the signs of the player that many managers decided to include way back in gameweek 1, and after scoring a goal from the bench last week, I think he could take his chance against an unpredictable Swansea.

Yaya Toure (MCI)
Opponent – Fulham (A)
With Aguero out for up to 8 weeks, Yaya will now be City’s penalty taker – Aguero owners will know this having seen two penalties go City’s way AFTER he departed the game! David Silva is a slightly cheaper option, but a Silva/Negredo 4-5-1 partnership is somewhat untested. Yaya’s form shows no sign of faltering, with 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 5. If you have either midfielder for the weekend, I think you have a good chance of attacking points.

Danny Welbeck (MUN)
Opponent – West Ham United (H)
I *almost* went with Ashley Young for the dirtsheet given his performance in the Carling Cup and the fact that David Moyes might look to start him after a very positive display, but I’m opting for Danny Welbeck as he offers more security in terms of his start. Wayne Rooney is a major doubt at the time of writing and Danny Welbeck will probably lead the line against West Ham. With the proper support from the wings, Welbeck could easily get a goal against West Ham, especially if Tom Cleverly takes the field – both players always seem to bring the best out of each other.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
When I was a kid, I used love playing soccer with my friends. I once scored 3 goals in a game. Luiz Suarez can do that every week. Pick him. Don’t pick me. I’ll only disappoint you with just an assist and a bonus point.

Alvaro Negredo (MCI)
Opponent – Fulham (A)
Regardless of whether Pellegrini opts to continue with 4-4-2 (opting for Dzeko) or change to 4-5-1 (with Silva tucked in behind the striker), Negredo will start at the weekend. Aguero casts a very large shadow, but it’s important to say that Negredo has scored 3 goals and an assist in his last 4 games, including two games where he was only given 60 minutes. He will relish the opportunity to be City’s main man in attack, and Fulham’s shaky back line could well be very giving as we approach Christmas.

The Captain – Luis Suarez (LIV) – Just please captain Suarez. Thanks. best regards, Your Own Sanity.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Manchester City, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and and Everton to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Phil Bardsley (SUN)
Midfielder: Ashley Young (MUN)
Striker: Marouane Chamakh (CPL)
Captain: Luis Suarez (LIV) – that’s right, he’s the Chuck Norris of FPL, just captain him.

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 16

Posted: December 13, 2013 in Uncategorized
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After a number of gameweeks that presented us with pretty clear choices in terms of captaincy selection and transfer choices, gameweek 16 presents much more of a mental challenge for even the best FPL managers.

A number of captaincy candidates vie for our attention without making a definitive case for any of them. In addition, squad rotation begins to dig it’s claws into the sides of many FPL managers – it gets tough to know who is safe and who is not.

I’m opting for a 5-2-3 formation this week. I think many managers are seriously looking at cheaper defensive options this week and I think there are some good candidates for defensive returns, not only for this gameweek, but also for the next number of matches. Truth be told, given the fixtures this week, few midfield options stick out for me anyways.

Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 16.

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 16

The Eleven – (5-2-3)

Allan McGregor (HUL)
Opponent – Stoke City (H)
A home tie against Stoke is a decent opportunity to get back to earning clean sheets, especially after a tough run of fixtures. McGregor has been solid and he should get a chance for a clean sheet and a few save points.

Seamus Coleman (EVE)
Opponent – Fulham (H)
Coleman has been a superb servant for FPL managers this year and I back him to continue against Fulham at Goodison Park. He has amassed a significant number of attacking points, and he could easily destroy Fulham’s left hand side.

Mathieu Debuchy (NEW)
Opponent – Southampton (H)
I was mulling over choosing Mike Williamson for the visit of Southampton, but just in case Southampton score, I want to cover attacking returns by selecting Debuchy instead. While his attacking returns have not set the FPL alight, I think he could register more in the next few weeks.

Phil Jagielka (EVE)
Opponent – Fulham (H)
Truth be told, I have actually transferred in Jagielka ahead of Coleman in my own team. I think Everton will keep a number of clean sheets over the next 5 gameweeks and Jagielka is head and shoulders above his defensive counterparts when it comes to bonus points when clean sheets are gained. Even though he has only 1 assist to his name – Jagielka’s 18 points is more than Coleman (9) and Distin (6) combined!

Steven Caulker (CAR)
Opponent – West Bromich Albion (H)
A home tie with West Brom sees the attacking threat of Caulker earn a place in the dirtsheet. Although he is more expensive than the rest of his defensive teammates, his attacking threat is more than enough to make up for it – he has already 2 goals this season. I have a feeling that Cardiff’s deadball skill will trouble WBA’s backline and Caulker has the aerial threat to punish them. Ben Davies is your more budget-friendly option.

Martin Ollson (NOR)
Opponent – Swansea City (H)
With Michael Turner hovering close to a suspension on 4 yellow cards, I turn to Ollson to cover the Norwich back line ahead of the Swansea Game. Thursday night football doesn’t seem to suit the Swans as it’s tough to get back to the mindset required for the Premier League.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Crystal Palace (H)
The question circulating today is can Jose Mourinho afford to rest Eden Hazard? It seems that Stoke’s victory at the Britannia might be a huge factor in Chelsea’s team selection come the weekend. Personally, I think Hazard has to start. Mata is not fully trusted by the Special One, Lampard played on Wednesday night and Oscar is only coming back from a niggling injury. It’s a risk, but if he starts, Hazard could score double figures for the fourth time in six weeks.

Leroy Fer (NOR)
Opponent – Swansea (H)
Fer has been on my radar for a number of weeks now as his stats in recent months have shown signs of a player ready to explode onto the FPL scene. I’m backing him for a good return against Swansea who are missing Chico and Vorm.

Romelu Lukaku (EVE)
Opponent – Fulham (H)
At the time of writing, Approximately 100,000 managers have transferred the Belgian into their ranks in time for a favourable home tie vs Fulham. 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games is great consistency and Everton are beginning to find great form ahead of a superb run of fictures. A strong captains candidate for a relatively small price is exactly the type of transfer that the shrewd FPL manager will make all day long.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – Tottenham Hotspurs (A)
Another gameweek, another Dirtsheet spot for Luis Suarez. I’m strongly contemplating officially retiring his spot given his unnatural consistency since he returned from his ban. Liverpool have scored 3 or more goals 6 times in the last 7, and although Suarez in-play scoring will be affected by Gerrard’s absence, it will be boosted by the fact that he will take all direct free kicks and, most likely, penalties too. A trip to White Hart Line will prove a tougher test, but Spurs have lacked defensive stability in recent weeks. I predict a goal from Suarez, and possibly more.

Sergio Aguero (MCI)
Opponent – Arsenal (H)
If City are going to get back into the title race, they will need to beat Arsenal. If City are going to score, I can’t think of anyone on th City side more capable of willing a big match than Aguero. I do think City will be buoyed by that magnificent comeback against European Champions Bayern Munich, and I’m going for the home side to win 2-1.

The Captain – Romelu Lukaku (EVE) – I had to pick someone out of Suarez, Aguero and Lukaku, and to be honest, it has been very tricky. In the end, I have decided to back Lukaku just ahead of Aguero. It’s one of those weeks that, if you have already made up your mind about the captaincy, do not change it because I have a different opinion. Either of those 3 players could have a good or a bad week. For me, Lukaku just edges it. A better fixture, a home tie and Everton are beginning to find that killer touch.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Cardiff, Chelsea, Newcastle, Norwich, Everton and Hull City to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Patrice Evra (MUN)
Midfielder: Stephen Ireland (STO)
Striker: Gerard Deulofeu (EVE)
Captain: Yohan Gouffran (NEW)

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 15

Posted: December 6, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Suarez Claus delivered for all the good boys and girls who handed him a festive captaincy armband last week. But for those of the naughtly list who don’t believe in Suarez Claus, there is hope for you yet – a chance to get on the good list between now and Saturday morning.

I switch to a 3-5-2 formation this week given the absence of Wayne Rooney and a lack of other viable options.

Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 15.

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 15

The Eleven – (3-5-2)

Simon Mignolet (LIV)
Opponent – West Ham United (H)
West Ham are beginning to falter, and will have to contend with the fact that Ravel Morrison will no doubt be at home reading Socrates as he serves a one-match ban for shoving an opponent in the face. I cannot see much threat from the Hammers forward line and a clean sheet at Anfield should be on the cards.

Joel Ward (CPL)
Opponent – Cardiff City (H)
In order to free up some funds for more expensive players, I’ve opted for Joel Ward. I know a lot of managers are looking at the Palace backline and who can blame them – 3 clean sheets in their last 4 means that defensive returns could be on the cards in many of their upcoming home fixtures. Ward gets my vote ahead of Gabbidon and Moxey as his performances seem to catch the attention of the bonus point system.

Gareth McCauley (WBA)
Opponent – Norwich (H)
The attacking threat of Gareth McCauley combined with Norwich’s less than stellar front line means it’s easy to select Northern Irishman for the Dirtsheet this week. A goal and an assist in his last five means that, even if Norwich score, there is always the chance of attacking returns.

Pablo Zabaleta (MCI)
Opponent – Southampton (A)
It may be a surprise to see three Manchester City players being selected for the Dirtsheet, but Southampton are in the throes of a dreadful injury crisis. I cannot see any options for Southampton other than sit back and absorb the pressure. Zabaleta has two assists in his last two games and he will have more licence than usual to get forward.

Steven Gerrard (LIV)
Opponent – Norwich (H)
A number of managers had a straight decision between Eden Hazard and Steven Gerrard as a direct replacement for Oscar last gameweek. While a scoreline of 17 to 4 in the Belgian’s favour seems quite definite in terms of who was the better pick, the actual facts tell a different story. Gerrard hit the post, had a certain goal cleared off the line, and really should have 3 assist to his name (certain angles detect the slightest touch for the second and the FPL judges decided that the defender got enough of a touch to rule out an assist for the first). On another night, bonus included, Gerrard could have scored 17 himself. A home tie against a faltering West Ham is another bite at the cherry for Gerrard owners and I am backing him to deliver at Anfield.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Stoke (A)
With all the talk of Luis Suarez, it’s unfair not to give the stunning 17-point haul from Eden Hazard the limelight it deserves. Two clinical strikes and an assist sees him in good form ahead of a trip to Stoke. The Potters have conceded 3 or more goals three times in the last 6 games. A similar performance by Hazard could reap immense rewards yet again. Oscar is still a doubt, and therefore I cannot see a rest for Hazard.

Yaya Toure (SOU)
Opponent – Southampton (A)
Yaya Toure earns a Dirtsheet place for two reasons. Fistly, he single handedly destroyed WBA on Wednesday night. Secondly, and more importantly, Southamption are without BOTH Schneiderlin and Wanyama. With both central midfielders out, I think City could have a field day against a Southampton side also missing Clyne and Boruc. Fonte is also a doubt.

Aaron Ramsey (ARS)
Opponent – Everton (H)
It’s really difficult to predict the outcome of this game. On recent form, its a case of an unstoppable force colliding against an unmovable object. Arsenal have scored an impressive 11 goals in their last 6, whereas Everton have conceded just a single goal in that same period. If one man is to break the Everton backline, its Ramsey. He has played a part in 5 of those 11 goals and gets the nod ahead of Ozil and Giroud.

JonJo Shelvey (SWA)
Opponent – Hull City (H)
With impending returns for both Michu and Bony hanging over his head, I’m going against the grain and selecting Shelvey for the home tie against Hull City. He has done superb in the Michu role since the Spaniard succumbed to injury, and it could be argued that Swansea look a better side with Shelvey in that position than they have with Michu. Shelvey is a nice gamble who could reap significant rewards come Monday night for those brave enough to opt for him.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – West Ham United (H)
…I’m not going to insult either of us by explaining to you why Suarez makes the dirtsheet. I will say that West Ham started the year strong but are now beginning to struggle and, while I do not see another 24 point return, a double figure return is highly likely.

Sergio Aguero (MCI)
Opponent – Southampton (A)
Aguero was unlucky not to have scored more than 1 goal at the Hawthorns, especially after City were awarded a penalty minutes after he was substituted. As with Yaya Toure, City could decimate a fragile Southampton side missing many first team regulars. Lovren and Fonte will probably be very vunerable without Schneiderlin and especially Wanyama. Could he a good day for the blue side of Manchester.

The Captain – Luis Suarez (LIV) – …my favourite memory of childhood was definitely the day I went to the fantasti….oh right, you really want to know why Suarez is captain? 24 points.
That’s why. In all seriousness, Aguero is a decent captain shout this week but I cannot look past Suarez.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Swanseaand West Brom to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Patrice Evra (MUN)
Midfielder: Stephaine Sessegnon (WBA)
Striker: Victor Anichebe (WBA)
Captain: Sergio Aguero (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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 14

Posted: December 2, 2013 in Uncategorized
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“What do you mean there’s a gameweek that started during the week?”

Rest assured that there will be a number of your rivals who have no idea that there is an extra gameweek staring on Tuesday night. Luckily for you, my well-informed reader, the Dirtsheet arrives well in time for the midweek set of fixtures. Please try to keep a straight face as your team (hopefully) races ahead.

Gameweek 13 was certainly unlucky for some – messers Suarez and Aguero contrived to disappoint the vasy majority of FPL managers who had plumped for either as their choice of captain. Fantasy staple Boruc also decided that now is the perfct time to strand his owners in goalkeeping limbo. Let’s hope gameweek 14 proves to follow the plan a little better…

Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 14.

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 14

The Eleven – (3-4-3)

Costel Pantilimon (MCI) /Michel Vorm (SWA)
Opponent – West Bromich Albion (H)/Newcastle United (H)
NOTE: I am providing two goalkeepers here due the widespread effect of the injury to Artur Boruc. With 3 clean sheets in his last 4 games, I’m opting for the beanpole Romanian to cover the City defence against WBA. He is a solid choice of replacement for anyone affected by the injury to Artur Boruc and has a good run of fixtures over the next 5 matches. His place is his alone to lose, but his performances so far have given little hope to Joe Hart regarding a return to the starting team. If you are a little uneasy that Hart may return, then Michel Vorm is a more solid choice.

Per Mertesacker (ARS)
Opponent – Hull City (H)
Last week, owners of Mertesacker must have breathed a huge sigh of relief when a possibly game-ending facial injury was waved away as a mere scratch by the German. It allows Mertesacker to line up against a travel-sick Hull City. I expect a clean sheet and perhaps bonus points come Wednesday night. I wouldn’t rule out a cheeky assist or goal either.

Dejan Lovren (SOU)
Opponent – Aston Villa (H)
It’s amazing to see the fall from grace of Christian Benteke. He looks like a player that does not want to play for Villa. Regardless of the reason, it means that Southampton have the perfect opportunity to get back to doing what they do best – keeping clean sheets. Although they are without Artur Boruc, I still think the Saints backline will keep Villa at bay. I’m going for Dejan Lovren to provide a chance of both attacking and defensive points.

Glen Johnson (LIV)
Opponent – Norwich (H)
I’m loading up on attacking Liverpool players this week, and Glen Johnson is the first of three selected ahead of the home tie against Norwich. So far this season, Johnson’s attacking threat has not produced the points that some of his displays should have returned. I think that Brendan Rogers will be well aware that Luis Suarez will need more than the supply afforded to him by Victor Moses and Raheem Sterling, and will ask Johnson to attack as often as possible. While a clean sheet is a good bet, I think attacking returns could also be on the cards.
Steven Gerrard (LIV)
Opponent – Norwich (H)
While he rarely deserves consideration as a captaincy choice, his superbly taken goal against Hull highlights Steven Gerrard’s consistency as an FPL player. That’s attacking returns in 7 of his last 8 games. With an injury to Daniel Sturridge and doubts over Coutinho’s fitness, I am looking to Gerrard to step up to the plate and continue his incredible run.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Sunderland (A)
As with Suarez and Aguero, Hazard failed to shine in a fixture he was expected to do well in. Although Oscar reported on social media that he was fine after
being substituted in the 41st minute against Southampton, I cant shake the feeling that Mourinho will give him a rest. Therefore, I’m looking to the Belgian to return attacking points at the Stadium of Light.

Adam Lallana (SOU)
Opponent – Aston Villa (H)
I’m backing the Saints to return to winning ways against Villa and Lallana will be key to attacking returns. He has been one of the stand-out performers so far this season, and with 2 double-figure returns in his last 3 home games, Lallana is a good prospect for attacking returns this week.

Aaron Ramsey (ARS)
Opponent – Hull City (H)
Another masterful performance, this time at Cardiff, cements Aaron Ramsey’s place in the Dirtsheet once again. It’s amazing that he started at £5.5 in FPL this year. Hull showed their home defensive stability against Liverpool, but their away record is less than ideal. While rotataion is a small doubt coming into the game, Arsenal have a chance to move even further away from the chasing back before Christmas. Exciting times in London.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – Norwich (H)
Liverpool will be hurt and, more importantly, Luiz Suarez will be hungry for goals after being well beaten by Hull City. Next up is Norwich at Anfield, a game which Liverpool won 5-0 last year. I cannot see anything but a comprehensive victory for the home side, especially if Coutinho can start. The sight of Moses and Sterling supporting Suarez is not as appealing as Coutinho and Sturridge, and being honest, this concerns me just a little. However, it would be a brave manager who does not have Suarez heading into this fixture.

Sergio Aguero (MCI)
Opponent – WBA (A)
A rare blank by the Argentine in the 3-0 defeat of Swansea is not enough to dampen my spirits ahead of a trip to West Brom. It was Samir Nasri who stole the headlines with 2 goals, but I think Aguero’s guile and acceleration will be of more threat to the Baggies rearguard on Wednesday night. He will also draw fouls for Negredo and Toure’s free kicks.

Wayne Rooney (MUN)
Opponent – Everton (H)
Another two goals, this time against Spurs, means there is no doubt that Rooney has entered one of his famous purple patches of form. Up next is a home tie against an Everton side berift of Leighton Baines. I think United will attack the space on the wings and Rooney is clinical when being supplied from that position.

The Captain – Luis Suarez (LIV) –
I think that Suarez will be the runaway leader in all internet captain polls carried out this week – I cannot see Suarez going two games in a row without scoring. There will be goals at Anfield, and without Sturridge (and possibly Coutinho), Suarez will lead the line. Aaron Ramsey is also a good choice, but I think there will be a number of different goalscorers/assisters in the Arsenal game and therefore his bonus point potential might sufffer.

The Clean Sheets
I’m looking to Southampton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Stoke and Manchester City to return clean sheets.

The Unusual Suspects
Defender: Jan Vertongehen (TOT)
Midfielder: Antonio Valencia (MUN)
Striker: Peter Crouch (STO)
Captain: Adam Lallana (SOU)

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 13

Posted: November 29, 2013 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , ,
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We are almost at that time of the year that separates the men from the boys – the Christmas fixture crunch. It’s a time when FPL squads are tested and the most astute managers will reap the rewards of careful planning.

The Dirtsheet for gameweek 13 keeps this in mind as we stick to players who, in addition to having a favourable fixture this week, should also be in contention for starts over the next month. This is no time to be stuck with one-week wonders!

Here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 13.

THE DIRTSHEET: GAMEWEEK 13

The Eleven – (3-4-3)

Tim Krul (NEW)
Opponent – West Bromich Albion (H)
Krul was unlucky to concede last week and I think a clean sheet could be on the cards against WBA. The return of Williamson to partner Coloccini should shore up their defense even further.

Phil Jagielka (EVE)
Opponent – Stoke City (H)
You may have thought that the attacking threat of Seamus Coleman might allow him to force his way into the Dirtsheet this week, but I am opting for the defensive solidity of Phil Jagielka. Almost every time Everton keep a clean sheet, Jagielka either gets 3 bonus or comes very close to the total. I think Everton have enough defensive quality to keep Stoke at bay.

Gael Clichy (MCI)
Opponent – Swansea City (H)
EDIT: With Nastasic injured, I’m now backing Gael Clichy vs Swansea.

John Terry (CHE)
Opponent – Southampton (H)
John Terry’s consistent starts and goal threat means he is almost a constant in the DirtSheet each week. A home tie against a faltering Southampton is a good bet for a clean sheet and his ariel ability at Chelsea set pieces could return attacking points.

Ravel Morrison (WHU)
Opponent – Fulham (H)
I’m opting for the English prodigy to return to scoring ways against a faltering Fulham. It’s clear that West Ham are faltering slightly at the back, and I think there could be goals at either end. The lack of a proper centre forward for West Ham means that Morrison should push on and may get enough chances to score.

Jesus Navas (MCI)
Opponent – Swansea (H)
I feel that Navas is somewhat of a confidence player, and he must be on cloud nine for the visit of Swansea. The Swans will be tired after the Europa League match on Thursday and I can’t see many attacking changes in City’s team after the Spurs game.

Eden Hazard (CHE)
Opponent – Southampton (H)
After a stunning start to the season, Southampton are looking nervous for the first time and could be in for a tough afternoon at Stamford Bridge. After getting a bit of a rest, I’m opting for Eden Hazard to work his magic in tandem with the returning Fernando Torres. Oscar is a slight concern as a rest could be on the cards.

Aaron Ramsey (ARS)
Opponent – Cardiff City (A)
Given the price of the Dirtsheet forward line this week, I’m going for Aaron Ramsey to cover the visit of Arsenal to Cardiff City. The Welshman has more threat compared to Ozil and is more consistent than his midfield colleague. There could be goals here.

Luis Suarez (LIV)
Opponent – Hull City (A)
Another game. Another masterful performance from the Uruguayan. It seems that there isn’t a fixture between now and May that Suarez isn’t a viable captain option. An away trip to Hull is a decent fixture, and while I cannot see a rout of the home side, Suarez should score in a Liverpool victory.

Sergio Aguero (MCI)
Opponent – Swansea City (H)
Speaking of unstoppable players, please welcome one Sergio Aguero to the Dirtsheet. A stunning 15-point return against a hapless Spurs last week is a sign of a player in the best form since his move to Manchester. He was given a rest after 45 minutes in the Champions League on Wednesday and should lead the line yet again. Swansea’s toils in the Europa League on Thursday night means that City could be ready for another attacking masterclass.

Wayne Rooney (MUN)
Opponent – Tottenham Hotspurs (A)
It seems that, regardless of competition or opponent, Wayne Rooney’s form shows no sign of declining. Four assists in a 5-0 mauling of Bayer Leverkusen shows that, even when he is not scoring, he is still contributing to those goals. With Spurs reeling from the savaging inflicted upon them by Manchester City, it’s as a good a time as any to visit White Hart Lane.

The Captain – Sergio Aguero (MCI) –
Given the form of both Sergio Aguero and Luiz Suarez, the captaincy choice seems to be coming down to one of these two FPL behemoths each week. However, I think Aguero has the advantage this week. A rest in the CL means he will certainly start and he is at home against a team that played on Thursday.

The Clean Sheets
Apart from Chelsea and Manchester City, there are a lot of pretty solid choices for clean sheets this gameweek. Aston Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal and Everton are my choices.

The Unusual Suspects
DF: Ron Vlaar (AST) MD: Leroy Fer (NOR) FW: Loic Remy (NEW) Differential Captain: Romelu Lukaku (EVE)

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 follow us on Twitter and share! Every follower counts!

The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 12

Posted: November 22, 2013 in Uncategorized
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My router has decided to pack it in as of an hour ago and therefore I’m forced to create a very basic Dirtsheet this week, getting in as much value as quickly as possible. The phone isn’t the best way of writing…

Thankfully, most of the picks and teams are quite obvious this week.

Here’s the Dirtsheet for GW12.

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The Dirtsheet: Gameweek 11

Posted: November 8, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Good morning to all my Dirstsgeet readers! I’m typing this from 40,000 on a flight from Krakow to Liverpool. I’m tired and a little grumpy as a dog decided to bark throughout the night. Thanks Rex!

However, I can feel my mood change as I turn my thoughts to the Gameweek at hand. A number of my players have some very favourable fixtures and, with a little luck, another good week should be on the cards.

Turning attentions to the Dirtsheet, I’m avoiding all Arsenal and Manchester United players as these two sides face up to each other in the big Sunday encounter. If you have attacking players form either side, it’s best to play them. However, I don’t think it’s worth transferring in anyone especially for this game.

So with further delay, here’s the Dirtsheet for Gameweek 11.

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