Fantasy Football Friday: Bring in ball-playing David Luiz while parting company with the injured Robin van Persie

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    4 Mar 2011 12:50:00

    By Chris Davie

    Another gameweek over and another chance to tinker with your fantasy league side. For those of you who have the tendency to dither in your decision-making process, take a peek at our observations, tips and stats, which could push you from mid-table obscurity to, well, who knows where.

    FANTASY LEAGUE STOCK MARKET

    Not so many bargains this week but we’ve had a poke around to see who’s been racking up the points recently. Check out our transfer picks ahead of this gameweek.

    GOALKEEPER

    Buy
    Paul Robinson – Blackburn Rovers

    We’ve eyed up the Fulham/Blackburn game as a potentially dull affair. If you’re in need to changing your goalkeeper, this guy is only £4.6 million.

    Sell
    Pepe Reina – Liverpool

    If Kenny Dalglish’s side can be opened up like a can of beans three times at Upton Park, then it’s not worth having their £6.1m stopper in your ranks.

    DEFENDER

    Buy
    David Luiz – Chelsea

    At Fantasy Football Friday towers we love a ball-playing centre-back. Luiz fits the bill and he loves to venture forward too, and we all know defensive goals rack up the points. If you’ve got £6.1m to spare, give him a whirl.

    Sell
    Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United

    There’s cheaper alternatives than Rio and they all spend less time in the treatment room too. Perhaps it’s time to cash in on his £6.4m value.

    MIDFIELDER

    Buy
    Ashley Young – Aston Villa

    Well at the moment he is playing his way into Villa’s shop window. Gerard Houllier has handed him this roaming role which suits the forward down to a tee. £8.3m is costly, but he’s been Villa’s brightest spark for the last few weeks now.

    Sell
    Tim Cahill – Everton

    If you haven’t heard, the Aussie is out for around a month, so that £9m player you’ve got on the bench isn’t moving anywhere in a hurry. Get him out of your team.

    STRIKER

    Buy
    Demba Ba – West Ham

    We reckon Avram Grant will use this chap as his focal point in attack for the remainder of the season. He’ll get playing time and he’s been in excellent form since his arrival from the Bundesliga. A fine back-up player for £5m.

    Sell
    Robin van Persie – Arsenal

    £10.4m can do little from the treatment table. Shame really. The Dutchman was hitting the right notes over the past few weeks. It was good while it lasted but we won’t see him for at least a month.

    TREATMENT TABLE

    A few high-scoring players are on this list for the long term. Nothing worse than seeing that is there? Take a look to see how your Fantasy Football injured bigwigs are getting on.
    AlexThe Brazilian is still not close to a return, so if you have a penchant for Chelsea centre-backs, you’re best off going for David Luiz or John Terry.
    Marouane FellaniThe Belgian has been ruled out for the season. Get him out of your team now.
    Tim CahillEverton’s influential midfielder has been sidelined for up to a month.

    Thomas VermaelenThe Belgian is still out, and don’t count on him returning too soon.
    Theo WalcottThe speedy winger is out for three weeks.
    Cesc FabregasThe mercurial midfielder is not playing this gameweek. Wenger says so.
    Robin van PersieIt was all going so well wasn’t it? The fragile Dutchman was hauling in the points but alas, he’s sidelined for a month.
    Andy Carroll

    Kenny Dalglish gave a wry smile when asked whether the striker may play against Manchester United. Your guess is as good as ours on that one.

    Rio Ferdinand

    The centre-back will miss the Liverpool match but could return next gameweek.

    Gareth Bale

    The flying Welshman won’t be risked with Tottenham’s Champions League tie on the horizon.

    Adam Johnson

    The Manchester City winger is out for three months, so it’s best shipping him out of your team.

    WHO YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD…

    So these are the chaps who scored the highest in their position during the last gameweek. And you didn’t have them in your side because…?

    FIRST NAME ON THE TEAMSHEET

    We’ve almost given up with this section. The expectancy on our shoulders is getting heavier and heavier as the weeks progress and our picks are failing to deliver. For what it’s worth, have a look and see who we think will score the highest this gameweek.
    David Silva | Manchester City

    We could go for Carlos Tevez – but that’s slightly too obvious. And we don’t do the blatantly obvious at Fantasy Football Friday. Instead, we’ve opted for a midfielder who racks up the points for both goals and assists. Roberto Mancini’s side host Wigan so there should be goals. No pressure, Roberto, but you’ve got to play David Silva now he’s in this section. Oh, the Spaniard is £8.6m, so it’s a medium-sized gamble.

    Continued here:
    Fantasy Football Friday: Bring in ball-playing David Luiz while parting company with the injured Robin van Persie