FPL tips (Game Week 18)
The Christmas period isn’t just a busy time for Premier League teams as they end up playing a lot of fixtures in a very short time, the teams play 3 game weeks in just 7 days during the festive season often stretching squads to their breaking point.
The same can be said about Fantasy Premier League players, it is hard enough making decisions week in week out regarding which player to keep in the squad and whom to remove but when the fixtures pile up, you do feel a little like a real Premier League manager, who should come into the team and who should be taken away.
Game week 18 is on Boxing Day and here are some players who should be considered to be a party of your playing XI to help you move up the league table.
Players/Team to bring in:
Wayne Rooney
Although Rooney might not have scored against Aston Villa, he will be going up against one of his favourite teams to score against Newcastle. Manchester United will be looking to continue their domination over Newcastle and with Newcastle losing their last game against bitter rivals Sunderland, there could be a hammering on the cards from a Manchester United team who are going from strength to strength.
Costel Pantilimon
Costel Pantilimon has made himself the Sunderland number one and after keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle, the goalkeeper would be looking to do the same against one of the worst teams in the league based on current form, Hull City. The Tigers look to be in all sorts of trouble and they don’t seem likely to trouble the Sunderland defence anytime soon, bringing in Pantilimon as the starting GK should bring in some easy points.
Charlie Austin
The fact that Austin is the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League should not be overlooked. He scored a brilliant hat trick in QPR’s come from behind victory over West Bromwich Albion and with the striker in red hot form he would be looking to take on any defence. QPR face Arsenal and with the Gunners letting a lead slip away in the 97th minute against Liverpool, Austin must fancy himself to get a goal or two against Arsenal.
David Silva
With Sergio Aguero injured and Pelligrini not sure about Dzeko or Pozo in the squad, the scoring has to be done from other quarters and David Silva stepped up to the plate against Crystal Palace. The Spaniard might be a costly purchase but the money would be on him to score against West Brom this game week.
Players/Teams to avoid:
West Ham United
West Ham United might be flying high in the Premier League in 4th position but in the 18th game week they face a Chelsea team which has been doing very well in the league. Playing away to Chelsea is one tough task and any West Ham player should be subbed out from the team as soon as possible, a Chelsea win is on the cards, by how much? That is the real question.
Mario Balotelli
The Italian should be back in the squad to take on Burnley but he has not scored one goal in the Premier League despite having the most number of shots in the league. The Italian is running out of time to score but any fantasy league player should steer clear from the Liverpool striker.
Robert Green
While QPR fans will be overjoyed with Charlie Austin’s performance, they face Arsenal next and with Arsenal drawing in the last minute to Liverpool, Green could face a barrage from the Gunners. The Arsenal could be gunning to destroy the QPR defence and dropping Green from the squad would be a smart choice.