It’s big business and this year, with the amount of in-depth analysis we have done, WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO WIN THEM. ALL OF THEM! HAHAHA! But not before we share our unique wisdom with you lot
Needless to say, there are no failsafe ways to pick a Fantasy XI. They are custom-designed to be difficult. But that’s no reason why we can’t spend a sunny Monday morning debating it even more, and seeing if you lot concur...
GOALKEEPERS
As Van der Sar showed by going 11 games (or 1,032 minutes) without conceding a goal, stickmen can be a vital and hugely consistent provider of Fantasy points. They rarely suffer from rotation either, so get this one right, okay?
Maxim recommends:
Petr Cech (Chelsea)
With 26-year-old future England man Ben Foster looking a little shaky in the Community Shield and Liverpool foreseeing some centre-back injury problems, our first option would definitely be Chelsea's number 1.
Shay Given (Man City)
An excellent keeper that should be supported by two spirited and organised centre backs come kick-off day. Has extraordinary reflexes and, what with the outfield team having to gel rather quickly, will likely be the difference between City playing Champions League football or not next year. We’re backing him to do it.
Tim Howard (Everton)
Everton are incredibly hard to play against. One of the things that has delivered David Moyes such fervent admiration is his team’s organisation. Even if they lose Joleon Lescott to Moneybags City, you can count on Moyes to plug the gap just as tightly, meaning Howard should have the protection to do well again this term.
Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)
Odd choice, you say? Well, if Brede Hangeland can be retained, we reckon Fulham will finish top half again this year, meaning Schwarzer will have kept an handful of clean sheets along the way. A decent choice for the manager who prefers to spend most of his budget on attack.
DEFENDERS
A lot of Fantasy League managers leave this area of the side till last, but players like Nemenja Vidic and Joleon Lescott both proved last season that a strong centre back can score just as many points in most systems as a more expensive centre forward. In the Daily Telegraph’s game for instance, Vidic scored more points than any Prem striker except Nicolas Anelka.
It’s also worth acquiring someone who doesn’t mind a penalty or a set-piece – Fabio Aurelio, who came very good at the tail-end of last season, or Yuri Zhirkov, both have excellent left feet, and should he ever be fit again, Daniel Agger likes a pop, as does Chelsea’s Alex.
Maxim recommends:
Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
Certainly won’t be shooting as much in front of the Kop as he did in front of the Fratton End, but Rafa didn’t pay £18m for his defensive abilities. Johnson will be encouraged to overlap and provide telling crosses for the Liverpool attack.
Rafael da Silva (Man Utd)
With Gary Neville’s head, er, shoulders, knees and toes all in line to give out on him this season, Rafael should start a lot more games this season. Could be a snip.
Yuri Zhirkov (Chelsea)
If this chap is categorised as a defender in whichever Fantasy League you are playing, you’d be silly not to take him. He’s an awesome prospect going forward and Chelsea won’t concede many goals, especially in a league that contains Burnley, Hull, Wigan, Birmingham, a backward-sliding Portsmouth, Stoke and Wolves.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Totally fearless Serbian who, whilst second in the pecking order to Bosingwa, certainly provides another option for Chelsea against the rougher sides and would stick his head in a cement mixer if his manager told him to.
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke)
May secure a move to a bigger club early in the season. A gamble, sure, but could really build on a good first season last year.
MIDFIELDERS
An area of the park dominated by two Englishmen. But even Gerrard and Lampard will need to be on top form this year should they want to remain top of the midfield’s Fantasy League points pile.
Maxim recommends:
Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal)
The most talented player at Arsenal since Dennis Bergkamp, Arshavin could well compete with The Big Two for the accolade of Most Midfield Goals.
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Always delivers goals. What else can we say?
Luka Modric (Spurs)
He’s had time to settle, and we reckon 2009/10 is the season the Croatian Cruyff will blossom. He’ll have better forwards to link with and more support in midfield, so this should be his year.
Matt Taylor (Bolton)
One of the most consistent scorers of spectacular goals in the Premier League, Taylor’s left boot should continue to be the bane of opposition goalkeepers this year.
Shaun Wright Phillips (Man City)
Little Shaun should thrive with a workhorse like Tevez, a genius like Robinho and a proper focal point like Adebayor or Santa Cruz around him. And let’s not forget he wants to impress Mr Capello before the season’s out.
FORWARDS
Torres is the big pull, and barring injury is an excellent bet to be the Prem’s top scorer. Rooney is going to have to weigh in more considerably this term should Man Utd want to retain their crown, and he has the passion not to let Ferguson down. We’d plump for them two first.
Other recommendations:
Frederic Piquionne (Portsmouth)
Portsmouth have a hugely depleted squad and are going to struggle, but this ex-Lyon frontman scored twice against Rangers in a recent friendly and if Pompey score this year (in their strict 4-5-1) it will most likely be his name on the scoresheet.
Darren Bent (Sunderland)
Alongside the man mountain that is Kenwyne Jones, and with some fire in his belly after the professional dismay that was his time at Spurs, Bent has points to prove. And what do points make? Happy Fantasy League managers.
Andrew Johnson (Fulham)
A natural goalscorer and poacher, Johnson may not be the first name on anyone’s Fantasy team sheet but he will get 10 goals at least this term and be a thorn in the side of even the most organised of defences.
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
This could be the season he cements his place in the starting line-up, and with Arshavin, Rosicky, Eduardo and Fabregas around him, little Theo won’t be short of a decent through ball or two.
Ebanks-Blake (Wolves)
An ex-Championship striker always does well in his first season in the top-flight and this year we’re putting our weight behind Mr Ebanks-Blake. Goes without saying, he’ll be cheaper than a glass hammer too. Worth a punt we reckon.
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