Fantasy Premier League GW 21: Previews, Predictions and Wild Card

The Fantasy Premier League is one of the most beloved fantasy games available. Each of us would like to have the most in-form players in all positions; however, budget restrictions, sadly, don't allow for this. I have spent countless hours on the website trying to build the perfect team, usually to no avail. However, the January Wildcard is available now, meaning all transfers are free. This Wildcard may be used anytime after Gameweek 20 and until the end of Gameweek 23. 

I have picked players by focussing on their form, their statistics, their potential and also fixtures. The team selected can be rotated when there is a difficult fixture, and there is still the one free substitution that is available each week to make some changes. Keeping these factors in mind, I present to you the ideal fantasy team.  

Goalkeepers

1. Michael Vorm (5.2 mn): He has been in sensational form this season. He is available cheap; plus, he has kept a host of clean sheets and he provides points for a lot of saves during each game. Against weaker teams, he can keep clean sheets, and against stronger oppositions, he makes countless of saves while saving a few penalties here and there.

2. John Ruddy (4.2 mn): He is simply a backup goalkeeper owing to his low price. Alternative is Tim Krul; he is slightly expensive, but he is definitely worth the price. Another viable alternative is Al-Habsi.

Suggestion for GW 21: Michael Vorm

Defenders

1. Phil Jones (6.6mn): Manchester United have a host of injury problems, and despite his poor form over the last few games, he is not going anywhere. While also keeping clean sheets, he also has tremendous ability to unlock defences and score goals and provide assists. Many times, he is deployed as a midfielder, therefore allowing more scoring opportunities. An alternative in the similar price zone is Micah Richards, but sometimes, the rotational policy hurts his playing time.

2. Ryan Taylor (5.2 mn): Ryan Taylor, though not the greatest defensive asset around, plays almost every single game for the impressive Newcastle United. On top of that, he also scores, assists and takes several free kicks in dangerous positions. Many a time, I have thrown my hands in despair as my friends have benefited from his inclusion tremendously.

3. Angel Rangel (4.4 mn): At 4.4 million, he is one of the cheaper options around and perhaps one of the best. He makes great runs and provides an odd assist every once in a while. Plus he keeps those clean sheets as part of the Swansea team. An alternative would be Danny Simpson.

4. Kyle Walker (6.0 mn): Kyle Walker is improving with each game. He plays the full 90 minutes for almost all matches. Tottenham have one of the best clean sheet records, so expect six points almost every game. He is also capable of scoring and providing assists. Expect an increase in the assist tally as the season progresses.

5. Jose Enrique (6.0 mn): Jose Enrique has to be in your fantasy team. He is utterly impressive, makes blistering runs, provides assists and come close to scoring several times. He has been one of the buys of the season and is a must for fantasy players.

Suggestion for GW 21: I suggest a three-man defence. Manchester United are playing Bolton who have had a horrible defensive season. Pick Phil Jones. Also pick Ryan Taylor. Pick either Walker or Enrique for GW 21.

Midfielders

1. Gareth Bale (9.3 mn): Gareth Bale is in explosive form this season. It’s no surprise he has to be your team. Although Modric is a great player, he is the one that provides the assist to the assist-making person, thereby not collecting as many points. The same goes for Juan Mata. Bale makes assists and scores as well and is less injury and substitution prone than Rafael Van der Vaart. 

2. David Silva (10.4 mn): Not surprisingly, Silva leads the table in the midfielder section with a total of 116 points. He is a must-have.

3. Luis Nani (10.5 mn): Although not as consistent as Silva, Nani is usually involved with creating the assist or scoring. He hogs the ball a lot and tries to shoot from odd angles. Not as great as Silva, but he certainly does rack up the points. Making him a captain is a risk, as there are usually inconsistent performances from him.

You can also pick Clint Dempsey, as he makes Fulham tick and scores a lot of goals while providing valuable assists. Another cheaper and perhaps better option might be Antonio Valencia, who has been in sublime form over the past matches with several goals and assists. 

4. Nigel Reo-Coker (4.4 mn): When you have picked expensive, goal-scoring midfielders, you have to go with cheaper options that are also capable of providing points on their days. Reo-Coker is one such player.

5. Anthony Pilkington (5.1 mn): Same reasoning as Reo-Coker. Alternatives for these two could be Sessegnon, Petrov or Jonathan Walters. 

Suggestion for GW 22: Choose a four-man midfield with Bale, Nani and Silva. Norwich are facing West Brom, so go with Pilkington rather than Reo-Coker, whose team is facing Manchester United.

Forwards

I think we all would like to have a forward line-up of Van Persie, Aguero and Rooney. Alas, the fantasy bank doesn't allow that.

1. Gabriel Agbonlahor (6.9 mn): A relatively cheap striking option, but somehow, he finds the goal often. He also contributes with a lot of assists. His form has been dipping a little bit, but I suggest sticking with him. You can also pick Sturridge, but you may be frustrated by his lack of playing time in some matches or complete absence. However, with Drogba departing for the African Cup, Sturridge might be a tremendous option.

2. Ayegbeni Yakubu (6.0 mn): Yakubu has been simply sensational. At 6.0 million, he is an absolute steal. Forget Aguero, who might be left on the bench in less important matches and might pave the way for Balotelli or Dzeko. He is a safe, cheap, goal-scoring option.

3. Wayne Rooney (12.0 mn): Surprised that I did not pick Van Persie? Well, it is only for GW 21. Wenger might decide to give RVP a deserved rest with Henry back. Plus, Swansea are a tough opposition to unlock, and RVP might not get in the score sheet. Rooney is in red-hot form, and Manchester United are facing Bolton. Expect a goal or two from Rooney.

For GW 22, you may sub him, but Manchester United are facing Arsenal and Manchester City are facing Tottenham. For GW 22, I suggest bring in Peter Crouch, and for GW 23, Robin Van Persie, as Arsenal’s fixtures are against Bolton, Blackburn and Sunderland from GW 23 onwards. 

Conclusion

Suggested Formation for GW-21: 3-4-3

Vorm 

Jones -Taylor R-Walker

Bale-Silva-Nani-Pilkington

Agbonlahor-Yakubu-Rooney

Please also read:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1017279-top-10-players-to-have-never-won-the-fifa-footballer-of-the-year

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1018154-thierry-henry-exploring-the-player-the-phenomenon-the-legend