Chelsea vs. Everton: Fantasy Premier League Picks – Gameweek 8
Many football fans will agree that the international break is a weekend that is wasted watching countries play against each other, when instead they could have spent that time watching their favourite clubs take each on in the Barclays Premier League.
For Fantasy Premier League managers it is twice as hard, as many find themselves having to control their impulse when it comes to buying and selling in the transfer market. Luckily, the time has come for the wheeling and dealing to begin.
Using one’s Transfer Wildcard may not be too bad a decision around this time, however, for the time being it is time to turn our attention to London, where Stamford Bridge is set to be painted blue, by two sides.
Overview
Chelsea will host Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, in a match which the home side has not been too fond of in recent years.
Everton have not lost at the Bridge in the previous four times the sides have met in the Barclays Premier League and it is a statistic that Fantasy Managers should keep in mind.
Also Everton will be looking to take out some of the frustration of the ludicrous Jack Rodwell sending off with Chelsea having to bear the brunt of it.
On the other hand, Chelsea have been in fine form in the league, picking up points on a consistent basis and looking increasingly more like the side that can challenge for honours.
Goal Keeper
Seeing how the only one in the previous seven meetings between the two sides in all competitions ended in a clean sheet, it would be safe to stay away from picking a goal keeper from either side.
This is not because Chelsea keeper, Petr Cech, and Everton’s Tim Howard are not any good, but rather because these matches tend to see both sides score at least a goal each.
Defenders
Defenders would be a safer bet than keepers, especially seeing how both sides have some talented wingbacks in their ranks.
One could go for the central defender, such as John Terry (Chelsea) or Phil Jagielka (Everton), but it is the wingbacks that have more chances of ending the match with a higher return in terms of points.
We would recommend Leighton Baines (Everton) as he is one of Everton’s dead ball specialists.
Midfielders
Both teams have talent across the middle of the park, yet Frank Lampard previous performance was sublime and it would be tough to bet against him to not have a major role to play this coming weekend either.
Juan Mata is also another candidate if players are looking to recruit on the basis of this match, yet his fine performances for his side do not translate into points.
Tim Cahill is another option as he is an ever present threat to the Chelsea back-four when it comes to set pieces.
Strikers
After going through the options David Moyes has at his disposal in the striking department it is difficult to pick out a player as none of them seem as enticing as the forwards on Chelsea’s roster.
Fernando Torres will miss out as he is serving his suspension, but Didier Drogba and Daniel Sturridge do look like they are in the mood of scoring some Fantasy Premier League points.
Our Picks: Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard if managers can afford them, or Tim Cahill if managers are in the mood of taking risks.
Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of Bettor.com
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