Fantasy Football: Adebayor, Coutinho & more – This weekend’s best picks

Goalkeepers

John Ruddy (£5m) It may come as a surprise but John Ruddy is third in the points-scoring ranks for goalkeepers in Fantasy Football. The England international has already racked up 101 points this season – only Wojciech Szczesny and Petr Cech have more! Are you listening Roy Hodgson? He is great value at £5m and Norwich face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend before games against fellow strugglers Aston Villa and Stoke City.

Defenders

John Terry (£6.6m) The former England captain has missed the past couple of weeks through injury. His last performance helped earn Chelsea a 1-0 win at Manchester City as the 33-year-old picked up seven points in the process. Like Ruddy, Terry is the third-highest performing defender behind Seamus Coleman and Per Mertesacker. Considering he provides a threat from set-pieces too, he is worth the fee.

Martin Olsson (£4.3m) Tipped by this columnist a number of weeks ago when he was £0.1m cheaper, Olsson has delivered on his promise. Much like Ruddy, Olsson should benefit from a decent run of fixtures over the next week. The Swedish full-back is one of Norwich’s top-performing defenders this season, racking up a total of 66 points. Furthermore, Olsson is naturally attacking-minded and provides a threat with his crossing ability.

Midfielders

Philippe Coutinho (£8.5m) The Brazilian is a luxury buy at a costly £8.5m but that is still cheaper than the likes of Juan Mata and Mesut Ozil, who are similar players. Coutinho is starting to hit form at the business end of the season, too. The Liverpool playmaker has earned 25 points in his last four displays as he has grown increasingly influential in a more central role. With Swansea City making the trip to Anfield on Saturday, Coutinho has a chance to add to his 77 points.

Jason Puncheon (£5.0m) The Crystal Palace midfielder missed a horrendous penalty at White Hart Lane (and cost Fantasy Footballers -4 points), Jason Puncheon has been in good form. In fact, he has earned 26 points in four games – that’s more than the likes of Ozil and Oscar. Although Palace face Manchester United this weekend, there could be an upset on the cards before the Eagles take on Swansea, Southampton, Sunderland and Newcastle United.

Strikers

Emmanuel Adebayor (£7.7m) If you haven’t restored Emmanuel Adebayor to your side yet – as Tim Sherwood did, earning himself the permanent Spurs job in the process – then it’s time to recall the Togo man. This column has been trumpeting the African since the turn of the year and the 29-year-old has delivered. So much so, that his price has risen from £7.7m to £8.2m. No matter, he is still worth the fee and cheaper than other strikers plying their trade at top-four chasing clubs.

Marouane Chamakh (£4.8m) Who would have thought this column would be suggesting Marouane Chamakh as a potential buy? The former Arsenal striker has found form under Tony Pulis and starting to resemble the player that first attracted interest from the Gunners. The Moroccan has earned 11 points in his last three games, and after Palace’s United clash, Chamakh should profit from a kind run of fixtures.

Captain’s pick

At this stage, most Fantasy Football players should have Daniel Sturridge or Luis Suarez in their sides. The Liverpool partnership, dubbed SAS, will face a Swansea City side likely to be tired from their efforts against Napoli mid-week. Having one of the Liverpool strikers as captain is a must.