Fantasy Football: Koscielny, Sturridge & more – This weekend’s best picks

Goalkeeper

Julian Speroni (£4.5m) The Palace goalkeeper is a great price at £4.5m. Julian Speroni is vastly experienced, having been a veteran of Palace’s last stint in the Premier League. The Eagles shot stopper has collected seven points in his last three games, taking his tally to 64. He can build on his current total with relatively attractive back-to-back home clashes against Stoke City and Hull City.

Defenders

Danny Gabbidon (£4.3m) Regular readers of this column will realise that the former West Ham United defender was in this post last week. Crystal Palace have become a more solid unit since Tony Pulis took charge and Danny Gabbidon has been a key part of the revolution. He is Palace’s top-scoring defender with 59 points and can add to that tally against Stoke City and Hull City.

Laurent Koscielny (£5.6m) Laurent Koscielny is a great price considering that the Frenchman remains a key part of the Premier League’s joint-meanest defence. Whilst he has scored 17 points less than his defensive partner Per Mertesacker (who costs a more pricey £6.5m), Koscielny is still a solid option to collect clean sheet bonus points – particularly as Arsenal face Fulham, Southampton and Crystal Palace in their next three
games.

Roger Johnson (£4.5m) Signed on loan by Sam Allardyce as West Ham United’s injury crisis worsened, Roger Johnson could be viewed as a left-field choice. It has been well-documented how the centre-half has experienced four successive relegations. He will be tasked with steadying the Hammers defence following a brutal festive period. Expect Johnson to start as Allardyce is short on other options – and he could surprise with games against Newcastle United, Swansea, Aston Villa and Southampton in their next five Premier League games.

Midfielders

Raheem Sterling (£5.3m) Steven Gerrard is back from his recent hamstring injury but the Liverpool captain is a pricey option at £8.8m – especially considering his only real goal-scoring threat is from spot-kicks. So, Raheem Sterling is a much more affordable option. Brendan Rodgers has spoken about the winger in glowing terms in recent weeks after scoring three goals and making two assists in his last eight games.

Aiden McGeady (£6m) It’s transfer season and it was too hard to resist the temptation to hand a debut to Aiden McGeady in this column! The winger joins the Irish revolution at Goodison Park – and with the emphasis very much on wing player under Roberto Martinez, the ex-Celtic man could thrive. He’s a good price at £6m and could be worth a gamble.

Tom Huddlestone (£4.9m) It’s a surprise that the new aerodynamic Tom Huddlestone can still be purchased for a bargain £4.9m. The England international went under the shears following his strike in a 6-0 victory over Norwich City in late December. The Tigers have splashed big money on Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long – and Huddlestone will relish the chance to create goal-scoring chances for the duo, as well as providing a threat from long range and set-pieces.

Strikers

Daniel Sturridge (£9.2m) For those Fantasy Footballers desperately trying to balance the books, Daniel Sturridge represents a much cheaper option than Luis Suarez (a saving of £4.2m!!). The England international made an immediate return to goal-scoring form when he came off the bench to score against Stoke City last weekend. Let’s not forget that Sturridge was very much the main man for the Reds before his injury – racking up 77 points!

Emmanuel Adebayor (£7.7m) If you haven’t restored Emmanuel Adebayor to your side yet – as Sherwood has already done, earning himself the permanent Spurs job in the process – then it’s time to recall the Togo man. The 29-year-old has earned 37 points in five Premier League games. Spurs face Swansea, his former side Manchester City and Hull City in their next three games. Expect Adebayor to add to his current points tally. At £7.7m, he is a steal.

Captain’s pick

It would be foolish to rid Suarez of the captaincy if you are among the 53.2 per cent of Fantasy Football players with the Uruguayan in your side. If you can’t afford Suarez, than Sergio Aguero or Alvaro Negredo are good options too.