Fantasy Football: Premier League tips - Gameweek 29
WhoScored.com return with their picks for Draft 11 ahead of Gameweek 29 in the Premier League, suggesting a line-up based on form and statistics. What sets Draft 11 apart from other fantasy football platforms is an ability to choose a new XI every week, with a $100k wage budget with which to do so. Statistics have a stronger part to play in the scoring system and, in turn, wages than traditional offerings.
Amongst other means, players are able to score points for saves, passes, tackles and shots in addition to the standard goals and assists, meaning it requires greater football knowledge to pick a winning team. For more information on how best to play and the incentives available click here, but for those ready to make their selections, here are your tips ahead of this weekend's matches.
Asmir Begovic: Stoke are climbing up the table at an impressive rate right now, leapfrogging the likes of Swansea, West Ham and Newcastle after three consecutive victories. They'll be looking to make it 4 at a happy hunting ground in the Hawthorns, winning their last 5 away matches against the Baggies and conceding just once in that time. Another clean sheet could yet be on the cards but West Brom will put up a fight in a match that sees Tony Pulis face his former club.
Michael Dawson: Hull have a fantastic chance to move further from the relegation zone when they make the trip to bottom club Leicester, who boast the worst home record in the top-flight. The Foxes, nevertheless, always make a good go of things so the Tigers' back line, marshalled by Dawson, will need to earn their money and the former Tottenham man has done just that since signing, averaging 9.6 clearances per game.
John Terry: Chelsea's match up with Southampton may not be as tough a task as it would have been a matter of months ago, with the Saints failing to score in 4 of their last 6 matches. John Terry's form has not dipped in the league this season and the ever-present Blues captain has scored in 2 of his last 4 meetings with the South Coast side.
Ciaran Clark: Aston Villa will look to build on an important week in their season following back-to-back wins over local rivals West Brom when they travel to Sunderland and Ciaran Clark has been their most consistent performer in an arduous campaign. The Ireland international is Villa's highest rated player according to WhoScored.com (7.13) and the Black Cats have scored just 1 goal in their last 6 meetings against the Midlands outfit.
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Jason Puncheon: Palace host QPR in a crucial London derby this weekend and victory for the hosts would all but ensure their Premier League survival, coming up against the league's worst travellers. WhoScored.com's match forecast suggests that the Eagles will 'create many scoring chances' and score from a 'set piece situation' so Puncheon - who has registered the joint most assists in 2015 (4), could be key.
Jonjo Shelvey: There's something about coming up against former club Liverpool that clearly motivates Jonjo Shelvey. He has been a key figure in the last 4 meetings between the sides, scoring in 2 of them, as well as making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He'll be hoping he's in the news for the right ones come Monday night and recently registered both assists as the Swans dispatched of Manchester United for the second time this season.
Santi Cazorla (C): Thriving in a deeper central midfield position since the turn of the year, Santi Cazorla has come to the fore for Arsenal at a time when some of those around him have gone off the boil a little. The Spaniard is seeing plenty of the ball now and will do so once more against a West Ham side that have lost their last 7 league matches against the Gunners, conceding 21 goals. Cazorla, meanwhile, has been responsible for three of those goals, as well as registering two assists in that run. He's a prime candidate for the captaincy in turn.
David Silva: Cazorla's compatriot David Silva is having an equally impressive spell of late, with his goal against Leicester last time out meaning that the Spaniard has reached double figures in a league season for the first time in his career. The City man opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw against Burnley earlier this season and Pellegrini will be out for revenge. With WhoScored's match forecast hinting that the away side will 'dominate possession' and 'score from a wing play situation', Silva will be pivotal.
Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool's striker will hope to both start and score in back-to-back league games when Liverpool make the trip to Swansea given that he boasts an impressive record against the Welsh outfit. Now returning to full fitness, Sturridge will be aiming to add to a tally of 4 goals in his last 3 appearances against the Swans on Monday night.
Romelu Lukaku: His form may have been patchy this season but Romelu Lukaku remains a real handful on his day, and he's had a few of those against Newcastle. The young Belgian has scored 4 goals in 5 appearances against the Magpies and will hope to steal the show in what is traditionally a high-scoring fixture, with the Toffees netting at least twice in their last 6 meetings with the Tyneside outfit.
Harry Kane: There's simply no avoiding the goalscoring exploits of Harry Kane right now, with the England hopeful taking his league tally to 16 with another double last time out. Tottenham may be facing a tough trip to Manchester United at the weekend but WhoScored's match forecast suggests that they are likely to 'make a comeback if they go behind' and Saturday's 2-1 win over QPR was their ninth of that scoreline in the league this season. If they make it ten at Old Trafford, Kane will surely be the hero once more.