Manchester United defence could also be looked at, with Rafael and Patrice Evra expected to earn loads.
It's the 31st match-day at the Premier League and the couple of weeks off would have done the teams and their managers some good. Even as a football fantasy manager, every once in a while it is a good thing to sit back and relax without the pressure of selecting those players and choosing those captains to get the batteries recharged. And when the gas-tank is fully refuelled, it's an even better feeling to get down to the business of strategising.
The week begins with Sunderland hosting the current leaders and almost certain Premier League winners Manchester United. With Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole out injured and United going through a period of strong defensive resilience, I cannot see where Sunderland will score their goals from.
The Red Devils haven't conceded since letting one go through against Southampton on January 31 and unless Stephane Sessegnon can recover in time to get out on the field this Saturday, it could well be a lot of defender points for Manchester United.
Robin van Persie did not have a great recent time for the Red Devils with his sudden disappearance of goal-scoring edge causing some concerns in the ranks. However, his goals for Netherlands in their World Cup qualifiers could bring relief to Sir Alex and to the fantasy owners who might want to encumber him with the role of captaincy. Van Persie might be a decent idea.
Arsenal is up against Reading in their match this week with Theo Walcott struggling to be fit enough to take field. Earlier he missed England's World Cup qualifier with an injury and if he does not recover in time, Arsenal could be left without too many attacking options in the front. With Lukas Podolski out injured as well and not a surety for this game, it could go down to Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla to do all the scoring themselves.
With the title having slipped from their grasp, Manchester City will do well not to lose their second spot too. Currently they are only four in front of Chelsea and need some goals going their way against Newcastle United, who have found form in their last few games. Struggling to retain their spot outside the relegation zone, the Toons are now 13th in the table with 33 points and can be trusted to give City a run.
While Sergio Aguero can be expected to come back fit for this game he might not be risked by Robert Mancini and it might not be a bad idea to trust Carlos Tevez a little longer for those one or two odds goals every time. Edin Dzeko has been off-colour for a while and for the truly strong-hearted he could be worth taking a risk.
The Southampton v Chelsea encounter could produce some goals. After their strong showing against Liverpool, the Saints will feel that the longish break might have clipped their momentum but expect them to come out hard against the Blues. Demba Ba, if he starts, could be trusted to add to his 15 goals this Premier League season, one that is in some danger of falling by the wayside at Stamford Bridge because of his loss of goal-scoring.
Another player on 15 goals is Michu, who hasn't scored too many - probably due to exhausion from leading the Swans in his first season at the club - but the two-week break would have done him wonders. He was one of the few who did not have any international fixtures going for him which would have given him ample time to get back to raking on the goals. Swansea's opponents Tottenham have one of the niftier defences in the league but the Spaniard has often penetrated strong-looking back-lines during the season.
Everton will be without Steven Pienaar and Marouane Felliani, both of who were banned for two games for on-field infringements. Seamus Coleman has looked good in recent times and I wouldn't put it beyond him to get an assist or two but their game is against Stoke, one of the stronger defences in the season.
With all that goal-scoring behind them expect Liverpool to give Aston Villa a taste of something bitter too - despite Luis Suarez's on-field indiscretions in his international match earlier this week, he could find his touch back for the Reds while Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Coutinho could be a couple to watch out as well.
My players for the week:
Striker: Robin van Persie
Mid-fielder: Juan Mata
Defender: Seamus Coleman
Goal-keeper: David de Gea
The week begins with Sunderland hosting the current leaders and almost certain Premier League winners Manchester United. With Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole out injured and United going through a period of strong defensive resilience, I cannot see where Sunderland will score their goals from.
The Red Devils haven't conceded since letting one go through against Southampton on January 31 and unless Stephane Sessegnon can recover in time to get out on the field this Saturday, it could well be a lot of defender points for Manchester United.
Robin van Persie did not have a great recent time for the Red Devils with his sudden disappearance of goal-scoring edge causing some concerns in the ranks. However, his goals for Netherlands in their World Cup qualifiers could bring relief to Sir Alex and to the fantasy owners who might want to encumber him with the role of captaincy. Van Persie might be a decent idea.
Arsenal is up against Reading in their match this week with Theo Walcott struggling to be fit enough to take field. Earlier he missed England's World Cup qualifier with an injury and if he does not recover in time, Arsenal could be left without too many attacking options in the front. With Lukas Podolski out injured as well and not a surety for this game, it could go down to Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla to do all the scoring themselves.
With the title having slipped from their grasp, Manchester City will do well not to lose their second spot too. Currently they are only four in front of Chelsea and need some goals going their way against Newcastle United, who have found form in their last few games. Struggling to retain their spot outside the relegation zone, the Toons are now 13th in the table with 33 points and can be trusted to give City a run.
While Sergio Aguero can be expected to come back fit for this game he might not be risked by Robert Mancini and it might not be a bad idea to trust Carlos Tevez a little longer for those one or two odds goals every time. Edin Dzeko has been off-colour for a while and for the truly strong-hearted he could be worth taking a risk.
The Southampton v Chelsea encounter could produce some goals. After their strong showing against Liverpool, the Saints will feel that the longish break might have clipped their momentum but expect them to come out hard against the Blues. Demba Ba, if he starts, could be trusted to add to his 15 goals this Premier League season, one that is in some danger of falling by the wayside at Stamford Bridge because of his loss of goal-scoring.
Another player on 15 goals is Michu, who hasn't scored too many - probably due to exhausion from leading the Swans in his first season at the club - but the two-week break would have done him wonders. He was one of the few who did not have any international fixtures going for him which would have given him ample time to get back to raking on the goals. Swansea's opponents Tottenham have one of the niftier defences in the league but the Spaniard has often penetrated strong-looking back-lines during the season.
Everton will be without Steven Pienaar and Marouane Felliani, both of who were banned for two games for on-field infringements. Seamus Coleman has looked good in recent times and I wouldn't put it beyond him to get an assist or two but their game is against Stoke, one of the stronger defences in the season.
With all that goal-scoring behind them expect Liverpool to give Aston Villa a taste of something bitter too - despite Luis Suarez's on-field indiscretions in his international match earlier this week, he could find his touch back for the Reds while Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Coutinho could be a couple to watch out as well.
My players for the week:
Striker: Robin van Persie
Mid-fielder: Juan Mata
Defender: Seamus Coleman
Goal-keeper: David de Gea
