Fantasy Football Tipster: Gameweek 6

 

It's fantasy football tipster time, and today we have a new suggested XI from which you can choose your transfer ahead of gameweek 6 in the Premier League.

We've made our picks based on favourable opponents, player form and, as ever, our WhoScored match forecasts, calculated when one side's strength clashes with another's weakness. With a couple of high profile games once again this weekend, we've opted with a relatively cost effective side due to the often-unpredictable outcomes when the big teams collide.

Goalkeeper

Starting in goal, we've chosen Stoke's Asmir Begovic, with The Potters' defence particularly watertight at The Britannia. In their two home games this season Pulis' side have conceded just once and this week face a Swansea side that has failed to find the net in their last two games. Stoke are without a win and will be desperate to get three points on the board against a Swansea side who are often forced to look to their midfield for goals.

Defence

The Bosnian's teammate Robert Huth makes our XI for many of the same reasons but also offers an aerial threat in the opponents' box. The fact that Swansea have one of the smallest squads in the league and are very weak at defending set piece situations according to their WhoScored characteristics could well play into the German's hands.

A fit again Fabricio Coloccini should start and captain Newcastle this weekend as they make the trip to London and bottom club Reading. The Royals have netted just 4 times this season, with Sunderland the only other club to carve at less than 10 shots at goal per game on average (8.3). Only six other sides have conceded fewer attempts on goal per game than Newcastle this season (13.6) and, despite playing away from home, the Argentine could have a reasonably quiet afternoon.

Completing a back three this week is Manchester City's Joleon Lescott, with City looking to steal a march on their title rivals who all face one another this weekend. Mancini's side are on a rather poor run of late and do face a tough trip to Fulham, with a clean sheet by no means assured, but the match forecast throws an interesting likely outcome. The stats indicate that the visitors are likely to score from a set piece situation and the England man may get the chance to double his tally after netting from a corner against Arsenal.

 

Fantasy Football Tipster: Gameweek 6

 

Midfield

Moving into the midfield sees somewhat of a Merseyside affair, with the only player outside of Everton or Liverpool coming in the form of Gareth Bale out wide. The Spurs man has the task of breaking down United this weekend but injuries to the hosts may have worked in his favour down the left. With Rafael and Valencia both doubtful, Villas'Boas will look to Bale as his main attacking threat and the match forecast suggests that Tottenham are likely to score as a result of individual skill.

On the opposite flank we have chosen Steven Pienaar, with Everton hosting a Southampton side that have conceded 15 goals in just 5 games this season. With The Toffees having mustered more efforts at goal than any other side in Europe this season you fancy that they will create plenty of chances this weekend, looking to the likes of Pienaar to do so. The fact that the match forecasts suggests that Everton are very likely to create many scoring chances and score from a wingplay situation make the South African a top shout this weekend.

Pienaar's teammate Marouane Fellaini has taken most of the headlines at the club this season and, against a Southampton side that are weak at aerial duels and set pieces, it could lead to another field day for the Belgian on Saturday. Fellaini is the only Premier League player to have scored more than one header this season and his tally of 3 isn't bettered by any other Premier League team so far.

Partnering the man with the 'fro is Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who returned to form to star for The Reds and score in an emotional game at Anfield last week. The England captain has also been chosen, however, due to the fact that Liverpool are deemed to be very likely to score from a direct free-kick at Norwich and Gerrard may get the chance if he can fight the ball from Luis Suarez.

Attack

In a three-man attack we have opted for a fit again Wayne Rooney to continue an excellent run of form against Tottenham. The United man has netted 7 times against Spurs in total, though his recent record really catches the eye, with 5 in his last 5 against this weekend's opponents, 3 of which have come in the sides’ previous 2 encounters at Old Trafford.

Our form pick this week is Sunderland's Steven Fletcher, who will hope to get more service on Saturday as The Black Cats play host to Wigan. Sunderland have mustered just 6 shots on target this season, with Fletcher attempting 4 of those - all of which have found the net. The fact that they should be more attacking at home to Roberto Martinez's side should mean that he has more opportunities to add to that tally.

Completing our XI this week is West Brom's Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku, who has proved a handful for opposition defences in cameo roles this season, culminating in his first league start and goal for the club last weekend. The match forecast on derby-day at Villa hints that Clarke's side are likely to score from a wingplay situation, and the intimidating figure of Lukaku could be the thorn in the hosts' side.