This is a guest post contributed by Warren Smith.

Champions: Pick Up or Drop?

By Willian’s penalty kick and swift 7-point game week score, Liverpool fans rejoiced as the Premier League title was confirmed at Stamford Bridge; but what does that mean for Draft Fantasy Football? Jürgen Klopp has already indicated his ambition for the post-victory duration; as there are league records to beat including; biggest points total, the largest margin of victory and even winning PL every home game.

With such a professional manner set by the German manager, it would seem sensible to retain the Liverpool players in fantasy squad, as a precedent has been set to not only cross the finish line but exceed it. If unclaimed in divisions, Takumi Asano and Naby Keïta are potential pick-ups having both started the Merseyside Derby; the pair could easily slot into the current system and fixture congestion; while still allowing Klopp to chase records.

Party in the USA

Christian Pulisic’s torn abductor muscle would have effectively ended his season; should the standard format have been observed. The enforced break however allowed the American international more time to train and get back to full speed for action. Few would have expected the resurgence as seen by the 21-year-old; scoring as a substitute against Aston Villa and opening the scoring against Manchester City in mid-week. With Chelsea’s ‘less demanding’ fixtures left (excluding Liverpool away on the penultimate game week), Pulisic would make a fine addition to any Draft Fantasy squad.

Cup for Concern?

With Liverpool’s Premier League title victory confirmed, the FA Cup remains the last piece of English silverware unsettled. This weekend sees the quarterfinals take place with top sides including Leicester City, Chelsea, and Manchester City still gauging some form of success from the season. Is this free license or Pep Guardiola to spin his rotation roulette wheel yet again, causing further headache Draft Fantasy football managers?

The biggest concern could be for owners of top-caliber Leicester and Chelsea players, as the teams play each other on Sunday afternoon with only 3 days until their next Premier League outing; playing Everton and West Ham respectively. Brendan Rodgers and Frank Lampard may err toward the cup, given the juxtaposition in opposition status. Of course, this does provide ample opportunity to waiver in second-string players from the East Midlands and South-West London, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour, and Kelechi Iheanacho could easily find themselves with more PL game time due to the cup run.

Arsenal has a similar issue with three days between their FA cup tie and proceeding league game, whereas their cup opponent, Sheffield United have an extra day to recuperate.

Predicting Manchester City lineups is usually an unfruitful guesstimate with few able to second guess Pep Guardiola’s masterplan. Sergio Agüero is most certainly out, having traveled overseas for specialist medical attention. The FA Cup does add another dimension to the City Group’s trophy complex and could easily flex their muscle against Newcastle United. What shape said muscle takes is anyone’s guess.

The other fixture pits bottom-placed PL side Norwich City against Manchester United. The law of business for the East Anglian club would be to forego the cup with a brazen brand of Canary youth products and reserves; focusing on Premier League survival; after all, that’s where the money is – coupled with Manchester United’s understanding of this, would spare their superstars the trip to Carrow Road, in turn, limited disruption for Draft Fantasy football managers.

 

By Warren Smith