Premier League - Fantasy: Choose 'em or lose 'em

Eurosport - Fri, 09 May 17:14:00 2008

After nine months, 37 matches and hour upon hour of blood, sweat and tears, it all comes down to just 90 minutes this weekend.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Premier League Man United-Chelsea Ronaldo - 0

That's right, it's crunch time in the Eurosport-Yahoo! Fantasy League.

Against the sideshow of who is actually going to win the Premier League, this is the last chance for leaders, contenders and dark horses to sign the players that will bring mini-league glory and dump the ones that will lose bragging rights all summer long.

Goalkeepers

Choose 'em: High-scoring Aston Villa will be going hell-for-leather for a win against a West Ham side with nothing to play for, so their keeper Scott Carson (5.35) looks good value.

Petr Cech (15.72) and Edwin Van der Sar (12.93) are both likely to keep clean sheets, but if you are looking for that last major points boost to win your mini-league then that money could be better spent elsewhere.

Lose 'em: It would be a brave man to put Wigan's Chris Kirkland (8.94) or Bolton's Ali Al-Habsi (8.53) in their side when both keepers are up against Champions League finalists who need a win more than at any time all season.

Sunderland may be playing an Arsenal side assured of their place in the Champions League qualifiers, but even a super-cheap Craig Gordon (1.00) shouldn't be risked against a Gunners side looking to finish their disappointing campaign with a flourish.

Defenders

Choose 'em: The fact that Stamford Bridge is a fortress for Chelsea is nothing new, and now that Bolton are all but safe they will not need to play with as much of their usual intensity, so John Terry (9.88) is odds on for a clean sheet before - perhaps - lifting the title for the third time in his career.

Middlesbrough entertaining Manchester City on the last day has 0-0 written all over it, so Sun Jihai (2.32) looks like a discount coupon for some shut-out points.

As always, clean sheets don't come much more certain than against Derby, even if you are Reading. Michael Duberry (4.37) should have an easy afternoon as part of a Royals side desperate for a win against a team officially declared the worst in Premier League history.

Lose 'em: West Ham haven't kept a clean sheet since February, so are unlikely to do so against an Aston Villa side that have scored 17 goals in their last five outings. Lucas Neill (6.98) and John Pantsil (2.40) may look tempting but should be avoided.

Midfielders

Choose 'em: Both title-chasers have men that could secure the silverware for them in the middle of the park. The returning Frank Lampard (17.85) and Joe Cole (10.29) should be fighting fit and ready to do damage for Chelsea, while Paul Scholes (5.92) is back in form for United and looks great value. Oh, and that chap Cristiano Ronaldo (30.93) looks a bit of alright, if you need an all-or-nothing gamble and the teams above you don't have him.

If it's title party-poopers you're looking for, then Bolton's Kevin Nolan (6.82) and Wigan's super-sub Antoine Sibierski (4.68) could be your men.

Lose 'em: Manchester City's Martin Petrov (15.11) and Boro's Stewart Downing (16.87), whilst both being high points-scorers this season, will already have their minds on the beach, so they are perhaps a bit expensive for the points that they are likely to return.

Don't forget that Arsenal's Alexander Hleb (7.03) and Manchester United's Nani (11.32) are both suspended.

Forwards

Choose 'em: Fulham are favourites to beat the drop, in part thanks to Brian McBride's (10.37) opener against Birmingham. The American has been immense for the Cottagers since his return from injury, and they need a win to be sure of staying up.

For the big spenders, Didier Drogba (15.97), Carlos Tevez (17.78) and John Carew (12.94) should all deliver big games.

Lose 'em: Wayne Rooney (19.16) is a major doubt and will probably not be risked by Alex Ferguson ahead of the trip to Moscow.

If Milan Baros (4.78) plays in the FA Cup final, it'll be because Jermain Defoe (8.67) is cup-tied rather than on merit. The Czech 'striker' is yet to score for Pompey in 14 appearances, so expect him to focus on avoiding injury rather than busting a gut to break that duck.

Reading have not scored in six games now, so let's not put the farm on Dave Kitson (10.48) scoring the hat-trick that saves the Royals from relegation. No doubt he will do just that now that last sentence has been published.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport