After Goal.com announced its partnership with Totel Football, Betting Editor Jim Knight will be posting his real money fantasy football team for each Premier League gameweek as he looks to profit against other players on the site.
If you think you can do better than Jim this week, why not sign up for Totel Football and receive up to £100 in free bets to start your Fantasy Football betting
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Last week I took my first steps into the world of real money fantasy football and although my team performed admirably, I was 14 points off the money. I’ll be looking to improve on my total this week as the international break makes way for another weekend of Premier League action.
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart
Manchester City’s defence has hardly been rock solid of late but I think Joe Hart has a decent chance of keeping a clean sheet in Saturday’s game at Etihad Stadium against Aston Villa.
The England goalkeeper was away with his country in midweek but upon his return faces a visiting side who have scored just three goals in their last five Premier League games on the road.
This is an ideal opportunity for Roberto Mancini’s side to keep up the pressure on their title rivals and hopefully Hart is able to keep a clean sheet.
Defenders
Gael Clichy
The France international pulled out of the Bleus‘ squad due to a minor injury concern, but very often these players are able to turn out the following weekend for their clubs. Like it or not that will probably be the case here and the well rested full-back should get the nod to start at Villa Park.
Leighton Baines
Leighton Baines was included in last week’s team and I’m not about to change that. David Moyes will be looking for another positive result against Reading at the weekend and although the Royals do pose a threat to the visitors Baines is well worth including for his point scoring potential from set pieces and likelihood to provide assists.
Gary Cahill
I’m including another member of England’s squad from their midweek trip to Sweden, which could be tempting fate somewhat, but Gary Cahill is a must for this week’s Totel Football team.
He’s been in fine goalscoring form over the last couple of months and should get a sustained run in the Chelsea team in the upcoming weeks due to John Terry’s injury.
A trip to the Hawthorns is an intimidating prospect at the moment but the 26-year-old is worth including for both his defensive capabilities as well as his goal threat.
John Arne Riise
Fulham will take heart from their 3-3 draw against Arsenal as they host Sunderland in Sunday’s only Premier League game.
Martin O’Neill’s side scored their first Premier League goal in four matches against Everton but with Craven Cottage proving somewhat of a fortress for Martin Jol’s men so far, Riise could play a part in Fulham recording what would be their fourth clean sheet in their last six games this weekend.
Midfielders
Eden Hazard
Although Eden Hazard only provided five points for the 90 minutes he played against Liverpool last week he was never far away from the goalscoring opportunities that the Blues created so I’ll keep faith with the young Belgium international in the hope that he contributes more to this week’s total.
Gareth Bale
Saturday’s early kick-off sees a much anticipated north London derby and if Tottenham are to get the better of their local rivals then you’d expect Gareth Bale will play a significant part.
With three league goals so far this season and no midweek game for Wales, the 23-year-old could give the Arsenal defence plenty to think about at Emirates Stadium.
Marouane Fellaini
It is almost impossible to put a fantasy football team together at the moment without Marouane Fellaini being considered for inclusion.
The Belgium international will be on duty against Romania in Bucharest on Wednesday night but with three goals in his last two games for Everton he’s got to be given a starting place, especially against a side like Reading where you’d expect him to get a decent opportunity to get on the scoresheet.
Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey’s inclusion means this week’s midfield has two of Tottenham’s likely starters for Saturday’s game within it. An early game for the USA against Russia means, barring injury, Dempsey should be in a position to start at Emirates Stadium and with him often operating in a central role behind the lone striker he has plenty of potential to add to his goal tally for the season.
Strikers
Rickie Lambert
This is somewhat of a gamble. One of Saturday’s biggest Premier League games sees QPR host Southampton as the bottom two clubs go head-to-head at Loftus Road.
Rickie Lambert hasn’t been quite as prolific in the Premier League as some Saints fans might have hoped, although he does have four goals to his name and he does have the physical presence to worry Mark Hughes’ side.
A first goal in seven games would be most welcome for my team’s points total.
Dimitar Berbatov
Fulham seems to suit Dimitar Berbatov as he demonstrated last week against Arsenal, scoring twice to take his total to five goals from just seven league matches. The former Manchester United man retired from international football back in 2010 so he should be fresh for Sunday’s clash with Sunderland, and as the pressure builds on Martin O’Neill he’s well worth including.
Jim’s starting XI
Joe Hart, Gary Cahill, Gael Clichy, Leighton Baines, John Arne Riise, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, Marouane Fellaini, Clint Dempsey, Rickie Lambert, Dimitar Berbatov
Substitutes
Tim Krul (Newcastle), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), Joey O’Brien (West Ham), Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
You can read more about Totel Football here
If you think you can do better than Jim this week, why not sign up for Totel Football and receive up to £100 in free bets to start your Fantasy Football betting