Fantasy Premier League Tips: April 8, 2010

It’s FA Cup semi-final weekend which means that for three teams the Premier League will cease to matter, at least for a few hours. Of course for Portsmouth the Premier League ceased to matter some time ago and as such, any manager who still has Pompey players in their side will likely be going the same way as poor Avram… backwards.

So in honour of the south coast sufferers, let’s forget about glitz and glamour for a week and concentrate on those players that should be avoided like a shady ‘billionaire’ businessman.

The sinkers

Some say Burnley’s relegation fate was sealed the moment they took the decision to hire Brian Laws as manager. Whilst I have sympathy for Brian, (it was rather like asking a boy on a push bike to go out and win a Moto GP) I completely agree with them.

The Clarets have been going backwards ever since they gave Mr Laws a route back into employment and have not won a solitary game since February 6th. A 6-1 home mauling at the hands of underachievers Man City will hardly have helped matters and it would be no surprise to see their winless streak continue until the end of the season.

Warning! Beware of the…

Burnley player

The crocks

Quite simply, you can be the best player in the world but if serious injury strikes, you become about as useful as a racing car with no wheels. Cesc Fabregas is a wonderful footballer but can he help Arsenal win the title? No. Can he score any fantasy football points? No. Can he help his wife with the housework? Probably not.

Here are a few of the key players that are likely to be spending the rest of the season planted firmly in front of the tele.

Warning! Beware of the…

Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

William Gallas (Arsenal)

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Michael Essien (Chelsea)

Dan Gosling (Everton)

Fabio Aurelio (Liverpool)

Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)

Joleon Lescott (Manchester City)

Michael Owen (Manchester United)

The holidaymakers

Let’s face it, Fulham are already on their holiday’s and have been for some time. They seem to be enjoying them too and in a traditional British manner have already upset their hosts in Ukraine, Italy and of course, Germany.

With Premier League safety secured some time ago, the Cottagers can be forgiven for putting all their efforts into the Europa League and if anything, should be commended, as too many teams kill themselves trying to get into Europe and then show a distinct lack of ambition when they finally make it (I’m looking at you O’Neil, Redknapp, Megson).

With this in mind it would perhaps be a tad foolish to pick any Fulham players and expect them to give it their all domestically between now and the end of the season. That is of course with one notable exception. Bobby Zamora has been in excellent form all term and is still desperately trying to impress Fabio Capello enough to secure a place in England’s World Cup squad. He’ll probably be rested in the remaining European weeks but may still be worth a second glance.

Warning! Beware of the…

Fulham player (excluding Bobby Zamora)

And for what it’s worth

My tip for the Grand National is Snowy Morning. Weight was a factor last season but if he makes it round the course, 2008’s third place finisher stands a great chance.