Dream Team

MATHEUS CUNHA (£3.9m) has to be considered one of the most impressive hidden gems in Dream Team this season.The Brazilian’s ownership has never risen beyond 5% despite the fact he averages 6.8 points-per-game.To put that statistic into perspective, the likes of Ollie Watkins (£4.8m), Alexander Isak (£4.5m), Dominic Solanke (£3.8m), Darwin Nunez (£5.1m) and Julian Alvarez (£4m) all have lower averages at the time of writing.In fact, the only forwards who average more points-per-game than Cunha are Erling Haaland (£6.9m), Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) and Son Heung-min (£4.7m) – the cream of the crop.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Dream Team bosses should not underestimate the Wolves forwardCredit: Dream TeamWolves’ No12 currently features in just 0.5% of teams but that’s largely because he recently missed seven games through injury.That setback came at a frustrating time for the Molineux faithful as Cunha scored a hat-trick against Chelsea (for a 25-point return) immediately prior to the game in which he was forced off after just 20 minutes.Gary O’Neil eased the 24-year-old back into action with substitute cameos in Gameweeks 29 and 30 before starting him against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.And the result? Two goals and 14 points!This haul served as a timely reminder of Cunha’s talent and his Dream Team viability.Most read in FootballHis first goal in particular was impossible to overlook; a superb solo effort that highlighted his dribbling ability and masterful close control.Cunha has been excellent this seasonCredit: GettyCunha is not an out-and-out striker, he hasn’t got the razor-sharp instincts of a poacher, but his ability to carry the ball is unmatched in his position.He’s completed 64 successful dribbles in 2023/24, more than any other Dream Team forward.And the former Atletico Madrid man doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities either – only three forwards have registered more tackles (35).His brace at the City Ground on Saturday took his goal tally to 13 for the season, not forgetting his seven assists.Looking forward, Cunha should be considered a smart differential option for the next fortnight.Cunha earned Wolves a point at the City GroundCredit: ReutersWolves are among the ten Premier League clubs with two fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 32 – back-to-back home games against Arsenal and Bournemouth.Then in Gameweek 33, they welcome Luton to Molineux in what has to be considered a favourable match-up.O’Neil’s side will face Manchester City and Liverpool in May and their schedule looks a tad light without cup or European commitments but Cunha is seemingly an appealing option in the short term at least.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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COLE PALMER (£5m) may well be Dream Team’s most-valuable player this season.The 21-year-old started 2023/24 at Manchester City, where it seemed he would have to be content with Carabao Cup starts and the occasional 15-minute cameo.However, Chelsea opted to fork out £42.5million for the talented youngster on deadline day, a move that set him on the path to one of the most remarkable campaigns in recent memory.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Player of the Year?Credit: Dream TeamEyebrows were raised at the transfer fee at the time given Palmer had made just 18 Premier League appearances (predominantly as a substitute) prior to the switch.The Blues have generally overspent on players in recent times but the acquisition of Palmer has to be considered smart business with the power of hindsight.The England international was already Chelsea’s runaway Player of the Year before Everton’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Monday night but now there’s a clamour for him to win one of prestigious, league-wide individual awards.Palmer scored a perfect hat-trick (left foot, header, right foot) within half an hour against the Toffees but even that wasn’t enough to satiate him.Midway through the second half, he scored a penalty, his ninth of the season, after some undignified bickering on the part of Nicolas Jackson (£3.5m) and Noni Madueke (£2.9m).Palmer eventually scored his ninth penalty of the seasonCredit: AlamyWhen all was said and done, Palmer banked a whopping 30 points via four goals, five shots on target, 80 minutes played and three bonus points.Most read in FootballIncredibly, he’s now level with Erling Haaland (£6.9m) on 20 league goals in the race for the Golden Boot.There’s no doubt that he’s benefited from a steady stream of spot-kicks but his tally of 14 non-penalty goals in all competitions should not be taken for granted.Palmer has registered 38 goal involvements (23 goals, 15 assists) from 39 appearances this season – a gargantuan effort given Mauricio Pochettino’s side have lingered in mid-table for almost the entire campaign.Monday night’s haul has propelled Palmer up to joint-third in the overall Dream Team rankings, level with Bukayo Saka (£5.7m) on 315 points.Only Manchester City duo Phil Foden (£5.9m) and the aforementioned Haaland have amassed more points at the time of writing.Palmer is now only ten points behind HaalandCredit: RexDREAM TEAM’S TOP PERFORMERS THIS SEASON:
Phil Foden – 330 pts
Erling Haaland – 325 pts
Cole Palmer – 315 pts
Bukayo Saka – 315 pts
Mohamed Salah – 286 pts
Ollie Watkins – 280 pts
Jarrod Bowen – 273 pts
Darwin Nunez – 272 pts
Bruno Fernandes – 268 pts
Mohammed Kudus – 257 pts
To underline the extent of Palmer’s brilliance, it’s worth noting he’s the only player in the top ten who hasn’t had European football to bolster his schedule this term.Chelsea’s No20 averages 8.1 points-per-game, only Haaland and Michael Olise (£3.9m) boast better averages currently – the Norwegian poacher averages nine points-per-game while the Crystal Palace midfielder ticks along at a rate of 8.3.READ MORE SUN STORIESLooking forward, Palmer faces a tricky double header in the form of Man City and Arsenal (both away from home) in Gameweek 32 but Dream Team bosses won’t be perturbed by any fixtures on current form.Truly a Dream Team campaign for the ages!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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NEWCASTLE have taken just 14 points from 15 away games in the Premier League this season but they’re undoubtedly a formidable side at home.Only the three title contenders, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, have earned more points on home soil this season at present.Most recently, the Magpies made it 36 points from 17 league fixtures at St James’ Park with an emphatic 4-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday.Alexander Isak (£4.5m) scored a brace but just as influential was Anthony Gordon (£3.7m), who scored one goal and assisted two others.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Home heroCredit: Dream TeamDream Team managers should pay close attention to the 23-year-old’s overall home record this term as it’s nothing short of immense.Gordon has registered at least one goal or assist in each of his last six home outings.In fact, he’s now provided 20 goal involvements (nine goals, 11 assists) in 20 home games in 2023/24!Newcastle’s No10 has earned 156 of his 242 Dream Team points at home – 64.5% for the statisticians out there.This works out at an average of 7.8 points-per-game at St James’ Park in all competitions this campaign.Most read in FootballGordon and Isak pulled Spurs apartCredit: ReutersWhile Eddie Howe will be delighted with the winger’s contributions in the North East, he will want more from Gordon on the road in the future.The ex-Everton man has mustered just two goals and three assists from 23 away fixtures.And it’s this disparity between his home and away records that means many Dream Team gaffers will be thinking about him as an option for next season rather than the reminder of the current campaign.Newcastle have just two more home games to fulfil before the summer break, compared to four away days.That being said, their Gameweek 33 fixture of Sheffield United at St James’ Park is clearly a hugely favourable match-up – Gordon notched 17 points against the Blades at Bramall Lane back in September.Gordon averages a goal or assist every home game this seasonCredit: ReutersAt the time of writing, Gordon is Gameweek 31’s top performer among all assets having taken Spurs for 18 points.As well as his three goal involvements, he also earned the maximum of five bonus points in what was an accomplished all-round display.Gordon is now eighth among Dream Team midfielders overall, four points shy of team-mate Bruno Guimaraes (£4.5m).talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news ahead of Gameweek 31 in one easily digestible dose.Mikel Arteta kept his cards close to his chest in his Friday press conference but hinted at a couple of potential issues.Gabriel was not pictured in training today ahead of Arsenal’s home game against Aston Villa on Sunday but it’s possible the centre-back simply sat out the session as a precaution.The Brazilian is currently Dream Team’s top defender on 210 points – he features in 16.4% of teams.Unai Emery’s side will travel to the Emirates without the suspended Douglas Luiz after the Brazilian was shown his tenth yellow card of the league campaign last weekend. PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Gabriel did not take part in Arsenal training on Friday but that doesn’t necessarily rule him out of Sunday’s game against Aston VillaCredit: Dream TeamDream Team’s top points scorer Phil Foden will be assessed this afternoon to determine his status ahead of Saturday’s home game against Luton.Manchester City posted a positive yet vague post on social media that suggested the popular midfielder was fine but it may be that Pep Guardiola saves him for Real Madrid in midweek regardless.The decorated tactician confirmed that Ederson is “ready to start” and that the Brazilian remains City’s first-choice goalkeeper.Ivan Toney was benched as a precaution last weekend but Brentford’s target man is set to return to the starting line-up for the visit of Sheffield United on Saturday.The Bees will also be boosted by the return of Ethan Pinnock and Kevin Schade to the matchday squad.Speaking after Liverpool’s defeat to Atalanta on Thursday night, Jurgen Klopp said “there was no chance to play [Trent Alexander-Arnold]” and that the right-back was only on the bench because of the large squad size permitted in the Europa League.In more positive news, Diogo Jota returned to action and appeared to come through his 20-minute cameo without aggravation.Alisson’s status ahead of Gameweek 31 remains unclear at this stage. Foden limped off against Real Madrid in midweekCredit: AFPThe in-form Rayan Ait-Nouri will travel with his Wolves team-mates to Nottingham Forest this weekend despite what Gary O’Neil described as a “minor issue”. Hwang Hee-chan, Matheus Cunha and Craig Dawson will all make the trip too.As for Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo did not offer an update on Morgan Gibbs-White, who was seen icing his hamstring after being substituted last time out.Neither Enzo Fernandez nor Axel Disasi have trained this week and the Chelsea pair will be assessed before Monday night’s game against Everton.Both Raheem Sterling and Robert Sanchez have fallen ill but Ben Chilwell may make the bench having trained in some capacity in recent days.As for the Toffees, Amadou Onana has trained this week but Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed some sessions with a “minor, niggly hamstring” but Sean Dyche suggested the striker would feature at Stamford Bridge.Bowen didn’t play in the Europa LeagueCredit: RexMarcus Tavernier and Antoine Semenyo have been added to Bournemouth’s injury list with the Cherries still suffering from a lingering illness in the camp.Marcus Rashford will be assessed again before a final decision is made on his involvement against Bournemouth but Manchester United’s No10 did train with his team-mates on Thursday.Scott McTominay is a major doubt while the injured centre-backs – Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof – remain sidelined.Jarrod Bowen remains a serious doubt having not been involved for West Ham against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night.ARSENALInjuries: Jurrien Timber (doubt), Gabriel (doubt)Suspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, Clement Lenglet (doubt), Matty CashSuspensions: Douglas LuizBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Ryan Fredericks, Chris Mepham (doubt), Luis Sinisterra, Antoine Semenyo (doubt), Tyler Adams (doubt), Marcus TavenierSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva, Ben Mee, Christian NorgaardSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: Solly March, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Adam Webster, Billy Gilmour, Tariq Lamptey, Julio EncisoSuspensions: NoneBURNLEYInjuries: Luka Koleosho, Nathan Redmond, Aaron Ramsey, Ameen Al-Dakhil, Han-Noah Massengo, Jordan BeyerSuspensions: Dara O’SheaCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwo, Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, Robert Sanchez (doubt), Ben Chilwell (doubt), Raheem Sterling (doubt), Enzo Fernandez (doubt), Axel Disasi (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Michael Olise (doubt), Marc Guehi, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (doubt), Matheus Franca, Sam Johnstone, Chris RichardsSuspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Dele Alli, Arnaut Danjuma (doubt), Lewis Dobbin, Amadou Onana (doubt), James Garner (doubt), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (doubt)Suspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: NoneSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold (doubt), Alisson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneLUTONInjuries: Tom Lockyer, Marvelous Nakamba, Mads Andersen, Elijah Adebayo, Jacob Brown, Gabriel Osho, Amari’i Bell, Dan Potts, Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga, Reece Burke (doubt), Chiedozie OgbeneSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Scott McTominay (doubt), Victor Lindelof, Marcus Rashford (doubt)Suspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Matt Targett, Nick Pope, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall (doubt), Lewis Miley, Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, Joe WillockSuspensions: Sandro TonaliNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Nuno Tavares, Taiwo Awoniyi, Willy Boly, Morgan Gibbs-White (doubt)Suspensions: NoneSHEFFIELD UNITEDInjuries: Daniel Jebbison, John Egan, Chris Basham, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Max Lowe, Cameron Archer (doubt), Rhian Brewster, Tom Davies, George BaldockSuspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Fraser Forster, Richarlison (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Alphonse Areola, Jarrod Bowen (doubt), Kalvin Phillips (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWOLVESInjuries: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Pedro Neto, Rayan Ait-Nouri (doubt)Suspensions: NonetalkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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THE events of Gameweek 30 are likely to have a huge bearing on Gameweek 31 and so Dream Team managers may need to refresh their memories.All the European quarter-final first legs were thoroughly entertaining but the fate of the English teams hangs precariously in the balance, with some teetering on the edge of elimination.PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION – SOMEBODY MUST WIN £500 AMAZON GIFT CARD!Liverpool are facing elimination from the Europa League after a shock 3-0 loss to AtalantaCredit: GettyManchester City and Arsenal drew with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively in the Champions League while Liverpool and West Ham have mountains to climb in the Europa League.Jurgen Klopp’s side were soundly beaten 3-0 by Atalanta at Anfield while the Hammers were comprehensively outplayed by the Bundesliga champions elect Bayer Leverkusen – David Moyes’ side need to overturn a 2-0 deficit.Aston Villa were the only Premier League outfit to emerge from midweek with a lead in their European tie after they beat Lille 2-1 in the Europa Conference League.The second legs will take place in Gameweek 31 after a full round of Premier League fixtures and many gaffers will understandably be caught between strategies – the Liverpool result is a huge spanner in the works.So how does this all impact Gameweek 31?Haaland scored five goals against Luton last time outCredit: Dream TeamFirstly, plenty of Dream Team bosses will probably move away from Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) as captain.The Egyptian superstar delivered 13 useful points in Gameweek 30 but with the Reds needing something close to a miracle in Italy to keep remain active in Europe, it may be the case that Klopp now focuses solely on the Premier League.Most read in FootballSalah’s Europa League minutes have been managed carefully all season and so it would be a surprise if he completed 90 minutes this coming Thursday.He may well feast at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday but Liverpool’s performance against Atalanta will have been a red flag for some.That being said, 23 goals and 13 assists from 36 appearances is no joke.Erling Haaland (£7.1m) was kept quiet by Antonio Rudiger at the Bernabeu in midweek but Manchester City did score three goals against Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.Pep Guardiola’s side dominated Los Blancos at the Etihad last season and while the La Liga giants are an improved side this term, the hosts will surely generate their fair share of chances.Has Salah’s viability dipped a tad after Thursday night’s result?Credit: GettyMore appealing is the Norwegian poacher’s meeting with Luton this Saturday, assuming he’s selected to start.Haaland scored FIVE goals against the Hatters at Kenilworth Road in February and that fact alone will be more than enough to earn him the captain’s armband from most gaffers.Only Sheffield United and Burnley have conceded more goals than Rob Edwards’ side in the top flight this season – a trip to the Etihad could get messy for them.Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) has to be considered a strong captaincy candidate having banked 21 points in Gameweek 30 but Arsenal’s double header of Aston Villa (h) and Bayern Munich (a) is a tricky one on paper.Unless there’s any indication Haaland will be rested against Luton, it seems as if City’s No9 is the smart option.Only Ollie Watkins scored more points than Saka in Gameweek 30Credit: APThat the five English teams conceded 11 goals between them in five European quarter-final first legs suggests that gaffers should keep their Park the Bus Booster holstered in Gameweek 31 if they still have it to play.To be honest, it doesn’t feel like a particularly viable Gameweek for any of the Boosters.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere will be more inviting opportunities to activate 12th Man and Max Captain in the coming weeks.Lock in your transfers, captain and any Boosters you wish to play before Saturday’s 11:30am deadline.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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