Dream Team

DREAM TEAM managers have generally been frustrated by Manchester City defenders this season.While the likes of Phil Foden (£5.8m) and Erling Haaland (£7m) have supplied massive returns in attack, Pep Guardiola’s side have found clean sheets relatively hard to come by in 2023/24.Plus, the decorated tactician’s rotation policy means even the more reliable performers in the squad have to sit on the bench from time to time.As a result, Man City do not have a representative inside the top ten Dream Team defenders at the time of writing.It’s not too early to play our EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE game – win an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB!Man City defenders haven’t performed as well in Dream Team this seasonCredit: PAThis has to be considered something of a surprise given the Citizens are favourites to complete a domestic double in the coming weeks.For comparison, Liverpool have two defenders within the top ten while Arsenal dominate the position with Ben White (£4.6m), Gabriel (£4.4m) and William Saliba (£3.8m) making up the podium as it stands.Understandably, many Dream Team bosses have decided to stay clear of City defenders altogether but Josko Gvardiol (£3.9m) has tested this group’s resolve of late.The Croatia international has discovered a rare goalscoring touch – his emphatic near-post header against Nottingham Forest on Sunday was his third goal in his last five appearances.Playing almost exclusively as a left-back, Gvardiol has proved himself capable of useful contributions in attack, despite making his name as a centre-back.Most read in Dream TeamA man in formCredit: Dream TeamThe 22-year-old’s recent goal involvements (he also provided an assist against Luton in Gameweek 31) coupled with the odd clean sheet have resulted in him banking 61 points across the last five Gameweeks.In fact, he now averages 5.3 points-per-game this term, a rate only bettered by three other assets in his position: Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.3m), Pedro Porro (£3.5m) and Kieran Trippier (£4.3m).Gvardiol is a particularly appealing option for the remainder of the season because City have five fixtures left to fulfil.The defending champions are among the select group of six clubs set to pull double duty in Gameweek 35 and their showdown with Manchester United in the FA Cup final means they have a fixture in Gameweek 37, by which time the vast majority of teams will already be on summer break.For comparison, Arsenal and Liverpool are among the 13 clubs with just three games left to play this campaign.A smart selection for the remainder of the campaign?Credit: AlamyGaffers intent on squeezing the schedule for all its worth, a smart strategy, should therefore consider recruiting Gvardiol for the run-in.Such a move comes with risk as he’s not immune from rotation but he does seem to be first-choice left-back at present and his impressive form should count in his favour.City face Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham in their final four league games before the FA Cup final on May 25th.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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FOR all intents and purposes, Liverpool’s season is over.The Reds were firmly in the Premier League title race for the majority of the campaign but that’s become a two-horse race between Manchester City and Arsenal in recent weeks.This coupled with their elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Atalanta means Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour is set to end in anticlimactic fashion.The German gaffer lifted the Carabao Cup back in February to ensure his final campaign at Anfield featured at least one crowning moment but Dream Team managers will have noticed that Liverpool’s 2023/24 is fizzling out.It’s not too early to play our EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE game – win an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB!Many gaffers have already transferred Salah out of their teams this weekCredit: Dream TeamLiverpool assets have performed brilliantly again this season with seven of them having racked up 200+ points to date – Virgil van Dijk (£3.7m), Alexis Mac Allister (£4.5m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m), Cody Gakpo (£4m), Luis Diaz (£4.5m), Darwin Nunez (£4.9m) and Mohamed Salah (£6.5m).The latter is one of just six players to have celebrated a triple century of points this term.But should gaffers ditch Klopp’s favourites for the remainder of the season?Saturday’s 2-2 draw was further evidence that the well is running dry but the primary development came before kick-off when it was revealed that Salah and Nunez were dropped from the starting line-up.Both of the popular forwards came off the bench to register one-point hauls with the Egyptian superstar sharing a frosty moment with Klopp on the touchline.Most read in FootballSalah is Dream Team’s sixth most-selected asset right now with an ownership of 32% but he’s likely to be among the most transferred-out players prior to Gameweek 34.Not the most harmonious end to Klopp’s reignCredit: ReutersIt’s early days but the top four most-ditched players so far this week are all Anfield residents: Salah, Van Dijk, Nunez and Diaz.The collective dip in form is just one aspect for gaffers to consider; the schedule doesn’t favour Liverpool either.Salah and company have just three fixtures left to fulfil this season whereas Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa have five games each – the Villains might have six if they get past Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.Of course, Liverpool assets still have the capacity to provide healthy returns across the remaining Gameweeks.They’re due to plays Spurs, Villa and Wolves with the former and latter fixtures to take place at Anfield – Liverpool have earned more points at home than any other top-flight side this campaign.Salah may have gone off the boil recently but his overall return of 24 goals and 13 assists speaks for itself.While Alexander-Arnold averages 6.1 points-per-game this season, the highest rate among all defenders.Man City’s extra fixtures should yield healthy returnsCredit: GettyHowever, logic dictates that a switch to busier players will yield profits.Ollie Watkins (£5m) is a very strong option for the final few Gameweeks of the season and Erling Haaland’s (£7m) return to the scoresheet will inevitably prompt a wave of transfers.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe in-form Alexander Isak (£4.5m) is another tempting alternative to Salah/Nunez – Newcastle have a double header coming up in Gameweek 35.Many of the top gaffers will pivot from Liverpool to Man City this week.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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ASTON VILLA, Tottenham and Chelsea are the three teams with two fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 33.Consequently, Dream Team managers should shop around these clubs when deciding upon their latest transfers. Before we recommend some niche suggestions, let’s highlight a couple of obvious options that should be at the forefront of every gaffer’s mind.CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE – £500 CASH PRIZE MUST BE WON!A popular man ahead of Gameweek 33Credit: ReutersOllie Watkins (£5m) is deservedly the most-popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 33 with the Villains set to host Chelsea and Olympiacos in back-to-back home games.The England international has scored 23 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions this season and he would have been salivating at the sight of the Blues’ limp performance against Arsenal in midweek.A meeting with Greek opposition in the Europa Conference League semi-finals on Thursday only sweetens the deal.Cole Palmer (£5.3m) is other standout name among the assets with two fixtures this coming Gameweek but his viability depends wholly on his availability.Illness prevented his involvement against the Gunners but he racked up 120 points in just seven Gameweeks before that fixture.If the Golden Boot contender recovers in time to start against Aston Villa and Spurs then he has to considered a strong option.Most read in FootballSon returned plenty of points last time he met ArsenalCredit: APSon Heung-min (£4.6m)Many gaffers would also consider Spurs’ No7 an obvious choice but his current ownership of 11.2% suggests it’s worth outlining his credentials in full.The South Korean forward faces a tricky double header in the form of Arsenal and Chelsea but he has a decent record against the so-called big teams – he bagged a brace against the Gunners back in September.Son averages seven points-per-game in 2023/24 – only Erling Haaland (£7m) and Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) boast better rates among strikers at present.All 24 of his goal involvements have come in the Premier League and with Ange Postecoglou’s side also set to pull double duty again in Gameweek 35, Son is a tempting option for the remainder of the campaign.Leon Bailey (£3.5m) and/or Moussa Diaby (£3m)Stocking up on Villa assets could work out in the long runCredit: Dream TeamDream Team bosses should also look ahead at the schedule when formulating their latest strategy.Villa’s second leg against Olympiacos will take place in Greece the following Gameweek (34) meaning Unai Emery’s side will play FOUR fixtures in the same time the vast majority of clubs will be action just twice.Loading up on Villa assets is therefore a logical ploy.The aforementioned Watkins is clearly the top priority but Bailey and Diaby also notched double-digit hauls against Bournemouth last weekend.Neither are guaranteed to start both fixtures this coming Gameweek but they should get their fair share of minutes – the Jamaican winger in particular has shown he can make positive impact in quick time.Bailey has 12 goals and 15 assists to his name this season while Diaby has nine goals and ten assists.Alexander Isak (£4.6m)Sheffield United’s leaky defence visit St James’ Park this weekendCredit: GettyAway from the double headers, Newcastle’s No14 will be a popular recruit ahead of a home game against Sheffield United.The Blades have now conceded more goals than Derby County’s infamous 2007/08 outfit and it’s not unthinkable they will become the first team to ship 100 goals in a 38-game Premier League campaign.Isak may even fancy his chances of entering the Golden Boot race this weekend (he’s currently three goals shy of Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer) having enjoyed himself against far sturdier defences in recent months.The Sweden international has amassed 47 points across the last four Gameweeks and is likely to cash in against Chris Wilder’s beleaguered troops.READ MORE SUN STORIESLooking further ahead, the Magpies play Burnley in Gameweek 34 and are among the six teams with two fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 35 – Isak is a smart option.Lock in your transfers before Saturday’s 11:30am deadline!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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DREAM TEAM managers should expand their minds ahead of Gameweek 33.Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal have justifiably been in focus for much of the season but the schedule urges gaffers to look elsewhere at this late juncture.Tottenham, Aston Villa and Chelsea are the only teams set to fulfil two fixtures this coming Gameweek and so selecting a captain from one of these three sides should yield profitable returns.Let’s run through the best options.CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE – £500 CASH PRIZE MUST BE WON!A reliable performerCredit: GettyFirst and foremost, it’s hard to look past Ollie Watkins (£5m).The Villains host Chelsea and Olympiacos in back-to-back home games with the latter coming in the form of a Europa Conference League semi-final.The England international deserves immense credit for his efforts this season; he’s notched 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions.His tally of 291 points puts him third in the Dream Team rankings among assets in his position and on current form he’s set to catch Mohamed Salah (£6.7m), who is just nine points ahead with fewer fixtures remaining.Watkins has plundered 43 points across the last three Gameweeks and he’ll be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Mauricio Pochettino’s mob following the Blues’ 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Arsenal last time out.Most read in Dream TeamCole Palmer (£5.3m) missed the trip to the Emirates with illness but he must also be considered a strong captaincy candidate if he’s deemed available for Gameweek 33.A weapon when availableCredit: APThe 21-year-old is one of very few players with more points than Watkins at this stage of the campaign, he’s amassed 323 at an average of 8.1 per fixture.Deadly from the penalty spot and highly impressive in open play, the former Man City youngster has scored 23 goals and provided 15 assists this season.Chelsea looked lost without him in midweek and they face a tricky double header this coming Gameweek in the form of Villa and Spurs but Palmer’s record is truly astonishing.Alternatively, how about Son Heung-min (£4.6m)?Son scored a brace in the last North London derbyCredit: Dream TeamThe South Korean superstar also faces a difficult double header with a crunch North London derby this Sunday before a visit to Stamford Bridge on Thursday.However, Spurs’ No7 has a good record against the big teams – he bagged a brace against the Gunners back in September.Erling Haaland (£7m) and Salah are the only forwards who average more points-per-game than Son this season.Plus, all of his 24 goal involvements have come in the Premier League.It appears to be a three-way conversation between Watkins, Son and Palmer for the captain’s armband in Gameweek 33, assuming the latter is fit.Watkins will probably be the popular choice as he has the more favourable fixtures.Captain fantastic?Credit: GettyTime is running out for gaffers to play any remaining Boosters.Those with Park the Bus still in the holster should probably wait for Gameweek 35 when six teams will pull double duty.This could be the perfect time to activate 12th Man though, with the aforementioned trio of Watkins, Palmer and Son being the prime nominees.Villa’s top scorer certainly feels like a must-have asset this coming Gameweek one way or the other.As with Park the Bus, Max Captain is probably best deployed in Gameweek 35 although only one Booster can be played at a time so those with both should make a decision as soon as possible.READ MORE SUN STORIESDream Team bosses with Watkins, Palmer and Son in their XI could opt for Max Captain to guarantee the best results.Lock in your captain and any Boosters you wish to play before Saturday’s 11:30am deadline.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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SCORE PREDICTOR has a new weekly prize – £500 in cold, hard cash!Actually, it’ll be a digital transfer so not cold or hard but a fantastic prize nonetheless.Score Predictor remains free to play and it couldn’t be easier to put yourself in contention for the dosh.Simply gaze into your crystal ball and foresee the scores of the five selected Premier League fixtures and you’ll earn points based on the accuracy of your predictions.You don’t have to get all five scores exactly correct, you just have to earn more points than your rivals.CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE – £500 CASH PRIZE MUST BE WON!Play now and you could be £500 richer by Sunday nightCredit: Dream TeamLet’s run through the five relevant fixtures for Matchweek 33.Manchester United v BurnleyOn the surface, this pits a team hopeful of European qualification against a side threatened by relegation but there’s more to this match-up than meets the eye.The Clarets are actually above the Red Devils in the form table having only lost one of their last seven games.Most read in FootballErik ten Hag’s troops are wildly unpredictable, as evidenced by their dramatic 3-3 draw with Coventry at Wembley last weekend, and have caused Score Predictor users headaches all season.A moment of magic from Bruno Fernandes decided the reverse fixture back in September but Burnley registered more shots than Man United in what was a relatively even contest at Turf Moor.Incredibly, there’s just a cigarette paper between these two sides in terms of xGA (expected goals allowed) in the league with the hosts marginally better off on 59 to the visitors’ 59.8 – worrying numbers for both managers.Our Prediction: 2-2 drawImpossible to predictCredit: AlamyEverton v BrentfordBoth these teams took significant steps towards safety last weekend with wins over Nottingham Forest and Luton respectively.The Toffees will be desperate for another positive result to further distance themselves from the drop zone but their home record this season counts against them.Sean Dyche’s side have won just five of their 16 league games at Goodison Park – only Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton have earned fewer points on home soil.Everton thoroughly deserved the win at the Gtech Stadium earlier in the campaign but a lot has changed since then; they lost 6-0 to Chelsea not even a fortnight ago.The Bees are undefeated this month and are in fine touch going forward having scored ten goals in their last three games.Our Prediction: 2-1 to BrentfordBrentford registered a big win over Luton last time outCredit: GettyAston Villa v ChelseaThe Blues’ hopes rest on the availability of Cole Palmer, who was ill in midweek when his side were embarrassed by Arsenal at the Emirates.If the Golden Boot contender is well enough to start then he will certainly pose a threat to a Villains’ defence that have conceded their fair share of goals.However, Mauricio Pochettino will be fearing the prospect of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and company running at his brittle defence.Chelsea average two goals conceded per away game while Villa average a fraction over 2.5 goals scored per home fixture.Plus, only the three title contenders have earned more points at home than Unai Emery’s side.The visitors were on a decent run prior to their trip to the Emirates but it’s hard to back them after a 5-0 defeat.Our Prediction: 3-1 to Aston VillaFans have labelled Chelsea ‘Cole Palmer FC’Credit: RexTottenham v ArsenalSunday’s North London derby feels like the weekend’s headline act.Spurs will be highly motivated to crush their neighbours’ title hopes but a meek 4-0 defeat to Newcastle last time out suggests they may not be prepared for such a task.The Gunners boast the best away record in the top flight this season and morale will be high after their thrashing of Chelsea in midweek.However, form tends to go out of the window in emotionally-charged derbies.Son Heung-min scored a brace at the Emirates back in September to earn his side a draw and the South Korean superstar will surely have to fulfil a huge role again if the hosts are to unpick the league’s best defence.This one is dividing Score Predictor users at present and it’s easy to see why.Our Prediction: 2-1 to ArsenalArsenal are in good shape heading into the North London derbyCredit: GettyNottingham Forest v Manchester CityHistory tells us Pep Guardiola’s side come out on top in a title race with most pundits predicting yet another open-top bus parade for the defending champions.Man City have battled fatigue of late and that theme is set to continue with them travelling to Brighton on Thursday night before Sunday afternoon’s game at the City Ground.But it’s hard to look past the gulf in form between these two sides.Only Luton and Sheffield United have taken fewer points than Forest from their last ten games while City are the only team unbeaten in the same time frame.Nuno Espirito Santo may hope to channel the energy of a potentially raucous home crowd following the controversy of last weekend but the hosts will be thoroughly up against it.Our Prediction: 4-0 to Man CityREAD MORE SUN STORIESSurely City will have too much firepower for Forest to resist?Credit: GettyShow us how it’s really done by entering Score Predictor before the action gets underway on Saturday!CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR FOR FREE – £500 CASH PRIZE MUST BE WON!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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ARSENAL defenders cemented their foothold at the top of the Dream Team rankings on Tuesday night.The Gunners maintained their Premier League title challenge with an emphatic 5-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates.Mauricio Pochettino hoped his troops would be able to prove they are not merely ‘Cole Palmer FC’ but the Blues produced arguably their most feeble performance of the season in the absence of their Golden Boot contender, who was sidelined with illness.Ben White (£4.4m) was the unlikely chief beneficiary on the night, taking Chelsea for 19 points when all was said and done.It’s not too early to play our EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE game – win an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB!Dream Team’s top defender!Credit: Dream TeamThe 26-year-old scored two goals, doubling his tally for the campaign in one fell swoop, albeit with a slice of good fortune involved in the second.There’s nothing fortuitous about his status as Dream Team’s outright top defender in 2023/24.As a key member of the Gunners’ unmatched defence, he’s earned 244 points through 20 clean sheets, four goals and six assists.Gabriel (£4.3m) is 16 points shy of his team-mate, second in the defensive rankings, while William Saliba (£3.7m) is a further 14 points behind in third.The three Arsenal regulars are the only assets in their position on 200+ points at the time of writing.Most read in FootballDREAM TEAM’S TOP DEFENDERS THIS SEASON:
Ben White – 244 pts
Gabriel – 228 pts
William Saliba – 214 pts
Kieran Trippier – 199 pts
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 198 pts
Virgil van Dijk – 198 pts
Diogo Dalot – 195 pts
Antonee Robinson – 189 pts
Ezri Konsa – 187 pts
Pedro Porro – 186 pts
A formidable partnershipCredit: GettyMikel Arteta has forged a tight defence that has been far superior to all his rivals’ efforts this term.His side come out on top in every key metric, including the one that ultimately matters most – clean sheets.MOST CLEAN SHEETS AMONG DREAM TEAM ASSETS THIS SEASON:
Ben White – 20
William Saliba – 20
Gabriel – 19
David Raya – 18
Emi Martinez – 13
James Tarkowski – 13
Jarrad Branthwaite – 12
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 12
Andre Onana – 12
Fabian Schar – 12
Due to their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich, Arsenal have just four fixtures remaining in 2023/24 – the joint-fewest among the top-flight sides.However, such is the frugal nature of their defence, many top gaffers will choose to stick by the likes of White, Gabriel and Saliba until the final day of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League this seasonCredit: AlamyThe Gunners face Tottenham in what promises to be a highly-competitive North London derby on Sunday but their last three fixtures – Bournemouth, Manchester United and Everton – have to be considered relatively favourable.Barring something exceptional from Alexander-Arnold, it seems inevitable Arsenal will finish the campaign with three defenders on the podium.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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