Fantasy Football

MOST Dream Team managers would flinch at the mere suggestion of relying on an Everton player for points.The Toffees have endured a largely joyless campaign thus far having won just four of their 21 Premier League games to this point.At the time of writing, only the three promoted teams and Wolves are below Everton in the table with relegation-bound Southampton being the only side to have scored fewer goals.Despite all this, Iliman Ndiaye (£3.9m) might be an effective secret weapon for gaffers in the near future.Hear us out…Credit: Dream TeamThe 24 year-old winger features in just 0.3% of teams right now, due to the aforementioned negatives, but he boasts an impressive average of 5.9 points-per-game.For context, Dejan Kulusevski (£4.3m), Morgan Rogers (£3.7m), Kevin De Bruyne (£5.7m) and many other notable midfielders rank below Ndiaye in the same metric.The Senegal international has scored six goals this season and supplements his returns with plenty of bonus points, 31 to be exact.MOST BONUS POINTS THIS SEASON:35 – Ryan Gravenberch34 – James Maddison32 – Youri Tielemans31 – Iliman Ndiaye30 – Eberechi Eze30 – Declan Rice29 – Anthony Gordon29 – Antonee Robinson29 – Savinho27 – Bruno GuimaraesThe Goodison Park faithful won’t be surprised to learn that their No10’s dribbling ability is the main reason he ranks so highly for bonus points.Most read in FootballNdiaye has already completed 60 successful dribbles in 2024/25.Only Morgan Rogers (£3.7m) has registered more at this stage and that’s mainly because the Aston Villa midfielder has played four more games.Ndiaye shined bright against SpursCredit: GettyNdiaye earned three well deserved bonus points to go alongside his goal against Tottenham on Sunday for a return of 13 points – his best haul of the campaign to date.It’s all well and good being a rare shining light in an otherwise struggling team but it takes more than a few mazy dribbles to convince Dream Team bosses a player is worthy of a place in a competitive XI.Aside from their poor form, one of the things limiting Everton’s viability in Dream Team is their comparatively restricted schedule (no European or Carabao Cup commitments).However, there appears to be a short window in which the balance shifts favour of the Merseyside outfit.New manager bounce?Credit: PADavid Moyes’ side are due to face hapless Leicester in Gameweek 22 before a rare double header against Bournemouth and Liverpool in Gameweek 23.The rearranged Merseyside derby means Everton have three fixtures to fulfil across two Gameweeks when 15 other top flight clubs will play twice (or just once in the case of West Ham and Brentford).This means Ndiaye will be on the right side of a fixture imbalance for once, with a favourable match-up against the Foxes sweetening the deal.It should go without saying that Liverpool assets are the top priority for Gameweeks 22 and 23, when Arne Slot’s troops will be action FOUR times.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Ndiaye is a tempting option to accompany Mohamed Salah (£8m) and friends for gaffers planning to target the imminent scheduling quirk.There’s no need to make a rash decision this week as Everton are due to face Brighton away in Gameweek 21 when six other clubs have double headers (because of Champions League and Europa League commitments) but there’s no harm in mapping out a strategy for the next few weeks.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

LOYALTY is an admirable trait but Dream Team managers need to be ruthless from time to time.If a player isn’t pulling their weight then sticking by them often compounds the problem.Points are all that matterCredit: Dream TeamHere we’ve identified some popular assets who simply haven’t provided enough points lately.Andy Robertson (£3.8m)Liverpool’s long-serving left-back has plenty of credit in the bank with the Anfield faithful but there’s no denying his standards have slipped this season.Arne Slot has been increasingly willing to split the Scotland captain’s minutes with Kostas Tsimikas (£3.2m) as the campaign has progressed.As a result, Robertson has registered four fewer clean sheets than Virgil van Dijk (£4.9m).In attack, the 30-year-old has provided just one assist compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s (£5.8m) tally of seven.Robertson has notched just 15 points since the start of Gameweek 15 – the Reds have played ten games in that time.Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are ranked first and second respectively among defenders while Robertson is outside the top 15.Most read in FootballRobertson’s form has dropped this seasonCredit: GettyNoni Madueke (£2.5m)The Chelsea winger emerged as an excellent value-for-money option earlier in the season but points have dried up in recent weeks.Madueke raced to four goals and one assist by his sixth appearance of the season and looked mightily effective in combination with Cole Palmer (£6.3m).However, his strike against Southampton in Gameweek 13 is his only goal in all competitions since the October international break.That the England international still appears in 8.9% of teams is remarkable.On a similar theme, Nicolas Jackson’s (£4m) form has tailed off over the last six weeks.Madueke started brightly but has faded sinceCredit: RexRico Lewis (£3.1m)Like Madueke, Manchester City’s adaptable youngster was an affordable gem in the early stages of the season.At one point he was among the most selected assets in the game.However, the defending champions’ form slump hit Lewis hard.Starting with defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup round of 16, the 20 year-old defender has mustered 33 points from his last 15 outings at an average of just 2.2 per appearance.In an attempt to sure things up, Pep Guardiola has opted for more experienced defenders with Lewis once again viewed as a rotation option.Despite his lean run of returns, Lewis remains the ninth-most popular asset in his position.Lewis has played fewer minutes latelyCredit: GettyWilliam Saliba (£4.7m)Sacrilege! The Arsenal centre-back is a class act who has returned more than his fair share of points since he became one of Mikel Arteta’s favourites.But it’s simply true that his usual high standards have slipped a fraction since the festive period.Saliba has scraped together 22 points from his last eight fixtures during a spell when the Gunners have struggled for clean sheets.The Frenchman missed Saturday’s game against Aston Villa with a hamstring injury and while the issue isn’t thought to be serious, this might give gaffers the push they need to seek a replacement.READ MORE SUN STORIESSaliba’s ownership of 23.5% makes him the third most selected defender in the game at the time of writing.As expected, he’s currently among the most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 21.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news for Gameweek 20 in one convenient location.Cole Palmer is considered a doubt for Chelsea’s game against Wolves on Monday.Enzo Maresca revealed to journalists that Dream Team’s most popular player wasn’t able to train on Friday because of an ankle issue.Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia are also doubtful for the Blues having missed the same session.Dream Team’s most selected player has been labelled a doubtLuis Diaz skipped Liverpool training on Thursday due to illness but was expected to participate in Friday’s session.The 40.7%-owned winger is a minor doubt but should pull through for the Reds’ trip to Brentford.Diogo Jota is a stronger concern as the injury-prone Portugal international is yet to train since his super sub cameo at Nottingham Forest.Riccardo Calafiori remains a doubt for Arsenal and is due for a late assessment.The Italian defender played no part against Manchester United or Tottenham in Gameweek 19.Gabriel Jesus faces several months on the sidelines having undergone surgery on his ACL.Jesus suffered an ACL injury against Man UnitedCredit: PAOliver Glasner admitted Ismaila Sarr is a “small question mark” for Crystal Palace ahead of their meeting with West Ham on Saturday.Eagles midfielder Jefferson Lerma is unavailable due to illness.As for the Hammers, a late decision will be made on Crysencio Summerville’s availability following an assessment.Tottenham’s defensive crisis may ease slightly as Ben Davies is expected to return to the matchday squad this weekend.However, Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissouma are new concerns for Ange Postecoglou as he prepares to visit Goodison Park.The Wales international is the fourth-most selected midfielder in Dream Team at the time of writing with an ownership of 21.8%.Timo Werner is expected to miss the next month with a hamstring issue.Johnson has a calf complaintCredit: GettyRuben Dias and Oscar Bobb returned to Manchester City training this week but it’s unclear if they will involved in any capacity at Portman Road on Sunday.Additionally, Pep Guardiola offered a vague response when asked about Erling Haaland’s fitness in his Friday morning press conference, saying: “Some players finish with some problems, like every game… we’ll see.”The Norwegian No9 is not considered a doubt at this stage.Eddie Howe cited Fabian Schar as “not 100%” but otherwise declared he will be able to call upon “pretty the same squad” that beat Wolves last time out.Alexander Isak skipped Newcastle’s FA Cup tie with Bromley with a minor hamstring niggle but the Swedish striker looked unhindered at St James’ Park when he notched two goals and an assist in midweek.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWARSENALInjuries: Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori (doubt)Suspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, John McGinn, Ross BarkleySuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith, Evanilson, Enes Unal, James Hill (doubt)Suspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Kristoffer Ajer, Ethan Pinnock, Igor Thiago, Ryan TrevittSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood (doubt), Evan Ferguson (doubt), Mats Wieffer (doubt), Igor JulioSuspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Benoit Badiashile, Cole Palmer (doubt), Enzo Fernandez (doubt), Romeo Lavia (doubt), Levi Colwill (doubt)Suspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Matheus Franca, Franco Umeh-Chibueze, Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Ismaila Sarr (doubt)Suspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner (doubt), Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti, Armando BrojaSuspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss NelsonSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Axel Tuanzebe, Conor Chaplin, Sammie SzmodicsSuspensions: NoneLEICESTERInjuries: Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen, Wilfred NdidiSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota (doubt), Luis Diaz (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb (doubt), Rodri, John Stones, Ruben Dias (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount, Jonny EvansSuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar (doubt), Nick Pope, Callum Wilson, Harvey BarnesSuspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Ibrahim SangareSuspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Gavin Bazunu (doubt), Ross Stewart, Juan Larios, Jack Stephens, Tyler Dibling (doubt)Suspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies (doubt), Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson (doubt), Yves Bissouma (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Alphonse Areola (doubt), Jean-Clair Todibo (doubt), Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWOLVESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore (doubt), Yerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes (doubt), Toti Gomes, Matheus Cunha (doubt)Suspensions: None More

NOTHING cures the January Blues like £250 in cold, hard cash.That’s the amount we’ll award to the winner of Score Predictor Matchweek 19!Play now!Credit: Dream TeamSimply submit your predictions for the five selected Premier League games and earn points for the accuracy of your forecast as the action unfolds.If you amass the most points then you’ll claim the weekly cash prize!Allow us to present some key stats and facts for each relevant fixture to help inform your decisions.Brentford v LiverpoolThe Bees mounted a late comeback against Manchester City in midweek and still boast a formidable home record but their results have tailed off lately.Thomas Frank has had to contend with injury absentees at the back which have undermined his side’s efforts, despite the impressive output of Yoane Wissa, Mikkel Damsgaard and Bryan Mbeumo in attack.The West Londoners have only won one of their last eight games in all competitions – a 5-0 win away to Southampton – and defeat to Plymouth in the FA Cup caused some embarrassment.Liverpool have clipped a few hurdles of late having drawn to Manchester United and Nottingham Forest either side of a 1-0 loss to Spurs in the Carabao Cup.Even so, it’s difficult to look past Arne Slot’s league leaders on Saturday.Most read in FootballBrentford have earned plenty of points at the Gtech but only Saints, West Ham and Wolves have conceded more home goals in the top flight this season.Our Prediction: 3-1 to LiverpoolLiverpool are still in a strong positionCredit: ReutersArsenal v Aston VillaThe Villains won this fixture last season and dealt a huge blow to the Gunners’ title hopes in the process.Mikel Arteta took revenge at Villa Park earlier this season and will be desperate for another three points to keep the pressure on Liverpool.Arsenal are the only team yet to lose a league game at home this season and they’ll be encouraged by Villa’s middling away record of 13 points from ten outings.But Unai Emery has overseen three straight victories this month and has previously been a thorn in the side of his former club.44% of Score Predictor users have opted for a 2-1 home win at this stage and we’re inclined to follow the herd on this occasion.Our Prediction: 2-1 to ArsenalArsenal boast a formidable home record having beaten Spurs in midweekCredit: EPAEverton v TottenhamIn what is one of the more surprising stats of 2024/25, Spurs boast the joint-best defensive record away from home in the Premier League at present.This coupled with the Toffees’ struggles in attack – only Southampton have scored fewer league goals this season – suggests a low-scoring away win.Or does it?Ange Postecoglou’s side may have shipped very few goals on the road but they’ve collected just ten points from ten away days so far.As for the hosts, the Goodison Park faithful will be worried that David Moyes’ previous stint on Merseyside means he’s not eligible for a new manager bounce after Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa.It was a relatively even, scrappy game but a loss nonetheless and so it’s still the case that Everton have mustered just three league wins this season.Our Prediction: 2-0 to SpursMoyes needs to improve Everton’s attack to ward off relegationCredit: PAIpswich v Manchester CityThe Tractor Boys have shown more fight than Leicester and Southampton since earning promotion to the top flight but they’ve pocketed just seven points at Portman Road.Recent home wins over Chelsea and Bristol Rovers gave the season ticket holders something to cheer but they’ll be up against it when the defending champions come to town.Not that Pep Guardiola’s troops are at their best right now, far from it.A late capitulation at Brentford proved that Man City are not fully out of their slump – they are still guilty of curious mistakes at the back.The problem for Kieran McKenna is that Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and company have been back among the goals of late with 16 in their last four outings.The Norwegian poacher bagged a hat-trick in the reverse fixture back in August.Our Prediction: 3-2 to Man CityHaaland was ruthless against Ipswich earlier in the campaignCredit: GettyChelsea v WolvesStamford Bridge plays host to the Monday night game this Matchweek.The Blues find themselves 13th in the form table (last six games) having drawn with Everton, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace around defeats to Ipswich and Fulham.Nicolas Jackson is now missing chances he was converting throughout the first third of the campaign with Cole Palmer having to shoulder too much responsibility, as was the case last season.Still, the bigger picture is that Chelsea are fifth while Wolves are 18th – the latter have conceded the most goals this term.Enzo Maresca watched his side waltz to a 6-2 victory over Molineux back in August thanks to a Noni Madueke hat-trick.A Matheus Cunha consolation goal feels likely…READ MORE SUN STORIESOur Prediction: 3-1 to ChelseaProve you know better by submitting your predictions for Matchweek 19 now.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

PHIL FODEN (£6.2m) is Dream Team’s most in-form asset right now.The Manchester City midfielder acquired this status when he scored a brace against Brentford on Tuesday night.Back to his best?Credit: Dream TeamThe reigning PFA Player of the Year converted a trademark Kevin De Bruyne (£5.6m) cross with a deft finish before he doubled his side’s lead in West London with a predatory follow-up 12 minutes later.Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola’s troops, they weren’t able to hold firm for the win as the Bees mounted a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw.But when all was said and done, Foden was the big winner from a Dream Team perspective as he notched 19 points, his best haul of the season so far.Last week, we published an article regarding how the England international was “quietly gaining momentum” but there was nothing stealthy about his Gameweek 19 success.Prior to his brace at Brentford, he added five points to his tally thanks to an assist during City’s mauling of Salford in the FA Cup.Foden has leapt up the rankings in recent weeksCredit: AFPAt the time of writing, only Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo (£2.8m) has earned more points than Foden this Gameweek.More broadly, City’s No47 has now banked 60 points from his last six outings in a fruitful spell that has included four goals, two assists, eight shots on target, four big chances created and six bonus points.Injuries, illness and rustiness meant Foden simply wasn’t viable throughout the first third of the campaign but he’s turning heads at a rapid rate now.Most read in FootballFew players have such a high ceiling when in full flow.The defending champions still don’t look right, as evidenced by their late capitulation at the Gtech Stadium.Guardiola’s troops are still giving up far too many chances and Dream Team bosses who have stuck by the likes of Josko Gvardiol (£4.3m), Rico Lewis (£3.1m) and Manuel Akanji (£3.6m) have been punished for their stubbornness.But they haven’t lacked in attacking returns lately and this trend seems likely to continue in Gameweek 20.Guardiola can’t afford to rest key players in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyMan City are due to face Ipswich on Sunday before travelling to PSG on Wednesday night.The French giants have desperately struggled in the Champions League this season and are currently 25th in the table of 36.Foden doesn’t come cheap at £6.2m, only three players cost more at the time of writing, but he’s forced himself back into the conversation with a flurry of points.It will be interesting to see how much his current ownership of 9.1% increases before Saturday’s 11am deadline.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More