Fantasy Football

THE January transfer window has officially slammed shut.The only thing to do now is mull over what it all means for Dream Team managers.Dream Team bosses should always be aware of new optionsCredit: Dream TeamAston Villa have bolstered their ranks with five new arrivals in an attempt to ensure a strong second half of the campaign.Right-back Andres Garcia (£2.5m) and forward Donyell Malen (£2.9m) have joined on a permanent basis but it’s the Villains’ loanees who may appeal most to gaffers. Defender Axel Disasi (£3.3m) has temporarily switched over from Chelsea while Marco Asensio (£3.5m) has joined from PSG.The Spain international is an interesting prospect.Dubbed a wonderkid in his younger years, the 29-year-old hasn’t quite lived up to expectations but he remains a talented player who is capable of significant contributions in the final third.Asensio averages a goal or assist every 115.5 minutes in Ligue 1 since his transfer to PSG.Villa have bolstered their attacking options after Jhon Duran’s exitCredit: GettyAnd he averaged a goal involvement every 165.3 minutes over eight seasons in La Liga despite being deemed a second-string option for most of his Real Madrid career.Crucially, Asensio has been added to the game as a midfielder but it wouldn’t come as a shock if he played some minutes as a centre-forward.Most read in FootballExperienced Dream Team bosses will be the first to acknowledge the heady heights Marcus Rashford (£3.4m) is capable of reaching when everything clicks.The England international scored 30 goals in all competitions for Manchester United in 2022/23 but his relationship with his boyhood club deteriorated under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.If Unai Emery can restore the 27-year-old’s confidence then there could be more than a few Dream Team points up for grabs, especially with Villa assured of their place in the Champions League last 16.Fresh startCredit: Instagram / avfcofficialManchester City have been the biggest spenders this winter.Gaffers have already had a look at Abdukodir Khusanov (£3.2m) and Omar Marmoush (£4.5m); the former desperately struggled against Chelsea but the latter has looked bright in his two outings, without the points to show for it.The defending champions’ deadline day signing of Nico Gonzalez (£3.5m) from Porto might turn a few heads.In Rodri’s absence, midfield has been a problem area for Pep Guardiola in recent months and so the 23 year-old Spaniard could feasibly pin down a regular starting spot in double quick time if he hits ground running.It would be unrealistic to expect a new signing to immediately fill the boots of the current Ballon d’Or holder but the prospect of fresh blood at Man City is an intriguing one from a Dream Team perspective.Gonzalez is an adaptable midfielderCredit: AFPElsewhere, Mathys Tel (£3.5m) has agreed loan move to Tottenham with an option to buy in the summer.The teenage winger was linked to several Premier League clubs throughout the window but ultimately chose Spurs after a conversation with Ange Postecoglou.Tel has been limited to 253 league minutes for Bayern Munich this season, hence his desire to move, but will probably be thrown straight in at his new club amid Spurs’ injury crisis.The Frenchman is still a developing talent but highly rated by those who have followed his career closely.Categorised as a forward in Dream Team, it will be interesting to see how he is deployed by Postecoglou – attack-minded Spurs assets have done every well in Dream Team this season.Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United were also said to be interested in TelCredit: RexThe North Londoners have also strengthened in defence with the loan signing of centre-back Kevin Danso (£3.5m) from Lens.Although gaffers will be wary of Spurs defenders who don’t offer an attacking threat.Manchester United have added left-back Patrick Dorgu (£2.5m) to their ranks.The 20 year-old Denmark international’s place in the pecking order is not yet clear but he’s impressed at Lecce since making his professional debut last season.Finally, it will be interesting to see how Evan Ferguson (£2.7m) gets on at West Ham.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Irish striker has previously enjoyed spells of relative popularity in Dream Team but he scored just one goal in Brighton colours this season before his loan switch to East London.At the very least, Dream Team managers should be aware of new possibilities off the back of the January transfers window.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

THE mere concept of Everton success seemed ludicrous just a fortnight ago.But things change quickly in the world of Dream Team.On the rise!Credit: Dream TeamDavid Moyes has overseen three straight victories to dramatically change the outlook at Goodison Park.The Toffees blitzed Tottenham in Gameweek 20 and while their 3-0 half-time lead was pegged back to 3-2 come the final whistle, that performance proved to be the catalyst for a sharp upturn.They followed that up with a resilient 1-0 win away to Brighton, just the second time the Seagulls have lost a league game on home soil this season.Most recently, Everton totally outclassed Leicester with a comprehensive 4-0 victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.The defence was relatively solid under Sean Dyche but the attack far too blunt and unimaginative.Moyes is not known for expansive attacking football but he has instilled some much-needed potency and belief in the final third, in quick time too.Moyes has made a big impact since his return to MerseysideCredit: GettyWhether this is a new manager bounce or something longer lasting remains to be seen but Dream Team bosses would be foolish to ignore the increased output from Goodison Park.No fewer than six Everton players registered double-digit hauls against the Foxes on Saturday: Beto (£1.9m), Jordan Pickford (£3.9m), Abdoulaye Doucoure (£2.5m), Iliman Ndiaye (£4.4m), James Tarkowski (£3.6m) and James Garner (£2.3m).Most read in FootballNo team had more players reach double figures over the weekend, not even Nottingham Forest, who thumped Brighton 7-0.For many Dream Team managers, this won’t be enough to convince them of Everton’s viability as there are other factors to consider.But the stars have aligned to make Pickford and company as appealing as possible ahead of Gameweek 23.Pickford is the most in-form goalkeeper in Dream Team right nowCredit: ReutersEverton are one of just three teams set to fulfil two fixtures this coming Gameweek.Bournemouth are due at Goodison Park in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday before Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park for the rescheduled Merseyside derby next Wednesday.Given the Reds and the Cherries are both among the most in-form sides since the turn of the year, this can hardly be considered a favourable double header for Moyes’ side.It would certainly be bold back Pickford, Tarkowski or any other asset at risk of minus points if Mohamed Salah (£8m) and friends are at their free-flowing best come derby day.But Beto, Doucoure and Ndiaye are all tempting differentials, particularly the latter.Ndiaye is rising up the Dream Team rankings at a rapid rateCredit: GettyThe Senegal international is one of the game’s most in-form players having scored against Spurs, Brighton and Leicester for a return of 33 points from his last three outings.The skilful 24-year-old also ranks joint-fifth for bonus points among all players.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn Gameweek 23, the vast majority of clubs have just one fixture and heavy rotation is to be expected in the FA Cup fourth round; while Arsenal, West Ham and Brentford will BLANK entirely.Everton’s top stars are likely to play significantly more minutes than most their rivals and are therefore smart short-term options for gaffers who prioritise the schedule.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 22 in one convenient location.David Raya is a doubt ahead of Arsenal’s highly-anticipated clash with Manchester City this weekend.Raya has more points than any other goalkeeper in Dream Team this seasonThe Spanish goalkeeper, who features in 19.5% of teams at the time of writing, didn’t feature against Girona in midweek and is due for an assessment on Saturday.Myles Lewis-Skelly had his much-discussed red card rescinded upon appeal and is therefore available.As for the defending champions, Pep Guardiola expects to have the same squad available from Wednesday night’s win over Club Brugge, meaning Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku remain sidelined.Oscar Bobb has resumed full training but it’s not clear when he will be reintroduced to the playing squad.Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all returned to training ahead of Liverpool’s double Gameweek but the trio will be assessed before Arne Slot makes final decisions.Maddison has a calf strainCredit: ReutersThomas Frank was pleased to confirm that Ethan Pinnock, Kevin Schade and Christian Norgaard will all be available to face Tottenham on Sunday.However, the unfortunate Rico Henry faces several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.As for Spurs, James Maddison and Radu Dragusin are the latest names added to the club’s extensive injury list – the latter was forced off against Elfsborg on Thursday night with a jarred knee.Most read in FootballThe England midfielder is expected to be unavailable for two to three weeks with a calf strain – he’s currently the most transferred-out player in Dream Team ahead of Gameweek 22.In more positive news for North London outfit, Micky van de Ven made his comeback in the Europa League and several other players due to return in February.Van de Ven returned on Thursday nightCredit: RexUnai Emery offered an estimated recovery time of three weeks for Matty Cash in his Friday press conference.Aston Villa’s head coach also said that Tyrone Mings’ injury was “not really bad” but ruled the centre-back out of the Villains’ trip to Wolves.The hosts will be without striker Jorgen Strand Larsen at Molineux following his withdrawal at Arsenal last weekend with a hamstring issue – Joao Gomes is suspended.David Moyes told journalists that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be sidelined for “a number of weeks” and revealed that Orel Mangala (ACL) is out for the rest of the season.But combative midfielder Tim Iroegbunam may be involved in Everton’s matchday squad for Leicester’s visit to Goodison Park on Saturday.Eze will not feature at Old Trafford this weekendCredit: GettyCrystal Palace will be without key man Eberechi Eze for their trip to Old Trafford.Oliver Glasner will be able to call upon midfield pair Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca if required but Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad are both ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.Lucas Paqueta is due for an assessment while Graham Potter is “hopeful” Jarrod Bowen may be able to play some part for West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.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, Gabriel Jesus, David Raya (doubt)Suspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Matty CashSuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Luis Sinisterra (doubt), Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, Adam Smith, Evanilson, Enes Unal, James HillSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago, Rico HenrySuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jason Steele, Evan Ferguson (doubt), Mats Wieffer, Igor Julio, Solly March, Pervis EstupinanSuspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo LaviaSuspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, Chadi Riad, Eberechi EzeSuspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Tim Iroegbunam (doubt), Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, Seamus Coleman, Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-LewinSuspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson, Harry WilsonSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Chaplin, Sammie Szmodics, Wes BurnsSuspensions: NoneLEICESTERInjuries: Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, Mads Hermansen (doubt), Wilfred Ndidi Suspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Joe Gomez (doubt), Diogo Jota (doubt), Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb (doubt), Rodri, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Jeremy DokuSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Jonny EvansSuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Callum Wilson, Harvey BarnesSuspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Ibrahim Sangare, Callum Hudson-OdoiSuspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Ross Stewart, Jack Stephens (doubt), Ryan Fraser, Nathan Wood-GordonSuspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Timo Werner, Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Radu DragusinSuspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen (doubt), Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville (doubt), Lucas Paqueta (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWOLVESREAD MORE SUN STORIESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore (doubt), Yerson Mosquera, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Carlos Forbs, Leon ChiwoneSuspensions: Joao Gomes More

MATCHWEEK 21 appears to be a stiff test for Score Predictor users.It might be the case that the winner of the £250 weekly prize is someone prepared to think outside the box.Play now!Credit: Dream TeamSimply enter 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 cash prize!Allow us to present some key stats and facts for each relevant fixture to help inform your decisions in what looks a tricky week on paper.Wolves v Aston VillaVitor Pereira’s side have slipped into the relegation zone having lost every league game this month.Only Southampton have conceded more goals than Wolves at this stage; Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers will be licking their lips ahead of their Saturday afternoon jaunt to Molineux – the latter bagged a hat-trick against Celtic on Wednesday night.The Villains have struggled to balance Champions League commitments with the relentless churn of league fixtures this term and have won just one of their previous seven games that immediately followed a European night.However, the lone win among that set came against Wolves back in September.Our Prediction: 2-1 to Aston VillaMost read in FootballRogers excelled against CelticCredit: GettyBrentford v TottenhamThis is a meeting of two teams that have endured miserable starts to the new year.The Bees’ only win this month came against Southampton while Spurs have lost to Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Leicester on their way down to 15th in the table.Brentford have suffered rotten luck in regards to injuries this season but nothing like what Ange Postecoglou is currently dealing with – James Maddison is the latest player to be deemed unavailable.Spurs are due to host Elfsborg in the Europa League this evening and with so few senior players fit, there’s every chance fatigue may be a factor when they visit the Gtech on Sunday.Only Liverpool and Arsenal have earned more points at home than Thomas Frank’s mob while Southampton are the only team to have lost more league games on the road than Spurs.Our Prediction: 3-2 to BrentfordHard timesCredit: GettyManchester United v Crystal PalaceThe Red Devils have won just one of their last six league meetings with the Eagles.And there’s every chance of Palace extending their good record this weekend as no team in the top flight have earned more points from their last six away days.Marc Guehi and company have really tightened up at the back lately and four goals conceded from their last six outings is the lowest tally among all teams.Factor in Man United’s Thursday night trip to Romania to face FCSB and it’s easy to envisage a beleaguered Ruben Amorim looking forlorn on his haunches as Eberechi Eze pokes holes in the hosts’ defence come Sunday lunchtime.Our Prediction: 1-0 to Crystal PalacePalace have looked much better recentlyCredit: GettyArsenal v Manchester CityA massive match-up that has been a potential title-decider in recent years.This edition doesn’t possess the same status as Liverpool are firmly in control at this stage but all eyes will be on the Emirates this Sunday nonetheless.John Stones scored a 98th-minute equaliser in the reverse fixture, an entertaining contest that saw the Gunners attempt a full rearguard for the entire second half following Leandro Trossard’s much-discussed dismissal.Since then, Man City have suffered a severe dip in form and partially recovered with their current run of unbeaten league games having reached six, though even their most partisan fans would admit some vulnerabilities persist.It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Arsenal either but they are still very difficult to beat and remain the only side yet to lose a league game at home in 2024/25.Mikel Arteta would love for William Saliba to be passed fit for this encounter and we’d be inclined to back a home win if Bukayo Saka was available but as it is we’ll position ourselves uncomfortably on the fence.Our Prediction: 1-1 drawTensions boiled over back in SeptemberCredit: APChelsea v West HamThere’s no doubt the Blues are going through a bad patch at present.Defeat at the Etihad last weekend means Chelsea’s victory over Wolves remains their only win in the league since mid-December.This slump has seen Enzo Maresca’s side drop to 15th in the form table.Not that the Hammers have made huge strides in that time either.Graham Potter’s side showed signs of progress in the second half against Aston Villa last time out but there’s still plenty of room for improvement – their goal difference of minus 16 is rather damning.The hosts should feel confident of a win on Monday night but they’ve won just five of their 11 league games at Stamford Bridge this season – a record not befitting a team with hopes of Champions League qualification.It’s always difficult to judge a match-up between two units out of form but we’ll edge it to the team eight places higher in the table.READ MORE SUN STORIESOur Prediction: 2-1 to ChelseaShow us how it’s really done by entering your predictions for Matchweek 21 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