Fantasy Football

DON’T say we didn’t warn you.Matheus Cunha (£5.4m) was the standout Dream Team performer over the weekend as he banked a whopping 22 points against Leicester.Cruelly overlookedCredit: Dream TeamThe Wolves forward opened the scoring against the Foxes and assisted two other goals as Vitor Pereira’s side extended their winning streak with a 3-0 victory.Not only was Cunha directly involved in all three goals, he earned enough player performance marks to pocket FIVE bonus points, the maximum available from any one fixture.CUNHA’S 22-POINT MASTERCLASS1 goal (+6 pts)2 assists (+6 pts)5 bonus points (+5 pts)3 shots on target (+3 pts)89 minutes played (+2 pts)We included the talented Brazilian in our transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 33, citing his fixture as a massive mismatch between two teams at the opposite ends of the form table.And so it proved to be as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, already condemned to relegation, were outclassed by the hosts at Molineux with Cunha taking centre stage.A walk in the parkCredit: ReutersThe problem is that so few Dream Team managers are willing to actively recruit the 25-year-old, no matter how frequently we talk up his considerable attributes.Even now, in the wake of his season-best points haul, his ownership remains a modest 3.5%.Most read in FootballThe exhaustive list of players more popular than Cunha includes Micky van de Ven (£2.9m), Murillo (£2.9m) and Kobbie Mainoo (£3m).Granted, Cunha’s disciplinary record is a factor. He recently missed four consecutive games through suspension but the truth is he has never been a truly popular selection in the world of Dream Team despite undeniable stats.Cunha’s disciplinary issues are a concernCredit: AFPThe former Atletico Madrid man has racked up 283 points at an average of 8.8 per game this season – only Mohamed Salah (£7m) and Erling Haaland (£7.8m) boast better averages.That’s right, in a straight shootout of one fixture each, the numbers suggest Cunha is likely to outperform Alexander Isak (£5.7m), Bukayo Saka (£6.1m), Bruno Fernandes (£6.8m), Cole Palmer (£4.9m) and many more of the game’s most popular players.The fact Wolves have not had European fixtures to bolster their schedule limits his viability but gaffers have not been shy in backing Bryan Mbeumo (£4.8m) in spite of Brentford’s comparatively relaxed workload.So what will it take for Cunha to be recognised for his genius?Man United are reported to be keen on CunhaCredit: GettyUnfortunately for Wolves fans, the answer to that question might be a transfer away from Molineux.Cunha is expected to leave the club this summer with Manchester United supposedly his most ardent suitors.Read More on The SunIt’s worth noting that Wolves leapfrogged the Red Devils in the Premier League table this weekend but a switch to one of world football’s most famous clubs will undoubtedly result in more attention on Cunha.It might be that he goes from one of the most overlooked players in Dream Team to among the most selected.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 33 in one convenient location.Bukayo Saka is currently the second-most transferred-out player ahead of Saturday’s 11am deadline.Many gaffers made early moves when Arsenal’s No7 suffered a nasty foul at Portman Road but he recovered in time to play the last half an hour against Crystal Palace in midweek.The England winger is virtually guaranteed to start against PSG this coming Gameweek.Saka took a nasty blow at Ipswich but made a quick recoveryCredit: RexPep Guardiola told reporters that Ederson is more likely to return against Wolves in Gameweek 34, meaning Stefan Orteta will almost certainly start against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday.The decorated tactician revealed that Erling Haaland is getting “better and better” but the prolific striker is yet to resume team training.Forest will be without Ryan Yates and Neco Williams (both suspended) while Nuno Espirito Santo vaguely referred to “a lot of concerns” when asked about injuries.Diogo Dalot won’t travel with Manchester United to Bournemouth this weekend having picked up a calf injury.Ruben Amorim didn’t give a timescale for the Portuguese defender’s recovery but seemed to suggest there’s little chance of him making Thursday’s trip to Bilbao either.Concussion protocols prevent Jan Paul van Hecke from playing for Brighton at home to West Ham but the Seagulls may be able to call upon Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman if they train well today.Most read in FootballDalot appears in 12% of teams at the time of writingCredit: RexTottenham will have “pretty much” the same squad available from Gameweek 32 with Sunday’s trip to Anfield coming too soon for Son Heung-min.Whether the South Korean forward will feature against Bodo Glimt in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday night is unclear.As for Liverpool, Joe Gomez is the only member of the squad flagged as unavailable Malo Gusto suffered a minor injury last time and will not represent Chelsea at home to Everton on Saturday.The Toffees will be without first-choice centre-back James Tarkowski, who won’t feature again this season having undergone surgery on his hamstring.Orel Mangala, Jesper Lindstrom and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also remain sidelined.Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Jose Sa and Hwang Hee-chan all returned to Wolves training this week ahead of Leicester’s visit to Molineux.The former’s absence allowed Matheus Cunha to regain his place in the starting line-up last weekend and it will be interesting to see how Vitor Pereira views things if the French midfielder is deemed fit enough to start.Son will not feature at Anfield on SundayCredit: GettyEddie Howe will return to the dugout at St James’ Park when Newcastle take on Ipswich this Saturday and he believes centre-back Fabian Schar will be fine following his substitution at Villa Park.Sven Botman has stepped up his recovery but remains in the “early stages” of his comeback.As for the Tractor Boys, regular left-back Leif Davis begins a three-game suspension after his straight red card for serious foul play against Arsenal.Kieran McKenna will make a late decision on striker Liam Delap, the club’s top scorer this season.Rodrigo Muniz has been ruled out for Fulham this weekend, leaving the door open for Raul Jimenez to start up front at Southampton.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, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho, GabrielSuspensions: Thomas ParteyASTON VILLAInjuries: NoneSuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Enes Unal, Luis Sinisterra, Ryan ChristieSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Igor Thiago (doubt), Fabio Carvalho, Yunes Emre KonakSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, Georginio Rutter, Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey (doubt), Joel Veltman (doubt), Jan Paul van HeckeSuspensions: Joao PedroCHELSEAInjuries: Marc Guiu, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto Suspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Chadi RiadSuspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, James Tarkowski, Jesper LindstromSuspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe (doubt), Rodrigo MunizSuspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns, Sammie Szmodics, Omari Hutchinson (doubt), Conor Townsend, Nathan Broadhead, Jaden Philogene, Kalvin Phillips, Arijanet MuricSuspensions: Leif DavisLEICESTERInjuries: Abdul Fatawu, Stephy MavididiSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Joe GomezSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland, EdersonSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de LigtSuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Fabian Schar (doubt)Suspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Ola Aina (doubt), Jota Silva (doubt)Suspensions: Neco Williams, Ryan YatesSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Albert Gronbaek, Charlie TaylorSuspensions: Flynn DownesTOTTENHAMInjuries: Radu Dragusin, Son Heung-minSuspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Crysencio Summerville, Edson Alvarez (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWOLVESRead More on The SunInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Leon Chiwone, Pedro Lima, Jose Sa (doubt), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (doubt), Sam Johnstone, Hwang Hee-chan (doubt)Suspensions: None More

THE average Dream Team manager spends their Friday stressing about injury concerns and mulling over captaincy options. Let’s address the latter.As it stands, the most engaged gaffers seem to be divided between Cole Palmer (£5m) and Bruno Fernandes (£7m) ahead of Gameweek 33.A tough decisionCredit: Dream TeamThis is understandable as they are the top two points scorers among the exclusive group of players set to play twice.GAMEWEEK 33 DOUBLE HEADERSMANCHESTER UNITED vs Bournemouth (a) & Athletic Bilbao (a)TOTTENHAM vs Liverpool (a) & Bodo Glimt (a)CHELSEA vs Everton (h) & Djurgarden (a)NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs Man City (n) & Brentford (h)Palmer’s form is a concern as he’s returned just 14 points across his last five appearances.In fact, the 22-year-old hasn’t scored since January!However, the Blues’ Conference League semi-final gives them the most favourable double header of Gameweek 33, with all due respect to their Swedish opponents.And Palmer remains the man most likely to take advantage despite his downturn in the second half of the campaign – he still averages 7.8 points-per-game in 2024/25.Most read in FootballDream Team’s best midfielder this seasonCredit: RexWhile the England international has faded, Man United’s captain has gone from strength to strength since the turn of the year.Fernandes tops the midfield rankings by a wide margin having amassed 384 points via 17 goals and 18 assists.Dream Team bosses are unlikely to have much faith in the Red Devils given they sit 14th in the Premier League having scored just 38 goals in the top flight this season.But Fernandes has proven himself capable of plentiful points even when everything else crumbles around him.Elsewhere, Chris Wood (£3.6m) has to be considered a viable captaincy option for Gameweek 33.The New Zealand target man has scored 19 league goals this campaign and was on target with a trademark header against Spurs last time out.A rare double Gameweek for Forest allows gaffers to back the 33 year-old striker.19 league goals and countingCredit: GettyAway from the double headers, Alexander Isak (£5.9m) is a captaincy candidate ahead of Newcastle’s game against Ipswich at St James’ Park on Saturday.The Swedish forward bagged a hat-trick in the reverse fixture at Portman Road and the Magpies rank second in the league for home goals this season.Or perhaps we’re overthinking it.Could it be that the best captain for this coming Gameweek is the man at the top of the rankings, Mohamed Salah (£7.2m)?Liverpool’s main man has not scored in his last six outings but most pundits are predicting a comfortable win over Spurs at Anfield to seal the league title.With a Europa League semi-final to consider, Ange Postecoglou may even rest some key players as there is no hope of the North Londoners salvaging a respectable league finish.Arne Slot’s side scored four goals against Spurs in their most recent meeting to reach the Carabao Cup final and they scored SIX goals in the reverse league fixture back in December – Salah will be licking his lips.Read More on The SunWill Salah end his mini drought this weekend?Credit: AFPDream Team bosses have until 11am on Saturday to select their captain (and vice captain).Good luck, gaffers!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 managers have until 11am this Saturday to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 33.Four teams are set to play twice – Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest – with all but the latter doubling up again in Gameweek 34, when Arsenal will also have an additional fixture.Chelsea are favourites to win the Conference LeagueCredit: RexBefore we recommend some less fancied players as transfer targets, let’s underline some obvious top priorities.Cole Palmer (£5m): Form an issue but Chelsea’s two-legged Conference League semi-final is almost impossible to ignoreBruno Fernandes (£7m): Simply the highest points scorer among players with four fixtures across the next two GameweeksBukayo Saka (£6.4m): No longer an injury concern. A must-have for Arsenal’s double header in Gameweek 34Wood you believe it?Credit: Dream TeamChris Wood (£3.6m)Dream Team bosses in need of a potential difference-maker should consider Nottingham Forest’s target man.Wood scored his 19th goal of the season last time out and has a rare double Gameweek coming up with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side due to face Manchester City (FA Cup) and Brentford (Premier League).Forest don’t have a double header in Gameweek 34 but with Leicester and West Ham in the diary for May, the big New Zealander may be viable for the remainder of the campaign – especially so if an FA Cup final is added to his schedule.Wood features in just 6.9% of teams at the time of writing.Much of Forest’s success has stemmed from their tight defence (ably supported by Matz Sels between the sticks) but given both City and Brentford pack a punch in attack with weaknesses at the back, it’s probably best to back one of their attacking assets and who better than the top flight’s fourth-top scorer?Capable of the sublime and the ridiculousCredit: AFPAlejandro Garnacho (£3.3m)The aforementioned Fernandes is clearly the best Man United option but his immense popularity (32.9% ownership) means his returns may not impact your Mini League standings in the manner required.Most read in FootballStill a raw 20-year-old, Garnacho can be a frustrating watch at times but his tally of nine goals and 12 assists is not to be sniffed at by any means.The Argentine winger is just outside the top ten midfielders with 247 points to his name.Perhaps surprisingly, only Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.2m) have registered more shots on target than Garnacho this season.Granted, his conversion rate needs to be improved but shot-happy players make for useful Dream Team assets.The Red Devils face Bournemouth, Athletic Bilbao (x2) and Brentford across the next two Gameweeks.Fond memories of facing IpswichCredit: GettyAlexander Isak (£5.9m)There’s more than one way to skin a cat.We’re constantly urging gaffers to target double Gameweeks but that doesn’t mean all other options should be ignored.For example, Newcastle will be in action just once in Gameweek 33 but a home game against Ipswich represents a very favourable match-up.The Magpies’ Swedish striker bagged a hat-trick against the Tractor Boys in the reverse fixture and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on a defence that have shipped 71 league goals.Only three players (Salah, Fernandes, Haaland) have racked up more points than Isak at this late stage of the season.Unfairly overlookedCredit: GettyMatheus Cunha (£5.3m)If Isak is a tad too mainstream for your taste then there’s another quality forward due to face weak opposition this Saturday.Wolves are preparing to host Leicester in what is a meeting of the league’s most and least in-form sides – Vitor Pereira’s troops have won five in a row while the Foxes have earned just one point since the start of February!Cunha appears in only 2.5% of teams despite the fact Salah and Haaland are the only players who boast a higher points-per-game average in 2024/25.Read More on The SunThe talented Brazilian has scored 16 goals but also ranks highly for tackles, big chances created and bonus points among players in his position.As with Newcastle, Wolves don’t have the benefit of a second fixture but Cunha could easily bank a double-digit haul against a demoralised Leicester side already condemned to relegation.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

WE’RE once again offering Score Predictor users the chance to turn their football knowledge into cash winnings.£250 is the weekly prize for Matchweek 29 while dozens of fans are still in contention to claim a chunk of the £5,000 season prize pot!Play now!Credit: Dream TeamSimply submit your predictions for the selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for the accuracy of your forecast as the drama unfolds over the weekend.If you earn the most points then you’ll claim the weekly prize!PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR NOW!Allow us to present some key stats and facts to help inform your decisions…Brighton v West HamThe Seagulls’ push for European qualification isn’t dead in the water but their chances have reduced dramatically after five games without a win.Fabian Hurzeler will be hopeful of stopping the rot this Saturday as the Hammers are one of very few teams below Brighton in the form table.The atmosphere at West Ham is growing increasingly toxic as their dismal season draws to a close.A draw at home to relegated Southampton last time out was met with much derision.The reverse fixture ended 1-1 back in December but we’re backing a home win this time around.Most read in FootballOur Prediction: 2-1 to BrightonWest Ham have had little to celebrate this seasonCredit: ReutersNewcastle v IpswichThe Magpies were soundly beaten by Aston Villa last weekend but they remain among the top flight’s most in-form side having won their previous five in the league.Only Manchester City have scored more home goals than Newcastle this campaign and Alexander Isak will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on the league’s third-worst defence on Saturday.The Swedish striker scored a hat-trick at Portman Road earlier this season.The Tractor Boys have earned twice as many points on the road than at home this season but that isn’t saying much if truth be told.Our Prediction: 3-0 to NewcastleIsak dismantled Ipswich in the reverse fixtureCredit: PAWolves v LeicesterThese two sides are separated by just four places in the table but they’re worlds apart in terms of form.Vitor Pereira’s side are flying having made it five consecutive wins when they picked up three points at Old Trafford last Sunday.They’ve had a favourable run of fixtures and that continues this weekend against the Foxes, now confirmed to be a Championship outfit in 2025/26.Statistically, this is the league’s most in-form side at home to the most out-of-form side.Our Prediction: 3-1 to WolvesWolves are on a winning streakCredit: GettyBournemouth v Manchester UnitedThe Cherries have won just one of their last ten games in all competitions but they remain in pole position to qualify for the Conference League as it stands.It wasn’t that long ago this match-up would be considered a laughable mismatch in favour of the Red Devils but most impartial neutrals would deem Bournemouth the superior team at this moment in time.Andoni Iraola watched his troops stroll to a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford just before Christmas and he’ll feel confident of a repeat as Ruben Amorim will surely be prioritising the Europa League semi-finals.Bournemouth rank in the Premier League’s top four for shots and xG this season whereas Man United sit in the bottom half for both metrics.Our Prediction: 3-1 to BournemouthAmorim will already have one eye on the Europa League semi-finalsCredit: PALiverpool v TottenhamThe Reds need just a single point to confirm themselves as champions of England but you’re deluded if you think the hosts will be happy to play out an easy draw.Arne Slot’s side smashed Spurs 4-0 at Anfield in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in February and the last league meeting was the unhinged 3-6 result around the festive period when both Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz bagged braces.With Liverpool motivated to seal their triumph in fine style and Spurs distracted by Europa League commitments, Sunday afternoon could get very messy for the visitors.Ange Postecoglou may even rest some of his key players ahead of Bodo Glimt’s visit to North London.On paper this is a fixture between two of the top flight’s so-called ‘big six’ but the reality is this particular meeting is the league leaders at home to 16th.Read More on The SunOur Prediction: 4-0 to LiverpoolDo you see it differently? Show us how it’s done by entering your predictions 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

TIME is running out for Dream Team managers who need to make moves if they are to achieve Mini League glory.The upcoming European semi-finals offer additional point-scoring opportunities and gaffers preparing a bold strategy for the next two Gameweeks should consider Alejandro Garnacho (£3.3m) when mulling over potential difference-makers.Capable of the sublime and the ridiculousCredit: Dream TeamStill in the infancy of his professional career, the Manchester United winger is far from the finished article.However, while he can be a source of frustration at times, it’s simply a fact he’s among the top ten midfielders in Dream Team right now.Garnacho, equally capable of the sublime and the ridiculous, has amassed 247 points via nine goals and 12 assists.This total puts him above the likes of Eberechi Eze (£4.8m), Brennan Johnson (£3.1m), Phil Foden (£5.3m), Justin Kluivert (£4m) and Anthony Gordon (£4.5m) in the rankings.Garnacho boasts 21 goal involvements in Dream Team this seasonCredit: AFPThe Red Devils are one of just three teams set to fulfil four fixtures across Gameweeks 33 and 34.This coming Gameweek, they will travel to Bournemouth (Premier League) and Athletic Bilbao (Europa League).After that, they will face Brentford in London before hosting the La Liga stalwarts in the second leg of their European semi-final.The majority of Dream Team bosses will be sceptical of Man United’s prospects for the remainder of the campaign given how 2024/25 has gone to date.Most read in Dream TeamRuben Amorim’s side are currently 14th in the table, just two points ahead of West Ham in 17th.It’s understandable if gaffers are hesitant to rely on a team that have underwhelmed to such a degree but Garnacho might be able to produce healthy returns even if everything else crashes and burns around him.Amorim has problems to solve but his side remain active in the Europa LeagueCredit: PAIt looked for all the world that Amorim’s troops would be eliminated from Europe by Lyon in the quarter-finals before they mustered a spirited comeback of immense drama.Garnacho notched a double-digit haul across both legs against the Ligue 1 outfit.The most notable statistic regarding the Argentina international is his overall tally of 49 shots on target in 2024/25, a total only bettered by Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.2m).MOST SHOTS ON TARGET AMONG DREAM TEAM PLAYERS THIS SEASON (ALL COMPS):83 – Erling Haaland73 – Mohamed Salah49 – Alejandro Garnacho49 – Alexander Isak49 – Cole Palmer47 – Ollie Watkins44 – Matheus Cunha44 – Bruno Fernandes42 – Antoine Semenyo39 – Bryan MbeumoCritics would say Garnacho should have converted more of his shots into goals this campaign – a fair comment – but the level of threat he offers is encouraging.Shot-happy players make for very useful Dream Team assets.Dream Team’s top midfielderCredit: ReutersIt goes without saying that Bruno Fernandes (£7m) should be the first port of call for managers aiming to target Man United’s fixtures in the next two Gameweeks.The Portuguese playmaker is comfortably the leading midfielder in the game with 384 points to his name.Read More on The SunHowever, given Fernandes is the third-most popular player in his position, his returns may not shape Mini Leagues.Combining him and Garnacho in midfield offers a potential point of difference if Man United are able to score a few goals in the next fortnight.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