Fantasy Football

MANCHESTER UNITED have been a one-man team for much of the season.This description is certainly fair in the realm of Dream Team, where Bruno Fernandes (£7m) is 125 points ahead of his closest team-mate.Fernandes has excelled despite Man United’s troublesCredit: ReutersThe Portugal international has been on a roll of late having amassed 101 points from his last seven outings!As a result, Fernandes has become the game’s leading midfielder by a wide margin with only superstar forwards Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) and Erling Haaland (£7.8m) above him in the overall rankings.Any Dream Team manager worth their salt would have recognised the 30 year-old playmaker as an excellent option and he’s currently the third-most selected asset in his position.Fernandes seems well placed to deliver further returns in the coming weeks.The Red Devils travel to Nottingham Forest this evening and will then be one of just five teams to fulfil four fixtures across Gameweeks 30 and 31: Manchester City (h), Lyon (a), Newcastle (a), Lyon (h).Fernandes is head and shoulders above his team-mates right nowCredit: GettyIt’s not a favourable set of games by any means but the fact Ruben Amorim’s side remain active in Europe means they have more point-scoring opportunities than the vast majority of teams this month.And so the question must be asked: is Fernandes really the only viable Man United player at this moment in time?The next-best performer in the squad is Alejandro Garnacho (£3.4m) with 220 points to his name.Most read in FootballAll things considered, that’s a good return from the Argentine winger, one that puts him 12th among midfielders at the time of writing.However, the 20-year-old can be a frustrating asset to own at times.Garnacho blows hot and cold but is certainly capable of providing pointsCredit: GettyGarnacho ranks first in his position for shots on target but just 14th for goals, evidence of inefficiency in front of goal.In terms of playmaking, the opposite is true as he ranks joint-fourth for assists among midfielders but just joint-35th for big chances created, suggesting his team-mates really have made the most of his relatively limited creative output.Garnacho is a curious player for sure, one who occasionally leaves points unclaimed, but it’s simply a fact that he returned 32 points in four appearances just prior to the international break.This fruitful run featured a goal and three assists.Fernandes is undoubtedly the best attack-minded option in Man United’s ranks but doubling up is a viable strategy for the next two Gameweeks at least and Garnacho seems to be best accomplice for such an approach.Dalot has earned 188 pointsCredit: PAIt may surprise some Dream Team bosses to learn that Diogo Dalot (£3.4m) is among the top ten defenders in the game.Despite Man United’s problems as a collective this season, the Portuguese wing-back has contributed seven goal involvements on top of ten clean sheets – he ranks highly for tackles too.Not as highly as Noussair Mazraoui (£3.2m) though, who has racked up 131 tackles in all competitions – the highest tally among all players.The Morocco international is just three points shy of Dalot overall.Only David Raya and Emi Martinez have more points among goalkeepers this seasonCredit: AFPThen there’s Andre Onana (£3.4m), who ranks third among goalkeepers despite the fact he’s conceded a whopping 52 goals in all competitions this season.The former Inter custodian has made 107 saves, a total only bettered by Mark Flekken (£3.4m) and Emi Martinez (£3.9m).Read More on The SunIt’s understandable if gaffers feel reluctant to back Man United’s defensive assets with Man City, Lyon (x2) and Newcastle in the diary but the Stats Centre suggest Dalot, Mazraoui and Onana are worthy of consideration.Things might get really interesting if Fernandes and company progress to last four of the Europa League, especially if the other English clubs still active in Europe are eliminated at the quarter-final stage.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

BUKAYO SAKA (£6.6m) is set to return and that’s no April Fool’s hoax.Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta told reporters that Arsenal’s No7 is “ready to go” and may even be fit enough to start against Fulham tonight.Saka averages 9.3 points-per-game this seasonCredit: Dream TeamNeedless to say, Dream Team managers worldwide should have their eyes fixed on the Emirates this evening as Saka’s comeback would be a game-changing moment.The England winger was among the game’s top performers throughout the first half of the season when he plundered 224 points via nine goals and 15 assists.Despite the fact he’s been sidelined since Christmas, Saka remains the Gunners’ top points scorer and still ranks joint-eighth among all midfielders.Furthermore, Bruno Fernandes (£7m) is the only player in his position to have provided more assists while team-mate Declan Rice (£4.8m) is the only midfielder to have created more big chances.Perhaps the most telling statistic is that runaway leader Mohamed Salah (£7.7m) is the only man who averages more points-per-game in 2024/25.Saka has been pictured in training this weekCredit: GettyThis is all to say that Saka is a top-tier Dream Team asset.At this moment in time, the 23-year-old is the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 30 and any showing of note against the Cottagers will surely cement that status.Arteta’s positive update comes at an intriguing time as Arsenal are one of just five teams set to fulfil four fixtures across the next two Gameweeks.Most read in FootballIn Gameweek 30, they will travel to Everton in the league before welcoming Real Madrid to North London for the first leg of a highly-anticipated Champions League quarter-final.In Gameweek 31, Arsenal are due to host Brentford before flying to the Spanish capital.If Saka’s surgically repaired hamstring allows him to start all four fixtures then he has to be considered one of the best options in the game this month.Arteta rarely rests Saka if the winger is availableCredit: APSuch is his pedigree, it’s no exaggeration to say that the divide between Dream Team bosses who eagerly recruit Saka and those who delay the transfer may be the strategic decision that defines the business end of the campaign.If he immediately picks up where he left off and returns close to 40 points across the next two Gameweeks then hesitant gaffers will be severely punished.However, if Saka’s workload is managed and it takes him some time to get back up to speed – which would be understandable after three months out – then the early adopters might end up regretting their keenness.An impressive performance against Fulham this evening would prompt major activity – over to you, Bukayo!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

IT was an eventful Sunday for Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and the many Dream Team managers relying on him for points.Manchester City’s No9 had his first-half penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga (£3.4m) as Pep Guardiola’s side took on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-finals.Haaland banked seven points against the CherriesCredit: RexHaaland turned from zero to hero when he scored a typical poacher’s effort soon after the restart to spark the visitors’ comeback victory on the south coast.However, the majority of Dream Team bosses were then frustrated when the Norwegian striker was forced off just after the hour mark with what appeared to be an ankle injury.He was later pictured leaving the stadium on crutches.At this point in time, it seems highly unlikely Haaland will feature against Leicester on Wednesday night – a favourable fixture that may have yielded plentiful returns.In fact, Haaland was among the most transferred-in players prior to Gameweek 29 and, for the first time in months, the most popular captain.Haaland was replaced by Omar Marmoush in the 61st minuteCredit: PAIf he doesn’t play against the Foxes in midweek then many gaffers will see their best-laid plans scuppered by unpreventable circumstances.Naturally, those who captained the prolific 24-year-old will be irritated but this twist of fate may turn a difficult decision into an easy one in relation to the upcoming Gameweeks.Man City are one of just seven teams with two games to fulfil this Gameweek but the tables will turn after the next deadline.Most read in FootballHaving been eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid, City do not have any European fixtures to bolster their schedule for the remainder of the campaign.As a result, they have just two fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks at a time when Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea will play four times, due to the two-legged European quarter-finals.The FA Cup is Guardiola’s last trophy hope this seasonCredit: GettyNewcastle and Crystal Palace will also play three times in the same time frame.That’s seven teams with more fixtures than City across the next fortnight or so.Had Haaland avoided injury and added to his goal tally against Leicester, gaffers will have faced the difficult choice of sticking by the game’s second-best performer or replacing him with one of the many viable options on the right side of the fixture deficit.That tricky conundrum is seemingly a straightforward decision now Haaland is a major availability doubt for Gameweek 30.The likes of Son Heung-min (£4.6m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) and Bruno Fernandes (£7m) are likely to be popular recruits this week.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 29 in one convenient location.On Thursday, Arsenal fans reacted with great enthusiasm to an Instagram post from Bukayo Saka which depicted the 23-year-old in training gear with the caption: “Hello again.”The England winger hasn’t played since December 21st but is seemingly nearing a return.Riccardo Calafiori suffered minimal ligament damage on Italy duty and is expected to miss between two and three weeks.Saka is back on the grassCredit: Instagram / bukayosaka87Bournemouth first-choice defenders Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen are suspended for Manchester City’s visit to the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup this weekend.Both will be available to face Ipswich in midweek.As for the visitors, Pep Guardiola confirmed that his international players were “okay” despite rumours of a hamstring issue for Josko Gvardiol.The decorated tactician did admit that some individuals were “tired” and needed “recovery”.Ederson has trained in recent days having previously been hindered by an abdominal problem.Unai Emery told journalists that Ross Barkley is Aston Villa’s only absentee ahead of their trip to Preston on Sunday, aside from the cup-tied Axel Disasi.Most read in FootballThis implies Ollie Watkins is available having rested his troublesome knee during the international break.Watkins is expected to be availableCredit: ReutersManchester United defenders Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro were all pictured in training this week but it’s not yet clear who will be available to face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.Brighton trio Matt O’Riley, Lewis Dunk and Solly March are in contention to play against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.Speaking of Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters that Chris Wood will not feature in the FA Cup quarter-finals.The Portuguese coach said: “He [Wood] has been to a specialist for a scan. We will wait on the information and see. He will not be available for this game. He felt a kick really hard on his hip.”Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is targeting a return in midweek having been sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury.It’s a similar story for Noni Madueke while Romeo Lavia is also described as “much better”.Cole Palmer returned to training today and therefore has a chance of featuring against Tottenham on Thursday.Palmer returned to training on Friday morningCredit: ReutersJean-Philippe Mateta has been cleared to play against Fulham this weekend following his nasty ear injury.The Crystal Palace striker, who has scored eight goals since the turn of the year, will wear a protective mask having had 25 stitches.As for the Cottagers, Harry Wilson, Reiss Nelson and Kenny Tete remain sidelined but Antonee Robinson is thought to be available having sat out for the USA during the break.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, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Riccardo CalafioriSuspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Ross BarkleySuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi (doubt), Adam Smith, Enes Unal, Luis Sinisterra (doubt)Suspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Igor Thiago, Rico Henry, Fabio CarvalhoSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: James Milner, Ferdi Kadioglu, Jason Steele, Igor Julio, Lewis Dunk (doubt), Joel Veltman (doubt), Matt O’Riley (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: Nicolas Jackson (doubt), Marc Guiu, Noni Madueke (doubt), Malo Gusto (doubt), Cole Palmer (doubt)Suspensions: Mykhailo MudrykCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Cheick Doucoure, Joel Ward, Chadi RiadSuspensions: Will HughesEVERTONInjuries: Dwight McNeil, Orel Mangala, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye, Vitaliy Mykolenko (doubt)Suspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Kenny Tete, Reiss Nelson, Harry Wilson, Antonee Robinson (doubt)Suspensions: Sasa LukicIPSWICHInjuries: Chiedozie Ogbene, Conor Chaplin (doubt), Wes Burns, Sammie Szmodics, Axel TuanzebeSuspensions: NoneLEICESTERInjuries: Abdul FatawuSuspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Trent Alexander-ArnoldSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb (doubt), Rodri, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Ederson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Luke Shaw (doubt), Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Harry Maguire (doubt), Leny Yoro (doubt), Ayden Heaven (doubt)Suspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Lewis HallSuspensions: Anthony GordonNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Carlos Miguel, Chris WoodSuspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Ross Stewart (doubt), Ryan Fraser (doubt), Juan Larios (doubt), James Bree, Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis (doubt), Will SmallboneSuspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Radu Dragusin, Richarlison (doubt), Dejan Kulusevski (doubt), Kevin DansoSuspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug (doubt), Crysencio SummervilleSuspensions: NoneWOLVESREAD MORE SUN STORIESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera, Leon ChiwoneSuspensions: Matheus Cunha More

DREAM TEAM managers must remember to select their captain for Gameweek 29 before Saturday’s 10:45am deadline.Mohamed Salah (£8m) has been the most popular skipper for months on end but his reign may be at an end.Salah is not as viable since Liverpool were eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions LeagueCredit: GettyLiverpool’s top scorer has just one fixture this coming Gameweek, the small matter of Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.The Egyptian superstar may well post another double-digit haul – he’s registered 54 goal involvements this season for crying out loud – but he doesn’t appear to be among the leading candidates on paper.Logically, the best captain is more likely to come from one of the seven teams set to pull double duty.And so the question must be asked: has Erling Haaland’s (£7.8m) time come again?Manchester City travel to Bournemouth this weekend in the FA Cup quarter-finals before welcoming Leicester to the Etihad in the Premier League in midweek.29 goals and countingCredit: GettyThe Cherries are not to be underestimated but the big Norwegian No9 will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on the Foxes on current form.Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side have lost seven games in a row and haven’t scored a league goal since Janaury.The chances of Haaland adding to his season tally of 29 goals at some point this coming Gameweek are relatively high.Most read in FootballAlternatively, might there be a fantastic captain lurking in Crystal Palace’s ranks?Daniel Munoz (£5.4m) averages seven points-per-game this season and so it would be reasonable to expect a healthy return from him with the Eagles due to face Fulham and Southampton.One of Dream Team’s star performers this seasonCredit: GettyThe Colombian wing-back has scored five goals, provided six assists, and contributed to 12 clean sheets.Wednesday’s trip to St Mary’s Stadium represents a mouthwatering mismatch as Saints have mustered just four points on home soil since their return to the top flight.While that’s all valid, many gaffers will be reluctant to captain a defender, even one as good as Munoz.Much of the same logic applies to Palace’s attack-minded assets.Eberechi Eze (£4.5m) averages 6.8 points-per-game while only Bruno Fernandes (£6.7m) has earned more points from his last three outings than Ismaila Sarr (£3.7m).Jean-Philippe Mateta (£4.5m) is expected to return from injury in Gameweek 29.Eze scored for England during the breakCredit: PAElsewhere, Aston Villa have the luxury of a cup quarter-final against lower league opposition as they travel to Preston on Sunday, with a league game against Brighton to follow.Some Dream Team bosses will be tempted to stick the armband on Morgan Rogers (£3.9m), Marco Asensio (£4.1m) or Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) – assuming the latter is passed fit – but predicting minutes isn’t all that easy where the Villains are concerned.READ MORE SUN STORIESMentions too for Justin Kluivert (£4m), Antoine Semenyo (£4.2m) and Evanilson (£4.2m) as it wouldn’t be all that surprising if Bournemouth landed a few blows on Man City before overwhelming Ipswich.In conclusion, Haaland is seemingly the most logical captain among the premium options but there are several tempting alternatives this Gameweek.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