Fantasy Friday 1

With the start of the Barclays Premier league only a day away, it's fair to say football is at the forefront of most people's minds, particularly those who are managing a fantasy football team. So, for this coming season, I will be starting a new feature entitled 'Fantasy Friday' which will list 3 players who I feel will be a success and 3 who will be a failure for that particular gameweek. 

So without further ado, here is Fantasy Friday for the first weekend of the 2013/14 Premier League season!

Possible successes:

1. Kevin Mirallas (Everton V Norwich):

With the starting striker at Goodison likely to be new boy Kone, pressure will be on the Belgium winger to provide the early season goals until Kone can find his feet. However, Norwich provide a nice start for the blue team from Merseyside and their weak defense could leak a few goals to the Everton attack that will prosper under Martinez.

2. Roberto Soldado (Tottenham V Crystal Palace):

Unlike Kone, Soldado is used to playing for a high placing team in Valencia, so finding his form should be no problem for the Spaniard. To make things even better, a first game against the previous year's play-off winners should give him a chance to show his class against a weak defense and, with no pressure on his shoulders and the media distracted by Bale, this game could be a platform for him to launch a successful start to his Premier League career.

3. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal V Aston Villa):

When Wilshere is fit, he is among the best in the league, and Wednesday's England match showed how he can perform, bossing the midfield until his substitution. Villa will also provide one of the easier tests this season and despite their youthful exuberance, Arsenal's midfield, marshaled by Wilshere and Cazorla will look to dominate and generate chances for whoever may start up front for the gunners.

Possible Failures:

1. Michu (Swansea V Man Utd):

Last Season Michu was an unknown quantity who excelled. He arrived in the league as a nobody and ended it as one of the league's top scorers and a constant fixture in many fantasy teams. This year however, he will be playing a deeper role behind new frontman Bony and that will limit his chances. To make things worse, he starts the season against champions Utd who will be desperate to start life under Moyes with a win and clean sheet.

2. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool V Stoke):

Stoke is always a difficult team to face let alone on the opening day of the season and their physicality should neutralise some of Sturridge's threats to their goal. Also, were Suarez to play, that would mean he would be the main man rather than the ex-Chelsea player, however, if the Uruguayan doesn't play, less chances will be created for the youthful Englishman.

3. Yaya Toure (Man City V Newcastle):

One thing I've noticed from previous years is that Yaya rarely scores but that he manages to get assists to cover his lack of goals. However, this year he may be forced to play a more defensive role after City have signed numerous creative players that will fill the attacking positions in the lineup. This would signify a major drop in Toure's fantasy value and so despite him being one of the best players in real life, he is a big no-no for fantasy this year.

So there we go, Fantasy managers have done their stuff, now it's over to the real ones and the players to see what they can do. All that is left for me to say is good luck in all your leagues and C'mon the Gooners!

P.S Comments are welcome and this will be a weekly installment so thank you to Rachel Selby for indirectly giving me the idea of an article corresponding to a day