"Mixed" would be the best word to use to describe our fantasy football advice for last week's Premier League action, although in our defence, we were let down by a certain Christian Benteke!
We tipped the Belgian to cause problems to Manchester United and although he played well, he missed two gilt-edged opportunities. On the flip side, Adam Lallana got among the points by finding the net for Southampton against Newcastle United.
As far as our avoid selections were concerned, Juan Mata showed us up by scoring his first Man United goal, but on a more positive note (for us, not Tottenham Hotspur) Hugo Lloris let in four goals.
So, as the Premier League enters it 33rd round of matches, we've picked out another three players that we feel will be among the points and a further three that could well end up being costly.
Who to pick
1. Emmanuel Adebayor: Hamstring and heel complaints have kept the striker out of Tottenham's last three matches, but manager Tim Sherwood believes that he will be fit for Monday night's visit of Sunderland. Adebayor, who provides more movement than Roberto Soldado, has been in good form for much of 2014, scoring eight goals since the turn of the year. In Sunderland, the Togolese frontman will be up against a defence that has shipped 48 goals this season.
© Getty Images
2. Hatem Ben Arfa: Newcastle has not been the happiest of clubs in recent weeks, but they have a real opportunity to put a positive result on the board this Saturday. Man United will be the visitors to St James' Park and David Moyes, with the second leg against Bayern Munich in mind, could make a host of changes to his side. Ben Arfa is viewed as Newcastle's playmaker, so up against an unorthodox United starting lineup, he could prosper. Assists and goals are a real possibility for the Frenchman.
3. Steven Caulker: While defenders are primarily in the team to stop goals, Caulker in recent weeks has been majorly effective in the opposition's penalty area. The England international has scored three times in his last four outings and will no doubt be fancying his chances of adding to his tally against Crystal Palace on Saturday. What's more, while clean sheets have been hard to come by for hosting Cardiff City this term, Palace have scored just six goals away from home - the Bluebirds won't have many better opportunities to record a shutout.
Who to avoid
1. Oliver Giroud: Arsenal's French international striker started the campaign like a greyhound racing out of the traps, but he has been unable to maintain that form as the months have gone by. Going into Sunday's trip to Everton, Giroud has scored one goal in his last five outings in all competitions. He also appears to be suffering without the support of injured creators such as Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey. Furthermore, he will be up against an Everton rearguard that has conceded just 13 goals in 15 outings at Goodison Park.
© Getty Images
2. Vito Mannone: It would be fair to say that Sunderland do not enjoy playing on a Monday night, mainly because it's a day of the week that they haven't won on in 12 years, which dates back 19 encounters. Next Monday they travel to Spurs having won just three matches on the road, letting in 25 goals in the process. The home side may not be in the best form, but if they do rediscover their clinical touch, it could well be a long night for Sunderland goalkeeper Mannone.
3. Ashley Williams: Garry Monk has achieved two victories as manager of Swansea City, neither of which has come away from home. This weekend they make the trip to the KC Stadium, where Hull City have shown positive form this season. Of their 16 home fixtures, the Tigers avoided defeat 10 times. They also have a good strike partnership in Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic, who have scored seven goals between them since they arrived at the club in January. If they continue that form, it could be a difficult encounter for Swansea defender Williams.
Liam Apicella
