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Fantasy Football Advice: Week 34

Sports Mole looks ahead to the 34th round of Premier League fixtures from a fantasy football point of view.

Thank goodness for Emmanuel Adebayor, because without him our fantasy football advice for last week would have been a laughing stock!

Steven Caulker was part of a Cardiff City defence that shipped three goals, while Hatem Ben Arfa failed to produce the goods following his introduction as a second-half substitute for Newcastle United against Manchester United. Step forward Mr Adebayor, though, who scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur put Sunderland to the sword.

It seems that we are much better at telling you who not to pick, as Vito Mannone conceded five goals and Olivier Giroud didn't score against Everton.

So, as we enter gameweek 34, let's try to claw back some points! Below are three players that we believe are worth selecting and a further three that should be avoided.

Who to pick

1. Steven Naismith: Among the many positives that Roberto Martinez has implemented since he took charge of Everton during the summer, one of the major highlights has been the form that Naismith has produced, particularly of late. The Scot has scored two goals in as many outings and is likely to be included in an attack that takes on Sunderland this weekend. The leaky Black Cats have let in 53 goals this term, meaning that Naismith will no doubt fancy his chances of adding to his recent goals return.

Steven Naismith of Everton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Everton at Craven Cottage on March 30, 2014© Getty Images

2. Erik Pieters: Under the management of Mark Hughes, Stoke have started to play some easy-on-the-eye football. Part of the reason behind that has been the performances of Pieters, who from full-back has added an extra attacking dimension. While there is a good opportunity for him to claim an assist or better against Newcastle United on Saturday, the defender could well be part of a defence that keeps a clean sheet. After all, the Magpies have failed to score in four of their last five matches.

3. Sergio Aguero: The Argentine is back and just in time for Manchester City's title run-in. Injuries have limited Aguero to just 28 appearances this term, but he has still managed to find the back of the net on 26 occasions. He has a habit of scoring important goals in big games and they don't get much larger than Sunday when City travel to leaders Liverpool. If City are to collect a positive result, one would expect Aguero to be heavily involved.

Who to avoid

1. Papiss Cisse: What has happened to the Cisse that Newcastle signed in January 2012? He scored 13 goals during his first 14 outings for the club, but last season he only scored eight Premier League goals and this time around has just two to his name. The Magpies have failed to score in 10 of their matches in 2014, so there is little to indicate that they will be prolific at Stoke next time out.

Newcastle's Papiss Cisse scores the opening goal against Leeds during their League Cup match on September 25, 2013© Getty Images

2. Steven Caulker: The England centre-back may have been in good goalscoring form for Cardiff City of late, but it is his work up the other end that is currently being called into question. Put simply, the Bluebirds cannot keep clean sheet. In 2014, they've managed just one shut out and have let in 12 goals in their last three fixtures. A trip to Southampton is up next, with the hosts seemingly creating numerous chances every time that they take to the pitch.

3. Vito Mannone: Earlier in the season, Julian Speroni was the goalkeeper that seemed to be a regular among this selection. Now, though, his place has been taken by Sunderland's Mannone. The Italian has by no means had a poor season between the posts, but the team in front of him has committed far too many errors. They host a free-scoring Everton at the weekend, before making the trip to Man City at the weekend.

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Cardiff City player Steven Caulker celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier league match between Cardiff City and Fulham at Cardiff City Stadium on March 8, 2014
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Fantasy Football Advice: Week 33
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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