Fantasy Football Tipster: Gameweek 30

Match Week 29 Round-up

There may have been only 6 games last weekend but there were still some standout performances in the Premier League. An unexpected double from Tottenham centre-back Jan Vertonghen earned the Belgian a leading WhoScored rating for the weekend of 9.67. His compatriot Christian Benteke (8.99) was second having netted a crucial equaliser against Reading, while Andros Townsend (8.67) kept the hope alive at QPR with a wonder goal and an assist.

Spurs' man of the moment Gareth Bale was in the thick of the action once again, with a match week high of 6 shots just ahead of Yohan Cabaye (5), and it was a similar story in terms of key passes. The Wales international created 5 chances to lead the way once more, with Cabaye again in second, along with Romelu Lukaku (4).

In terms of successful dribbles two midfield powerhouses showed how it's done, with Moussa's Dembele and Sissoko both completing 6, while player of the week Jan Vertonghen produced 4 from the back at Anfield. The centre-back, joined by teammate Scott Parker, also ranked highly for tackles (7), which was a figure only outdone by QPR's Stephane Mbia (9).

Match Week 30 Suggested XI

Petr Cech

Although they've looked far from convincing at the back this season if one team are likely to keep a clean sheet this weekend it may be Chelsea. They face a West Ham side whose away form has been a real issue this season, and Allardyce's side have scored the joint fewest goals on the road this season along with Stoke (9), while the Blues have only conceded more goals in home games (12) than Man City.

Rafael

Of defenders in the Premier League only teammate Patrice Evra and Everton's Leighton Baines have directly contributed to more goals (goals and assists combined) than Rafael this season (6), and the Brazilian could be a good outlet with United tipped to score from a wing play situation. Reading have only scored more away goals than three teams in the league (12), picking up the fewest points on the road all season (5).

David Luiz

Chelsea fans may still want Rafa Benitez out but at home lately they've been on an impressive run, winning 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions as they prepare to host West Ham. Sam Allardyce's side have only lost fewer league games on the road this season (9) than Reading. With the Blues tipped to score from a long shot David Luiz could pick up points at either end.

Jan Vertonghen

Jan Vertonghen's brace at Liverpool last time out took his tally to three in as many days after scoring in the first leg of their Europa League game against Inter, and the big Belgian could be a threat once again when Spurs host Fulham. Villas-Boas' side are deemed likely to score from a set piece and the centre-back (10) has only had fewer attempts from such situations than Kevin Nolan (12) this season.

Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool's January signing has adapted to life in the Premier League quicker than many would have expected, scoring once and assisting two more goals in just 3 starts for the club. The trickster has already completed 2 accurate through balls this season, one of which set up a goal for Luis Suarez at Wigan, and with the Reds tipped to score from such a situation at Southampton he could be among the points again.

Shinji Kagawa

Kagawa will want to back up his performance from United's last league game, netting a hat-trick in a superb display against Norwich. With the Red Devils taking on manager-less Reading this weekend the Japanese international will hope that the game plays in his favour, with the hosts backed to score from a through ball, and the playmaker averaging more per game than any teammate (0.3).

Yohan Cabaye

Yohan Cabaye was subbed off against Anzhi on Thursday with a hamstring problem but he should be fit to play at Wigan on Sunday, and after doing us proud last week with a goal against Stoke we're backing the Frenchman to do so again. Pardew's side are again backed to score a long shot in the match forecast, and from a direct free-kick, of which Cabaye has 3 and 2 goals respectively.

Jonathan Walters

It's fair to say that Jonathan Walters has had an up and down campaign but he'll hope to be back on the straight and narrow after netting from the spot at Newcastle last time out. According to the match forecast Stoke are likely to score from a set piece situation against West Brom, and it may come as a surprise that the Republic of Ireland international has had more attempts indirectly from set plays than any teammate (5).

Gareth Bale

After a grueling game in San Siro it's fair to say that a number of Tottenham players could be suffering a little, but one man who will be fresh is Gareth Bale, who missed the match on Thursday through suspension. With the home side backed to score from a fast break when Fulham visit on Sunday, the form of the Welshman should see him play a vital role once again, with the added potential for assists from set pieces.

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez continued his superb goalscoring form at Tottenham last time out, taking his tally in 2013 alone to 9 in 9 games and stretching his overall figure (22) ahead of van Persie. With Rodgers' side tipped to score from an individual error this weekend there is no man you'd want to present the ball to in a dangerous position less to than the Uruguayan right now, and he's also had more indirect attempts from set pieces than any teammate (5).

Fernando Torres

The fact that we're backing the Spaniard to score having failed to do so in over 11 hours of Premier League action is a big risk, but Torres tends to enjoy himself against West Ham. We're tipping a goal in midweek to have boosted his confidence and if he were to start this weekend it may be his best chance to get on the scoresheet. The striker opened his account for the Chelsea against the Hammers and has 6 goals and 3 assists in his last 7 appearances against them.