Since Yahoo! has decided to turn the Fantasy EPL game into a stock market-like exercise, we've decided to follow suit and present our predictions for the "business" side of the EPL fantasy world. For you managers who have purchased a player who has increased in value, we'll tell you when he's likely near his peak. Likewise, for those of you who have made some bad choices, we'll suggest some guys who might help you start the process of financial recovery - after all, it would be a shame to ruin your entire season by blowing your budget and having to run out the entire Crystal Palace line-up until Chelsea buys some more expensive continental talent in January. So here it goes...
Strikers...
Alan Smith, Buy Low - the poster boy for buy low as ManYoo's only real striker this week at 2.75
Jose Antonio Reyes, Sell High - after a blistering start, he is at risk of playing less than the full 90 as Pires comes back to health and Bergkamp remains uninjured. A great player at 15 or 16 but consolidate your gains and invest in someone who is sure to play.
Drjbil Cisse, Sell High - more likely than Reyes to play the full 90 but he plays only once this week. Take the money you made last week and invest in someone who is going to play twice.
Andy Cole, Buy Low - not for everybody and certainly not the greatest striker ever but he's cheap. If you had a rough week last week and are looking to make a few dollars back, Mr. Cole is likely to start both games this week and it would be difficult not to appreciate from his current 1.00 valuation.
Midfielders...
JayJay Okocha, Sell High - If Alan Smith is the poster boy for Buy Low, JayJay is the poster boy for Sell High. Like a .com stock in 1999, Mr. Okocha is grossly over-valued and selling him now will get you Henry plus fund a few bad mistakes that you are bound to make later in the year.
Patrick Berger, Buy Low - The oft-injured Berger has proven himself to be a great fantasy player when he can stay out of the trainer's room. At a devilish 6.66 and playing against Charlton, he could be a steal.
Freddie Ljungberg, Sell High - Like Reyes, Freddie shot out of the gate quickly on the opening weekend but will be at the same risk that Reyes is - there just aren't enough goals to sustain Henry, Reyes, Bergkamp, Pires, and Ljungberg valuations. We've seen over the last few years that Henry will keep getting his but Freddie is likely to be up and down so if you have him when he goes up, its probably time to sell. He'll be available a bit cheaper soon.
Dennis Rommedahl, Buy Low - Not much EPL history for this guy but after seeing his spectacular play in the 2002 World Cup and 2004 EuroCup, it leaves us wondering - how did he end up with Charlton - at some point during the year, Sir Bobby will be wondering how he passed this guy up for such a minimal transfer fee.
Defenders...
Ashley Cole, Buy Low - As documented in the Bargains o' the Week feature, Mr. Cole is cheap, playing two home games against mediocre competition and gets involved in the offense (he should have had Pires' goal last week).
Lauren, Buy Low - ditto, except the thing about Pires' goal.
David Unsworth, Sell High - another sort of obvious one, but the chances of him sustaining a 22+ valuation is pretty slim.
Pascal Cygan, Sell High - so why would we advocate selling this Arsenal defender since we've told you to buy up all the other ones? well, because if you think Arsenal defenders will get a lot of points from clean sheets, why not sell this one at 8.63 and buy one of the cheapies (see above). If you think that The Man from the Future is turning into an offensive force, well, enjoy life on your own little planet mon ami.
Keepers...
Peter Cech, Sell High - last week's (semi) surprise starter was lucky to come up against a ManYoo side missing most of its good players, especially those known for putting the ball in the net. He's going on the road and going to face Chelsea's most productive striker from last season - Mssr. Forssell.
Dean Kiely, buy low - unless last year was an illusion, Charlton are better than last week's performance at Bolton. The bet here is that bargain basement Kiely (1.00) will rebound with two solid games at home this week and Charlton will get at least 4 points for his efforts.
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