Yahoo! Fantasy Football: Manchester City set to extend Premier League lead

The Premier League fixtures are coming thick and fast so make sure you stay on top of your Yahoo! Fantasy Football teams to stand the best chance of winning big cash prizes. The WhoScored Expert will be entering Wednesday’s main contest, where there are seven games to choose from.

Think you have what it takes to beat us and win big on transfer deadline day? For new users, use the promocode ‘Fantasy50’ when you deposit £5 and benefit from a £50 reward to use on any cash games. Now, here is our XI:

Goalkeeper – ALEX MCCARTHY (SOUTHAMPTON)

Alex McCarthy probably didn’t expect to play much for Southampton this season, but the 28-year-old has leapfrogged Fraser Forster in the pecking order under Mauricio Pellegrino and started their last five matches in all competitions.

Southampton have struggled under Pellegrino thus far, but have a real opportunity to secure a vital three points when they host a flailing Seagulls side on Wednesday night.

Brighton are now winless in their last six Premier League away matches and have failed to score a single goal in that time, the worst goalless run on the road in the Premier League at present.

Defender – JAMES TARKOSKI (BURNLEY)

Burnley’s results have fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, but a trip to St. James’ Park should represent a great opportunity for Sean Dyche’s side to get back on track and cement a place in the top half of the Premier League table.

Newcastle are winless in their last seven Premier League home matches and have failed to score in five of those outings. Rafa Benitez is desperately trying to sign a new striker before Wednesday’s deadline, which tells you everything you need to know about their current situation.

This should only benefit Burnley’s defence and particularly James Tarkowski, who must be pushing for an England call-up sooner rather than later. The 25-year-old centre-back is currently in the WhoScored Premier League Team of the season (7.33 rating).

Defender – KURT ZOUMA (STOKE)

Paul Lambert celebrated his first game in charge of Stoke with three points after the Potters dispatched Huddersfield 2-0 in gameweek 24. Lambert’s side weren’t involved in FA Cup action at the weekend and will be well rested ahead of Wednesday’s home game with Huddersfield.

Stoke are now outside the bottom three and have the perfect opportunity to string together successive league victories for the first time this season when they host Watford on Wednesday.

The Hornets have lost six away league matches in a row, only scoring on two occasions in that period. Zouma has garnered an impressive WhoScored rating (7.20) despite the fact Stoke have the worst defensive record in the division (50).

Defender – MAYA YOSHIDA (SOUTHAMPTON)

Maya Yoshida returned from injury in Southampton’s 1-0 win against Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday and is expected to earn a recall to the starting XI when Pellegrino’s side host Brighton in midweek.

Channelling the same reasoning behind McCarthy’s inclusion in our Yahoo! Fantasy Football XI, Yoshida should also come into your thoughts as he is cheap and frees money up for offensive picks.

Midfielder  - CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (TOTTENHAM)

Key to Tottenham’s chances of downing Manchester United at Wembley on Wednesday night will be the threat provided by Christian Eriksen. The Denmark international has scored or assisted in seven of his last nine appearances for Tottenham (three goals, four assists).

Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight matches but have drawn three of their last five and need to start winning to bolster their chances of a top-four finish. Harry Kane is obviously key to their chances, but you cannot underestimate Eriksen’s importance.

Midfielder – CESC FABREGAS (CHELSEA)

Chelsea are also struggling for consistency at the moment, drawing five of their last eight competitive matches. They have certainly missed Cesc Fabregas’ creativity during that period but he returned to the bench in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle and will push for a start at home to Bournemouth on Wednesday.

He is a Yahoo Top-20 form player and Antonio Conte will certainly lean on the Spaniard to help them earn three points in midweek as there is a good chance they could draw level with United in second place once in this gameweek. 

Midfielder – DAVID SILVA (MANCHESTER CITY)

As picked by 36% of our Twitter audience, David Silva makes our Yahoo! Fantasy Football XI with Pep Guardiola expected to recall the Spaniard after giving him the weekend off.

Manchester City host West Brom on Wednesday night, having scored at least three goals in four of their last six home league meetings with the Baggies. Silva has scored in two of those fixtures and is well primed to do so again here.

Midfielder – BERNARDO SILVA (MANCHESTER CITY)

With Leroy Sane set for a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, Bernardo Silva will finally be afforded a sustained run in the Manchester City first-team. The Portugal international only costs £14 on Yahoo! Fantasy Football and could prove a real bargain for your Fantasy XI’s over the coming weeks.

Silva has scored and assisted in five of his last six matches for Pep Guardiola’s side and only adds to an already potent offensive line up for the runaway Premier League leaders. His price won’t stay this low for long, so benefit now!

Utility – XHERDAN SHAQIRI (STOKE)

Despite Stoke’s struggles this season, Xherdan Shaqiri is quietly enjoying his best ever season in the Premier League. The Switzerland international has played a direct hand in 10 goals (four goals, six assists) for the Potters and will fancy his chances of adding to that when his side face and dismal Watford side in gameweek 25 of the Premier League.

Striker – SERGIO AGUERO (MANCHESTER CITY)

Some questioned why Manchester City even needed Alexis Sanchez when they have Sergio Aguero, the club’s all-time record goalscorer. The Argentina international has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for City, playing a direct hand in 21 goals in 19 Premier League matches this season.

West Brom have only won one game in 12 away league matches this season and a trip to the Etihad will not improve that record.

Striker – ALEXIS SANCHEZ (MANCHESTER UNITED)

Rather than reuniting with Pep Guardiola, Alexis Sanchez instead opted to join Manchester United and the Chile international will make his Premier League bow for the Red Devils against Tottenham on Wednesday.

Sanchez can expect a hostile reception from Tottenham supporters due to his association with Arsenal, but that will only drive the 29-year-old to making an even bigger impact for United.

The United No.7 made an encouraging debut in the FA Cup last week and was directly involved in two of the four goals, but he will be eager to score his first goal for his new club on Wednesday. Don't bet against it, either.