Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com
By ALAN LEDBETTER
With only five weeks left, now is the time to use your remaining transfers and prepare for a strong ending to the fantasy season. With six teams playing two games this week, there are plenty of fantasy points up for grabs.
Los Angeles continued its strong form last week, putting together a very strong performance against Vancouver. Most of their players are at the top of the standings in fantasy points and are great players to play week-in and week-out considering the amount of wins and goals L.A. puts up.
Here are a few more items to consider before setting your fantasy lineup this week:
MULTIPLE GAMES
D.C. United, Chivas USA, New York, Real Salt Lake, Portland, and San Jose all have two games this week. New York and D.C. both have two home games, so their players are good plays this week. Despite playing both matches on the road, Real Salt Lake is on a four-game winning streak, so its players should likely find a place in your lineup as well in order for you to ride their streak.
MFLS WEEK 29 BEST XI
GK – Bill Hamid, DC – With two home games this week, the young DC keeper should have a chance to walk away with at least one shutout. He is reportedly fit after dealing with a hamstring injury.
D – Todd Dunivant, LA – Dunivant is a great replacement for Sean Franklin, who listed as "out" for the week on the team's latest injury report.
D – Nat Borchers, RSL – Borchers is likely to take advantage of New York’s inability to guard against set pieces. Look for him to get on a few set pieces this week.
D – Geoff Cameron, HOU – Midfielder listed as a defender in MFLS, has four goals and five assists on the season and is a good play almost every week.
M – Dane Richards, NY – New York needs wins in order to make the playoffs and that should light a fire under their players these last few games of the season. With five goals and seven assists on the season, Richards is a solid pickup this week.
M – Dwayne De Rosario, DC – De Rosario has two chances this week to get on the score sheet. I wouldn’t leave him of your team.
M – Sebastian Le Toux, PHI – Le Toux’s form has carried Philadelphia further into the playoff race, and he's one of the hottest players in the league.
M – Landon Donovan, LA – A must-start every week. Donovan, along with L.A.’s other designated players, should all have a chance for a big game vs. Columbus.
F – Thierry Henry, NY – Did not play in New York’s win vs. Dallas but I still think it is worth playing him this week. He is one of the most dangerous forwards in the league and is likely to score in any game he plays in.
F – Charlie Davies, DC – D.C. has the most games remaining to end the season and Davies has been in good form as of late. Davies is likely to get on the score sheet at least once out of his two games this week.
F – Fredy Montero, SEA – Montero has become the highest scoring forward in MFLS over the past few weeks and is a good forward to pick up to end the rest of the season. Seattle might hurt without Mauro Rosales, but Montero should be able to continue to create chances.
INJURY WATCH
Sean Franklin did not play last week and is likely to be out this week as well. Mauro Rosales is out for perhaps the remainder of the regular season with a MCL sprain. Kyle Beckerman is suspended for RSL’s first game this week vs. New York but will return this weekend against D.C. Cory Gibbs and Tyson Wahl are also out this week. For injury news, check out the most updated MLS injury report. Also, many players picked up red cards and have accumulated enough yellow cards for suspension, so don’t forget to check out the latest disciplinary report.
The deadline for Week 29 is Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to change your lineups by then.
SBI League Standings (Top 10)
1. I <3 MLS……………………………675 points
2. La Flama Blanca………………638
3. Campione……………………….. 631
4. Catfish FC…………………………620
5. Joga Bonito……………………….602
6. Stonebury United……………….597
7. McGruber FC……………………..594
8. Hungate XI…………………………588
9. Waterbury FC……………………576
10. Rainbow Chickens…………..572
LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER
Pogon1966 (52 points)
————————–Rimando(7)———————
—–Ream(3)—-Gonzalez(5)—–Pradie(0)————-
–Beckham(9)-Davis(2)–Beckerman(3)–LeToux(5)–
——-Montero(6)—–Bruin(5)——Chaves(4)——-
Coach: Kreis(3)
SBI Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. HANDtoBALLS………………………..537 points
2. 4evr Orange…………………………….529
3. Cheeky BackHeel……………………523
4. Lancergolfer87………………………..512
5. Los Diabolitos…………………………500
6. I <3 MLS…………………………………..496
7. TSV AC CD Generic FC SC……..476
8. FC Byrd Turgler………………………..480
9. Orange Blur……………………………..454
9. Sage Runners 2011………………..454
LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORER
HandtoBalls (40 points: 3 exact, 2 margin, 4 correct)
4evr Orange (40 points: 2 exact, 3 margin, 1 tie, 3 correct)
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Which teams have the best matchup this week? Who is in for the biggest fantasy week? Which players are you going to pick up? Think you can win the league?
Share your thoughts below.