Well, it has taken nearly 40 weeks and given us more than 1,000 goals, but the Premier League has finally come to a close. After one of the most dramatic closing weekends in recent memory, we know who is staying up, who is going down and who can call themselves Champions!
Sadly, this does mean that the fantasy football is finished for another season. CYKI would like to thank all those that battled through to the end and hope everyone enjoyed our first season as much as we did.
Before it becomes too sentimental we want to give you a quick preview of what is to come next season. The design of the FA Cup site will be carried across to the Premier League site, giving our users better access to all the statistics locked away within the game. There will also be a brand new prize structure. Whilst we can’t tip our hand just yet, we can tell you that it simply means there will be more prizes for more people!
So we expect to see you all back here next season, fully charged and ready to show us if you’ve got what it takes to be the ultimate fantasy manager!
CYKI looks at players who still have everything to play for on the final day of the season.
Title contenders: Key players
Manchester United and Chelsea are level on points at the top of the table, separated by United's superior goal difference.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Manchester United
United need a win, but face a tricky away tie against Wigan, who haven't lost at home since Gameweek 23. If anyone can inspire the team to victory, it's the Barclays Premier League Player of the Season, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has now scored 30 goals for the season and leads the overall fantasy points table with 240 points, 79 more than closest rival Cesc Fabregas.
Michael Ballack: Chelsea
Ballack has been one of Chelsea's form players in recent weeks, scoring 3 goals and earning 21 points in his past 4 games. His two goals against Manchester United have been decisive in making sure this Premiership title race goes down to the last day. Chelsea have hit form at the right time.
Everton only need a point against Newcastle to hold on to fifth place, but a defeat could see Aston Villa steal it away from them.
Aiyegbeni Yakubu: Everton
Everton's last clean sheet came against whipping boys Derby in Gameweek 33, so if they are going to guarantee a UEFA Cup place, they will probably need to score, and who better to look to than Yakubu. With 13 league goals scored and a price tag of just 8.9, you may want to take a gamble on him.
Gareth Barry: Aston Villa
Aston Villa could sneak into fifth if they win and Everton lose, and it could then all go down to goal difference, which is currently the same. Barry started off Villa's revival against Bolton in Gameweek 33, scoring twice and making 2 assists, and has been on form since, with another goal and 3 assists.
Relegation battle: Key players
Fulham, Reading and Birmingham all need a win. Fulham have an away trip to Portsmouth, who may have one eye on the FA Cup final, Reading travel to relegated Derby, and Birmingham have a home tie against Blackburn, who could sneak into 6th place if Villa lose and they win.
Jimmy Bullard: Fulham
Bullard may only have been back from injury since January, but since then he has accrued 2 goals, 2 assists. He is also their current form player.
Stephen Hunt: Reading
With 5 goals, 4 assists, Hunt has been Reading's best outfield fantasy player this season. At 7.2, he is reasonably priced and may be worth a gamble, especially given their opposition Derby, who haven't won since the opening day of the season.
Mikael Forssell: Birmingham
Birmingham's leading scorer Forssell is also their form player, with 2 goals in the last 3 games. Forssell has a tempting price tag of just 5.8, and with a win being the only option, he may just be worth the risk.
Looking for that elusive top spot in your league? It may be time to gamble...
Whether you are aiming for top spot in your private league or simply want to finish higher than your mates, now's the time to decide whether to play it safe or gamble.
Instead of looking for the obvious choice of player, you may want to look at some alternatives, who could make or break your season.
Brad Friedel: Blackburn
One of the most popular signings of the Gameweek, most likely due to his remaining fixtures - Derby at Home and Birmingham away - Friedel is not really much of a gamble. However, if your money is tied up with more expensive 'keepers like Jose Reina, whose Liverpool side haven't got much left to play for, then you may think Friedel is worth a chance, especially if you need the funds to spend elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta: Everton
Arteta was one of THE players to have last season, with 9 goals, 10 assists. He has struggled with injury and form this season and only has one goal to his name, but he still has 7 assists and everything still to play for. Everton's 5th place finish is still not secure, and they have to play away at Arsenal and at home to Newcastle, so is Arteta the man to inspire his team and yours? Only you can decide.
Jimmy Bullard: Fulham
Fulham's season looked dead and buried a couple of weeks ago, but they have moved to within 2 points of Birmingham, who they meet at Craven Cottage this weekend, for the crunch tie of Gameweek 37. Bullard may not have scored for 7 weeks, but with his price tag of 7.0 and his ability from free-kicks, he should not be overlooked.
Kevin Nolan: Bolton
Bolton are another team trying to pull themselves away from the relegation zone, and with 2 wins and a draw in the last 3 games, a home win against Sunderland could just see them sneak to safety. Bolton captain Nolan is the club's top scorer, with 5 goals and 2 assists, and he could well be worth a gamble against a side who have secured their top-flight status and may already be dreaming of summer.
John Carew: Aston Villa
Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have grabbed all the headlines as far as Villa strikers go, but how about a punt on John Carew? He is Villa's top goal scorer with 13 league goals, and is bang on form, with 4 goals in the last 3 games. He may be slightly more expensive than the aforementioned youngsters, but that's the gamble. Villa could yet steal 5th place from Everton, so as far as Carew and Villa are concerned, it's still game on.
Despite a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City in Gameweek 35, James is still the form 'keeper, thanks to his previous 3 clean sheets and a penalty save against Wigan in Gameweek 32. He is now 19 points ahead of Liverpool's Jose Reina in the overall goalkeepers' table and looks set to be this season's Dream Team 'keeper.
Steve Harper: Newcastle
For a team not known for their defensive prowess, Newcastle have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 5 games, conceding just 1 goal away at Tottenham in Gameweek 32. Harper is cheap at just 5.2 and with Shay Given seemingly missing the rest of the season through injury, he could be a good bet.
Defenders
Geremi: Newcastle
With Newcastle's recent found defensive form, it's no surprise to see 4 Newcastle defenders at the top of the defenders' form tables. Geremi stands out thanks to a goal and 4 assists in the last 5 games, and at a cost of 6.1, he may prove a winner for your team.
Gary Cahill: Bolton
Another team with form in their favour is Bolton, who have won their last 2 games, and kept clean sheets in both of those wins. Cahill got an assist against Middlesbrough, added to those clean sheet points, he is not a bad buy at 5.1.
Midfielders
Gareth Barry: Aston Villa
Cristiano Ronaldo is still top of the midfield form tables, but close on his heels is Villa captain Gareth Barry. With 3 goals and 3 assists in the last 3 games and a European place still within sight, Barry's form is certainly not to be ignored.
Nicky Butt: Newcastle
Another Newcastle player, but a bargain compared to the likes of Ronaldo and Barry, at a cost of just 5.8. He has a goal and an assist for his recent show of form.
Forwards
Ashley Young: Aston Villa
Young has 3 goals and 2 assists in the last 3 games, games in which Villa have scored 15 goals, in no small part thanks to the England Under 21 player. Young costs 8.5, which is quite a bargain for a striker in such form.
Michael Owen: Newcastle
A full-house of Newcastle players at the top end of the form tables continues with striker Michael Owen, who has scored 6 goals in the last 6 games, including 2 against fierce rivals Sunderland in Gameweek 35. Owen's form has almost certainly saved his club from relegation, and at a cost of 11 he could save your season too.
CYKI looks at teams who still have everything to play for, with European places the prize.
CYKI looks at teams who still have everything to play for, with European places the prize.
Portsmouth
On paper, Portsmouth's remaining fixtures look easier than those of Everton, but will an FA Cup final distract the players from the league or will it spur them on?
Pompey's player of the season has undoubtedly been goalkeeper David James. James is the season Dream Team 'keeper, with a 17 point lead over nearest rival Tim Howard. Portsmouth have kept 15 clean sheets this season, and James has the added bonus of 2 penalty saves.
Portsmouth's home tie against Newcastle should see Jermain Defoe return to the starting line-up after missing their last game due to personal reasons. Defoe has been in inspired form since his arrival on the South Coast, with 8 goals in 9 games played and at a cost of just 9.5, he is a bargain you can't refuse.
Aston Villa
Villa returned to winning ways in style, with a 4-0 victory over Bolton last week, and their first clean sheet since November.
Forward Ashley Young may not be high up the goal tables with 4 goals, but his 16 assists make him Villa's highest scoring striker with 123 points. At a cost of 8.3, he should be within most people's budget.
Aston Villa's remaining fixtures: Derby (A), Birmingham (H), Everton (A), Wigan (H), West Ham (A)
Blackburn
Striker Roque Santa Cruz has certainly made an impression in his first season in the Barclays Premier League, with 14 goals, almost treble the amount of league goals he scored in his best seasons for Bayern Munich. At 8.8, he is another striker worth a shot, as he also has 6 assists to add to his goal scoring.
Blackburn's player of the season is midfielder David Bentley with 120 points, thanks to 6 goals and 9 assists, but unlike Ronaldo, his cost is just 8.8.
Blackburn's remaining fixtures: Liverpool (A), Manchester United (H), Portsmouth (A), Derby (H), Birmingham (A)
Gameweek 35: Advance warning
Everton v Chelsea has been brought forward to 17th April, kick-off 20:00 BST, which means that the Gameweek 35 deadline has been brought forward to THURSDAY 17TH APRIL 19:30 BST, instead of the usual Saturday 11:30 deadline.
All transfers and team changes must be made before this THURSDAY deadline.
Gameweek 32. Tips to cath the leaders. Or remain in control of your lead.
Playing catch up or looking to keep hold of your lead ?
With the season fast coming to a close, CYKI looks at some players who could help you catch up to your league leaders.
Time to Gamble?
Many of your teams now contain the same players, like Ronaldo, Adebayor and Fabregas, not only because they are the best players, but also so as not to fall further behind in the table. However, just choosing the same players as your fellow league members won't help you catch the leaders, so it may be time to gamble on someone a bit different.
Morten Gamst Pedersen: Blackburn
Gamst Pedersen was one of the Premier League's better fantasy players last season, with 6 goals and 12 assists, but he had an indifferent start to the season. However, in the last month he has been showing some good form, with 2 goals and an assist, and with Blackburn challenging for a European place next season, he has it all to play for.
Nani: Manchester United
Only 4% of players have Nani in their teams, compared to the 52% who have Ronaldo, but he has been earning some useful points recently, with a goal and an assist in just 18 minutes of play against Liverpool in Gameweek 31. At 9.1, Nani is one of the cheaper attacking midfielders that United possess, and with 3 goals and 9 assists so far this season, he could be one to help you climb the table.
Jermain Defoe: Portsmouth
When Defoe was a Tottenham player at the start of the season, he was limited to a handful of starts and scored just 4 goals. Since his arrival at Portsmouth at the end of the January transfer window, he has scored in all but one of the games he has played, meaning 6 goals in 7 games. At 9.2 he is affordable, and in his current form, he is a bargain.
Didier Drogba: Chelsea
More people have Anelka in their teams than have Drogba, but on current form, Drogba may not be such a bad buy. With 3 goals and 1 assist in the last 2 games, Drogba's return to the starting line-up is paying dividends for both club and player.
Aiyegbeni Yakubu: Everton
Just 5% of overall players have Yakubu in their team, but with his 13 goals scored this season and a price tag of just 9.2, he may be one to put on your shopping list. Apart from a tricky local derby against Liverpool in Gameweek 32, Everton's next 2 fixtures are against Derby and Birmingham, 2 teams Yakubu has already scored against this season.
There are 4 teams who are playing twice in Gameweek 30
Gameweek 30
There are 4 teams who are playing twice in Gameweek 30:
Bolton play Wigan (Away) and Manchester United (Away)
Chelsea play Sunderland (Away) and Tottenham (Away)
Manchester United play Derby (Away) and Bolton (Home)
Tottenham play Manchester City (Away) and Chelsea (Home)
Bolton
Bolton have 2 away fixtures and have not kept a clean sheet in the last 3 games, conceding 8 goals, so if you are tempted by a Bolton player, you may want to look at attacking players rather than defensive players.
Since Anelka's departure in January, midfielder Kevin Nolan now is Bolton's leading scorer, with 5 goals and 2 assists.
Striker Kevin Davies is another option, as both he and Nolan have been left out of Bolton's UEFA Cup squad for this week, meaning they will both be rested for the week to come. Davies could be worth a gamble.
Chelsea
Chelsea beat bottom of the table Derby 6-1 midweek, which bodes badly for Sunderland, who currently sit 16th in the table.
Frank Lampard is the obvious choice, after his 4 goal haul, he may be too expensive. The cheaper option is Joe Cole currently with 2 goals and 3 assists in the last 2 games.
If you want a Chelsea striker, Kalou is the form forward with a goal and 2 assists in the last 2 games, and he is also the cheapest. Anelka is not far behind in the form table, with 2 assists in the last 2 games and an overall goal haul of 11, he is cheaper than Drogba, who has only played 24 minutes since the New Year.
Manchester United
The Barclays Premier League's leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is a must for any fantasy team challenging for a league title. He will be difficult to transfer into your team if you haven't already got him, but the nearest United midfielder to Ronaldo in the overall point table, Ryan Giggs, is 113 points behind him.
Wayne Rooney has been in better form than Carlos Tevez, with 2 goals and an assist in Gameweek 27, but he is more expensive. Tevez has however scored more goals overall than Rooney: 11 goals to Rooney's 8.
Tottenham
Dimitar Berbatov is Tottenham's form player, with 4 goals in the last 4 games, including 2 against West Ham. He now has 12 goals and 10 assists for the season, he could be a shrewd buy.
Tom Huddlestone provided the free kicks for Berbatov to score his 2 goals against West Ham, he is a bargain buy, especially if he provides more of the same in Gameweek 30.
Manchester United and Bolton do not play in Gameweek 29 due to United's FA Cup involvement. This fixture will now be played in Gameweek 30.
Gameweek 30
Due to the aforementioned postponement, Manchester United and Bolton play twice in Gameweek 30. United play Derby at Pride Park and Bolton also play away at Wigan. They then play each other at Old Trafford.
Chelsea and Tottenham also play twice in Gameweek 30. Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland, Tottenham travel to the City of Manchester Stadium, then they play each other at White Hart Lane.
To sell or not to sell?
Manchester United may miss Gameweek 29, but with 2 fixtures coming up in Gameweek 30, you may want to try and 'bench' your United players, especially if selling them means you can't afford to buy them back because of the sell-on fee.
If you want to take this route, you will probably need to look for cheap players who play regularly. The value (form) statistic can help you spot a bargain. Players to consider:
James McFadden (Birmingham)
Mikael Forssell may have stolen the headlines with a hat-trick last Gameweek, but it's James McFadden who tops the forwards' form table. McFadden has scored 3 goals in the last 3 games, made 2 assists. At a cost of 6.8, and with his current form, he is well worth a look. He has also started 7 games in 2008, compared to Forssell's 2.
Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth)
Two 'Man of the Match' performances against Chelsea and Bolton, plus his first goal of the season, make Diarra a possibility. At 6.6, he is relatively cheap, and has been a constant in the Portsmouth starting line-up for the last 6 games.
Gameweek 28 has Liverpool and West Ham playing in a double Gameweek.
Liverpool and West Ham play twice in Gameweek 28
Liverpool: Bolton (Away), West Ham (Home)
West Ham: Chelsea(Home), Liverpool(Away)
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
Torres scored his first Barclays Premier League hat-trick in Gameweek 27, to take his league tally to 15 goals. At 10.3, Torres is more affordable than Rooney (11.6) or Drogba (12.1), who are on 8 and 5 goals respectively, so even without the added bonus of 2 games in one Gameweek, Torres is certainly worth a place in your team.
Liverpool - Steven Gerrard
Gerrard has only scored 1 Barclays Premier League goal since the start of 2008, but has still got the most points of any other Liverpool player overall. He did score in the Champions League victory over Internazionale in February meaning his overall form is still good.
West Ham - Freddy Ljunberg
Ljunberg has started to score quite consistantly over the past 6 games weighing in with an impressive 28pts. The gamble being that West Ham will face two of the top four sides with Chelsea at home and Liverpool at Anfield. A gamble but definitely on form.
West Ham - Matthew Upson
Upson is having a great season which has seen him being included in Capello's England squad, and sitting in the top 20 best defenders for the season. But again we would be wary with the opponents that he will be facing over this Gameweek. Lampard will be returning to Upton Park and it would be hard to bet against him netting at least once.
Unless you have been in a time capsule you would have heard about the horrific injury Arsenal's newest forward, Eduardo, sustained over the weekend.
Eduardo joined the Gunners in the summer transfer window from Dinamo Zagreb. As is typically the case with a Wenger signing, everyone was asking, "Who is this guy?!"
After a shaky start to the season, Eduardo had started to find his groove and was becoming a regular feature in the Arsenal first team. Having scored 12 goals (with half as many assists), Eduardo's intelligent play and slick finishing was proving an essential ingredient to Arsenal's title aspirations.
However, the match against Birmingham saw a terrible end to Eduardo's first season in the Premiership. After only 2 minutes, the Brazilian born Croatian went down from a challenge from Martin Taylor. The immediate reaction from players like Fabregas and Hleb around him made it clear just how bad the injury was. After 8 minutes of treatment on the field, Eduardo was rushed to a hospital in Birmingham where he underwent surgery before being transfered to London.
It was announced yesterday that the 25 year old suffered a fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle. While some initially fearing Eduardo's career was over, Arsenal are expecting him to feature by Christmas.
Below is a tribute to Eduardo's first season at Arsenal and best wishes for a swift and full recovery.
