Will You Be Infected With Fantasy Football Syndrome?

Here's an amusing news story on the discovery of a new "syndrome" called Fantasy Football Syndrome that targets people like me and you - Fantasy Premier League addicts. The article first published on FanXT blog that tells the 6 symptoms of fantasy football syndrome.

Apparently, the syndrome is far from deadly and in fact, it's almost beneficial for the victims because, playing too much of fantasy football could cause you to win lots of cash prizes. Fantasy football is a game of skill and quite a few fantasy Premier League games out there offer free cash prizes without you needing to pay a single cent. It only needs your effort (addiction, if you might say)

So during the upcoming EPL 2014/15 season, if you starting to watch too much EPL games on TV and losing your sense of attachment to your favourite club, you might just be infected. Not to worry, it's for the best :)

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Rachel Lee is a guest blogger. Visit her blog at http://fantasy.epl.fanxt.com/blog to read more about fantasy football

FPL 2012/2013 - Ones to Watch and Ones to Ignore

Hi all, I'm back from my FPL holiday!  The batteries have been recharged and I am ready to go!  Here is my first FPL article of the season*:

*Please note that the selections merely highlight some potential players, as opposed to conveying a definitive list.


FPL 2012/2013 - Ones to Watch & Ones to Ignore

Arsenal

Watch: Lukas Podolski

- Proven goal scoring talent for FC Koln and Germany

- Will be the new RVP if Van Persie leaves Arsenal during the transfer window

Ignore: Andrey Arshavin

- Low down the pecking order in a saturated midfield

- Could be sold or sent on loan before the close of the transfer window

Aston Villa

Watch: Darren Bent

- Primary goalscoring threat for Villa

- Proven pedigree in the Premier League

Ignore: Shay Given

- Past his peak and unlikely to keep many clean sheets

- Better equivalent priced alternatives available

Chelsea

Watch:  Eden Hazard

- Will be Chelsea's main attacking threat from a heavily packed midfield

- Could prove to be the X-factor in a transitional team

Ignore:  Mikel

- His cheap price is indicative of his poor value

- Is unlikely to score goals or feature as a definite regular

Everton

Watch: Nikica Jelavic

- Primary goalscoring threat for Everton

- Appears to be a nailed on first team player

Ignore: Shkodran Mustafi

- Cheap value, but a backup first team defender

- Better off purchasing a cheap defender that is likely to play regularly

Fulham

Watch: Brede Hangeland

- Good value for money, goalscoring potential & has Premier League pedigree

- If Dempsey leaves, Hangeland will be Fulham's most integral player

Ignore: Damien Duff

- Unimpressive at Euro 2012, past his prime and over-priced

- Could be a squad rotation risk

Liverpool

Watch: Joe Allen

- Super cheap price for a Liverpool player & played under Rodgers at Swansea

- Registered four goals and four assists during the Premier League last season

Ignore: Charlie Adam

- Hasn't proven his true class since his move from Blackpool

- Could be consigned to intermittent first team appearances

Man City

Watch:  Mario Balotelli

- Made his name last season and during Euro 2012

- Provided he keeps a cool head, he could become City's most important striker

Ignore: Adam Johnson

- Over priced for the amount of minutes he has played over the past four seasons

- Definite squad rotation risk, despite goals/assists potential

Man Utd

Watch: Shinji Kagawa

- Good attacking attributes and proven class

- Will be key to United' Premier League success for 2012/2013

Ignore: Michael Carrick

- Unlikely to score or assist, despite sound defensive qualities

- Better off buying cheaper attack minded alternatives

Newcastle United

Watch: Hatem Ben Arfa

- Subject to playing often, he will be involved in Newcastle's goals

- A proven match winner that isn't afraid to dribble with the ball

Ignore: Shola Ameobi

- Unlikely to start due to established Ba/Cisse combination

- Woeful league goalscoring rate (19%)

Norwich

Watch: Anthony Pilkington

- Scored eight goals during debut Premier League season

- Could be key to Norwich avoiding relegation

Ignore: Simeon Jackson

- Only scored three Premier League goals last season

- Likely to be overshadowed by Holt and Morison

QPR

Watch: Ji-Sung Park

- Proven work-rate during his time at Man United

- A relatively decent player in a mediocre team

Ignore: Tommy Smith

- Only scored two Premier League goals last season

- Likely to be overshadowed by Cisse and Zamora

Reading

Watch: Pavel Pogrebnyak

- Impressive during his short stint at Fulham

- Likely to be Reading's main goalscoring threat

Ignore: Jordan Obita

- Has never played a league match for Reading

- Very unlikely to feature as a regular in the first team

Southampton

Watch: Guilherme (Guly)

- Dynamic midfielder with an eye to create and score goals

- Scored ten league goals last season

Ignore: Danny Butterfield

- Only played ten league games last season

- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games during 2012/2013

Stoke City

Watch: Jonathan Walters

- Listed as a midfielder but sometimes operates as a de facto second striker

- Scored seven and assisted five goals last season

Ignore: Cameron Jermoe

- Only scored four goals and played less than a thousand minutes last season

- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games during 2012/2013

Sunderland

Watch: Ji Dong-Won

- Provided he gets a chance in the first team, he could be a bargain priced attacking threat

- For a young player he has a significant amount of international experience for his country

Ignore: Ahmed Elmohamady

- Played a fractional amount of time during 2011/2012, following his debut season

- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games during 2012/2013

Swansea

Watch: Michu

- Scored fifteen goals in La Liga last season

- Could be the perfect jigsaw piece to Swansea's attacking mindset

Ignore: Mark Gower

- Was the typical squad rotated midfielder last season

- Will be overshadowed by Laudrup's new signings

Tottenham

Watch: Gareth Bale

- Proven talent and nailed on first teamer

- Can continue to build on previous successes

Ignore: Sandro

- Defense-minded and goal-shy midfielder

- Unlikely to be involved with Tottenham's goals

West Brom

Watch: Yassine El Ghanassy

- Versatile ability to play in different attacking positions

- Capable of creating and scoring goals

Ignore: Sam Mantom

- Has never played a Premier League match for West Brom

- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games during 2012/2013

West Ham

Watch: Joey O'Brien

- Plays in defense but can also play in midfield

-  Bargain price, definitely worth an option as a cheap defender

Ignore: Carlton Cole

- Has never scored more than 10 goals during a Premier League season

- Woeful league goalscoring rate (22%)

Wigan

Watch: Ali Al-Habsi

- Made many key saves as he helped save his team from relegation last season

- Ideal capability and price for a second substitute FPL keeper

Ignore: David Jones

- Was a squad rotated player last season and didn't score any goals

- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games during 2012/2013

One for the Future Series VI - Alex Kacaniklic (Fulham)

One For the Future: Alex Kacaniklic

Early signs of his promise, pre-Fulham

‘Mid-table mediocrity’ is a phrase that has haunted Fulham FC for the majority of their Premier League existence. However, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the Craven Cottage outfit. Martin Jol has continued to build upon the foundations laid by Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes, and now the West London club are within touching distance of reaching their highest ever Premier League points total (53). They are pushing for European football again, and it seems, are moving away from the football abyss that is mid-table mediocrity.

Paramount to this revival is the introduction of many fresh, young and talented players. One of the latest introductions is the 20 year old Swede, Alex Kacaniklic. He is an exciting left sided winger who has a keen eye for a pass, as well as a deadly left foot. Making his debut in English football at the Liverpool academy, Kacaniklic helped his team to a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Youth Cup final. He scored a thunderbolt of a goal in the that game, and went on to show Liverpool exactly what they have been missing, as he was part of the Fulham side that secured their first ever victory at Anfield in the Premier League.

At only 20 years of age, the young Swede still has time to mature into a cultured left winger. His confident displays whilst on loan to Championship side Watford earned him a recall to the Fulham first team in March. With players such as Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele on the radar of some of the Premier League’s elite, Kacaniklic may have a big role to play at
Fulham next season.

To sustain success in the Premier League, it is essential to have flair players who aren’t afraid to shoot from distance: this is exactly what Kacaniklic brings to the team. He likes to hug the touchline and often cuts inside to fire powerful shots at goal. In addition to this, the former Liverpool man also poses a threat from set pieces. In this sense, it is difficult to ignore the glaring comparison to fellow Scandinavian, Morten Gamst Pedersen; a left sided winger
notorious for his free-kick abilities.

Overall, the future is looking bright for Fulham FC, and particularly, Alex Kacaniklic. He is the type of attacking player who can ignite a game, and may well provide the catalyst for another impressive season at Craven Cottage next season.

Written by Sam Balls

Brief Biography:

I am a final year English student at the University of Portsmouth. I am extremely passionate about sport, and my burning ambition is to write for a national newspaper. You can find my blog at: samuelballs.wordpress.com or follow me on twitter: @Sam_Balls