Fantasy Football: Gut Truster gives Adrián the gloves on Boxing Day

The festive season is upon us and Fantasy Football managers up and down the land are preparing for a mouthwatering dose of the beautiful game. 

Yes, Gameweek 18 aka Boxing Day will feature all 20 Premier League teams in action before a quick turnaround yields another round of fixtures, beginning just two days later.

So, the countdown is on and any changes will need to be made before the managers in the Ladbrokes Life League tuck into their Christmas turkeys.

That £100 FREE BET is still up for grabs while for our very own gang of five there’s a far more important prize at stake – bragging rights.

Who’s been making wholesale changes and will anyone catch Generous John?

Let’s see what they’ve been up to…

#GutTruster

This game! I’m changing things up. After not using a transfer last weekend, I have two free at my disposal and I’ve made some alterations which could go either way for me.

In fourth place now with not a lot to lose, West Ham have been quietly going about their business and with Mignolet getting injured in the warm-up at Watford on Sunday, Adrián has been drafted in to take his place.

Villa have scored the joint least amount of goals this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another clean sheet for the Hammers on Boxing Day.

The other change sees Arnautovic out and young Alli come in. He’s proved to be an exciting talent this season, pitching in with his fair share of goals and assists, and I can see him running the Canaries ragged.

There’s no real injury concerns for my team, but Vardy loses the vice-captaincy to Aguero, so should he not shake off his hamstring problem and Lukaku not play, I’m covered.

#TheBeliever

I’m absolutely gutted I left Ivanovic on the bench, but who’d have thought he’d turn his performances around so quickly?!

I’m not going to make the same mistake twice, Clyne is the man that gives way for the Serbian as Liverpool’s season seems to have stalled.

I’ve been going pretty well throughout the last few weeks, so I haven’t made any drastic changes of note.

Dier does replace the injured Jagielka but the younger English star doesn’t make the starting XI.

I’m also keeping faith in Mitrovic, even though Villa rained on Newcastle’s parade on Saturday…

That doesn’t phase me. I’m confident Mitro can get back on the scoresheet and give the long-suffering Toon Army something to cheer.

#MrBrightside 

Another decent week, however, the gap between myself and leader Generous John is growing and I need to act to get in touching distance heading into 2016.

Firstly, I’m making a double substitution. Shawcross comes in for the injured Schlupp. Stoke have only conceded one goal this season when Shawcross has been playing and I’m confident the former Red Devil will help claim The Potters’ first ever clean sheet against Man United.

I’m also bringing in Watford’s Ikechi Anya from off the bench. The Hornets are buzzing and this pacey wideman could inflict more damage upon Chelsea on the break.

Boxing Day will prove to be an important one in the race for the title so I’m making a big move. Lukaku is in the form of his life and I fancy him against a ropy Newcastle defence so the Triple Captain card is coming out.

Let’s hope it’s snowing goals at St James’ Park!

#GenerousJohn

Wow, what a week! A whopping 92 points was a fantastic return from the team. There were plenty of big earners with Ighalo, Mahrez and Ozil earning 52 points between them.

My lead over the others has now been extended to 62 points but now I’ve got my eyes set on topping the Ladbrokes Life League! I’m in to the top 40 and if I maintain my consistency I can only see my team climbing that table.

I’ve decided not to make any changes for the upcoming weekend of fixtures. Risky I know, but at the moment I’m finding it difficult to drop someone from the starting XI. Although with a congested Christmas schedule that could all change next week.

I’ve thought long and hard about this all week but I’ve decided to stick with Ighalo as my captain. Call me crazy but the man can do no wrong. He’s a handful for any back four and with Chelsea still looking dodgy I’d expect the Hornets’ striker to get on the scoresheet at the Bridge.

#TheProfessor

An above average display last time out leaves me feeling confident. Mesut Ozil’s masterclass against City earned him 11 points, the Arsenal midfielder’s already on 15 assists for the season and we’ve still got half of it to go!

Meanwhile, another notable mention goes to Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez. If he’s not assisting, he’s scoring and thus he’s a mainstay of this team.

I’ve made one change for the upcoming fixtures and it’s Arouna Kone out and Troy Deeney in. Kone’s not been great while Deeney has and for that reason it’s an easy decision. Watford have been exceptional this season and a lot of that has been down to their captain.

He continues to either provide or score and that’s been reflected by his recent points totals.

Romelu Lukaku keeps the armband this week, the big Belgian has scored seven in his last seven league appearances and is always a threat. I can see him getting on the scoresheet against a Newcastle side that continues to leak goals.

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