THE regular Dream Team season will draw to a close this Saturday.
Once the FA Cup final is in the history books, focus will switch entirely to our Euros fantasy game – which is available to play right now.
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Plenty of gaffers will need a big finish in the London-based Manchester derby if they are to secure Mini League glory.
And of course there’s the small matter of the massive sums of cash up for grabs at the top end of the overall leaderboard.
So what’s the best way to approach the final fixture of the 2023/24 campaign?
Inevitably, most managers are backing Manchester City to get the better of Manchester United at Wembley.
At the time of writing, four of the five most transferred-in players ahead of the Gameweek 37 deadline are among Pep Guardiola’s favourites.
MOST-POPULAR RECRUITS AHEAD OF GAMEWEEK 37:
It should go without saying that Phil Foden (£5.9m) and Erling Haaland (£7.5m) are the standout must-have assets as the two highest point-scorers in the game – the former is three points ahead of his team-mate on 386.
The only reason the successful duo aren’t among the most-popular recruits is because they already feature in the majority of teams.
In terms of strategy, it might be wise to switch to the lesser-used 4-5-1 formation with Haaland being the lone striker.
Julian Alvarez (£4m) has plundered 280 points this season but the World Cup winner is likely to start on the bench.
Those who fancy the Red Devils to land a glove or two on the Premier League champions could back Rasmus Hojlund (£3.5m), who has two goals in his last two outings.
Although it’s worth noting the Denmark international mustered just 28 points in the ten outings prior – a listless run that featured just three shots on target.
With all this mind, it might be smart to stock up on Man City midfield assets instead.
A quartet of Foden, De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo (alongside Fernandes) seemingly covers most bases – although some gaffers will be tempted to back the explosive Jeremy Doku (£3.7m) if they believe the Belgian winger will start.
However, if there’s any indication Alvarez will get the nod then backing both of Man City’s forwards (and penalty-takers) seems reasonable.
All Dream Team bosses should already be aware that Ederson (£2.9m) has been ruled out of the final after fracturing his eye socket at Tottenham.
Truth be told, Stefan Ortega (£2.1m) would probably have started regardless as he’s played every minute of City’s FA Cup campaign so far.
Alternatively, Andre Onana (£2.9m) is Dream Team’s outright top goalkeeper because of his insane tally of 190 saves.
It’s entirely possible that the Cameroon international could concede two or three goals on Saturday but still return a decent haul through save points if it’s one-way traffic from start to finish.
In defence, Gvardiol is the man of the moment having banked 78 points via four goals, two assists and four clean sheets in his last eight games.
Interestingly, Diogo Dalot (£3.2m) is the next-best defender on both sides having earned 220 points, just three short of City’s Croatian left-back.
The Portuguese full-back ranks highly for bonus points, big chances created, assists and tackles among assets in his position – like Onana he’s capable of a healthy return even when his clean sheet hopes are low.
John Stones (£3.1m) has generally been a substitute option of late after a campaign blighted by injuries but there’s not much between Kyle Walker (£3.7m), Manuel Akanji (£4.2m), Ruben Dias (£3.8m) and Nathan Ake (£3.2m).
One of that quartet is likely to be missing from the starting XI, possibly Ake given his recent minor injury but the Dutchman did come off the bench in the second half against West Ham.
Gaffers limited in scope should prioritise Man City’s heavy hitters in attack and Fernandes, who averages nine points-per-game since the turn of the year.
Haaland and Foden are clearly the two best captaincy candidates and there’s not much between them at all.
The England midfielder is generally more consistent as he picks up plenty of bonus points whereas City’s No9 is more of a feast-or-famine asset.
That being said, Haaland’s ceiling is enormous, as evidenced by his five-goal rout against Luton earlier in the season.
Before managers lock in their transfers/captain for the 2pm deadline on Saturday, they should seek out all relevant team news – an unfortunate injury has the potential to scupper what should be entertaining end of the campaign.
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