Fantasy Football League: Cooke closes in

Cooke’s seadoggeees were boosted thanks to a 14-point haul from Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and 15 points from the Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez.

Hodgson only earned 49 points in week 11, the top two being well clear of nearest challengers Paul Bradby, Olle Vellin, Jamie Ramm, Paul I’Anson and Carl Sample.

At the wrong end of the table, the Caledonian Demons remain rooted to the bottom, but fellow struggler Craig Rackham, along with Alec Coulson, Philip Burns, and Jedd Ward will be looking over their shoulders.

The competition is jointly sponsored by Body Complete, Nigel Carson Soccer School and Yorkshire Coast Bubble Football.

Ones to watch for Week 12

Jeffrey Schlupp – the versatile Leicester defender’s Fantasy prospects have taken a turn for the better after he was moved into midfield by Claudio Ranieri. Utilised as a left winger in three of the last four Gameweeks, Schlupp has scored once and fired more attempts on goal (seven) than any defender over that period and now hosts a Watford attack that is averaging less than a goal a game.

Matt Ritchie – Bournemouth’s playmaker will be vital in arresting a run of three successive defeats this weekend. Ritchie has produced a goal or assist in each of his last three home appearances and welcomes a Newcastle side that have picked up a single point in five road trips.

Dusan Tadic – the Southampton winger is placed in eighth spot in the midfield standings yet is owned by just 6% of Fantasy managers. Tadic has picked up points in two of the last three Gameweeks and pays visit to struggling Sunderland, with the Black Cats still licking their wounds after last week’s 6-2 mauling at Everton.

Andy Carroll – back in the first XI for last week’s clash with Watford, the West Ham target man hosts an Everton outfit that’s shipped seven goals in their last three matches. Carroll has earned points off the bench in each of his previous two at Upton Park and will be looking to torment a Toffees backline that’s devoid of injured skipper Phil Jagielka.

Christian Benteke – the Liverpool frontman has bagged two goals and an assist in a couple of substitute appearances under Jurgen Klopp. With his fitness now up to scratch, Benteke is poised to lead the line against Crystal Palace as the Merseysiders look to build on last week’s win at Chelsea.