Week 25 Preview

Doubles:

Philadephia and New England face off Wednesday to make this week’s only two teams with a double. Based on the stats below (and general wisdom) Philadelphia is the team to own from the two. Philadelphia is rated as both the top team for offensive and defensive prospects. Philadelphia is predicted to keep two clean sheets and score more than four goals this week.

Predicted goals scored:

Team	Goals scored
philadelphia	4.4
columbus	3.7
new york	3.3
new england	2.5
LA	2.4
San Jose	2.1
kansas city	1.9
Seattle	1.8
dallas	1.8
chicago	1.4
chivas	1.3
dcu	0.9
RSL	0.8
Vancouver	0.8
toronto	0.7
houston	0.7
colorado	0.6
portland	0.5

Predicted goals allowed:

Team	Goals Allowed
philadelphia	0.5	0.9
LA	0.6
kansas city	0.7
columbus	0.7
new york	0.8
Seattle	0.8
chivas	0.9
dcu	1.3
San Jose	1.4
dallas	1.5
new england	1.8	2.1
RSL	1.8
houston	1.9
chicago	2.1
portland	2.3
colorado	2.4
Vancouver	3.3
toronto	3.7

No less than seven teams are predicted to keep clean sheets this week, with Philly predicted to keep two. I don’t remember ever being so spoilt for choice on the defensive end in MLS fantasy. It will be interesting to see how many of these actually end up as clean sheets as more teams become desperate for points and bunker in on the road or open up at home as the playoff deadline looms.

Team of the week:

Saunders
Williams, Franklin, Besler, Miranda
Joseph, Lindpere, Ekpo, Donovan
Henry, Le Toux
Subs: Nielsen, Wahl, Richards, Mendoza

Captains:

Le Toux – I called my hunch on Le Toux last week, and even though the easier of his two games were called off, he still produced. Two extremely favorable games for Philly should provide Seba with plenty of chances to increase his fantasy haul.

Williams – Even without Mondragon, I like the Union’s chances at picking up at least one clean sheet this week. Add on the attacking nature of Williams, two games, and you have a good shot at getting some fantasy returns.

Henry – MLS’s leading goal scorer up to this point and New York are predicted to score about three this weekend. It’s difficult to look past him.

Joseph – Even though New England’s returns look meager, I would still back Shalrie this week, if for no reason other than a double.

Mendoza – Columbus are predicted to score more than three goals this week as well. I really have trouble trying to pick an offensive standout for the Crew, but I guess I’ll go with Mendoza.