We’re getting slammed with Twitter questions following the break and rather than send 100 individual replies we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions with Fantasy EPL analysis.

@fantasygaffer should I swap petric out for berba?

— Rich Woodward (@Woodfella15) September 14, 2012

We are absolutely moving Petric to make room for Berbatov. The Bulgarian is a solid value at £6.9m and – as we’ve written frequently – he created five chances in his first 45′ with the club. Berbtov scored seven goals in 521′ last term and is only one full season removed from being the Golden Boot winner.  There is no valid case to be made against him at this juncture and we’re investing immediately.

@fantasygaffer Torres or Tevez (or Hazard?) for the armband? I keep switching back and forth.

— steven wade (@eightdouble) September 14, 2012

We’re trying very hard to get the armband on Cazorla or Podolski with the prospect of a pourous Southampton defense visiting the Emirates causing images of a four goal haul for the Gunners to dance in our heads.  If you’re choosing elsewhere, we have to put faith in Carlos Tevez. With a goal in each of the opening three gameweeks and the ability to create chances, we like Tevez’s chances of returning more than the minimum every week. In his last full season, 2010-11, he created 53 chances, all from open play, and assisted on six goals. With the current Manchester City side significantly improved there is no reason to think he can not approach Robin van Persie’s 2011-12 season this year.

@fantasygaffer krul appears to be injured who could be a good replacement? my bench goalkeeper not an option

— Mohamad Mougnhie (@itsmo7amad) September 14, 2012

Krul is certainly injured and set to miss several weeks. Other goalkeepers currently priced £5.5m in Fantasy Premier League are Tim Howard (Everton), Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) and Brad Friedel (Tottenham).  Michel Vorm’s price has risen 0.1m to sit just ahead of this trio, but is an easy answer given Swansea’s recent defensive record and their schedule during the period Krul is expected to miss. That is rather the key, we expect to see Szczesny back in goal for Arsenal this weekend – which brings us to this Tweet:

@shots_on_target @fantasygaffer @ffscout will Mannone keep his place? — Gemma Harrison (@Gemmabaggies) September 14, 2012

Sadly, we think Mannone will lose his spot despite getting two clean sheets in the Premier League his last two tries. Arsenal need to ensure that Szczesny is fit and, not just fit but match fit, and we expect he starts this match with that in mind. Back to the choices, then. Southampton have been scoring, though not winning, and Arsenal also face Southampton, Man City and Chelsea in the next three. We’re not buying any of Arsenal’s defenders or ‘keepers at this juncture. We like Friedel, but the competition from Lloris and the upcoming schedule – Reading, QPR, Man Utd, Aston Villa and Chelsea – requires a decent rotation option in case Friedel either loses his place, or you are not comfortable starting him in the United and Chelsea fixtures. Our choice in the £5.5m bracket is Tim Howard – he faces Newcastle, Swansea, Southampton, Wigan and QPR in the next five and is decent value to keep clean sheets in two of the five fixtures. Plus, he did score a goal last season.

@fantasygaffer He has for 2 of 3 games, but will Bertrand start for Chelsea? — Kyle Norbury (@usernameofkyle) September 14, 2012

The Ryan Bertrand question is actually an important one. While simply owning the Fantasy Premier League defender is a good decision, the question of starting him in your best XI is another. Bertrand has gotten the full 90′ in the matches he has played, two of three as noted in the tweet, and did not play in the second match gameweek 1. We’re comfortable starting Bertrand in this fixture because we’re not concerned about him being a late substitute. This may prove a neive position but we’re confident that he would not be a defensive substitution and Roberto Di Matteo has shown a willingness to bring on other attacking options (Oscar, Moses, Sturridge). With a starting role as the left attacking winger, Bertrand certainly can provide fantasy premier league points this weekend against QPR.

Last one we’ll touch on is another captain question:

@fantasygaffer would u have tevez or torres as capt or would they be rested for cl? other options are baines and hba.

— Darren (@darrenlike) September 14, 2012

We are all-in on Leighton Baines. That said, it is remarkably hard to give the captain’s armband to a defender in any given week. This may be the exception. Newcastle will be starting a patch-work defense and a back-up goalkeeper as they visit Goodison.  David Moyes’ side has scored 29 goals and allowed 15 in their last 20 Barclays Premier League games at home. The Toffees have to be considered favorites to win this game and if they do, Baines must be considered for at least an assist. He leads all players this season with 16 chances created. The nearest competitor is Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla with 12. The proposition of giving him the armband is not a foolish one but if you’re only considering giving him the ‘band because of concerns over Tevez or Torres then you should given it to one of the forwards. Although both have Champions League midweek, it is too early in the season, and each is a focal point in their respective sides attacking tactics, to worry about rotation. We do expect each to be a candidate for early substitution but we presume that means those matches will be well in hand and, if that is the case, that both Tevez and Torres will have had their best opportunity to post significant fantasy premier league contributions.

For up to date Fantasy EPL analysis please follow us @FantasyGaffer, email fantasygaffer@gmail.com and check back to the site for updates every week day.

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