Fantasy preview GW25 - GW29

The EPL is entering it's business end of the season and so too is the fantasy premier league. Small but crucial decisions will determine winners of private leagues. Take a good look at the detailed preview of the next 5 GWs as predicted by the meticulous observations of our experts to give your FPL team a real shot in the arm.There has been a trend this season of central defenders receiving a large share of the bonus points due to the modifications in the BP scoring system. A good defense + GK can be a reliable bet of getting a decent amount of points. Also unlike attacking which needs individuals to contribute (and thus the best attackers are expensive), defensive contributions are a team effort which means that you can pick the cheapest playing defender in a team and he'll generally get points similar to his teammates (highly unlikely in attack).
Thus, the main concentration in this post will be building a great defense and then picking up the best attackers you can afford.

GK & DEFENCE:
A look at the fixtures sheet and defensive record marks the following teams out as favorites for picking up a fair amount of clean sheets over the next 5 GWs:
ARS: liv, MUN, SUN, stk, SWA
The gunners have a great defensive record and should pick up clean sheets against Sunderland, Stoke and Swansea. The inconsistent form of Liverpool and Manchester United means a pretty high possibility of 4CS in the next 5 GWs.
CAR: swa, AVL, HUL, tot, FUL
For relegation threatened Cardiff City, the next 5 GWs  present a great possibility to steer clear of the mire at the bottom. And with the quality they possess in their squad it would not be a surprise to see them picking up at least 3 wins in their next 5 games with the toothless attack of Hull City and Fulham away from home giving them a fair chance of 2 to 3 clean sheets in the next 5.
Player(s) to watch:

• Steven Caulker(5.2): Sure starter, bonus point magnet, set piece threat and an ex-Spur. Pick him!
  

West Ham United: avl, NOR, SOU, eve, HUL
Despite  being in the relegation zone, the Hammers have managed the joint-most number of clean sheets(11) in the league! Their recent struggles were due to four of their central defenders not playing (due to injury) and Modibo Maiga playing. Since the return of their first choice defensive partnership of Tomkins and Collins, West Ham have picked up 2 clean sheets in 2 games. An appeal over Andy Carroll's red card is pending, and should he be deemed available, it will be a big boost for Big Sam's boys who we predict to reasonably pick up 2 to 3 clean sheets over the next 5 GWs.
Player(s) to watch:

• Adrian (4.3): Since claiming the number 1 spot from veteran Jaaskelainen, he has the highest shots saved per game ratio in the league. So even if the solid Hammers defense is breached, expect the youngster to save the day. 
  
• James Collins (4.1): A fantasy favorite earlier in the season, his value and CS potential makes him a good buy. He can also be a handful at set pieces.

SOU: STK, hul, whu, LIV, cpl
The Saints recent resurgence has coincided with a return to fitness of Artur Boruc, their Polish shot stopper. Fixtures against Stoke, Hull, West Ham and Crystal Palace seem favorable as also their home fixture against Liverpool whom they defeated earlier in the season at Anfield.
Player(s) to watch:

• Artur Boruc (4.7): The Saints home games rotate perfectly with the Hammers, thus making Boruc and Adrian a highly tempting combination
• Jose Fonte (5.3): Enjoying the peak form of his career under Pochettino, the large bonus point potential of the Portuguese makes him an attractive proposition

EVE: tot, CPL, che, WHU, new
Expect the Toffees to pick up CS against Palace and West Ham with a Cabaye-less Newcastle also looking toothless and devoid of creativity. They too should manage 2 to 3 CS over the next 5 GWs.
Player(s) to watch:

• Leighton Baines (7.4): The most expensive defender in the game and for a good reason. He has unfailingly delivered an astonishing number of points in each of the last 5 seasons. With the team performing at a new high under Martinez, the little Scouser will pick up more clean sheets than before. Martinez has also given his full backs more freedom than they enjoyed under Moyes and come the end of the season, it will reflect in his already superb attacking contributions. Also a set piece specialist!

Other teams to watch:
Crystal Palace: Enjoying a resurgence under Tony Pulis with 5 clean sheets under him as compared to none before.
Manchester United: A decent run of games combined with the return of Rooney and RVP can give them a boost which might also reflect in the defense
Manchester City: The Citizens have GW28 off due to their League Cup Final with Sunderland though they face Norwich, Sunderland and Stoke in their first three GWs.

Probable defensive 7(2GK + 5DEF): Boruc(4.7), Adrian(4.3), Baines(7.4), Koscielny(5.7), Caulker(5.2), Gabbidon(4.4), Collins(4.1). Total = 35.8

MID + FWD:
With 60 quid left to spend on 8 players, we'll go for 2 expensive forwards and 2 expensive midfielders.
Manchester City have a decent run of games coming up and after their recent Mourinho-engineered defeat, expect them to come out all guns blazing. With Aguero injured, Yaya Toure(10.2) and Alvaro Negredo(9.8) look the best buys. But as is often the case with leading attackers, their prices have gone up significantly and if you've not picked them up earlier, the cheaper alternatives could be David Silva(9.3) / Jesus Navas(8.3) for the midfield slot and Edin Dzeko(7.1) up front. City are also bound to have a double GW later in the season (GW28 is off for them) and stocking up now could prove vital to avoid the late price increase before the said double GW.
Any one out of Juan Mata(9.8) and Eden Hazard(10.6) partnering the in-form Adam Lallana(7.9) should fill the expensive midfield slots.
Luis Suarez(13.4) has been in utterly devastating form this season and leaving him out seems crazy, but a second glance reveals that Sturridge(9.8) has 91 points (a mere 15 less) in the 11 games they've played together. Considering that Sturridge is 3.6 quid cheaper, leaving out Suarez seems almost sensible.
We've thus far chosen four players in the expensive slot and one(Lallana) in the pricey bracket. The three eight budget options should nicely round up our team.
Adam Johnson(7.0) has been in great form but there has been an element of luck to a few of his goals and with Sunderland missing GW28 and facing Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool in three out of the other four, it seems prudent not to invest in him now. Ki Sung-Yueng(4.9) is a much cheaper alternative and is more integral to the Black Cats attacking play. He can be a decent bet to bag some attacking returns in the home fixture against Hull. If Andy Carroll's ban is rescinded, Kevin Nolan(6.5) looks a good choice. He shares a great understanding with Carroll and has an uncanny ability of being in the right place at the right time. Another alternative could be Christian Eriksen (7.4) who has been in decent form under Tim Sherwood. This takes our spending to 94.7£. Hopefully you would probably have got 2 to 3 of the above listed expensive buys earlier in the season. Depending on your timing and luck, you should have saved around 1.5 to 2.5 quid.
For our moderate/cheap forward either of Emmanuel Adebayor(8.0) or Jay Rodriguez(6.6) would do well.

Probable attacking 8 (5MID + 3FWD): Toure(10.2), Mata(9.8), Lallana(7.9), Kevin Nolan(6.5) / Christian Eriksen(7.4), Ki Sun-Yueng(4.9), Sturridge(9.8), Negredo(9.8), Emmanuel Adebayor(8.0) / Jay Rodriguez(6.6)