This article is part of our Thunderbastard series.
Here is the bet: you can have Chelsea vs. the field for this year's Premier League title or Kentucky vs. the field for this year's NCAA Tournament. Whether you would throw your money behind Mourinho or Calipari's boys (I would pick Chelsea), one thing is clear: this is a great time of year!
So, in honor of March Madness, I offer you a special look at EPL Gameweek 30, NCAA Basketball style!
The 1 Seeds:
Every year there is so much focus on who will be the No. 1 seeds. When it comes to filling out your brackets, it makes sense to pay attention to seeding, as a No. 1 seed has won the NCAA Tournament six of the last eight years.
When it comes to fantasy options, it pays to have some of the perennial one-seeds on your roster as well. You all know the names: Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez, Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero, and if you have them, well, you should play them (advice like that is why I get the big bucks). This week is obviously no different, with Kane and Aguero my two favorite options. However, if you are looking for a new name to add to the top of your bracket, try Olivier Giroud (£8.4), who has 31 points in his last four league fixtures and he should continue this strong form against Newcastle on Saturday. Giroud has seven goals in his last seven starts in all competitions and should add to that this week against a Newcastle club that seems to have little to play for. Expect Giroud to possibly climb into the top-five goal scorers in the league with this prime match-up.
As for the tourney No. 1 seeds, don't put too many eggs in the Villanova basket. The Wildcats could easily struggle with the winner of NCST/LSU game in the round of 32.
Cinderella Story:
Everybody loves an underdog. Cinderella stories are an integral and thrilling part of every single NCAA Tournament. For some, it is a single program-defining victory, such as when TJ Sorrentine hit one "from the parking lot" to lead 13th-seeded Vermont over No. 4 Syracuse in 2004 (neither UVM nor Syracuse made this year's tournament, but at least Vermont was eligible for it!)
For others, it is a tournament run, like in 2006 when 11th-seeded George Mason caught the nation's attention with their thrilling Final Four run. For a small few, it means running the table and winning the ultimate goal, with Jim Valvano's NC State run in 1983 being the most famous example.
The desire to cheer for an underdog is no different in the Premier League. Last week, most of us smiled (and laughed a little) when not-so-mighty Burnley knocked off Man City in a game that may have taken City out of the title race and cost their coach his job. Well, because we are human, we will now cheer for a new underdog to win and to reignite the title race.
Gameweek 30 gives Hull City the best chance to be the Premier League's newest Cinderella when they take on Chelsea. Since back to back 3-0 loses in January, Hull has played everybody close going 2-1-3 in their last six fixtures. Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been steady (yet unspectacular) and defender Paul McShane has played very well in Hull's recent stretch of good games. However, if you are to pick a player to roll the dice with from this massive underdog, the choice is easy: Dame N'Doye (£5.5), who has three goals in his last four league starts and is a threat on all dead balls thanks to his 6-foot-1 frame. If Hull has any hopes of pulling off the upset, it is going to take N'Doye to write this Cinderella Story!
The 12 vs. 5 Game:
We have been raised to know that 12s can (and will) beat 5s. It seems like it should be a huge upset, however, we never are really surprised when it happens. Just look at your bracket: how many of you picked either Stephen F. Austin or Buffalo, or both?
This week, even though they aren't exactly ranked 5 and 12, there is a comparable game in the BPL. On Saturday, Aston Villa is hosting Swansea City in a game where the standings suggest the Swans should certainly win. However, this has all the makings of a classic upset, which really isn't an upset. Villa, winners of their last two, should be very motivated, since a win could propel them six points out of the drop zone and into a tie for 14th in the league. A loss and they could be right back in the bottom three. Though Swansea seems pretty set in the mid-table range, they have lost their last two fixtures and I am expecting Villa to make it loss No. 3.
From a fantasy standpoint, you can expect two players to lead them to this much-needed victory: Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
The 24 year old Benteke (£7.4) has scored 25 fantasy points in Villa's current two-game win streak. He has three goals, one assist, and a Man of the Match designation during this impressive individual run. Agboblahor (£5.2) has three goals in his last two league games and has put up 20 fantasy points during this stretch. Swansea is giving up 14.6 shots per game (only five teams are giving up more) and Villa seems to have finally figured out how to score. Expect these two forwards to continue their hot streak and help you win your battle this week. You can always count on a "12 seed." (I picked Buffalo)
The Final Four:
"Who is your final four?" This is likely the most commonly asked question across the country all week (I'm going Kentucky, Arizona, Duke and Northern Iowa). Well, the BPL has quite a race for its final four as well. Though Chelsea seems to have wrapped up the top spot already (unless, of course, they lose to Hull this week - Cinderella!), the race for the next three spots is going to come down to some key, huge games.
We have one of those huge games this weekend, as Manchester United travels west to take on Liverpool. There is a mere four points separating fifth and second place on the table and it is likely that these games that include the top-five will dictate what clubs are playing Champions League ball next year.
This fixture pits two of the hottest teams in the Premier League against each other. Liverpool has won eight of their last nine league matches and have kept a clean sheet in seven of those games. Man U, though from the amount of crap van Gaal takes you would think they were in a relegation battle, are undefeated in 17 of their last 19 league fixtures.
From a Liverpool standpoint, it is hard to bet against Jordan Henderson (£6.4) and his recent form. Henderson has compiled 31 fantasy points while scoring a goal in each of his last three games. One other thing to consider with Liverpool is that Steven Gerrard is healthy again and Brendan Rodgers will have to decide if Stevie G will find the field in his last match vs. Man U. Gerrard isn't your likely fantasy play, but you need to consider what his insertion into the lineup might do to others.
As for Man U, well, they aren't going to win (see pick below), and you can expect that by the end of this weekend they will be out of the final four.
Thunderbastard pick of the week: Liverpool 3-0
Liverpool is too much for United and the Anfield fans get one more shining moment (reference for the true college hoop fan).
Thunderbastard of the Week:Matthew Phillips hit this amazing TB earlier this month (I do love the Nike swoosh on the slo-mo)!
