Fantasy Football: Newcastle winger Andros Townsend and Chelsea's Eden Hazard amongst must-haves

We take a look at the players you should have in your fantasy team this weekend

The footballing world is still in disbelief - Leicester City are champions of the Premier League. Whilst the league title may have been decided, fantasy football managers still have plenty of work to do to secure their own day of glory come the end of the season.

The Independent have teamed up with daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com and together we have analysed the key stats to identify four players that simply must be in your fantasy football team this weekend.

Oulala's extensive database of statistics, which comprises of 70 different criteria sourced straight from Opta, offers the perfect platform to pick out the stars you cannot afford to be without in the remaining weeks.

With Chelsea coming back from two goals down to deny Tottenham the chance to extend the title race for another week, it was Eden Hazard who scored the equaliser and ultimately confirmed Leicester’s title win. Despite being the Blues’ star man last campaign, Hazard has not been anywhere near as effective this season. That said, since returning from injury the Belgian playmaker has been the best player in the team. In his last two games, Hazard has scored three times from six shots. Impressively, all six have hit the target – a shot accuracy of 100 per cent ranks him best across the division for players with at least five shots. His conversion rate of 50 per cent is very handy, especially from midfield, whilst Hazard has also managed a team-leading 10 successful take ons. After deciding the title race on Monday night, Chelsea could have a significant impact on the other end of the table as they travel to Sunderland on Saturday. Guus Hiddink will be counting on Hazard to continue his fine run, and he will need it against a Black Cats side that have conceded only once in their previous three league outings.

Eden Hazard celebrates his goal against Tottenham (Getty)

Whilst many identified Aleksandar Mitrović as the key to Newcastle’s hopes of survival in the final weeks of this season, it has actually been Andros Townsend who has stepped up in recent weeks. In the last six games, the winger has scored three times and fired off 12 shots – both team bests. Townsend also boasts an impressive 80 per cent shot accuracy, which is the best in the league amongst players with at least 10 shots. He has been just as creative for his teammates, laying on two assists and creating seven goal scoring chances – again, both best at the club. His 14 successful take-ons is yet another stat that Townsend is leading the way with. Crucially, his strong performances have been translating into points for the club, as demonstrated by his stunning free kick in the 1-0 win against former manager Alan Pardew and his travelling Crystal Palace side. Newcastle are away at Villa Park this weekend, and you’d fancy Townsend adding to his goal scoring tally against a Villa side who have conceded seven goals in their last two league games.

Andros Townsend (Getty)

Manchester United defender Daley Blind has got to be in your team if the stats are anything to go by. Not only has the Dutch star been a factor in the Red Devils keeping four clean sheets in their last six games, but he has also been rather useful in attack. Defensively, Blind leads the team in tackles won (15), interceptions (16) and blocks (7), whilst also ranking second in clearances with 15. Moving up the pitch, he has been showing up some of the more attacking players with his vision and creativity. In addition to leading the team in the aforementioned defensive stats, Blind ranks best in successful take-ons (5), successful passes per game (46) and chances created (8). Defenders who can have a demonstrable impact in attack are an absolute must for any fantasy team. Manchester United travel to Carrow Road for this weekend’s early kick off, and Blind will surely have fantasy scoring opportunities at both ends of the pitch against a Norwich side who have failed to score in their previous three games, whilst also conceding five goals in their last two games at home.

Daley Blind celebrates with Marcos Rojo after Manchester United's victory over Everton (Getty)

Andy Carroll is certainly making a good case for inclusion in the England squad for the Euros, even if manager Roy Hodgson looks set to snub the in form Hammers striker. The no.9 has scored six goals in his last six games, firing off 22 shots in the process. His shot accuracy of 61 per cent leads all teammates for players with at least 10 shots. The striker has also assisted a goal and created seven chances in the process. For a forward known for his proficiency in the air, it will come as no surprise that Carroll has won a Hammers-best 31 aerial duels in that spell. West Ham welcome Swansea to the Boleyn Ground this weekend. Whilst the Welsh side have been tight at the back at home, conceding just once in their last four at the Liberty Stadium, away from home has been a different story as they’ve let in 12 goals in their previous four away trips in the league. Expect Carroll to find the back of the net once more this weekend.

Stats supplied by daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com

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