Fantasy Football Tipster: Gameweek 15

After a brief hiatus our WhoScored fantasy football tipster is back and in full swing ahead of gameweek 15 in the Premier League.

Here we select an XI of players that we perceive will perform well in their respective upcoming matches based on statistics rather than pure opinion.

We take into account a player's form, record against a certain opponent and, all importantly, our unique match forecasts to make our selections. The forecasts are generated when one team's strength matches up to an opponent's weakness, therefore making their likeness to exploit said weakness high.

Goalkeeper

We start, as ever, between the sticks, opting for a keeper that may represent good value this week given that he is generally considered United's second choice. Anders Lindegaard has, however, been given the nod over David De Gea in recent weeks and, after a clean sheet on Wednesday, should keep his place against a Reading side that may well struggle to penetrate the Red Devils' backline.

Defence

Taking his place at right-back in our side is Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta, who has arguably been the top performer during Rafa Benitez's two unsuccessful games in charge. The Spaniard has started each of the last 5 league games with the Blues conceding just 4 goals in that time as their problems continue to lie at the other end of the field. With opponents West Ham scoring just 4 in their last 6, and never more than once in a game in that run, a third consecutive clean sheet isn't out of the question.

On the opposite flank to Azpilicueta we have picked Steven Whittaker, whose return from injury and subsequent emergence in the Norwich side has coincided with a remarkable run. The Canaries have conceded just twice in the 5 matches that the Scot has played this season and face a Sunderland side that have failed to find the net 6 times already this season, with no either side firing a blank more often.

At centre-back we opt for Jonny Evans, who is fast becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's first choice in the absence of Nemanja Vidic. As mentioned, United face second from bottom Reading in the late kick-off on Saturday and the Northern Irishman could have a reasonably quiet evening. Having scored 3 goals in all competitions already this season who’s to say Evans couldn't add another against a Royals defence that struggled from set pieces against Villa in midweek.

Completing our backline is Spurs summer signing Jan Vertonghen who, along with compatriot Dembele, is quickly becoming a fans favourite at White Hart Lane. The Belgian made 11 tackles to help keep Liverpool at bay on Wednesday - the most by any player in a single game this season - and faces a Fulham side that have struggled against Tottenham recently. The Cottagers have only netted twice in the last 7 encounters between the sides, one of which came courtesy of a Kaboul own goal, and Spurs will hope to pick up a rare clean sheet this weekend.

Midfield

Our three-man midfield consists of two very attacking wide options, with the first on fire in front of goal of late. Theo Walcott has justifiably worked his way back into the Arsenal XI having netted 9 goals in his last 11 matches in all competitions, and faces an inexperienced full-back in Swansea's Ben Davies this Saturday. According to the match forecast Arsenal are likely to score through a piece of individual skill, and Walcott may well come up with some magic once again.

The other of the two wide men plays for the Gunners fierce local rivals, with Tottenham's Aaron Lennon scoring his second goal of the season in midweek, having also picked up 3 assists thus far. We've banked on Lennon here due to the fact that the match forecast for Spurs' game against Fulham suggests the visitors will score from a fast break, and few can get up in support of counter attacks quicker than the England international.

Sandwiched between our pacy wingers is Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam, who has scored twice in his last 4 games for the Potters. It is, however, his record against this weekend's opponents West Brom that sees him chosen here, with the Scottish international finding the net in 2 of his 3 matches against the Baggies in the past. With set piece duties always likely to favour a Stoke player, Adam could be among the points again on Saturday.

Attack

The league's top scorer Luis Suarez is undoubtedly our least controversial pick up front, up against a Southampton side that have contributed to their own downfall more than any other this season. The Saints have committed a league high of 9 individual errors that have led to goals this season, with keeper Paulo Gazzaniga doing so in 3 of their last 4 matches. If Adkins’ side continues to hand chances to opponents on a plate this season, on current form no player will be quicker to get his gnashers on them than the Uruguayan.

Our value option up front this week comes in the form of the only fit striker available to new QPR boss Harry Redknapp. Djibril Cisse has been far from firing on all cylinders this season but faces a favourable opponent this weekend as Aston Villa make the trip to the capital. The Frenchman has scored more times against Villa (4 in 6) than any other team in the Premier League and the atmosphere should give the home players a boost in the new manager's first game in charge at Loftus Road.

Completing our XI, and the most controversial selection of the lot here, is much-maligned Chelsea front man Fernando Torres. The Spaniard looks set to retain the faith of fellow countryman Benitez when Chelsea visit West Ham, and Torres will have happy memories of this fixture. He has netted 6 goals in 6 games against the Hammers, failing to do so more times against any other team in the league, and struck his first ever Chelsea goal against the East Londoners back in 2011.