News Update: 9 Jan 2012

Why always me?

A summary of highlights occurred over the past few weeks:

• Neil Warnock has been sacked by QPR after a series of terrible results see them only a point above the relegation zone currently.
• Scholes "retired" his retirement and plays again as Manchester United looks short of central midfielder. A signal of no transfer funds available anyone?
• Manchester United led Manchester City 3-0 at half time but conceded two in the next half with one man up for around 80 minutes of the game. I don't know how you guys feel, but to park the bus with one man up is a humiliation for me.
• Manchester United will face Liverpool in the next round of the FA Cup anyway, with the latter just thrashed Oldham 5-1.
• Thierry Henry to have a two-month return to Arsenal. He's one of the most expensive fantasy premier league player of all time. Let's see how he does this time.
• Also coming from MLS is Landon Donovan, who plays for Everton for the second time. Can he improve the goals stat of the Liverpool club? It seems to be a yes currently.
• Multiple foreign clubs are targeting Liverpool star Luis Suarez to steer his way out of the 8-match ban.
• Meanwhile, Liverpool are leading the race to sign Newcastle's ace Demba Ba. It is understood that the Senegal international has a £10m release clause in his contract.

Gameweek 18 Fantasy Preview

Arsene Wenger

Has to play Barca again in Champions League.

Last week was such a sensational week with Manchester United won Arsenal and cemented a comfortable position for them to win the Premier League.

Unfortunately, things had gone worse for Arsene Wenger as the Champions League round of 16 draw which had commenced just now has put them together with Barcelona. The Gunners' match history against Barca is awful.

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PART I: PRE-MATCH ANALYSES

Frank Lampard

Back to starting XI to ensure Chelsea remain in contest for the Premier League trophy.

Chelsea v Manchester United

It's now or never for Chelsea as they face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this weekend to keep their last hope for the Premier League title.

The Blues had only managed to grab six points from the last seven games and that has caused them to drop from first place to fourth. However, things may now go very different with the return of Frank Lampard, which allows the formation of Chelsea's best midfield combination again.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will again miss their playmaker Paul Scholes. His absence means that Chelsea will most likely control possession in the midfield as the likes like Fletcher and Carrick are no match of Essien and Lampard in terms of ball control.

One positive for Chelsea and one negative for Manchester United, I think Chelsea will be able to pick up their first win after one and a half month.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd

The Rest

• Sunderland v Bolton (1-2) - Sunderland to suffer their first home defeat against one of the best away team in the Premiership.
• Arsenal v Stoke (2-1) - A tough game for Gunners but they should be able to make it through.
• Birmingham v Newcastle (0-1) - An unforeseeable game with both sides having the chance to sneak away a victory.
• Blackburn v West Ham (1-0) - Big Sam had just been fired but they should still be able to survive at home against the team at the bottom of the table.
• Wigan v Aston Villa (2-1) - It's not easy to deal with N'Zogbia.
• Liverpool v Fulham (3-0) - Anfield is still a formidable fortress for the Reds.
• West Brom v Wolves (2-1) - With Odemwingie back on form, the home side have my vote of confidence.
• Blackpool v Tottenham (1-1) - The Seasiders' game may once again be delayed due to the lack of undersoil heating at Bloomfield Road.
• Man City v Everton (2-1) - Tevez back to game despite his intention to quit.

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PART II: SQUAD SELECTIONS

Fernando Torres
Does he deserve a trust this week?

Captain Picks

• Fabregas - The captain is back to take charge of Arsenal's attack.
• Torres - Both Liverpool's and Torres' home stats are still amazing.

Squad of XV

GK: Robinson

DF: Samba, Kyrgiakos, Kolarov

MF: Fabregas, Gamst Pedersen, Meireles, Lampard, Bale

F: Torres(C), Tevez

Subs (in order): Carson, Dann, Dawson, Welbeck

Captain: Torres

Emergency Captain: Value

Starting XI Value: £87.9m

Total Team Value: £107.1m

Mark Hughes Frustrates Sir Alex Ferguson

Brede Hangeland
Flew from hell to heaven.

Fulham 2, Manchester United 2.

Not quite a score that Ferguson wanted as they are now two points and nine goal differences behind Chelsea. They don't deserve a win however, with those shaky defences and the pathetic decision of letting Nani to take the penalty. You have Scholes, you have Giggs, and you let Nani? What a joke.

Hangeland scored two but it was one for each side. Still, he should be happy as he scored for the opponent first. If it was the other way round, he will suffer.

Mark Hughes looked great in managing the team. Very fluent exchanges and no sole reliance on any of his players. He does look suitable to manage a middle table club rather than clubs made up by filthy money.

One more thing, it was Berbatov and Scholes again who took the team. You know who to buy from United, don't you?