Friday, November 19, 2010

Gameweek 14 Fantasy Preview

Charlie Adam
Our fantasy favourite is set to miss this week's game.
As usual, the international fixtures "killed' some of our fantasy hot picks. Fortunate enough for Torres and Kuyt's owners though as they are both declared fit to face West Ham this weekend. Speaking of last gameweek, it was very disastrous for me as I barely reached 30 when the average score was hitting 50. My latest ranking is double of mine a gameweek before.



PART I: PRE-MATCH ANALYSES
Gareth Bale
"Run Forrest run!"
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal will be looking forward to capitalise Chelsea's injury crisis ahead of this weekend's match-opener against their derby rival Tottenham Hotspur.

The best left-wing of the era - Gareth Bale - finally found some form in the Premier League after a 4-2 demolition of Blackburn. Bacary Sagna will struggle to defend him - so don't expect him to get forward often and get rewarded with a goal/assist.

The recent head-to-head match-up shows that the Gunners do have some advantage at home, but you can expect lots of goals shared in between for such intense derby between two attacking sides. Do start all Arsenal and Tottenham's attacking players, if you have them.

Prediction: Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham

The Rest
  • Birmingham v Chelsea (0-0) - It looks like Ancelotti's players will continue to lose themselves without their commanders - Terry and Essien - in defence and midfield.
  • Blackpool v Wolves (0-1) - Blackpool is better at away and Adam will be out for this game.
  • Bolton v Newcastle (2-1) - Can Elmander score his first home goal as Bolton try to improve their home record?
  • Man Utd v Wigan (3-1) - I don't think N'Zogbia can fool around at Old Trafford. Should be three easy points for United.
  • West Brom v Stoke City (1-1) - West Brom to continue their poor form as Stoke finally have some fire power upfront.
  • Liverpool v West Ham (2-1) - It's unpredictable how much damage will Gerrard's absence do but Torres should be able to score one in this game.
  • Blackburn v Aston Villa (0-1) - Looks like the Villans will get their first away win this season as the midfield trio - Young, Downing and Albrigton - are all in form.
  • Fulham v Man City (2-1) - Can Mark Hughes capitalise City's internal problems and take a revenge against them? I say yes.
  • Sunderland v Everton (2-2) - Ecstatic Sunderland will give the Toffees a hard time at the Stadium of Light. Anyway, do you know that Sunderland had only lost once this season?



PART II: SQUAD SELECTIONS
Luis Nani
Ruined Ronaldo's goal during the international clash against Spain.
Captain Picks
  • Nani - United is a big bully of Wigan.
  • Torres - Almost sure to be the scorer if Liverpool scores.
Sell-Outs
  • Gerrard - Injured.
  • Chelsea players - Lost their composure due to the absence of key players. They have a crazy set of fixtures ahead.
Squad of XV
GK: Foster
DF: Bosingwa, Vidic, Kyrgiakos
MF: Fabregas, Van der Vaart, Nani(C), Cahill
F: Torres, Elmander, Gyan

Subs (in order): Robinson, Albrigton, Luke Young, Huth
Captain: Nani
Emergency Captain: Value
Starting XI Value: £86.5m
Total Team Value: £105.8m

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Steven Gerrard Injured

Steven Gerrard
He can only sit beside the field for the next three to four weeks.
Liverpool was the latest victim of international schedules as their skipper Steven Gerrard sustained an injury in the 1-2 defeat to France.

This will further deplete Liverpool's recovery from slump. I wonder who will be able to provide those quality passes that Gerrard can do. Shelvey?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Chelsea on Danger?

John Terry
Injury could sideline him for months.
Chelsea could be now in a deep, deep trouble with the injuries sustained by its two main centre back - Terry and Alex. The former is out for an unknown period - maybe weeks or months - while the latter has confirmed to out for six to eight weeks.

This means that Chelsea can only continue their games with one natural centre back - Ivanovic. I highly doubt Ferreira's ability to cover up that position.

A very good chance for Arsenal and Man Utd to steal the title away.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Onuoha Scored A Messi Style Goal

Nedum Onuoha
How the hell did he do that?
Splendid. Onuoha dribbled past several players before shooting comfortably past Cech. A very classic Messi like attempt.

Chelsea are now trailing in the end of first half, conceding for the first time in Stamford Bridge this season. Take note that if Cech wasn't the man protecting the square, the Blues would have trailed by more than one goal.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Glen Johnson Took A Revenge Against Silly Roy

Glen Johnson
"God damn you Uncle Roy! I'm good at going forward, not parking the bus behind!"
Following Roy Hodgson's public criticise against the English right-back, Glen Johnson returned a favour to him by complaining his boring tactics to the press.

I feel him. He is an offensive style defender and Hodgson's foolish middle-club tactics certainly doesn't suite him and Liverpool at all.

Roy Hodgson, unarguably, is the worst top-club manager I have ever seen since the Premier League era, both on and off the pitch. Pathetic.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Ian Holloway Getting Mad



Ian Holloway exploded in front of media after being questioned about the possibility of being fined for making 10 changes in the game against Aston Villa.

I am in full support of him. As a manager, you make the right strategy to get maximum points, and he was only doing that. After all, the likes like Marlon Harewood matches the standard of Blackpool's starting XI.

Salute the legend.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Gameweek 13 Fantasy Preview

Joey Barton
Punched Pedersen in his last game and banned for three games.
The Premier League will back on action again this weekend with fatigue a major concern for fantasy managers. Be prepared for some unexpected drop-offs and a big number of clean sheets.



PART I: PRE-MATCH ANALYSES
Robin Van Persie
Deserves a close monitor by fantasy managers.
Everton v Arsenal
The Gunners will face a tough challenge this week facing the Toffees who is undefeated for seven games.

It's pretty interesting to see how Liverpool and Everton managed to fall into the relegation zone together and then bounce back in style but Everton has been solid recently. Tim Cahill, as always, will be the main threat for Arsenal's defence with his ultimate headers.

As for Arsenal, Fabregas will continue to lead the attack and may as well find himself some goals and assists. Arsenal's second ace, Van Persie is now fit but it's still unknown that whether he will start with or without Chamakh or won't start at all.

I think Tim Cahill will score another header but it will be the Gunners who smile when the match ends.

Prediction: EVE 1-2 ARS


Patrice Evra
Has the possibility to join C-Ron at Real if the Glazers refuse to make sound investments on the squad.
Aston Villa v Manchester United
The Red Devils will have to travel to Villa Park without a big number of injured players.

Evra (ankle) and Rafael (dead leg) are the latest to join Manchester United's red cross army which already contains Rooney, Owen, Hargreaves, Valencia and Giggs. This certainly gives a lot of reasons for the Villans to fight for point(s) against United.

Villa, on the other hand, have Agbonlahor recovered from injury as the home side finally have a fit senior striker available. He may as well lead the line with Young and Downing to breakdown the away side's defence.

With Berbatov losing his form and Nani having just recovered from an injury, I think United will drop more points away. After all, they have only won once on the road this season.

Prediction: AST 0-0 MANU

The Rest

  • Man City v Birmingham (2-0) - Tevez to lead the line and crush the Brums.
  • Newcastle v Fulham (2-0) - Barton will miss the game but Nolan and Carroll will provide the Magpies the edge.
  • Tottenham v Blackburn (2-0) - Van der Vaart scored in every league game played in White Hart Lane and I expect that to continue.
  • West Ham v Blackpool (2-2) - Avram Grant has a lot to think about his side's defence.
  • Wigan v West Brom (1-2) - Odemwingie is back and he should make a difference.
  • Wolves v Bolton (1-2) - I will stick with Bolton, Davies and Elmander who are more consistent.
  • Stoke City v Liverpool (1-2) - It will be disastrous for the Reds to waste their victory against Chelsea.
  • Chelsea v Sunderland (2-0) - Chelsea is still unbeatable at home.



PART II: SQUAD SELECTIONS
Didier Drogba
"@*#$ you, malaria!"
Captain Picks
  • Drogba - "Malaria will not stop him," claimed Kalou.
  • Tevez - Two-third of City's league goals are either scored or made up by him.
  • Van der Vaart - Still leads the line before Defoe recovers.
Buy-Ins
  • Gyan - Bent will still out and Steve Bruce may be convinced to play 4-4-2 when he recovers.
  • Tevez - On a very strong position for Golden Boot.
Sell-Outs
  • Barton - Suspended for three games.
Squad of XV
GK: Hart
DF: Hutton, Bosingwa, O'Shea
MF: Van der Vaart, Nolan, Adam, Fabregas
F: Drogba, Tevez(C), Piquionne

Subs (in order): Krul, N'Zogbia, Konchesky, Luke Young
Captain: Tevez
Emergency Captain: Value
Starting XI Value: £83.4m
Total Team Value: £103.2m