Another efficient Chelsea display cancels out United’s dismantling of West Ham to take the title to the final day. Good news for us fantasy managers, as we now look to locate those players who have the incentive to turn in the points for us next Sunday. Here’s my notes on the penultimate set of matches.

Team Notes

Chelsea
Grant’s team selection at Newcastle had a few surprises. It saw him restore Essien to the midfield with Lampard rested to the bench, that meant Ferreira returned to right-back. Bridge came in at left-back with Ashley Cole out of the sixteen. Indeed, both Cole’s missed out on starts with Joe Cole relegated to the bench to make way for Anelka who played a wide role in support of Drogba. Kalou also dropped out of the starting lineup and out of the sixteen with Malouda getting a start.

There will be changes again for the final game against Bolton. Anelka is ineligible against his former club because of rulings surrounding the transfer between the two clubs - I’ve written more on that here. Drogba is assured of a start again and I’d imagine that Joe Cole will return in a wide role. Lampard would also seem likely to bow out with the home game so I’d expect Obi to make way with Essien remaining in a midfield role. I’d also expect Ashley Cole to return for Bridge.

Chelsea’s players, along with United’s, appear to offer the biggest potential for points on the final day then. Ballack, Drogba, and possibly Lampard will get worthy attention. However, the back four recorded their 21st clean sheet against Newcastle and must surely be worth a look against Bolton. Perhaps Terry over Drogba would be a wise move for that second transfer?

Man United
United swept passed West Ham with Ronaldo and Tevez predictably profiting. After the Chelsea win at Newcastle, Ferguson will surely go with strength at Wigan next weekend. Nani is suspended for that one so I’d expect Giggs to start with a similar midfield to this weekend alongside him. Rooney is unlikely to be risked however as I’m betting that his hip injury is more fragile than Ferguson is letting on.

Again, it’s United players that will be top of fantasy manager’s wanted list going into the final game. Ronaldo is a given, Tevez will also be popular. The United back four is also worth a look of course if they can be afforded. Interestingly, and in many ways, unjustiably, Ferdinand picked up the maximum FPL bonus points in the win over West Ham - could be a pointer on how the FPL decision makers are currently seeing things.

Everton
Played for the draw at the Emirates with Moyes employng a 5-man midfield and just Johnson up front. They looked comfortable throughout however, Bendtner’s goal and the defeat will mean that they will need to go for the three points against Newcastle next weekend. They are certainly struggling for goals and form so, on paper, they don’t look an obvious source of points. They are, along with Villa, one of the few sides with something to play for on the final day.

Aston Villa
Despite the defeat to Wigan, Everton’s result at the Emirates means that they still have fifth place and a UEFA cup spot in their sights on the last day. They travel to West Ham in a game which looks likely to have goals in it. There still appears to be value in Young, Barry, Agbonlahor and Carew right to the end then, despite this weekend’s result.

Blackburn
They need a top six placing to grab an Intertoto spot - hardly a glittering prize but some incentive for the final game at Birmingham. Of course their opponents have a little more to play for so this game could well bring some decent returns all round. Ridgewell’s injury against Fulham could make him a doubt on Sunday and with Birmingham’s defence already shaky you can easily see Blackburn notching which normally means points for Bentley and Santa Cruz - more on them later.

Fulham
A superb run of results has seen Hodgson scramble his side out of the relegation places. They will now travel to Pompey needing a victory to seal their survival. Fratton Park is not an easy place to get a result but Redknapp’s side will once again be likely to have their minds on the FA Cup Final - a factor that has clearly played a part in recent matches. With huge incentive on the final day - Davies, Bullard and McBride all offer some mid-price potential.

Player Notes

Cesc Fabregas
Out of the sixteen for the Everton game through injury. Wenger confirmed in his post-match press conference that the midfielder had suffered a groin injury in training and that scans had revealed a three-week layoff. That will of course see him miss the trip to Sunderland on the final day - he’ll be offloaded by fantasy managers throughout the land and the cash from his sale should come in handy for that final push over the last set of fixtures. As for who you should look to replace him with - check out the new poll in the left hand menu bar for the latest current opinion from site visitors. From my own perspective, right now I think I’ll try to free up some cash with a cheap option like Everton’s Osman and go for Drogba up front. Ballack is certainly tempting in a straight swap though. More on the Chelsea pair in a bit though.

Dimitar Berbatov
Missed out at Reading after reportedly injuring his groin in training on Friday. The Bulgarian would seem likely to be recalled for the home game with Liverpool, the question is how committed will he and Spurs be to the cause for this final game? It could be an end-to-end showpiece finale for the fans of both clubs. Alternatively, and more likely, it could play out like a training ground stroll. As a quality striker with a home game, Berbatov remains an option although with transfer speculation a likely distraction for him, there appears to be better options for the final day should you be able to free the cash to consider Drogba or Tevez for example.

Santa Cruz
He repaid the heavy fantasy investment in him against Derby with another brace. That prolongs his outstanding form which has seen him hit 5 in the last 4 games. He faces the Birmingham defence next weekend - their weakness at set-plays will be compounded by the tension of the occasion - the Paraguayan looks a good bet to add to his goal tally again then.

David Bentley
An assist and a couple of FPL bonus points for the midfielder - a modest return but certainly in-keeping with his current run - yesterdays was only his second assist in 6 games. Still worth keeping hold of for the final game though, his set-pieces are likely to test a fragile Birmingham defence.

Chris Riggott
His goal, clean sheet and FPL bonus saw him top score amongst defenders this week. A home game with City next weekend represents another opportunity for a clean sheet, making Riggott a worthy purchase if you’re looking to balance the budget for a big price signing.

Antonio Valencia
Finishing strongly and will get some attention after the brace at Villa. However, 3 goals, 4 assists and 12 FPL bonus for the season is a modest return. Up against United next weekend, a club that are rumoured to be amongst his suitors. Will look to shine but could struggle to make an impact. Certainly one who should be considered next season if he remains at Wigan.

Carlos Tevez
A stunning goal against his former club - he looks likely to start once again at Wigan next weekend with Rooney likely to be kept on the bench with the Champions League final in mind.

Jimmy Bullard
An assist and more FPL bonus in a Fulham win. His set pieces and drive from midfield will be vital again as Fulham go for the win at Pompey next weekend. If Fulham get the result, which looks on the cards given Portsmouth current state of mind, you can expect more points from Jimmy.

Michael Ballack
A priceless opening goal for Chelsea his third goal in 3 games - compounded by another 3 FPL bonus points to go with the other maximum he collected against United last time out. The German midfielder is in fine form and has stepped up whilst Lampard has been mourning the death of his mother. He looks strong going into the final game against Bolton - the obvious contender for a straight swap with the injured Fabregas.

Didier Drogba
Just an assist for the big striker against Newcastle but Drogba will be assured a start at home to Bolton next weekend with Anelka unavailable. That appears to offer potential for a decent haul on the final day. Affording the striker will likely require surgery to your lineup but with Fabregas sidelined - Drogba offers a decent incentive for the double transfer.

Yakubu
Dropped to the bench as Moyes went with 4-5-1 as expected but preferred Johnson up front. Will earn a recall against Newcastle next weekend but then many fantasy managers have long given up on the Everton man who has struck just a single goal in his last 8 Premiership starts. He does however join the likes of Drogba, Tevez and Santa Cruz, as “big” strikers who go into the final game with some incentive.

Injuries

Dean Ashton picked up an injury against United and was replaced by Carlton Cole on 55-minutes.

Alfonso Alves sustained a knock against Portsmouth and was replaced by Aliadiere on the hour-mark.

Andre Bikey suffered an injury for Reading against Spurs and was replaced by Matejovsky after 62-minutes.

Diomansy Kamara sufferd a knock against Birmingham and was replaced on 65-minutes.

Liam Ridgewell suffered an ankle injury in the same game and was replaced by Queudrue at half-time.

Steven Pienaar suffered an injury late on against Arsenal and could be a doubt next weekend given his recent fragility.

Ricardo Carvalho picked up a back injury and was replaced by Alex on 77-minutes.

Mark Viduka suffered a blow to his dodgy Achilles in the same match and was replaced by Smith at half-time.

Suspensions

Nani will miss the trip to Wigan and the opening two games of next season for his clash with Lucas Neill.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 9:36 pm and is filed under Injury News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.