A weekend that threw the form book out of the proverbial window, with Liverpool routing the United defence and Wigan and Fulham finding goals on the road. Fantasy returns were unspectacular as a result, although Arshavin investors got an early and handsome pay day out of the little Russian. Here’s the notes on an extraordinary weekend…
Arsenal 4 Blackburn 0
As expected after the 120 minutes in Rome, Wenger made changes to his lineup. The headline news was that Van Persie again sat on the bench for the third time in four games. That meant that Bendtner started up front, with Arshavin playing up with him. Walcott was handed a first start since returning from injury with Eboue making way. Song was promoted from the bench to replace Diaby, while Djourou replaced the rested Gallas.
Allardyce was without skipper Ryan Nelsen who had sustained a thigh strain at Fulham in midweek, so he brought Simpson in at right-back and shifted Ooijer alongside Samba in the centre. Mokoena came into the midfield for Tugay, while Khizanishvili replaced Andrews who dropped to the bench. Roberts started up front once again, with Santa Cruz out with a knee injury and McCarthy still out of favour on the bench.
Arshavin stole the show here and promoted himself further in the eyes of fantasy managers with another two assists and his first Premier League goal. Bendtner could have easily surpassed the Russian’s tally on the day but missed numerous chances. Van Persie owners can only imagine the kind of damage their man would have done on the day, making it even more frustrating that Wenger again kept him benched. Patience with the Dutchman must be wearing thin now, particularly with Arshavin providing a ready-made replacement.
Arshavin has collected an impressive 7 FPL bonus points in his four appearances so far, in addition to 3 assists and his goal here. The bonus could continue to come pouring in, although the return of Fabregas and Adebayor in the next 2-3 weeks may well stem the flow on their return from injury. I still have my doubts on the Russian’s fantasy value then, with a wide role surely beckoning once Adebayor and Eduardo return to fitness. In the short-term however, he has form and fixtures in his favour.
There can be no doubt about Arsenal’s continued defensive resolve. This was their seventh clean sheet in the last ten league games. Further fantasy investment in their defence looks likely then, although the Gunners still have Liverpool, Chelsea and United left to play in their last nine games which should be a consideration. Clichy and Sagna now look the safest options considering that Djourou presents a strong rest/rotation option for Wenger in central defence.
Injuries and Bans
Givet picked up an injury and was forced off after just 13 minutes. Warnock also sustained a knock and was replaced Olsson on 55 minutes.
Bolton 1 Fulham 3
Megson brought Gardner into his eleven, dropping Muamba to the bench in the only change. Andy O’Brien again kept Puygrenier on the bench. Hodgson brought Zamora back into his lineup after he recovered from a hip injury. Hughes recovered from a rib injury to take his place alongside Hangeland in defence.
Fulham surprised us all here by doubling their tally of goals away from home this season in one match. Those fantasy managers that kept faith with their Fulham players following the double gameweek, got an unexpected reward then. However, home games with United and Liverpool to come over the next two gameweeks may see scant returns at both ends.
As for Bolton, they proved that their defence cannot be trusted, even at the Reebok against shot-shy opponents. At least there was some consistency from them at the sharp-end. Kevin Davies struck his fifth goal in seven games and his tenth league goal of the season. He continues to represent outstanding value then, despite being a less than glamorous option up front. Barring a trip to Chelsea in gameweek 32, his fixtures remain strong enough to warrant consideration in the weeks to come. Although there has been a suggestion from Megson that Davies may be shifted to midfield to tighten things up away from home. Even so, he still looks a good cheap option for home games at least.
Injuries and Bans
Mark Davies picked up an injury and was replaced on 68 minutes.
Everton 3 Stoke 1
Moyes kept Saha on the bench and started with Jo and Fellaini up front, with Cahill dropping back to central midfield. Hibbert was missing again so Jagielka started at right-back with Lescott and Yobo paired in the centre. Rodwell dropped to the bench with Pienaar starting with Neville, Osman and Cahill.
As for Stoke, Pulis kept Etherington on the bench, despite his return from suspension, so Lawrence started on the left of midfield. Sidibe kept Fuller on the bench once again.
Another home win for Everton, who look formidable at Goodison right now, having won five of their last six at home. Stoke denied them a fourth consecutive clean sheet but that shouldn’t perturb further interest in the likes of Jagielka, Baines and Lescott. The latter grabbed his fourth goal of the season here – a reminder of his predatory instincts once he reaches the opposing penalty area. Baines meanwhile, chipped in another assist – his sixth of the season and his fourth in nine games.
Cahill’s calf injury which saw him subbed at half-time will be a minor concern, although the noise from the club post-match indicated that he was subbed as a precaution. The Aussie was deployed in a deeper role in this one, with Fellaini in support of Jo up front. Personally, I think Moyes swapped them to give his side a more physical presence up front against the Stoke centre-backs. Cahill will likely alternate with Fellaini in the supporting striker role but currently, I don’t feel that detracts from Cahill’s fantasy potential. As for Saha, caution is advised. Moyes is clearly using him sparingly.
Everton’s fixtures are kind enough to see further profits at both ends, with only Chelsea from the top 4, left to play. As for Stoke, their fixture list shows that they should remain a consideration. The goal for Shawcross may have started a mini budget bandwagon, with Stoke’s defence and Beattie up front looking good options over three of the next four gameweeks.
Injuries and Bans
Tim Cahill was replaced by Saha at half-time and Everton reported after the game that he was suffering from problems with a calf and that Moyes had withdrawn him as a precaution.
Hull 1 Newcastle 1
Phil Brown kept Zayatte in midfield alongside Ashbee and Kilbane at left-back. That meant that Dawson returned from suspension but was kept on the bench. Hughton started with Owen up front with Martins, Smith shifted to a midfield role. Butt returned from injury but Geremi kept his place on the right with Gutierrez on the left. Ryan Taylor dropped to the bench along with Lovenkrands. Duff made a return from injury to sit alongside them.
Hull appeared to settle for a point once Newcastle had drawn level. Hull appear to looking to stumble over the line to safety rather than look for goals that will win them games. That could impact on the appeal of Geovanni who reinstated himself as a fantasy option which a smart goal to give Hull the lead here. Fixtures are in Hull’s favour over the next four gameweeks, which could see some interest in the Brazilian and the likes of Turner and Mendy. Healthy returns at both ends do look doubtful however.
Newcastle meanwhile, remain a barren wasteland of fantasy talent. Owen may enjoy some attention once he has proven his fitness and recovered his sharpness. Fixtures in the short-term, do not work in Owen or Newcastle’s favour though.
Man United 1 Liverpool 4
Ferguson dropped the ageing legs of Scholes and Giggs to the bench as expected – a clear sign that priorities for those two will be Champions League games. Park came in out wide, while Anderson edged out Fletcher for the spot alongside Carrick in central midfield. Tevez was brought back alongside Rooney, with Berbatov paying for his ineffective display against Inter, with a place on the bench.
Rafa brought Riera back into his midfield after he missed the Madrid win through suspension. Alonso failed to shake off a knock sustained in that game, so Lucas lined up alongside Mascherano. Aurellio kept the left-back spot but Arbeloa bowed out of this one just before the game. He injured his hamstring in the warm-up which saw Hyypia come in alongside Skrtel and Carragher shifting to right-back.
This was an incredible game, that had little respect for the formbook. United’s formidable defence (Vidic) was shaken and dismantled by Gerrard and Torres who combined to lethal effect up front for the visitors. In fantasy terms, it’s their form and potential that appears to be the key element to take from this match. Many fantasy managers should now be looking to get one of these two in their lineup for the run-in, particularly while Liverpool’s title challenge remains alive. We saw the damage they can do in tandem at the tail-end of last season and they look odds on to repeat such impressive returns this term.
As for United, they will lose Vidic for two games due to suspension following his red here. That will likely see Evans deputise for the Fulham and Villa games. United have now conceded in their last three league games and they are likely to remain fragile without Vidic for those two tricky fixtures. That casts doubt over the wisdom of turning to Evans, or even Evra, as a straight replacement for the Serb.
In attacking terms, Berbatov’s omission will be a concern, although given this result he should earn an immediate recall as Ferguson looks to restore a winning formula. Ronaldo’s penalty here was his fifth goal in the last seven league games.
Injuries and Bans
Vidic will serve a two-match ban following his red here. This was his second dismissal of the season so an extra match is added to the usual punishment for “denying a goalscoring opportunity” which is an immediate one-match suspension.
Middlesbrough 1 Portsmouth 1
Southgate was without both Hoyte and O’Neil who missed out with groin injuries. King and McMahon came into the side then. Alves had recovered from illness back was kept on the bench. Paul Hart went into the game with an unchanged lineup, although Richard Hughes returned to the bench.
Another disappointment for the Riverside fans – all 24,000 of them. This is a game that Boro needed to win but Paul Hart’s side once again demonstrated the resilience that epitomised them since he took control. Boro have the fixtures to improve, with Downing the key fantasy target as a differential. The fact that they struggled to break down the Pompey defence here is a worry however and it’s likely that only the very bravest (or desperate) fantasy manager will be looking at Downing right now.
As for Portsmouth, they’re not providing points at either end right now but that could improve if Crouch takes confidence from his goal here and if Portsmouth can tighten up further for home fixtures. Glenn Johnson, always a threat going forward, provides a good differential in their defence and fixtures look good with the extra fixture in gameweek 33 to come (although this is at Old Trafford).
Injuries and Bans
Pogatetz was replaced by Taylor at half-time, presumably with an injury.
Pennant picked up an injury and was replaced by Belhadj on 36 mintues.
Sunderland 1 Wigan 2
Sbragia was forced into a change in midfield with Richardson banned for two matches. Leadbitter came in to replace him in an otherwise unchanged lineup. McShane returned from injury but was kept on the bench along with Gordon, as Fulop held on to the goalkeepers jersey.
Steve Bruce was without the suspended Cattermole who started a four-match ban. Scharner earned a recall to the midfield, as did Watson as Bruce dropped Zaki to the bench and shifted to a 4-5-1.
Another game which laughed in the face of the formbook with Wigan scoring twice on the road having only scored twice in their last eight games. A change of formation was perhaps the key and Zaki owners will be dismayed at seeing him benched here. It seems unlikely that he’ll earn a recall after this win, with Mido likely to continue up front on his own. N’Zogbia will be one of the players encouraged to get forward in support and his attacking role continues to make him a worthy investment as a fantasy defender. Hull at home next week could bring profits at both ends for N’Zogbia.
As for Sunderland, this was a major disappointment with the front two of Jones and Cisse failing to fire. It’s hard to see any investment coming their way with so many strong alternatives around in the same, or lower price bracket. Fixtures remain okay for Sbragia’s men but form is failing them right now.
Chelsea 1 Man City 0
Hiddink handed a start to fit-again Carvalho in his defence, dropping Alex to the bench. Essien and Deco both started in the midfield with Mikel making way, alongside Kalou and Malouda on the bench. City meanwhile, were without the services of the injured De Jong and Kompany in midfield, so Elano started alongside Zabaleta, while Caicedo kept his place up front in the absence of Bellamy.
Another polite away performance from City saw Chelsea win this one comfortably but again they failed to put the opposition to bed at the Bridge. Essien’s goal will win him some attention then but while he looks a strong FPL bonus magent in the weeks to come, I do wonder about his attacking potential while Chelsea continually fail to notch larger winning margins.
It was another clean sheet for the defence though, with Carvalho offering immediate returns. He seems likey to cement his place alongside Terry now with Alex’s potential plummeting. However, I expect some rotation around Champions League games and that’s enough to advise caution before considering Carvalho. Bosingwa and Ashley Cole remain safer options right now.
Injuries and Bans
Chelsea lost both Deco and Drogba to injury in this one. Deco damaged his hamstring and could be out for the rest of the season according to Hiddink. Drogba also limped off with 20 minutes remaining. Hiddink didn’t seem too concerned about him however.
Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 2
O’Neill dropped Davies to the bench, shifting Cuelar alongside Knight and recalling Reo-Coker at right-back. As for Spurs, Redknapp started with Zokora at right-back although he replaced him with Corluka after just 35 minutes. Bent was preferred to the benched Pavlyuchenko up front in a 4-4-2.
Villa continue to stutter with no end product to their build up play – particularly Young’s contribution out wide. He and Agbonlahor have failed to produce significantly since the turn of the year and patience with them in fantasy terms must surely be wafer thin. Carew’s goal could earn him a recall for Heskey but I see little value in Villa investment considering their forthcoming fixtures. Defensively it’s no clean sheet in four league games so Davies owners will surely be selling on given that he was dropped to the bench for this one. Fixtures against Liverpool, United and Everton in the next three, do Villa’s players no favours at either end of the pitch.
Spurs is a different story – they are resurgent right now. Lennon caught the eye again (although not the eye of the FPL bonus judges), while Keane also notched an assist for Bent’s goal. Both look good options with Redknapp’s side displaying strong form. The defence also looked solid in the main with Woodgate and King (now likely to start 90% of games given Tottenham’s schedule), presenting differential options. Three home games in four make them more attractive, although the first comes against Hiddink’s Chelsea next gameweek, while United and Liverpool lie in wait in the following eight games.