The Midweek-ish Meander

With the fixtures rolling towards us a such a rate, it’s been a while since we afforded ourselves a leisurely stroll through the fixture list. This weekend hands us a welcome opportunity then, just before another barmy midweek programme and yet more double gameweek distractions.

Let’s not fret too much about those right now though. Instead let’s take our time, savour the tranquillity of a normal gameweek and pick apart it’s fixtures, assessing the likely sources of our defensive and attacking points…

Best For Clean Sheets…
There are two prime clean sheet candidates in the gameweek. Manchester United’s defence has been caught on many occasions this season. Even so, they trail Chelsea in the clean sheet stakes by just one, having returned ten shut-outs so far this term. This weekend they come up against a Portsmouth side who have scored just two goals in their last six away trips. It’s difficult to see Grant’s men notching at Old Trafford, making United’s defence ripe for picking. Patrice Evra is perhaps the best target given his increased role going forward on United’s left flank. Outside of him you can look to Rafael and Jonny Evans as cheaper options, while Wes Brown should also be in line for a start with Vidic still sidelined. All three look likely starters then.

The resolute Birmingham defence is the next strongest option. Like United they have a decent defensive pedigree this season with nine clean sheets overall and just seven goals conceded at St Andrews. They also face favourable opposition this weekend. Wolves are the visitors for what is likely to be a lively local derby but certainly one that McLiesh’s side will be favourites to win. The Birmingham rearguard has conceded just three goals in their last five home matches, whilst McCarthy’s Wolves have only registered three strikes in their last five games on the road. It all points to a tenth cleanie for Birmingham and more returns for Hart, Johnson and Ridgewell – all likely transfer targets this week.

Beyond these two things get a lot tougher. With Liverpool facing Everton and Spurs hosting Villa, we’ve got four strong defences meeting each other. Those fixtures could produce cleanies but both look risky in terms of defensive investment. If I had to be pushed I’d opt for the Spurs defence at home to Villa. O’Neill’s side may have scored two at the Cottage on their last away trip but did go four games without a goal prior to that.

Instead of those four I’m looking to Bolton earning a second clean sheet of the season against Fulham and possibly Burnley keeping West Ham at bay in their Turf Moor encounter. Owen Coyle’s side kept their first clean sheet of the season against his former club last time out at the Reebok. This time around they face a Fulham side stung by injuries and low on confidence. Burnley meanwhile are severely out of form but showed spirit against Chelsea in their previous home game. They face a West Ham outfit who have just two goals in their last five away games, although Zola may have a new strikeforce on show with McCarthy, Mido and Ilan as options and Carlton Cole possibly back from injury. I still see this as a good opportunity for Brian Laws to endear himself to his home fans and earn a first league victory with a clean sheet possibly thrown in.

There’s also potential cleanies amongst the Stoke vs Blackburn and Sunderland vs Wigan fixtures. None of those four sides are in strong scoring form and both games are candidates for 0-0 draws.

Best For Goals…
You have to tip United to put Portsmouth away by a decent margin. Ferguson’s side average three goals a game over their previous five home matches and the Portsmouth defence arrives having lost five of their last six away games. The issue for Fantasy Managers is whether Ferguson will choose to rest Rooney and rotate Nani. Both players are current fantasy favourites but look under threat given that United travel to Villa on Wednesday. Even if Rooney does sit this one out, you have to imagine that Berbatov and/or Owen, will be amongst the points here.

While United look odds on to win by a decent margin, finding goals elsewhere on this weekend’s fixture list is not an easy task. Again, with Liverpool facing Everton, Spurs facing Villa and Chelsea up against Arsenal, we have six strong sides involved in potentially tight encounters. That’s an awful lot of attacking talent tied up in uncertainty. At a push, I’d back the Chelsea vs Arsenal fixture as the most likely to hand us a few goals, although much will depend on the space allowed in midfield and the form and fitness of Drogba for the home side.

There are options elsewhere. Mancini’s City also look good for a couple given that Hull are scoring relatively freely at the KC stadium and seem set to push City. Tevez and Adebayor will surely cause the Hull defence problems and both, along with Petrov (should he start) could be in profit here.

Elsewhere I also like Bolton at home to Fulham. Hodgson’s side have conceded ten goals in their last five away games in the league, whilst Bolton boast nine goals in their last five at the Reebok. I can see a home win here but a two or even a three goal margin. The likes of Taylor, Lee and Kevin Davies all look favourable options here. Burnley have little or no form but I am tipping them for a home win against West Ham. I see a couple of goals for Brian Laws’ side, with Fletcher, Eagles and Elliot all looking decent budget options. Chris Eagles bonus points? You betcha.

Best For Frustration…
This week’s fixture list is a minefield of potential 0-0 or 1-1 fixtures. The big encounters – Liverpool vs Everton and Chelsea vs Arsenal, could easily be tight affairs that see very little fantasy profit for the players involved. Likewise Tottenham’s clash with Villa could potentially see both defences on top, with few goals on show. Then we have the fixtures between Stoke and Blackburn and Sunderland and Wigan, both of which involve teams low on confidence and crucially, struggling for goals.

It’s Alex Ferguson’s team selection which could undoubtedly be the most frustrating element of this weekend’s games. Wayne Rooney may well rip Portsmouth apart at Old Trafford but he can’t do so from the United bench. There’s mixed views on whether Rooney will be rested given his electric form but even if he starts, you have to wonder just how quickly he’ll be withdrawn if United establish a lead. The trip to Villa Park and the Champions League fixture with Milan next Tuesday will surely be on Ferguson’s mind when he selects his side on Saturday. How much damage can Rooney do in the pitch time he is afforded? That’s the crucial question going into the weekend. Tomorrow’s press conference from Ferguson could tell us more.