The Pre-Match Preamble
Wayne Rooney and Nani will start. Dirk Kuyt will be up front for Liverpool. Paul Scharner will be recalled to the Wigan midfield and Martin Petrov will be warming the bench for City. Unless you’ve bought the Daily Telegraph this morning that is.
Don’t get excited/panicked. Those are just some of the lineup predictions from this morning’s rags. Let’s take a look in a little more detail in our pre-match preamble…
The Guardian
This paper delivers quite a few bold predictions, not least the fact that they predict a full debut for City’s new signing Adam Johnson for the visit to Hull. There’s no place in their eleven for the much-fancied Martin Petrov. They also go with Kuyt up front for Liverpool with Gerrard just behind and Maxi and Riera on either flank. We get our first bout of reassurance on the United lineup wth Rooney and Nani both starters.
The Sun
Bolton will give a start to loan signing Jack Wilshere according to everyone’s favourite red-top. He starts for Muamba in a very attacking Bolton lineup. Likewise Wigan give a full debut to Victor Moses up front and, like the Guardian, they see Scharner being recalled to the midfield. The Sun also predict no place for Martin Petrov – they have Bellamy and Tevez either side of Adebayor up front. Again it’s Kuyt leading the line for Liverpool, although the Sun go for Aquilani in midfield with no place for Maxi. Rooney and Nani both start in their United lineup. The Chelsea vs Arsenal teamsheets are interesting. The Sun feel that Malouda will miss out with Mikel and Joe Cole recalled to midfield. Unlike the Guardian they don’t see Wenger going with Bendtner but sticking to a Nasri/Arshavin/Rosicky attacking three.
The Times
In contrast both Malouda for Chelsea and Bendtner for Arsenal are starters in the Times predicted lineups. They also see starts for Mikel and Eboue in this one. Again, there is no place for Petrov in the City lineup. The Times go with Wright-Phillips and Bellamy in the wide roles for the trip to Hull. It’s Kuyt up front with an identical predicted Liverpool lineup to the Guardian’s. Reassuringly both Nani and Rooney start in the United team, although the Times also go with Valencia on the opposite flank. The Times also agree on Paul Scharner – he is recalled to their Wigan midfield for the trip to Sunderland.
The Telegraph
This broadsheet appears to be standing on its own with its predictions. It goes with Bendtner in the Arsenal lineup but also has Malouda benched with Kalou and Joe Cole providing width either side of Anelka and Drogba. The Telegraph are the only one of my morning papers to predict that Martin Petrov will start for City – there’s no place for Bellamy in their lineup. They are also alone in thinking that David Ngog will start for Liverpool at Anfield, with Kuyt shifted wide right. Rooney and Nani are again starters for United. Unlike the other three, there’s no recall for Paul Scharner to the Wigan midfield.
Finally here are some factual nuggets courtesy of the Guardian and the BBC to digest over your pre-match Coco Pops…
- All those investing in the likes of Roger Johnson and Liam Ridgewell for their threat at set-plays will be interested to know that Birmingham have actually scored just two headed goals all season. The fewest in the league.
- He might be rusty from Angola but the stats show that Didier Drogba has ten goals in his last nine appearances for Chelsea against Arsenal.
- You may have the impression that the Everton defence has tightened up of late. You’d be right. However, their clean sheet at Wigan last weekend was their first in seven away games.
- Doubting a 0-0 at the Britannia? Well, Blackburn have kept clean sheets in four of their last five matches with Stoke. They have also failed to score in 11 games this season – more than any other side in the league. Rovers also have four 0-0 draws this season. The highest in the league. Stoke meanwhile have just 19 goals this season. The lowest in the division.
- I’m thinking again about Dawson for the Picks. Villa may have failed to score in four consecutive matches before the win at Fulham last weekend, but they’ve only failed to score in one away game all season.
- Evidence that City will face a fight at Hull – the home side have lost just one of their last nine league games at the KC while City have won just one of their last nine away games.
- Fancy Darren Bent against Wigan? The visitors have conceded 33 goals in their last 11 away league matches.
- Finally for all those without Rooney in their lineups today. Here’s something to think about for the next couple of hours. Rooney has scored 12 goals in nine games against Portsmouth in the league.
Enjoy your breakfasts. As usual we will be closing comments at around 10.30 this morning and opening up the Saturday Surgery chatroom. See you in there.
Which 2 defenders to start out of:
Dunne / Dawson (TOT) / Scharner / Hughes
Leaning towards Dawson and Dunne, but a recalled Scharner could be tempting….
I’m tempted by scharner, i’d probs play him and dawson
nice write up btw Mark
Should I play McCarthgy (Wigan), Corluka or Baird?! So confused!
I’ve got the same dilemma with those teams. All could go either way.
Mccarty definately
im on mccarthy at the moment! fancy him to do something!
Interesting facts, Thanks for that…a few will make some last minute changes i bet.
Oh, I’m so tempted to have a little gamble and bring Nani in (4 point hit)!
Nani will destroy Portsmouth today, he’s a flash git and his confidence will be high after the last few weeks, see a big haul from him today.
I’m doing it just for this week, then getting Moses if he starts today!
Or a Johnson for the double
I reckon nani will tear ports apart aswell, I can see a big performance from him, he’s full of confidence and will be rearing to go, same for valencia aswell I can see a big game from him
But who to swap him for? (I’ve got £3.6M in the bank so money not an issue).
Fabregas NO
Lampard NO
Duff – Nice run of fixtures
N’Zogbia – Nice run of Fixtures
Eagles – Good game today, and a bp whore
Duff – surely due an injury soon
Yeah true, Duff has been injury prone but i’d take out eagles instead, Duff has better fixtures and Burnley are gash tits
Keep Eagles today, he starts the game on 5 points.
Haha, true. Don’t think I’ll bother as I quite like my midfield for the next few GW’s. And I’ve got Rooney(c) to cover Utd’s attacking points anyways.
Is changing tevez for adebayor stupid?
could go either way…. fingers crossed broseph
I hope Faye makes it for Stoke today as wanted to double up on Stoke defenders.
Luke Wilshere?!
I’d love to know if he’ll start the double, but at the moment I thibk mccarty has more chance in the same price range
i don’t think luke wilshere will be starting for anyone
lol..sorry it’s early. I think I got Luke Wilshere from the back of my brain labelled “good Championship Manager players”.
Good point! Still, I can’t see Jack starting with lee in such good form and Taylor surely a nailed in starter?
Nah he wont play both Taylor and Wilshire, one of them will miss out.
I would leave Tevez….
IMO he gets more involved than Ade and i dont see any value in swapping one decent DGW’er for another especially from the same team and in the same position
Is it worth as 4 point hit to bring Rooney in for Anelka?
Also who should I play Hangerland or Scharner?
Thanks
Ul be very annoyed if he doesn’t start and you have spent 4 points to get him in… But he’ll make the points up in the double anyway- so take the gamble!
guys who should i bench out of ivanovic and b.ferguson?
Chelsea arsenal should be tight, can easily see Chelsea getting a cleanie- especially if arsenal play like they did vs man u!
yeah its a tough one cos i can also see arsenal going for broke as a loss will end their chances
Morning everyone,
N’Zog or Shawcross? which one should I bench?
I am playing Hart in goal and currently have Sorensen on the bench.
Your help would be appreciated.
I’m going Huth over n zog
who should i start out of hangeland or murphy of fulham. thanks
anyone?
Murphy
Agreed, I can’t see a Fulham CS in this one so you have to pray for a Fulham penalty.
I’m thinking of playing this team and saving my transfer so I have 2 next week:
Sorensen
Evra Ivanovic Carr Scharner
Lampard Kuyt Taylor
Rooney Tevez Rodallega
(Hart, Dawson, Huddlestone, Gera) 0.9 in the bank
I can’t bring in Drogba without a points hit, so I’ll let that one go. But does anyone think I’m missing any good potential points scorers this week? I’m just short of ideas this week, whereas normally I’m having to restrain myself. Any advice appreciated.
ur team looks ok. play dawson for scharner. You could downgrade taylor to lee if u need more cash for drogba.
Cheers. Do you reckon Dawson will keep a clean sheet? Or do you just not fancy Scharner to keep one or score v Sunderland? I can see Villa scoring at spurs and same for Sunderland at Wigan. I reckon Scharner’s more likely to get a goal or assist though and so get something. I’d rather play neither to be honest, but my only other option is Huddlestone, who doesn’t do much.
Well is this the calm b4 the storm? Looking at fixtures they could produce a massive scoring week – but then only if you have the right players…..is rooney going to play? Should he be captain?
Alot of championed Petrov – is he benched??
Will bent hit the goal-trail or can Nzogbia & his strikers make that game a goal fest??
So much to think about b4 11.29………
I do think that Sun vs Wigan will be a goal-fest, I can see 6 or more goals in that game. Bent could get a shedload, and I’m considering captaining him over Rooney…
risky, very risky both teams are not in the best of form so i see a 2-1 wigan win
Already swapped
ACole > GCahill
Anelka > Rooney
Anbody think I should play WC and….
Lamps > NZogbia
Fagan > Drogba
Defoe > Tevez
Yep, ul only want to do it next wk anyway
exactly my thoughts + it will save me the 4pts I am already comitted to
if you have waited till now, dont play your wc. Transfers gd for this week, and save the wc for around gw28/29 when everything is up in the air with cc final and then lots of teams missing for fac cup gw29. You could have a big advantage.
good advice!
Ok, Thank you all……I will hold off for the mo and hope that Drogba, Tevez and NZog don’t run riot.
Who should I bring in?
a/ Nani
b/ Taylor
c/ N’Zog
Who are you swapping out?
I’d rather nani for this gw, then n zog for the double
Do you think Nani will be dropped for Valencia though and saved for the Villa game mid week?
possible, thats why im not taking the gamble
Who would you bring in then? Top 1,000 – congrats!
either dont do anything, or brining some1 in for dgw or long-term. Not sure there are any real gems for this wknd. Unless Nani does start and run por riot. (the top 1000 is not going to last much longer I fear!)
Lampard and Zamora out… Drogba and ??? in
I was going for Nani but arent sure if he’ll start?
If i put rooney as captain and emergency as on a ‘form basis’ who would come in? how do i check?
always wondered that…..anybody know?
Click on my team then data view
my team > data view
makes no difference for my value/form – either way it is lamps
Click on Data View tab and all will be relieved!
anela>drogba no point hit or anelka>rooney and zamora>jerome 4 point hit ?
Morning all,
Last bit of tinkering… what d’you reckon?
1) Sorenson & Shawcross
2) Gomez & Shawcross
3) Sorenson & Dawson
1, I have a feeling this will be a 0-0
2) cld be lots of saves for gomes, and never double up
Yeah, been caught out that way before, maybe i’ll play it safe…
Could well be, but it is more of a gamble rather than spreading the chances…
3
HELP PEOPLE
drogba out – rooney in for a 4 point hit??
i keep goin back and forth
Noo, keep Drogba, if you want to bring Rooney in then think where else you can get the cash from.
My team this GW:
Hart
Evra Dann Shawcross Dunne Vermaelen
Nani Fabregas
Rooney Tevez(c) Anelka
Subs: Sorenson Bowyer Boateng Reid
Is it worth keeping Tevez as captain, or maybe have Nani instead?
Rooney!!
Rooney (c) and you need to sort that mid out, its horrible
Hmm I may change him, hopefully he will start, put in 60 mins and get a hattrick!
Thanks for the stats. Now I’m second guessing everything.
Well, maybe not everything, but shall I switch Olsson for Hunt?
This i my current lineup.
Hart (Myhill)
Dunne Olsson Johnson Ivanovic (Hangeland)
Lamps Fab N’Zog (Hunt, Gera)
Jerome Tevez Rooney (c)
Thankful for any advice.
We’ll I’m starting with Olsson in my lineup. Having said that, Hull should score against City so Hunt could be involved. Depends on the differentials you need in your mini-league. I need a big score so I’m gambling on a cleanie and some attacking points from Olsson who is more or less playing up front for Rovers.
There’s nothing wrong with the rest of that team this week.
Do you thibk ollsson will lose his place when (if) dunn is fit- or will he just drop back into defense?
Thanks!
Yeah, I’m also hoping for something like that from Olsson so I’ll probably stick with him then.
I’m thinking about a 4 pointer to get Adebayor in for Anelka- already have Tevez but would just have those 2 together for this week and the double, then I’m wildcarding. I’m a bit hungover this morning, is this just the booze talking or is it actually quite a good idea?
PS the transfer I’ve already done is Milijas-N’zogbia.
good transfer you already done
not sure re the other. dont think sellign Anelka is a bad thing…but i wouldnt overload wit City players, particularly with their run after
maybe Anelka for someone else, and worry about the city DGW issue next week
I would leave it jonny, Anelka could easily score a goal or 2 this week, you could just do it next week for free
I’ve kept Anelka in. I’ve just got a feeling that all the attention will be on Drogba, while Anelka is on form and up against Clichy on Arsenal’s left who is really struggling of late.
Thanks for the advice guys. Combined with the sobering effect of a bacon sandwich I have decided to leave it be.
Who is going to the bench in place of Scharner (if he starts)?
Anybody?
My current line up:
Hart (Gomes)
Ivanovic, Evra, Baird (Dawson from Hull, Distin)
Kuyt (c), Lee, Arshavin, Lampard (Cohen)
Adebayor, Defoe, Benitez
– Have i got the right subs bench?
– Right captain??
– Any last minute emergency surgery!?! (transfers)
thoughts appreciated
Maybe adebayor capt!
Yeah was thinking about that…but Kuyt does quite well against Everton
The Rooney factor is VERY scary…didnt know about the DGW coming up for United when i did my transfers this week!
I’d probably go with Adebayor too, although I do have Kuyt in my team. Looks good elsewhere. Shame about Baird vs Distin vs Dawson. Not much option there.
Which 2 from to start from:
1:Scharner
2:Mccarthy(wig)
3:Baird
Please help!
Scharner and Baird probably
But in all likelihood all three will get 2 points! best chance of anything is a sheet or perhaps a goal frmo Scharner
Morning all!
PLEASE can you all help me decide who to play out of :
Dunne or Ivan
and
Milner or Jerome
Ivanovic and Jerome
not sure! both close calls!
Ivan
Jerome
from exprience this season, never drop Dunne.
Close but if I’m keeping faith with my predictions I’d go with Invanovic and Jerome.
Argh, my reseve captain decision is either nani on form or fabregas on value… Don’t really want either!
Someone tell me nani will start?
Rooney is my 1at choice capo
Dont worry about the reserve captain! Rooney will play
Yeah. Rooney will be on the pitch at some point.
if nani and rooney both dont play who will be form (c)… that is what matters. Otherwise if either start then its a gd (c) choice