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.
Morning Lads, i need some help 2day, i think my team is rubbish for this game week?
Cech, (Jensen)
Dawsen, Dann, Shawcross, (A.Cole) (Nelsen)
Valencia, Duff, Fabs, Taylor (Huddlestone)
Rooney (C), Teves, Bent
Can you help please with who to start and who to bench?
i thnk you will do quote well with that team actually…but id definitely play A Cole…ahead of Duff
Agreed. Get Duff out. Cashley is probably your best bet to come in although I’m hoping for a Rovers cleanie at Stoke.
Nah your team looks good, i’d go for a hole instead of duff though, even though your doubling up there’s a good chance of a chean sheet.
Thanks lads
Good team. Would maybe bring in Nelsen over Duff or even Dawson.
Richards (MAN C)
Scharner (WIG)
Ricketts (BOL)
Ivanovic (CHE)
S. Kelly (FUL)
WIll i have 3 defeneders starting this gameweek? Hopelly Kelly doesnt get pulled off on 57 minutes again if he starts – that cost me 5 points this week!
Richards inj! I wud play ivan + Scharner + Rickets
Yep..looks sound advice.
Cheers guys i know Richards is out and that Kelly may not play so sort of makes my decision for me. I just hope Scharner starts and does something – and i am sure you are hoping the same Mark – he has done nothing for me since i got him in.
Hart (Robinson)
Ivan Evra Ridge Nelsen (Baird)
Ballack Fabs AReid (Gera Pienaar)
Tevez Drogs Rooney
That was my team and was set on changing Gera to bring in Lee.
Now thinking of taking a four point hit to bring in Nani and McCarthy for Gera and Pienaar. Silly?
Just do Nani for Pienaar
Everton got horrible fixtures (or do you need to sell Gera to raise funds)?
cant afford him on a straight swap. 0.2 short. Would have to sell ballack.
it’s such a tough one isn’t it?!?
Dunne (BP magnet, goal threat) VS Ivanovic (assists, playing at home)
jerome (playing at home against weak defence, derby) VS Milner (assists, bp, goals & is class)
HELP?!!?
play Ivanovic and Jerome with Milner 1st sub
yeah play ivan and jerome
Which 2 from to start from:
1:Scharner
2:Mccarthy(wig)
3:Baird
Please help! Sorry for second post i only got 1 reply!
Scharner and Mccarthy
Don’t risk scharner comming on for 1 point- go fir mccarty, he’s on great form and under pressure from some new signings, he should play even better!!
I had scharner on the bench but all the newspapers sayin hes being recalled to mid! So thats where the dilemas coming from
1 + 2
So no1 thinks fulham clean sheat is happening??
nah I can’t see it today
Ha, they’ve just shown campbells goal for everton vs Liverpool. What a great signing he was for them that season, basically kept them up!
I think they got him on loan in Jan that year- anyone remember how many goals he got?
who?
I think he means Kevin Campbell. He was a machine for a while.
Rate my team please?
Hart/Sorensen
Shawcross A.Cole Dawson Carr Craddock
Lampard Lee Nzogbia Lennon O’Hara
Rooney Tevez Drogba
Cheers!
Looks good, apart from Lennon
Abit top heavy!! but decent
Rooney or Tevez captain?
got to be shrek!!
Shawcross or Nelsen to play??
I’d say ShawX
shawcross, but good chance of cleanies for Nelsen I think
Shawcross for the bonus he will probabily get
All, will Victor Moses start today??
who to bench out of n’zogbia, zamora, dason,(spurs) ivanovic.
dawson
I don’t fancy Fulham at Bolton so I’d bench Zamora…he’s still struggling with his collarbone injury too.
Does everyone agree that it deffo ain’t worth bringing Nani in? Already bought Rooney and Evans in!
i wouldn’t, think its gonna be a case of rotating him and valencia from now on
I wouldn’t….G.W 28 Utd have no game.
Cheers!
does anynody think reid will get a full 90?
Andy Reid? Should do and could be in profit given Wigan’s defence away from home.
thanks mark!
Any transfers needed this week, none planned….Was planning on 2 or 3 more DGW players next week then W.C to straighten out the team, opinions?
Hart
Chimbonda Evra Ivanovic
Fab Hunt Lee Riera
Rooney Tevez Bent
Gomes Duff Hangeland Scharner
Anyone? Before the comments close?
I would say that you’re okay with that lineup. All should start – I’m not sure you’ll get much from Fabregas and Riera but the rest should contribute. Two free trannies next GW will come in handy.
Thanks mark, Riera’s for the chop after this g.w anyway.
whats the story with the number of players people are thinking of having for DGW next week,as i am trying to bring in a man city player in midfield but i dont know who.
Thanks.
As many as i can……plan to W.C after that.
Be carefull, Stoke, Bolton and City have an FA Cup game in the middle of the GW, rotation will be a factor for those side as the competition gets to the business end.
Good point chill, thanks.
i currently have Adebayor, Cohen, Lee
probably bring one more – Wigan player most likely
but thats it….City got stinking fixtures after and ill probably captain Ade
I’d say you’d need N’Zogbia or Rodallega or both. Wigan have two decent home matches and those two will be right in the thick of it if Wigan win them both.
All, which 2 to play out of:
1) Cohen
2) Lee
3) Distin
4) Baird
have to play one of those defenders!
For me, I’d go Lee and Distin.
lee
and wouldnt fancy either but baird if I had too
i know…ideally id like to play both Bolton midfielders!
yeah, I wanted to bring in another bolton mid for their doubles, a cheeky punt on wishere or something
Lee
Chaps, I need to pick one from:
Milner / N’Zogbia / Duff
Help!
Nzgbia
Probably Zog
any body think zaki will start?
Yep and Hull should score.
any chance of me getting back in the top 10k this week?. I hope rooney will play some part today
Guys, who to bench?
Dawson or James McCarthy
Good luck everyone. This week looks like we’re split between Rooney and non-Rooney. Here’s hoping that if Rooney does start Portsmouth park the bus in front of goal…
he will START!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol agree
and hopefully IF Rooney starts, Berba starts too and makes Rooney run the flanks like a dog!
I reckon even if they park the bus they will get ripped to shreds by the roonster!
I think it’s about 95% vs 5% with and without… unfortunately I’m in teh 5%
I’m captaining Valencia.
Dont captian valencia, he might not play Jim.
Amen to that.
do people agree with Tuncay as a pick this week? he doesnt seem to play 90min enough for me…
I think Mark is taking into account the upcoming double game week with that call. I had him previoulsy for double gw and he got man of the match and a goal in first game before getting injured and missing second game. He’s a risky one but if he does well there wont be too many with him in your league surely. I might bring him in for Dunn next week.
thanks.. think i might give him a go
Pienaar or N’Zogbia for the last spot in my team?
N’Zogbia
N’Zogbia
Team is:
Sorenson (Gomes)
Scherner Cashley Dann
Fab Lamps Eagles McCarthy
Zamora Rooney(c) Tevez
Subs: Gomes Baird Dunn Warnock
Have i the right team selection??
right selection, right captain
wrong selection, wrong captain. sort it out!
should i start petrov or zamora???
petrov not predicted to start so may get me just 1 point
also what are the chances wilkinson wil stat for stoke?
id start Petrov – Zamora wont get anything anyway! Petrov worth the risk….and even if he plays 20-25 mins, he could well get an assist in that time
Agreed.
ok thanks, any predo’s on wilkinson starting?
Who to bench out of this lot?
Dawson, Dann, A.Cole, Shawcross, Nelsen.
I also have Cech in goal
Im going to play 4 so need to bench 1
Thanks
Nelson or Dawson..
x2
I’d have to go Nelsen given my picks but I am hoping for a Rovers cleanie at Stoke.
Play Jensen in goal, then bench Nelsen.
should i start hangeland or murphy of fulham? I asked this before but got no reply
i’d say Murphy – he’s on pens so you never know?
oh yes, sorted!
Id go with murphy
Lads, very hungover…should I touch my team?
Hart
A.Cole – Evra – Shawcross
Fabregas – Lampard – N’Zogbia – Duff
Bent – Zamora – Rooney(c)
Bench: Sorensen – Dann – Dunn – Traore
Difficult…i’d possibly double up on Birmingham and go Dann in for Duff. Risky though given you already have Hart.
lads, who to captain?
tevez, drogba or kuyt?
tevez
Drogs, Tevez, Kuyt in that order
Kuyt
i’d sway towards the two uglies. drogba is a bit to good looking to captain.
i am pretty sure there are no penalties in terms of looks – in the FPL game anyway
that’s a relief
All, who to captain??
1) Kuyt
Lee
2) Ade
3) Defoe
4) Benitez (!!)
5) Evra
6) Lampard
7) Arshavin
there is a captain poll who is highest in that?
good point!
It is Lampard. So captain Lampard.
team is:
gomes(sorenson)
ivanovich,evans,wilkinson (hughes,young)
lamps,tuncay,tylor,petrov,valencia
rooney (C),tevez (zamora)
Have i made the right choice?
Looks good. I’d leave it. I’d possibly think about Sorensen for Gomes but it’s a very close call.