Fixtures

Fixture Analysis – Rotation Pairs – Crystal Palace and Hull

Our series of articles analysing potential rotation pairings for the season ahead got underway towards the end of last week with a look at the prospects offered up by West Ham and Southampton. This time round, we cast an eye over a couple of the promoted clubs as Crystal Palace and Hull come under the spotlight.

The Fixtures

Similar to West Ham and Southampton, Palace and Hull’s home/away fixtures alternate perfectly over the entirety of the 2013/14 campaign. Delving further into the data, by alternating the duo in accordance with home fixture over the first half of the season you would play host to one of last term’s top eight just five times in the opening 19 Gameweeks.

For Palace, this occurs three times – Gameweek 1 against Tottenham, Gameweek 9 with Arsenal and Gameweek 11 at home to Everton, whereas Hull are affected twice – Liverpool roll up to the KC Stadium in Gameweek 13 and United also arrive in Gameweek 18. Aside from this quintet of fixtures, you’d face (NOR, SUN, CAR, SWA, WHM, AVL, FUL, SUN, CPL, WHM, CAR, STO, NEW, FUL) over the first 19 fixtures – a pretty strong looking schedule. Furthermore, for those eyeing up three-way rotation defender options, it’s worth noting that those above-mentioned tricky fixtures could be navigated by also having a Norwich backline option on board – they have home games against Everton, Cardiff, West Ham, Palace and Fulham in Gameweeks 1,9, 11, 13 and 18 respectively.

While the first half of the campaign is kind, the latter part becomes a little trickier for Palace and Hull, particularly in the last couple of months. From Gameweek 30 onwards, this combination would entertain City (twice), Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton over the final nine fixtures – not the easiest of run ins by any means and one that may need addressing when it rolls around.

Defence

Crystal Palace
As mentioned in our article on Ian Holloway’s side earlier this summer, Palace were hardly the most resilient of sides last time out. With six clean sheets in 23 games at Selhurst Park and five accrued on the road, it may well be that Julian Speroni turns out the best value bet, with save points aplenty anticipated for the Argentine. From an attacking perspective, centre-half Damien Delaney produced three goals and a couple of assists last year, though left-back Jonathan Parr provided four assists in 38 matches before sustaining ankle ligament damage; if he’s fit for the start of the season, he may be one to consider.

Price-wise, it’s noticeable that all three first-choice keepers from the promoted sides last time out began the campaign at 4.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Many of the defenders, on the other hand, were afforded a starting cost of 4.0 – a factor which will likely affect our plans, with a potentially crucial 1.0 saving on the cards.

Hull
Steve Bruce’s side were a little more reliable at the back in last season’s Championship, with 10 clean sheets registered in front of their own fans and six on the road. Hull mainly utilised a 3-5-2 formation last season which may, potentially, limit the number of defensive options available if Fantasy games classify their wing-backs as midfielders – all the more frustrating if Bruce decides to operate with the 4-4-1-1 rolled out for the final, promotion-winning game of the season against Cardiff.

The Tigers are still in the hunt for a goalkeeper after on-loan David Stockdale returned to parent club Fulham – he may well make his way back to the KC, though Bruce has also been linked with the likes of Kaspar Schmeichel and Chris Kirkland.

Maynor Figueroa has arrived from relegated Wigan and certainly has experience of operating in a three-man backline should Bruce keep faith in last term’s tactics and while Abdoulaye Faye chipped in with four goals from centre-half last season, a lack of mobility raises question marks over his game time as a regular in the top-flight. Paul McShane may also be earmarked by some – he was utilised as part of a back-three and proved versatile enough to be shifted to left-back, though Hull are clearly in the market for new defenders and have agreed terms with Birmingham for the transfer of Curtis Davis earlier this week. With no stand-out defensive options from either side at present, however, a keeper pairing looks the most enticing combination, with Speroni teamed up with Hull’s eventual first-choice stopper.

Attacking Options

The Main Men
Both sides can be expected to be kindly priced across the Fantasy games, affording us a handful of budget propositions to mull over – whether there’s value in their acquisition is perhaps another matter altogether. Certainly, with last season’s top scorer Glen Murray injured and star player Wilfried Zaha snapped up by Man United, Palace will have to dip into the market in order to grab our attentions. Murray looked particularly promising – 30 goals and seven assists from 43 appearances highlights just how clinical he was in the previous campaign and given that he may be out until Christmas, Ian Holloway seems certain to pick up a replacement.

At present, Owen Garvan appears to be the most alluring option – playing in “the hole”, he produced four goals and six assists from 30 appearances and has a fair share of corners and free-kicks, while Yannick Bolasie registered three goals and eight assists over 45 games from the left flank. A price of 5.0 apiece seems realistic for the duo, with a ceiling of 5.5 likely.

As hinted at beforehand, Hull’s prospects may hinge on the classification of their wing-backs. Bruce fielded Robbie Brady and on-loan Ahmed Elmohamady on the left and right of midfield respectively last term; the Egyptian is expected to soon complete a permanent deal from Sunderland and if either is listed as a defender, they could provide us with real out of position potential – in all likelihood, though, it would be a real surprise if they came in as defenders in FPL.

Nevertheless, the pair may still be decent midfield prospects if their prices are kind enough. Brady has a share of set-pieces and corners and chipped in with four goals and 13 assists last season and was also fielded in “the hole” in a 4-4-1-1, while Elmohamady produced three goals and nine assists and was also utilised on the right of a midfield four. Skipper Robert Koren could also be one to watch. Fielded as the most advanced central midfielder when Bruce rolled out a 3-5-2 and with spot-kicks, a share of set-pieces and corners in his locker, Koren produced nine goals and five assists from 40 appearances – once again, a maximum cost of 5.5 is anticipated, with 5.0 perhaps the likeliest scenario.

With eight goals and four assists in 23 appearances, Sone Aluko ended the campaign as Hull’s second joint-top scorer despite failing to play since January due to an Achilles injury. Bruce has already admitted the Nigerian was key to his side’s 3-5-2 formation and is optimistic he’ll be ready for the start of the season – last term’s injury is likely to keep Aluko’s price low and, with a maximum 5.5 expected, he could be a real under the radar cheap third forward.

With over two months of the summer transfer window remaining, though, there are sure to be a handful of new arrivals which may prove more enticing. A one-year loan return to Selhurst Park for Zaha has already been reported as a potential deal, while out-of-favour forwards such as Darren Bent and Peter Odemwingie have been linked with both clubs as Bruce and Holloway look for a little more top-flight experience to boost their respective sides’ chances of survival.

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1,272 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Ceikey...New Zealand on 10 runs per over already...gonna be a long night...

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Don't you mean a short night?

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        yeah...that as well...

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  2. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Has Schurrle been bought in to replace Mata ?

    Schürrle has played as a left winger and as a centre-forward. One of Schürrle's "key asset" is his "long-distance sprinting on the counter-attack.Schürrle also has an excellent fitness level, work-rate and pace. Schürrle is considered to be a "good finisher" and "capable of executing counter-attacks effectively

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      For Chelsea's sake I hope not

      Schurrle is good, but he's not in the same league as Mata

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      1. Conrad.
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        agreed. Schurrle will be a nice rotation player to spell Mata/Oscar/Hazard when they're fatigued, but should not be considered ahead of them ever.

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    2. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully. If Mata leaves it makes GW1 Chelsea assets that much easier to choose.

      Defender, Hazard, Cavani

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    3. Dowson51
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe he could replace Bertrand...

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    4. Eboue
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think so- hes most similar to hazard; position and style of play. Who would Mata go to??? He played very well last year too at chelsea

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    5. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Why would Mata leave?

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      1. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Schürrle is very good player, Chelsea have been after him for more than a year. Might hint at a fast moving 433 formation
        Better buy than the overrated Cavarni would be

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        1. Twelve years a slave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Will be classified as a striker so wont be much use for us sadly

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        2. Acquafresca
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          You must be kidding?

          What has Schurrle accomplished?

          Cavani has been among the top scorers in Serie A since he first stepped foot in Napoli.

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    6. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      To let Mata go would be Mourinho's first mistake, Schurrie won't fill his talented boots.

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    7. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Possible. Mata has been coy on his future whilst at the Confederations Cup and Mourinho likes to play with speed on the counter. Considering that's about the only weakness in Mata's attacking game it's easy to put two and two together and book his one way ticket to Barcelona 😉

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      1. Crouch Potato!
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Mata ain't no tortoise!

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    8. Smellbobs
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      we were interested in schurrle for the last 18 months. he's not been boguht to replace mata.

      the mata rumours will persist until jose speaks out to rubbish them though. not a mourinho style player apparently but neither's messi!

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  3. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    I searched for the FFS logo in Google images for my speed dial app and found this: i.imgur.com/uXwBV.jpg 😆

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    1. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      😆 tru dat.

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    2. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Allow me: http://www.imgur.com/uXwBV.jpg

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    3. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      😆 genius

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  4. Eboue
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    So is cavani ➡ Chelsea all but done??? To give a probable:
    cech
    azpi Cahill/terry Ivan cole
    ramires lamp\essien
    Oscar mata hazard\schurrle
    cavani

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    1. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      seems right. tho, i'd say Schurrle is Oscar's backup moreso than Hazard's.

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      1. Eboue
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Do you think? I think its usually hazard of the amigos who looks most fatigued in games- while Oscar seems to be able to run for days!

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  5. imtheboss
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    guesstimations when fantasy footy kicks off again? i'm refreshed and reinvigorated ready for the tough pre-season getting back to fantasy match fitness

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  6. Damo.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    23 yrs ago today. 23 years! I still remember it like yesterday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eISJX5FomgI&t=4m2s

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  7. Crouch Potato!
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    10 overs gone, NZ scoring at 10.40 runs per over. 104/1.

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  8. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Please order these players by start security with the most likely to start at the top: Terry, Ivanovic, Apzilcueta, Luiz, Cole, Cahill, Bertrand, Malouda.

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    1. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Cole, Ivan, Terry, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand, Malouda.

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      1. Sheep
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Apzil?

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    2. Eboue
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Cole
      luiz but could leave
      ivan
      azpil
      terry
      Cahill
      bert
      .

      malouda- anyone's guess!

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  9. New Article Posted
  10. Beautiful Game
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    LATEST TRANSFER NEWS from twitter:

    1. @UK_TransferNews-

    #Arsenal are ready to pay Le Havre £2.5m for left-back Benjamin Mendy, but could be forced to double their offer for the 18-year-old.

    #Liverpool may miss out on Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan after the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder denied reports linking him to Anfield.

    #Newcastle look to lure Wilfried Bony away from Vitesse with a £12 million bid. The Dutch club will likely counter with a £15m tag.

    2. @Footballtwitcom

    #£50M Fellaini deal too rich for Arsenal and 20-year-old Barcelona striker Rafinha could be loaned to the toffee's

    #Juventus officials are in Manchester to hold talks with Man City over Carlos Tevez

    #Rodgers willing to drop Reina as no.1 keeper as Mignolet due at Melwood today and closes in on £10m move

    3. @BarclaysPLNews

    #Four Premier League clubs have expressed an interest in taking Udinese striker Matej Vydra on loan, claims his agent.

    #Cardiff and Arsenal on alert after Victor Wanyama's agent says Southampton move is off

    #Sunderland keeper Kieren Westwood is determined to establish himself as the No 1 for both club and country next season.

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  11. mattymckie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Not sure I buy this article. To be honest I lost interest after 'the first 19 fixtures look good' - I find this an odd statement given the number of fixtures the season. Is it just me?

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    1. Como Park Rambler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      MattyMcKie: You can use your January wildcard to reset your budget defenders based on better second half fixtures. So, the first 19 games is a good way to look at the season.

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