The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 18

There is something undeniably special about Boxing Day football.

I think it stems from the fact that all ten matches are played out, handing us our full quota of Gameweek points in one hit. Then there’s the anticipation that we are all set to do it all over again, just two days later.

These are heady times for Fantasy Football managers – it calls for calm, careful planning and a willingness to roll with the punches that come our way.

I’d like to be in a position to attack today’s fixtures – to have a decisive strategy to execute and a positive transfer in mind. Much as I’ve tried to devise a plan via the 17 toilet breaks I sneaked during my “family Christmas”, my hurried mobile-phone analysis has failed to convince me of a clear route to take.

This morning I’ve weighed up several unspectacular options, the most viable of which had Sadio Mane give way to Theo Walcott – but now I’m inclined to leave things be and shelve two transfers in anticipation of Gameweek 19 troubles.

While that could be a smart move, I worry that I’m also exposing myself to frustration.

I’m still concerned that Jamie Vardy will be at least partially preserved at Anfield with Tuesday’s meeting with City in mind. Both Aleks Kolarov and Kevin De Bruyne are also a concern – I may yet bench the former for fear he’ll get just a few minutes at the death against Sunderland.

As for Mane, he’s the archetype of the kind of player I always seem to be attracted to – prone to prolonged spells of blanks, but with the underlying danger of exploding points the moment I usher them to the exit.

Mane scored twice over Gameweeks 18 and 19 last season – the fear of a repeat performance, coupled with his ridiculously impressive statistics is just enough to grant him a stay of execution. I can almost hear you screaming at your screens as you read this: I know this sounds like pure folly.

Mane fixation aside, it seems remiss to approach today’s feast of football without the “excitement” of welcoming in a new player – particularly off the back of three consecutive red arrows.

However, Gameweek 19 is the key factor. I know that every knock will be amplified and translated into a likely absence. I know that Vardy could be banned if he picks up a yellow at Anfield. I also hope that today’s teamsheets offer some obvious hints on Gameweek 19 starters. An extra free transfer could definitely come in handy come Monday afternoon.

Of course, had I not used my two transfers to trade out Kurt Zouma and then immediately re-sign him back in Gameweek 16, I’d be in a far better position. I’ve been trying to kid myself that I’ve got away with that hideous blunder: today’s events could confirm that this is foolishly optimistic of me.

Having said that, looking back twelve months ago, it appears I went into Boxing Day with Andy Carroll up front, with the hope of getting two matches in three days out of his post-Christmas broken body.

Now that is optimistic.