City are top, Wigan have the Premiership’s top scorer and United have well and truly surrendered the initiative just 3-games in. It’s far from dull, but it’s also far from expected which is making things a little tricky for Fantasy Managers. Have a read of my notes for this weekend and see if you can sense of it all…
Man City are in dreamland after today’s victory over their Manchester rivals put them top of the table. Their start to the season shows little sign of wavering making their defence and the likes of Elano seem very attractive given their current run.
Geovanni got the goal today, but may not have started had Stephen Ireland not turned up with a sicknote – so be careful with that particular bandwagon. Indeed Sven has revealed some tinkerman tendencies today, dropping Bianchi to the bench because he fancied Bojinov’s extra pace. That backfied as early as 7-minutes when Bojinov was stretchered off but demonstrates that Sven is looking to win matches with some bravish selection decisions. Not great news for Fantasy Managers.
The defence however, looks rock solid and set in stone. Last season’s big players Dunne and Richards are once again emerging as solid mid-price buys. Garrido and Corluka are getting less attention but are likely to be cheaper options in most Fantasy Games. However be aware – City do face Arsenal next in spread of games that see them away from home 3 times in 4 so there is perhaps a need for caution amongst the hysteria. In late September they begin a run of 3 home games and that could be the time to get on board with Newcastle, Boro and Birmingham all coming to the City of Manchester stadium in succession.
In contrast United continue to struggle to find a cutting edge without Rooney and Ronaldo and as a result, there appears to be better midfield options around than Giggs, Scholes and Nani. Tevez meanwhile, is clearly struggling to get with the pace and it could take Ronaldo’s return to spark any major points from him. United do however, have a run of 3 home games in 4, ending with a clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford on September 23.
The Sibierski bandwagon has gathered further momentum. The Wigan man claimed an assist and his third goal in as many games by firing home a second penalty for Wigan in their 3-0 win. As mentioned previously, the only doubt concerning the wisdom of snapping him up lies in the shape of Henri Camara who could challenge him for a place if his goals should dry up – there’s no sign of that yet though. Wigan have 3 of the next 4 games away, visiting West Ham, Newcastle and Reading. Even so, there’s no denying Sibierski’s appeal as a bargain midfielder.
Spurs woke from the slumber to some effect against Derby, although they face a tough task to maintain the newfound form with a visit to Old Trafford coming next. Nevertheless, Jenas reminded us of his Fantasy potential with a goal, an assist and a man of the match performance in the 4-0 win. Spurs should have Dawson and maybe even Bale back in their lineup before the end of the month but have a difficult run of games now with visits to United and Fulham and a home clash with North London rivals, Arsenal.
Reading’s defence has emerged as one to watch with their second clean sheet of the season against Everton. Their fixtures over the coming few weeks are far more kind than their opening games, with matches against Bolton, West Ham, Sunderland and Wigan to come next. That makes the likes of Shorey, Ingimarsson and Bikey worth considering, although Duberry’s likely return by the end of the month, could threaten Bikey despite his current form. Murty was subbed with a hamstring injury after half an hour so his injury situation will need monitoring before he can be considered. That could make De La Cruz a decent short-term option. Equally, Hahnemann is well worth a look over the next month at least.
Mido could well be a profitable mid-price investment if Boro can find some form. He looked sharp enough against Fulham and can be assured a good supply from Downing once Boro sort themselves out. Again, Boro’s fixtures over the next few weeks look favourable with 3 of the next 4 at home. They are set to lose Yakubu this week, with Everton the likely destination. That move should raise Yakubu’s stock somewhat and also Andy Johnson who is looking sharp but is yet to get off the mark. One thing worth considering if this does come off next week is the penalty situation at Everton. Presumably Arteta will hold on to them if Yakubu arrives, but it’s a slight concern if you’ve invested in the Everton playmaker.
Matt Taylor got off the mark for the season but don’t be fooled into thinking this is where things take off for him. Taylor came in at left-back due to Pompey’s defensive injuries and with Muntari back from suspension and Kranjcar nearing fitness, Taylor’s place in the side is still seriously in doubt. Utaka meanwhile cracked his second goal of the season and he and Benjani could be worth a flutter. There is still too much uncertainty in this Portsmouth lineup though. Kanu and Nugent look set to rotate and Utaka has been employed out wide on the right, presumably a position that O’Neil will challenge for when fully fit. There’s potential at Portmsouth then, but Harry’s lineup is certainly not decided beyond the keeper and defence. Portsmouth also face 5 away games in the next 7 fixtures so it’s perhaps waiting to see how Portmsouth’s side settles once the injuries clear.
Mark Noble caught the eye in West Ham’s win at Birmingham. He took the penalty that one the game and was unlucky with a free-kick. His place will be threatened once Scott Parker becomes available at the end of the month, but he could be a decent budget stop-gap in the mean time. Similarly Zamora put himself about again and missed some decent chances but he’s showing enough form to keep Ashton out for another couple of games while the former Norwich man finds his fitness.
Gareth Barry looked good for Villa at Newcastle. The significant thing to note here is that that Villa face 5 of the next 7 games at home, so it’s perhaps a very good time to take a chance on him. Villa are unlikely to be prolific judging by their opening couple of games but Barry is making things tick and is of course, central to set-pieces and on penalties. Elsewhere at Villa, the defence also looks pretty solid with Laursen getting Man of the Match at St James’ Park. His fitness is always a concern so if you’re looking for a safer bet, then Bouma offers decent value. Up front meanwhile, Agbonlahor seems the best option if you’re looking to buy in bulk with Villa and their fixtures.
Villa aren’t the only ones with that kind of run. Arsenal also face 5 of the next 7 at home making Van Persie, Fabregas and Toure prime targets. Adebayor is set to return next weekend which casts some doubt over the roles of Eduardo and Hleb. Defensively Eboue is worth a look once fit and with Gallas hobbling off today, Senderos could be a decent short-term buy, although Arsenal defence will still looking for a first clean sheet when it takes on the leaders City next weekend.
Similarly Bolton have the same fixture setup with Anelka the prime target. Elsewhere though, their lineup seems to be in complete flux. Nolan was pushed forward just behind Anelka at Portsmouth but was then withdrawn early in the second-half, much to his disgust. Sammy Lee drafted in Andranik and Alonso for their first appearances in this game and also introduced new signings Wilhemsson and Braaten as subs. He will hope to have McCann back from an ankle knock next time around and will also be tempted to start with Helguson given the must-win status of the Reading game – so it’s really anyone’s guess what the Bolton lineup will be from this point on. Andy O’Brien is likely to get his debut in defence though, given Bolton’s current goals against record this season.
Liverpool are nearing the point that they become a better bet defensively. After a tough couple of games they now face Sunderland, Derby, Portsmouth, Birmingham and Wigan. Reina and his defence are worth a look then, particularly Riise who seems to be keeping the left-midfield spot from Babel, Kewell and the rest. Torres will have done his reputation no harm with the strike against Chelsea, although there is sure to be some rotation up front over those five games given the options Rafa has available. Certainly while United look vulnerable, Chelsea are missing Carvalho and Arsenal continue to gift opponents goals, it could be Liverpool who emerge as the only big side who can offer some decent defensive return over the next month.