With four fixtures in eleven days it’s going to be hard to keep up. Luckily I’m now officially too old to receive anything distracting from under the tree and with the usual crap on TV, I’ve got every chance. Here’s my notes on this weekend’s games to get us going…
Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1
Wenger stuck with the same eleven that sealed the win against Chelsea last weekend. That saw Eboue recover from his knee injury to take his place in midfield and Van Persie on the bench.
Arsenal weren’t at their best but did enough to battle to three points against a brave Spurs performance. Fabregas contributed a pair of assists in an otherwise subdued performance from him although predictably, he picked up another pair of Fantasy Premier League bonus points regardless. Flamini continues to impress while Adebayor hit his third goal in five games -he also picked up the three bonus points here.
Arsenal have difficult trips to Portsmouth and Everton next, and the big question is when Wenger will recall Van Persie. The current 4-5-1 system and lineup could well be the best to take to those two tricky away games. Fabregas and Adebayor will doubtless be key figures point scorers in those matches, although with Van Persie waiting for a start, it could be that Wenger rotates his attack for one of those games.
Spurs were crippled by injuries. Dawson was still absent having been hosptialised by a migraine last weekend. Jenas was sidelined with an ankle injury. Those two injuries and the fact that Zokora was serving the first match of a three match ban, saw O’Hara and Boateng start in midfield. Chimbonda slotted in to the centre of defence with Tanio brought in at right-back. Keane was restored to the frontline having served his recent 3-match ban.
Spurs have clearly toughened up under Ramos. Considering the injuries they were nursing, Spurs performed well. Berbatov showed some flashes of brilliance and appears to be back to his imperious best. He has contributed two goals and four assists in the last six matches. With Fulham and Reading at home to come next, Berbatov should be a top priority target over the Christmas period. Keane is another possible target to consider although he could be rotated with Defoe or maybe Bent for one or more of the Christmas/New Year fixtures. His penalty miss here is unlikely to see him lose the spot kick duties.
Aston Villa 1 Man City 1
Villa had Petrov back available but kept him on the bench. Gardner also found himself benched with O’Neil choosing to bring in Maloney for a rare start after his superb free-kick last weekend.
Carew was Villa’s star performer here, finding the net for the third time in six games. Hardly prolific but then he’s getting little help from Agbonlahor right now. The England Under-21 striker has not scored for five matches. Villa’s defence was breached for the fourth consecutive game – clearly Laursen and his defence aren’t offering the value of previous weeks and with away games at Chelsea and Wigan to come, it’s difficult to see things improving over Christmas. Laursen however, continues to be a bonus point darling in the FPL game, picking up another two in this match. No defender has earned more bonus points than him.
Sven could previously be relied upon to pick a consistent lineup, but having settled on his first choice keeper, he’s now thrown fantasy managers another poser by dropping both Garrido and Corluka to the bench for this one. Was this just Sven planning for the busy Christmas period or are both his first choice full-backs out of favour for the foreseeable? Onouha and Ball started in this one. The second consecutive Premiership start for Ball after he dropped to the bench in the midweek Carling Cup tie.
Elsewhere, Johnson was sidelined so Gelson got a start in midfield. Bianchi continued up front and scored his third goal in three Premiership matches. Petrov contributed another assist, his third in three games. He continues to be a consistent points scorer. Elano, in contrast, has now made five appearances for City without a goal or an assist – although injury has disrupted that run.
Defensively City have gone five games without a clean sheet but have two home games against Blackburn and Liverpool, to put that right. However, it’s worth considering that they have conceded in their last three home games in league and cup having been rock solid to that point. They’ll be plenty of managers selling Garrido then, while Hart is certainly a very decent budget keeper purchase, but it might be a few weeks before he’ll earn you a clean sheet.
Injuries and Suspensions
Gareth Barry picked up his fourth booking here and is a new addition to the suspension tightrope. Reo-Coker meanwhile, picked up his seventh of the season.
Bolton 3 Birmingham 0
Megson brought Andy O’Brien back into the centre of his defence as expected with Michalik dropping out of the sixteen. Nolan shook off a knock to take his place in an otherwise unchanged lineup.
Anelka hit a brace and has now scored four in his last five Premiership starts. Nolan meanwhile earned an assist to go with his two goals in his last three matches. That pair will attract the interest of fantasy managers with Diouf not far behind. He’s hit two goals and two assist in three games although he will of course be departing to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal in January. With regards to Anelka, he is in fine form. However, it’s worth noting that Bolton’s next two matches are away against Everton and Sunderland. Anelka has scored just two of his ten Premiership goals away from the Reebok.
Another possible target comes in the unlikely form of Andy O’Brien. As expected Megson is showing signs of tightening Bolton’s defence and O’Brien appears to be the key player in this equation. Bolton have conceded just one goal in O’Brien’s last four Premiership starts. Having said that, with Bolton away from home in the next two matches, there doesn’t appear to be too much clean sheet potential. Bolton have yet to earn a clean sheet on their travels.
Birmingham had Djourou back in their lineup with McCleish employing him in central midfield. Jaidi got his first start in central defence with Ridgewell suspended. Nafti found himself on the bench having returned from suspension with Johnson keeping his place in midfield. Forssell also dropped to the bench having started against Reading with McSheffrey supporting Jerome up front. Sadler kept his place but was subbed at half-time. That saw Kapo get a run-out and Djourou moved back to the defence in the second half.
The next two matches are vital for Birmingham. They’re both at home against Boro and Fulham and will be games that McCleish will need to win in order to keep them out of the relegation zone. Jerome appears to be the best transfer target for Fantasy Managers in their lineup with Larsson a decent budget midfielder. Defensively they’ve kept just one clean sheet in the last eleven, so only Ridgewell, who at least offers a goal threat, appears to be a likely target.
Fulham 1 Wigan 1
Lewington’s first game in charge as caretaker and he made few changes to the lineup. Konchesky earned a recall at left-back with Bocanegra moving to central defence and Stefanovic dropping out of the sixteen. Kamara returned from suspension to line up with Dempsey in attack. Healy dropped to the bench.
Dempsey came back into Fantasy Managers minds here with his first points in six Premiership games. He’s still being employed in an attacking role and seems likely to continue at least until McBride is fit or the new manager brings new signings in January. Dempsey also picked up the three FPL bonus points here. He remains the one figure in the Fulham lineup worth considering with Davies and Kamara the only others worth showing partial interest in. They travel to Spurs and Birmingham over Christmas with a record that shows just one goal in the last five away Premiership outings.
Steve Bruce made just one enforced change with Heskey unavailable. Aghahowa came in up front alongside Bent. Sibierski was fit and on the bench. Scharner was once again employed in central defence with Brown in midfield against his former club.
Bent is undoubtedly the hot property in Wigan’s lineup, hitting his fourth goal in two games here. He also picked up two bonus points here. Wigan face Newcastle and Villa at home next so there could be more goals coming over Christmas. Elsewhere in the Wigan lineup, Taylor is worth a look quite simply because he’s being played in midfield but classed as a defender in Fantasy games, plus he’s behind many of Wigan’s set pieces while Koumas is out of favour and on the bench.
Injuries and Suspensions
Omozusi picked up an injury and was subbed after the hour mark with Baird replacing him at right-back.
Liverpool 4 Portsmouth 1
Rafa recalled Gerrard to his lineup after he missed the Carling Cup defeat in midweek. Benayoun kept his place with Alonso out of the sixteen. Finnan was still sidelined so the back four was an expected with Arbeloa and Riise occupying the full-back slots. Kuyt and Torres continued up front with Crouch suspended.
Torres has now started the last five Premiership matches, hitting three goals and an assist. He is undoubtedly the hot property in the Liverpool lineup going into Christmas, firing a brace and earning the three bonus FPL points here. Gerrard has simmered a little after a month of frenzied points scoring. He has still scored four goals and four assists in the last six Premiership matches. In contrast, Liverpool’s defenders have now gone three matches without a clean sheet although a trip to Derby next should put that right. That game is followed by a visit to City.
Redknapp was without Pamarot who was sidelined with a hamstring injury so Hreidarsson came back in at left-back. Elsewhere, Portsmouth were unchanged with Mendes keeping his place midfield with Davis out with a knock.
Benjani notched his first goal in six here. Kanu’s appearance in the second-half is significant and likely to see a shift to two up front for Pompey over Christmas, particularly as their next two games are at home where they have struggled for goals. Utaka would appear to be the likely player benched, he’s gone seven games without a goal or an assist. Defensively Pomepy are without a clean sheet in three after this game and seem set to be without Johnson for a few games after he picked up an injury here. Arsenal and Boro lie in wait for them next.
Injuries and Suspensions
Johnson picked up an injury in the first-half and was finally subbed early in the second-half.
Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 2
Boro were without Rochemback through suspension while O’Neil was also sidelined with a knock. That meant a start for Arca who returned from injury while Johnson came in on the left, Downing was shifted to the right wing.
A bad result for Boro after a upturn in form and fortunes recently. Wheater raised his fantasy profile with his second Premiership goal of the season here. He also picked up the three FPL bonus points and is clearly an excellent budget buy. Elsewhere Tuncay was unable to maintain his recent scoring streak but he along with Downing and perhaps Arca will doubtless atttract some attention over the next month. The fixtures aren’t easy for Boro however. They visit Birmingham and Portsmouth next followed by two home games against Everton and Liverpool.
The Hammers were without Cole through suspension. Collins, Gabbidon and Ferdinand were all absent through injury so Spector came into the centre of defence alongside Upson. It’s one clean sheet in five for that defence, the midfield remains unpredictable so it’s just Ashton that’s likely to attract any attention from fantasy managers.
Ashton hit his second goal in three games here, not a bad return having been sidelined for so long up until then. His performance also earned him two FPL bonus points. West Ham have three of the next four at home with Reading and United next, followed by a trip to Arsenal and a home game with Fulham.
Injuries and Suspensions
Woodgate suffered an injury and was subbed on the hour mark with Huth replacing him.
Boateng picked up his fifth booking of the season but due to the seven day rule, he’ll be availalbe on Boxing day but will miss the trip to Portsmouth next Saturday.
Camara picked up a knock and was subbed on 75-minutes.
Reading 2 Sunderland 1
Gunnarsson passed a fitness test and played as Reading named the same side for the fifth game running. Hunt was amongst the points again – he’s now scored a goal and an assist in each of his last three games. He also earned the three FPL bonus points here. Despite the uncertainty over his future at Reading, he will be their top target for Fantasy Managers over Christmas although Shorey, Doyle and Kitson will also get some attention. Convey is also worth a look though. He’s now established in the side and along with the likes of Pienaar and Larsson, is in that bargain bracket for midfielders. Reading travel to West Ham and Spurs where they’ll look for their first clean sheet away from home since the 0-0 with United on the opening day of the season.
Roy Keane made his usual array of changes for this game, handing a start to Cole up front and Chopra on the right-wing. Leadbitter came in for Etuhu in midfield and Gordon replaced Ward in goal.
Jones got his first points in four games here with the assist for the Chopra penalty. He could and should have got more. Elsewhere, while Edwards is still sidelined, there’s little to tempt Fantasy Managers. Sunderland do have three of the next four at home however, which should bring Jones some points and Chopra’s first goal since week two of the season, could inspire him over Christmas although he did pick up a knock here and could be a doubt for Boxing Day. Sunderland face United and Bolton at home next, followed by a trip to Blackburn and another home game with Portsmouth.
Injuries and Suspensions
Chopra picked up a knock and was subbed after 86-minutes.
Newcastle 2 Derby 2
I should have known better that to back Newcastle’s defence, even against a Derby side who had scored just six goals all season. Quite simply, Newcastle continue look a shambles at the back, while the entire lineup elsewhere is still in flux as injuries clear and Allardyce seems unable to decide on his strongest side.
He brought Viduka back up front today, moving Smith back into midfield in place of club skipper Geremi. Duff was back on the bench and will add further uncertainty to the Newastle lineup over Christmas. Not that should worry many of you, Newcastle’s fixtures do them few favours. They face three of the next four away from St James’s Park with trips to Wigan and Chelsea next. That’s followed by a home game with City and then a trip to United. Only Viduka, with his brace today, is worthy of attention. With Martins departing for the African Nations, Allardyce needs to give him a run in the side and his class was evident today.
Derby lost Davis in the pre-match warm-up which meant that Leacock shifted from midfield to central defence. They were without Oakley with a thigh injury so Lewis came in and Barnes moved to a midfield role. Howard partnered Miller up front.
Remarkably the Derby performance may well cause a few fantasy managers to look their way. Barnes and Miller, scorers here, will certainly get some interest with Derby facing three of the next four at home. It’s Liverpool and Blackburn at home next, with a trip to Bolton and a home game with Wigan to follow.
Blackburn 0 Chelsea 1
Hughes was without Samba through suspension so brought Khizanishvili into his defence. If that was predictable, the decision to push Bentley up with Santa Cruz certainly wasn’t. McCarthy was always unlikely to figure given his current form, he was on the bench along with Roberts and there was no sign of Derbyshire. Elsewhere Tugay made a return to the midfield as expected with Reid alongside him and Dunn out wide in Bentley’s usual position.
It’s no clean sheet in seven matches for Blackburn now and even with Samba’s return on Boxing Day, it’s clear that their defence remains far too leaky for consideration. Bentley and Santa Cruz remain the only real targets here then but with three of the next four away from Ewood, things won’t be easy. It’s City next, followed by a trip to Derby. A home game with Sunderland is then followed by an away visit to Bolton. Hardly a daunting set of fixtures but they come at a time when Blackburn are really struggling for results.
Grant brought Ferreira in for Belletti once again as a question mark remains hanging over that right-back position. It could be that Grant rotates things on Boxing Day but it’s clear that the uncertainty in this position will lead to a lot of fantasy managers losing patience with Belletti. Carvalho and Alex appear to be far more secure in their positions for a similar price, certainly while Terry is sidelined. Elsewhere in the Chelsea lineup, Essien returned to the midfield after suspension and Shevchenko was declared fit and took his place up front with Joe Cole and Kalou supporting.
It’s three home games out of four for Chelsea, a period that will doubtless see a good few managers investing in the likes of Carvalho and Alex. The defence remains rock solid, having conceded just two goals in the last eight Premiership games. As a caveat to that however, Cech’s injury here and likely absence on Boxing Day, could be a factor. Chelsea never seem as secure at the back without Cech’s influence.
In midfield Lampard will get the usual attention although he has just one goal and one assist in his last six Premership starts. Joe Cole is also worth a look, his goal here was his second in four games and his place appears to be secure with Malouda still carrying a knock and out of favour. Kalou has contributed three assists in four games and could be worth a look but he will depart for the African Cup of Nations in January.
Injuries and Suspensions
Dunn picked up his fifth booking here. He’ll be available on Boxing Day but will miss the trip to Derby on December 30.
Cech hobbled off just after the hour with a hip injury and is likely to be a doubt for the Boxing Day game.
Man United 2 Everton 1
United had more than a few injury problems for this match with Van der Sar struggling with a groin injury and Ferdinand still recovering from receiving stitches in his foot. Hargreaves was also out with a back injury. That meant starts for Simpson at the back with Kuszczak behind him in goal. Carrick earned a recall in midfield.
Ronaldo was, once again, the deciding factor here with a brace. He is now the Premiership’s top scorer despite missing a number of games through injury and suspension. No matter what your opinion on Ronaldo, it’s almost impossible to omit him from your Fantasy lineup. In contrast Rooney is going through one of his lean spells – it’s no goals and just two assists in the last five starts. It’s clear that Rooney’s output is suffering as a result of the form of Ronaldo and Tevez.
United’s defence remains the top in the division despite conceding here. Vidic is perhaps the most sensible Christmas purchase in that department given the question mark over Ferdinand’s fitness and the fact that Neville will at some point threaten Brown’s place. Evra meanwhile, is now just one booking away from a ban.
United are away in the next two games at Sunderland and West Ham. That’s followed by home games with Birmingham and Newcastle. A very very decent run which should see a large haul of fantasy points for their players.
Everton were without Arteta in this game due to a stomach bug. That saw a start for Johnson as Moyes shifted to a 4-4-2. Neville moved into the midfield to cover the loss of Osman who is out for a number of weeks. That saw Hibbert come in at right-back.
Moyes has the squad to rotate things over Christmas and that, quite frankly, gives me the fear. Cahill should be fairly secure no matter what – he continues to go from strength to strength and must surely be on the shopping list if not already in your fantasy lineup. Arteta should also be untouchable once he returns from illness. I do wonder what he’ll do up front though. Yakubu has been on fire but with Vaughan, Anichebe, Johnson and McFadden – it could be that Moyes rests him on Boxing Day. The back four should remain intact however. Today’s two goals were the first conceded in four matches.
Everton have three of the next four at home. It’s Bolton and Arsenal next, followed by a trip to Boro and a home game with City.
Injuries and Suspensions
Evra picked up his fourth booking of the season as he begins to walk the suspension tightrope.