A “grand-slam” Easter weekend but a mediocre one at best for most fantasy managers. Drogba did the damage for Chelsea, Santa Cruz found the goal-scoring knack at Ewood, Villa somehow kept their phobia of clean sheets going a home to Sunderland and Bikey emerged as the player to have in your side. A funny old weekend then, with few fantasy managers smiling by the end of it. Here’s my thoughts on proceedings.
Tottenham 2 Portsmouth 0
Team Lineups
Dawson came in for King at the back as per usual. Huddlestone started in midfield with Jenas failing to get over the knock sustained against Chelsea in midweek – more on that in a bit.
Plenty of changes from Harry. He was without Defoe of course due to Premier League red tape involved in his move from Spurs – that meant a recall for Kanu up front. Muntari and Diop were both suspended so Mendes and Davis came in. Diarra also missed out so Hughes returned from injury to take his place. Baros dropped to the bench so Utaka started as Redknapp went for a 4-5-1. Lauren was dropped and Aubey came in at left-back.
Notes and Form
Huddlestone earned FPL bonus once again and has a emerged as a decent short-term acquisition. The situation with Huddlestone and Jenas is difficult to read though. According to reports in the Mirror today, Jenas was fit for this game. If Jenas remains out of favour then Huddlestone could be set for a run in the side. Although that’s a big “if”, Huddlestone is certainly taking his opportunities with some decent performances. Meanwhile, Bent’s goal and assist here will elevate him further in Ramos’ thoughts. The risk of rotation with Keane could be heightened then for the Newcastle game next weekend.
Tottenham’s remaining fixtures look strong – particularly over the next 5. That will see interest in Berbatov continue and Keane, Huddlestone, Hutton and Woodgate could also be worthy of attention. This was only an 8th clean sheet for Spurs but their remaining fixtures suggest that their could be more to come.
Portsmouth continue to stutter on their travels and they were always up against here given Defoe’s absence and suspensions in their midfield. Defoe will return for next week’s home game with Wigan but will of course miss their FA Cup semi-final the week after. It will be interesting to see if Harry looks to rest any players with that West Brom game in mind. Campbell is certainly one candidate – he missed this one and seems unlikely to be rushed back for the visit of Wigan. Diarra could be another candidate for a rest. A tight hamstring kept him out of this one.
Like Spurs, Portsmouth’s remaining fixtures look very strong and the James, his defence and Defoe should remain popular targets. In the short-term, you’ve certainly got to fancy their players against a beleaguered Wigan ravaged by injury and suspension.
Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1
Team Lineups
Carson recovered from a knee problem to take his place in goal. Elsewhere O’Neill was forced into one change with Gardner regaining his fitness to take the place of Mellberg at right-back who was serving a 1-match ban.
Keane made a couple of changes. He was without Jones through illness, so O’Donovan kept his place and Murphy came in alongside him. Richardson returned to the midfield with Leadbitter dropping to the bench. Chopra returned to the 16 and took a place on the bench.
Notes and Form
Villa’s form is a real worry. They go to Old Trafford next weekend on the back of consecutive defeats and have gone 4 games without a win, scoring just 2 goals. This looked a home-banker for O’Neill’s men but they wasted chances and then conceded late on – their defence has now gone an incredible 17 games without keeping a clean sheet.
In fantasy terms their players are unsurprisingly suffering. Young, Barry, Agbonlahor and Laursen have been popular signings but with United coming next, it’s likely that they’ll be shipped out en masse by many. The fixtures do improve shortly after, with Bolton, Derby and Birmingham to come. It could be worth keeping faith then, particularly with Young or Barry in the FPL where they continue to earn bonus even in defeat. Barry notched another couple of bonus in this one – that’s 6 bonus points in the last 5 games despite Villa’s dodgy run of results.
This was Sunderland’s first away victory of the season and it was achieved without Jones, their talismanic striker. Keane will have selection problems next time out with Chopra pushing for a start with his goal here, and Jones likely to return. He also has injuries to contend with so we could see a very different lineup against West Ham next weekend despite this result.
Sunderland’s fixtures are pretty strong right up until Arsenal on the final day of the season. It could be worth taking a look at them for cheap defenders, particularly for home games, while Reid is also catching the eye. He earned the 3 FPL bonus here and is central to set-pieces.
Injuries and Suspensions
Carson is still troubled with a knock and has pulled out of the England squad for their midweek game with France. It will be interesting to see if O’Neill turns to Taylor for the Old Trafford test.
For Sunderland – Edwards, Nosworthy and Collins all picked up knocks in this one and will be doubt for the visit of West Ham next weekend.
Blackburn 3 Wigan 1
Team Lineups
Emerton missed out with a groin injury so Ooijer shifted to right-back and Khizanishvili returned to centre-back alongside Samba. Roberts kept his place up front so McCarthy was once again benched.
Bruce made just one change, bringing back Kilbane for the suspended Koumas on the left of midfield. Taylor was left on the bench then but replaced Edman after 41-minutes after the left-back suffered an injury that has ended his season.
Notes and Form
Blackburn put on a superb performance and despite previously struggling for goals and up against a side with 5 clean sheets in 6, they upset the formbook to put 3 past Wigan with 10-men for the majority of the game, having lost Samba early on. Bentley was superb throughout, while Santa Cruz got his 13th and 14th of season here, making it 5 against Wigan this term.
Their fixtures over the next 5 aren’t the easiest and you certainly wouldn’t back them for clean sheets. However, they are scoring goals again having improved their home scoring form with 8 goals in the last 3 matches. That makes Bentley and Santa Cruz worthy targets, despite a tough month to come with Liverpool and United in mid April.
Wigan’s recent defensive form had been second to none but they were simply dazzled by Bentley in midfield in this one and didn’t seemed to be helped by Samba’s dismissal. In the short-term they look in trouble. Edman’s injury here has ruled him out for the season and they will go to Portsmouth next weekend with Koumas, Palacios and Brown all suspended from their midfield. With a crucial game with Birmingham to follow, it’s not looking good for Bruce’s side all of sudden.
When those suspensions clear, it’s Spurs and Chelsea to come next so, looking at the fixtures and Bruce’s lack of options with his selection, it could be time for owners of Scharner to consider getting rid. On the other side of the coin however, it could be that he lines up in midfield for the next two matches given the absentees in that area. Taylor is also guaranteed a start next weekend given Edman’s injury and the suspension for Koumas. He could be worth considering if there’s a chance he can get amongst the set-pieces, although a clean sheet at Fratton Park certainly looks very unlikely.
Injuries and Suspensions
Samba will serve a 1-match ban for seeing red here for a professional foul. He’ll miss the trip to Reading next weekend.
Edman suffered what looked like a serious injury after 41-minutes. It’s since been confirmed as a ruptured cruciate ligament and he has been ruled out for the season. Palacios will serve a 1-match ban for the red card received for two bookables here. He’ll be out of the trip to Portsmouth next weekend. Brown will also miss that one having picked up his tenth booking of the season. He’ll serve a two match ban so will also miss the home game with Birmingham.
Bolton 0 Man City 0
Team Lineups
Cahill and Nolan passed fitness tests to return to the Bolton lineup. Meite and McCann dropped out. Campo also returned to the eleven with Joey O’Brien dropping to the bench. He did appear though, replacing the injured Gardner at half-time.
Petrov returned to the City lineup – he replaced Castillo who dropped to the bench, as did Elano who was replaced by Vassell in the lineup. Hamann served the second of his two-match ban here.
Notes and Form
Bolton’s plight looks even worse than Wigan. In simple terms they just can’t score goals – it’s just 4 in the last 9 Premiership fixtures. At least this was a clean sheet for Megson’s men – their first in 5 games. That might say more about City’s lack of firepower than Bolton’s renewed defensive qualities.
Fixture wise you’ve got to look at them in terms of providing clean sheet opportunities for the opposition. It’s Arsenal at home next, a game they’ll go into without Nolan who picked up his 10th booking of the season here. It’s a good time to play Arsenal and Bolton have traditionally caused them problems in recent seasons but you still have to fear for them in this one. After that they travel to Villa, a side without a clean sheet in 17 games but you wouldn’t bet on Bolton in that one either. In simple terms then, there’s little to tempt fantasy managers at the Reebok. I’ve given Taylor an opportunity to get amongst the points but his time appears to be up. He’s been a disappointment in terms of goal output for Bolton.
City continue to struggle away from home then. Petrov’s return from suspension at least gives them an effective attacking weapon which they’ve lacked in recent weeks, while this was a second clean sheet in 4. The next month won’t be easy for them though with a trip to Birmingham next, followed by a home game with Chelsea and a trip to Sunderland. Sides threatened with relegation will certainly look at home games with City as 3-point opportunities in their current form and I can’t see many clean sheets or big wins about for Sven’s men.
Injuries and Suspensions
Gardner suffered a rib injury and was replaced at half-time – it looked pretty nasty and it is said that he could be out for the best part of 6-weeks. Nolan picked up a tenth booking of the season here and will now serve a two-match ban. He’ll miss the games against Arsenal and Villa.
Middlesbrough 1 Derby 0
Team Lineups
Taylor came in for Huth who missed this one with a foot injury. He slotted in at left-back with Pogatetz partnering Wheater in the centre. Cattermole started for Shawky in midifeld who was suffering from a foot injury but was fit enough to take a place on the bench. Alves joined him there with Tuncay and Aliadiere up front.
Tood started at right-back for Derby with Edworthy dropping out. Elsewhere Derby were unchanged. Pearson was back from injury and on the bench.
Notes and Form
Predictably, the goal avalanche didn’t arrive. Boro have scored more than one goal just once in the last 15 Premiership games – bizarrely, that was at Anfield in a 3-2 defeat. This home game with Derby looked a good opportunity for Downing, Aliadiere and Tuncay to profit heavily but it just never materialised. The latter did at least grab his 6th goal of the season, while Downing picked up 2 FPL bonus points.
This was also a 7th clean sheet of the season for Boro, so Wheater did at least justify his selection in this week’s picks. He appears to be a short-term option however, with Boro’s fixtures getting rather horrible from this point on – it’s Chelsea, United and Spurs over the next three.
Nothing to note on the Derby situation as per usual.
Injuries and Suspensions
Young picked up an injury and he was subbed on 64-minutes.
Derby’s Sterjovski hobbled off with an injury after just 39-minutes.
Newcastle 2 Fulham 0
Team Lineups
Both Newcastle and Fulham were unchanged for this one. That meant that Martins started out wide for Newcastle again with Duff out of the 16. Viduka partnered Owen up front.
McBride and Johnson started in attack again for Fulham then with Dempsey left on the bench.
Notes and Form
A first win at last for Keegan with Viduka and Owen showing their class with the goals to see off Fulham. There’s still little to get too excited about in fantasy terms – although the front two are certainly worth monitoring for the run-in. Geremi’s two assists here will also get him some attention. He is back installed in the Newcastle midfield but is classified as a defender. Clean sheets still look very unlikely with Newcastle’s defence but Geremi could offer some value for home games if he can hold his place.
A disappointing result for Hodgson’s men but their forthcoming fixtures will certainly give them some comfort. Derby, Sunderland and Reading come next and if Fulham are to survive then this run of games is likely to decide it. Bullard should certainly be considered for this trio of games then, with McBride also central to Fulham’s chances in those fixtures.
Reading 2 Birmingham 1
Team Lineups
Coppell made just one change, dropping Long to the bench and recalling Kitson back to his forward line.
Birmingham were without McFadden who reportedly had keyhole surgery on Saturday morning. Zarete came in to replace him. Nafti came into the midfield to replace Johnson.
Notes and Form
It’s 3 wins in 4 for Coppell’s side then as they find form at just the right time to dig themselves out of trouble. Bikey’s 2 goals and 3 FPL bonus points will earn him a lot of attention and, given Reading’s fixtures and his price, that interest is warranted. He’ll face Blackburn, Fulham and Newcastle over the next 3 which offer some chance of clean sheets. For me, Shorey is still the better bet if you can afford him – he earned his 10th assist of the season in this one and is always a decent provider in attacking terms. With Coppell’s lineup very settled now, you can easily pick up decent low-mid price options from Reading over the next 3 games – Hunt, Oster and Kitson all fall into this category and are certainly worth a look.
Birmingham are back in trouble and are now without McFadden for at least the next 2 matches. Zarate will deputise in those games and grabbed his first Birmingham goal here. He also earned a single FPL bonus point which demonstrates that he is on the radar in those terms. Games against City and Wigan come next for Birmingham – they are likely to need plenty of goals in those games with the defence still vulnerable and weakened by Ridgewell’s absence after he picked up his 10th booking here. Forssell could certainly be worth a look in the short-term then, as could Kapo who is set to return to the side next weekend having returned to training.
Injuries and Suspensions
Ridgewell earned his 10th booking of the season here and will now serve a two-match ban. He’ll miss the games against City and Wigan.
Everton 1 West Ham 1
Moyes was without both Yobo and Pienaar who were nursing an ankle injury and illness respectively. Baines got a start at left-back then with Lescott shifting to partner Jagielka in the centre. Cahill returned to fitness to replace Pienaar while Anichebe was also fit take Johnson place alongside Yakbubu as Moyes went with a 4-4-2 again. Fernandes and Gravesen were back to fitness and on the bench.
West Ham were once again without Upson and his deputy Spector was also left on the bench with fatigue having only returned from International duty with the US on Friday. Tomkins got a first start in defence then alongside Ferdinand. Elsewhere Zamora was also out, still suffering from blistered feet, so Boa Morte made a return after suspension to support Ashton in attack. Noble earned a recall in midfield with Solano dropping to the bench. Last weekend’s hero, Freddie Sears, was alongside him.
Notes and Form
Another disappointing result for Everton who go to Anfield next weekend with confidence bruised by a UEFA Cup exit and two Premiership games without a win. Injuries are causing issues now and, having had a settled lineup for so long, their disruption is having an effect on performances and results. Cahill’s fitness is a concern having been withdrawn with a foot injury early on here. The absence of Johnson also robs Everton of a significant attacking threat. Yakubu continues to profit despite this – he notched his 4th goal in 5 Premierhship games here and continues to offer good value. Once the Liverpool game is out of the way and, with Johnson and Cahill in support, he could offer strong returns in the Derby and Birmingham games that follow. Everton then end the season with 3 home games in 4.
Defensively Everton conceded for the second game running and clearly have their work cut out at Anfield. Again though, the games that follow appear to offer very decent potential in terms of clean sheets. Howard, Lescott and Jagielka should maintain decent outputs then.
West Ham are showing some promise as the season draws to a close. Ashton has been the catalyst for this spark of form and he is certainly worth considering as a mid-price option for the run-in. He hit his second goal in consecutive games where but more significantly for FPL managers, he earned another 3 bonus points – that’s 5 in 2 games. Fixtures look good for him too – particularly over the next 5 games.
Injuries and Suspensions
Cahill suffered a foot injury and was subbed after just 10-minutes. It is believed that this is a recurrence of his old foot injury and he has been withdrawn from the Australian squad to face China on Wednesday. He will be a major doubt for Anfield on Sunday.
Manchester United 3 Liverpool 0
Team Lineups
Van der Sar returned in goal for United as did Ferdinand at centre-back so Kuszczak and Pique dropped out. Brown’s return at right-back saw Hargreaves drop to the bench, while O’Shea made way for Evra’s return at left-back. In midfield there were a number of changes with Scholes and Carrick returning alongside Anderson. Giggs and Ronaldo lined up in the wide positions supporting Rooney as the lone striker. Tevez dropped to the bench, Saha was out of the sixteen with another knock.
Rafa kept an unchanged lineup as expected with Torres supported by Gerrard from deep and Kuyt and Babel employed in wide positions. Skrtel once again partnered Carragher in central defence with Hyypia benched.
Notes and Form
United’s relentless march to the title continues then, helped here by Mascherano’s self-destruction. There was no denying United the win though – their 5th consecutive victory and 4th consecutive clean sheet. They face Villa next weekend and the forthcoming Champions League tie with Roma three days later, has to be considered here. Ferguson will certainly want to rest Scholes, Giggs and perhaps even Rooney with this in mind. Tevez was benched here and seems certain to get a recall at the weekend, as does Hargreaves and O’Shea with Brown and/or Evra perhaps under threat.
As for Liverpool – their focus is likely to switch almost entirely to the Champions League if they can successfully see off Everton at Anfield next weekend. If Liverpool get the win, we could see Rafa looking to reintroduce a more intense rotation policy prior to Champions League games. Rafa dare not rest for the Everton game prior to the first leg, but after that game, Liverpool face Arsenal in the Premiership. Both sides could certainly look to rest a few in that one.
Injuries and Suspensions
Ronaldo and Nani are both nursing minor leg injuries and have been withdrawn from Portugal’s squad for their friendly with Italy. There’s little need for panic here – it’s likely to be a precaution on Ferguson’s part and a way of getting a rest for the pair prior to the Villa game at the weekend and more importantly the Champions League clash with Roma on Tuesday week.
Torres was giving a tough time by Vidic and Ferdinand and was taken off by Rafa with 10-minutes remaining. He is carrying knocks to his ankle and ribs apparently, with scans set for earlier today to assess the damage. That’s likely to be Liverpool’s way of pulling their star man out of the Spanish squad for their international friendly this week but it’s a situation worth monitoring in case he could be a doubt for the Merseyside Derby next weekend. Mascherano will serve a 1-match ban for his two yellows here. He’ll miss the Everton game. Expect Lucas to be drafted in to replace him.
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1
Team Lineups
Grant made just one change to the lineup that drew at Spurs and it was a pretty significant one. Essien shifted to right-back to replace Ferreira who was strangely absent. Ballack came into the midfield. Drogba once again got the lone strikers role but Anelka reappeared on the bench and got on late on to assist for the winner.
Wenger named an unchanged lineup with Van Persie once again starting, although he was employed wide on the left for much of the game with Hleb furthest forward in support of Adebayor.
Notes and Form
A muscular Chelsea performance that was just too much for an Arsenal side that seemed too easily distracted by an injury to Sagna and Grant’s introduction of Anelka. Grant’s initial team selection is of interest, particularly with Essien starting at right-back. Ferreira’s absence was unexplained and clearly the right-back situation is now horribly muddy for fantasy managers. Ashley Cole appears to have the left-back spot cemented once again, while Carvalho and Terry are firmly installed in the centre of the defence. The Champions League tie with Fenerbahce however, could cause issues.
It seems likely that Grant will rotate with that game in mind at the weekend when Chelsea face Boro. Anelka, Belletti, Obi, Bridge and Alex could all figure in that one then with Chelsea still looking good for a win with a weakened side. Ballack, Kalou, Drogba, Essien and Carvalho all look under threat at the weekend then. The trip to City prior to the second leg, could also see some rotation but perhaps on a more minor scale with the title still very much within reach.
Drogba’s goals and performance here clearly installs him as the first choice striker, leaving Anelka a peripheral figure it seems. However, he still appears a risky fantasy investment while Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions are alive.
Arsenal are on a dreadful run – their worst Premiership run in 9 seasons – and will look to next weekend’s trip to troubled Bolton as an opportunity to get back on track. Megson’s men aren’t perhaps the best opposition to face after the bullying that Arsenal got here. Toure and Gallas just couldn’t cope with Drogba’s physical presence, while at the other end Adebayor was dwarfed by Terry and Carvalho. Typically however, Fabregas still came out of the game with an assist and a single FPL bonus.
After Bolton, it’s United and Liverpool – and next weekend will offer the best clues as to how these games will go. If Arsenal struggle again at the Reebok then you wouldn’t hold much hope for an improved result of fantasy output from their players at Old Trafford or at the Emirates against Liverpool. As with Rafa, you also have to wonder if Wenger will switch his attention to the Champions League and risk resting players with this in mind. That Premiership encounter with Liverpool will certainly be a very interesting one in terms of team selection.
Injuries and Suspensions
Sagna suffered what looked like a fairly nasty ankle injury and was subbed after 72-minutes. He has withdrawn from the French squad for their international friendly and will certainly be a major doubt for the visit to Bolton next weekend. Expect Eboue to shift to right-back there, with Diaby coming into the side.