My picks come early this week as I’m about to cut myself off from all things electronic whilst I camp in a festival field in Dorset for a couple of days. I’ll be dividing my prayers between the weather keeping dry, and my picks not flopping flat on their face for another week.
For those who still maintain a slither of faith in my dubious opinion, you’ll find that I’ve updated the picks in the right hand menu and if you read on, you’ll find my analysis of another tricky week and my chosen team lineup.
The team news and injuries have also had a full update with all today’s murmurings taken into account. Good luck for the weekend folks.
On electronic paper, this looks another tricky week with a fair splattering of hard-to-call encounters and countless unknown variables knocking about.
West Ham and Newcastle have had backroom upheavals that could influence what otherwise appear to be kind fixtures at West Brom and at home to Hull respectively. The Baggies are struggling for goals and Hull will be short on confidence after the 5-0 mauling by Wigan. Victories for West Ham and Newcastle look on the cards then but the events leading up to these games do cast some uncertainty on the outcomes.
The dependable, ruthless efficiency of Chelsea was slightly undermined at home to Spurs last weekend. This time around they visit a City side swimming in a dreamland of cash who will be spurred on by fanatic, ecstatic support and buoyed by the presence of a world class player in Robinho. Any other scenario and that’s a 1-0 to Chelsea – with these factors circling around the fixture, I’m not so sure. Tough to call, best avoided I would say.
Then we have United at Liverpool – always unpredictable given the rivalry between the sides, although we could have some clarity to this game if both Torres and Gerrard fail to make it. That looks to be the case at this point in time and without them, Liverpool would appear to be up against it, particularly with United boosted by returns from injuries and a likely cameo role from debutant Berbatov.
Arsenal’s annual trip to Ewood Park is never comfortable and while Ince’s side look likely to concede goals to the Gunners, they’re unlikely to concede too much ground. I can see Wenger having another uncomfortable experience this weekend. Arsenal should still come out of with three points. A clean sheet could be another matter though with both Roberts and Santa Cruz looking lively right now. Again, a tough one to call with conviction – I’m steering clear here too.
I can also see Everton getting a thorough examination at Stoke. Pulis has got his side contesting every ball and, while Everton should prevail, again I can see this being a struggle.
Thankfully there are some fixtures that appear to afford us some confidence in our predictions. Wigan are buoyant right now and should have too much for Keane’s Sunderland. A goal or two from Zaki and a clean sheet could well be on the menu at the JJB.
Bolton meanwhile, could find themselves in trouble at Fulham. Hodgson’s side have shown sides that they are an improved outfit, while Bolton are missing Cahill, Taylor and Elmander at the Cottage which is sure to hurt them at both ends of the pitch. A win for Fulham, paired with a clean sheet looks a pretty decent call.
Portsmouth also look good for a home win over Boro. Redknapp has stumbled on a winning formula with his 3-5-2 utilised so effectively at Goodison, that and Defoe’s sharpness, should be too much for a Boro side who are playing okay but always seem to struggle for consistency.
The Spurs vs Villa encounter is tough to call in terms of results but we it should guarantee some goals – it was 4-4 last season. Defensively both faired well last time out but I’m struggling to see defences coming out on top here. Villa travel well and seem likely to score, particularly with Spurs looking vulnerable at set-plays – remember the havoc Wheater caused on the opening day. On the flipside, Spurs will have gained confidence from their performance at Stamford Bridge and seem set to start with Pavlychenko up front. There should be goals here.
Having summed up the background for the weekend games, lets go over the picks I’ve finally settled on.
In goal I’ve gone for United’s van der Sar. I can see United keeping Liverpool out given the injuries that Rafa has going into the game – van der Sar will be called on to make saves but without Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool could lack a cutting edge. I see some saves and a possible clean sheet coming the way of the United keeper.
There are strong alternatives but in most cases the defenders in front of the likes of James, Schwarzer and Given appear to offer better value. Let’s move on to the defence next then.
N’Zogbia is the first selected, with Newcastle looking strong for a clean sheet, despite the Keegan shenanigans. There’s a good chance that N’Zogbia be employed on the left wing against Hull.
Next up, Portsmouth’s Armand Traore is set to keep his place in the left wingback position and offers great value at the back for a Pompey side who look fairly good bets for a home clean sheet.
Wigan’s Figueroa earns a spot with Bruce’s side looking a confident pick for a cleanie at the JJB against Sunderland. The final spot goes to Fulham’s Hangeland – if Hodgeson’s side can keep Arsenal at bay, they should be okay at home to a Bolton outfit lacking firepower. Hangeland also has the goal threat to get on the end of Bullard’s deliveries, as we’ve already seen against the Gunners.
For alternatives, there’s always the Chelsea defence of course, while I also like the attacking threat of Bale for Spurs at home to Villa – although he’s likely to be employed at left back rather than in midfield. Laursen is the chief goal threat from set plays for Villa and he could profit from the Spurs defence – a clean sheet looks unlikely though. I’ve also like a quick word on Kaboul – he can be a bit on the ropey side defensively but he’s a goal threat, is cheaper than Distin and Campbell and a regular starter in this new Pompey formation. A decent shout if you’re worried about Traore’s rotation.
Moving to midfield, this certainly appears to be the toughest area of the pitch to call this week. Ashley Young’s threat and delivery from set play is enough for me to keep faith with him, while Bentley for Spus in the same game gets the nod. It’s always dangerous to put too much faith in one particular fixture but I’ve decided to back a hunch with this one.
Fulham’s Bullard will be keen to show his worth having failed to see action for England, despite his call up. Bolton at home could well provide the ideal platform for him to boost he reputation so I’m handing him his first selection of the season.
I’ve gone for Arteta for the final spot – his class could be the difference in the game against Stoke. This will be a tight affair but the Spaniard’s delivery could be the key factor – he should be back on penalties after Yakubu’s miss last time out too.
Elsewhere, Lampard will be buoyant after the England game and is certainly worth keeping faith with if he’s in your side. Valenica offers strong value if you back another goal glut from Wigan, and Stoke’s Lawrence is sure to be Everton’s chief tormentor.
I’ve also got a good feeling about Diarra in Portsmouth’s new system – he looked dominant in midfield against Everton and may get forward at Fratton Park in the same formation. Then there’s Fabregas at Blackburn of course, and Wright-Phillips for Man City against his former club. In short then, a lot of options – none of which look cast iron certainties. The midfield is a minefield of opportunity and frustration this week – I can only wish you good luck finding your way through it.
Up front it’s looking a lot clearer. It’s hard to ignore Zaki given his current form and this week’s opposition. I’ve partnered him with Defoe who has a strong home scoring record for Portsmouth, and has the form and confidence going into the game with Boro.
Other options include Yakubu at Stoke, Ashton at West Brom and Zamora at home to Bolton. All look decent alternatives who could be in for profitable weeks. I’ve also a strong feeling that Tevez will have a blinder to overshadow Berbatov’s likely debut at Anfield. Just a hunch.
That’s about it for the picks – if you’re looking for an FPL captain you’re facing a difficult choice yet again. Zaki stands out if you’ve jumped on that particular bandwagon, while Bentley and Bullard offer tempting alternatives, and if you really want a gamble – how about N’Zogbia – ouch, that could go very wrong.