After a slight upturn in fortunes for my picks last week, I’m looking forward to this weekend’s games. There looks to be some tasty pairings and plenty of potential for points, with clean sheets again looking scarce. This could also be the last week before Ronaldo breaks another fantasy football season, so enjoy it while you can.
Lets start by going through the fixtures for some background info. The early afternoon kick off on Saturday between Sunderland and Boro appears to offer us little of interest. Keane’s side have tightened up of late and the signings of Ferdinand and McCartney have helped stiffen the defence. They are up against a Boro side who are playing decent stuff and haven’t troubled to score so far this season. It screams of a low scoring draw then, with Mido perhaps attracting some modest interest given his form so far this season. I can see hints of a Sunderland cleanie here though.
Blackburn’s clash with Fulham offers more potential. Rovers are shipping goals and are up against a Fulham side that gave Bolton a good going over last weekend and have a dangerous front pairing in Zamora and Johnson. Again we could be looking at a draw here but we should see plenty of goal action and some decent returns for the strikers involved. Hodgson’s side didn’t travel well last season and have already lost at Hull on the road but I can see them nicking a few goals and coming back with three points.
Liverpool vs Stoke would have been stinking of a home clean sheet when that fixture came rolling out of a computer back in July but Pulis’ side have proved that they can cause Premiership defences problems. The Anfield clash still looks the best bet for a clean sheet this week and there should be at least a couple of goals in it for Liverpool’s attacking players. Gerrard and Torres look predictably strong for this one if they can avoid rotation – which they should.
Zola’s first game in charge of West Ham sees Newcastle visit Upton Park. A difficult one to call this – both lineups are pretty uncertain due to recent management changes. Ashton would have been a strong selection but his absence perhaps opens the way for Cole to come to the fore – he looks a very decent budget option. I want to find some potential in West Ham’s attacking players but I’m struggling to see a clear option, beyond Cole and perhaps Noble.
Arsenal normally dread going to the Reebok but I can’t see them struggling this time around with Bolton still suffering from a lack of firepower with Elamander looking very doubtful. Wenger knows what to expect defensively and his attack should have too much for a Bolton rearguard lacking Cahill through suspension once again. There could be rotation in the Gunners lineup but Fabregas and Adebayor look strong, as does Gallas and Clichy at the back.
West Brom vs Villa should see plenty of fireworks. Both sides are playing decent stuff although O’Neill’s side badly lacked Carew’s presence in Thursday’s UEFA cup tie – his fitness is a crucial factor for this one and right now he looks to be struggling to make it. Young is also a slight doubt but should make it looks an obvious choice and heavy scorer. Barry is a good alternative though, and I like Laursen against a Baggies defence that’s fragile against set-pieces. Villa may not have it all their own way though and Greening looks good as a budget option playing just in front of a the lone striker.
The battle of Stamford Bridge is the glamour tie but in fantasy terms its too tight to call. There are plenty of uncertainties with Ronaldo’s role the key factor. I’m still torn but edging towards Ferguson staring with him, Berbatov could perhaps be spared and benched. Even so, Ronaldo is up against a Chelsea defence that appears to be well equipped to cope with him. If Ferguson could well start two wingers – Ron and Giggs, and look to subdue Bosingwa and Ashley Cole, both of which have been crucial to Chelsea’s attacking flow. It all adds up to a tight one with few goals and little fantasy potential. An in-form Lampard at a push perhaps.
Everton look strong at Hull, even though Phil Brown’s team were superb at Newcastle last time out. They will put up a fight but Everton should have too much in attacking terms. Their defensive fragility is leading to them chasing games and offers plenty of attacking points. Inspired by Arteta and executed by Cahill and Yakubu who all look strong selections – I’m going with a 3-1 win for Moyes’ men.
City’s clash with Portsmouth looks a tough game. On paper, City’s attacking riches with Defoe on fire at the other end, appears to offer goals. I’ve a feeling it will be a lot tighter and end in a low scoring draw or a sneaking win for City. Jo offers a good option up front, while Kompany looks attractive for a City clean sheet. Harry could rest a few after Europe in midweek.
Finally the Spurs vs Wigan game looks to be another difficult one to call. Wigan and in particular, Zaki, are on fire and he should find some joy with the Spurs defence here. Ramos’ side must surely turn the corner soon though and could give as good as they get. I can see goals and decent returns for the attacking players on show – Bentley, Bent, Valencia and Zaki all look good options. Wigan to nick it for me though.
Having summed up my views on the fixtures, lets roll though the team selection. I’ve started with Reina in goal with Liverpool looking good for a clean sheet – Rafa’s back four, Carragher included, are all under threat from rotation – so he looks the best option.
In front of him I’ve gone with Laursen’s goal threat at West Brom and Clichy’s attacking flair at Bolton. Kompany comes into my picks for the first time – City could edge out Portsmouth and keep a cleanie and if not, this guy could contribute going forward as he continues to be deployed in the holding midfield role. The final defensive slot is a close one but I’ve gone for Anton Ferdinand with Sunderland looking a fair bet for a cleanie at home to Boro.
In midfield Arteta picks himself with good form and a decent fixture in the trip to Hull – he should pull the strings and profit again. Fabregas is due to make an impact having got a few starts under his belt – again he has a good fixture at Bolton which should provide the platform for a few points. I like Young for Villa at West Brom, there is a minor doubt about his fitness but O’Neill is confident which is good enough for me. His set piece delivery could be key and pairs well with Laursen. I’m tempted to go with the obvious Gerrard option against Stoke but don’t want to throw in three Liverpool players – instead I’ll stick with Bentley who I fully expect to show his quality at some point. Spurs will need to score a couple to get anything out of Wigan and Bentley should prosper if Ramos starts with him out on the right as expected.
Up front Torres looks irresistible against the Stoke defence. He is due to explode and a promoted side at Anfield appears to offer the ideal scenario for a goal or two. I’ve paired him with Yakubu who has form and, like Torres, is up against a promoted defence. There are good options elsewhere here though, with Cole, Zamora, Zaki and Agbonlahor all looking strong.
To wrap things up, the FPL captain looks a tricky one again – Ronaldo could make this straightforward from this point on, so lets make the most of the doubt. Young looks strong but slight doubts over his fitness is a worry. Arteta is another good option as is Fabregas at Bolton. I’m leaning towards Torres though, he should start against Stoke who will surely struggle to deal with his movement.