Forget Country File this week, we’re set for a lively Sunday with so many sides having their matches shifted to accommodate European games in midweek. Saturday could be rather subdued in comparison, although we should be guaranteed some fireworks and a good few goals at Ewood and the Stadium of Light, as United and Arsenal face tricky post-Champions League encounters. Make the most of it – it’s international weekend next.
Where’s my fantasy money going this gameweek then? Read on for the usual analysis and dubious picks…
Starting at Ewood then, and Ince will get his side wound up nicely for the visit of United and this will be a far from easy ride for the Champions. Arsenal did put four past them at Ewood, and with Ronaldo and Berbatov set for starts – you’ve got to back at least a couple of away goals here. The United backline will be tested but they look fairly decent clean sheet prospect in a week where shutouts look thin on the ground.
The Gunners should have too much for Keane’s Sunderland but like United, they won’t find it easy. Again I can see a couple of away goals in this and Van Persie and Adebayor should be in profit again – unless of course Wenger hands one of them a rest. There’s a chance of that, but after the partnership clicked so well in the Champions League on Tuesday, it looks unlikely. Ferdinand offers great value in the Guardian game where he has already piled up defensive points in three appearances. He’ll be kept busy again. Fabregas must surely register soon but Nasri and Walcott could steal his thunder again. Denilson could get a rest with Song now fit – so there is risk there if you’re backing him. It stands to reason that I’m going to be right on him being rested one week – this could be the one.
West Brom’s game with Fulham looks the best bet for a 0-0 if you had to pick one out of the weekend’s fixtures. Hodgson has Johnson banned, while there is a slight doubt over Zamora. The Baggies meanwhile come off the back of a 1-0 at Boro and will have some confidence. Could be a narrow home win with a cleanie this – with Bednar and Greening tepid attacking options, Olsson and Carson presenting good defensive value.
Wigan should have too much for Boro – too much in the shape of the uncompromising Zaki whose stock continues to rise week-on-week. Valencia could also profit after showing strong form against City last time out. Boro should score though – it’s keeping them out at the other end that’s been their problem. The Egyptian bandwagon to keep rolling then as Zaki profits again.
Chelsea will be tested by a Villa side who have travelled well and are scoring goals once again. A home clean sheet looks unlikely then and Chelsea will look to Lampard to drive them through this one with Drogba sidelined. There were plenty of goals in this one last season – the absence of Carvalho and the possible absence of Terry and Alex, both doubts, appears to guarantee a few goals once again. It’s Lampard all the way for the home side, with Kalou also looking tempting. Barry prospered last year and is due a penalty or two, while Carew will cause problems for whoever lines up in the Chelsea rearguard.
Everton and Newcastle doesn’t look much fun for either side. Both are low on confidence and this could either be an edgy low scoring affair, or a balls out goalfest. I’m going for the former with Everton sneaking it. An Everton clean sheet will doubtless be too much to ask though. Arteta and Yakubu will be favourites to prosper – I can see Saha opening his account here if selected.
City vs Livepool could go either way, depending on how Rafa plays it. If he shuts the game down as he did at Villa we can expect a dour, low scoring affair. If he comes out to play and match City’s exuberance, we could be in for a treat and plenty of points, with Wright-Phillips and Torres prominent.
Portsmouth will be buoyant after their UEFA Cup win and on paper, should have too much for Stoke. We can’t write off the promoted sides, but Stoke could be frustrated here. Delap is currently rated 50-50 and his absence will hurt. I see Harry shutting this one down and sneaking it by the odd goal. Another decent clean sheet prospect in my book with Traore looking decent, Belhadj a good option as an alternative. Defoe and Crouch are clicking and could profit.
Hull’s visit to Tottenham looked a home win all the way when it came out of the fixture computer. Six games in however, Spurs are bottom and Hull are riding high and coming off a win at the Emirates. The head says another away win for Phil Brown’s men and I’m finding little within the Spurs ranks to convince me otherwise. They could manage a 1-1 and Hull might, just might, be happy to settle for that. Cousin will cause problems and looks a decent budget option. Hull’s Geovanni will be shooting from distance. Spurs’ Geovani will be warming the bench and maybe sitting next to Bentley.
Finally we have the resurgent Hammers hosting Bolton. Zola has two wins out of two, while Megson can’t seem to buy three points. He’ll surely come to Upton Park to shut the game down, after a plucky display at Old Trafford. Whether they can keep West Ham’s new-found flamboyance at bay is another matter. West Ham never keep a clean sheet, although this is as good a chance as any. Bolton should score then, which will mean the Hammers will need a couple. I’ve a sneaky feeling that Megson will get a point from this one but Etherington and Cole still look strong options for profit.
On to the picks then and I’ve got Carson in goal with a decent clean sheet opportunity against the poor Fulham travelers. The Baggies keeper has form and should notch up some points from saves at the very least.
Rio Ferdinand takes a defensive slot – he’s been edging forward of late and has several goal attempts in recent games. He might not need a goal in this one though – United look a fairly decent bet for a clean sheet. As do Arsenal at Sunderland, so Clichy comes in with Gallas looking a bit ropey in recent weeks.
Portsmouth’s Traore earns a recall. I lost faith with him in the picks and he issued a reminder of his potential with a clean sheet and assist against Spurs. He should continue on the left wing in this one as Harry moves to 4-4-2 again. I was going to gamble with Scharner for the final defensive berth. Boro look good to score but the Wigan man could find himself in midfield if Cattermole fails to make it. That could backfire on me though, with Brown poised to come in should Cattermole fails a fitness test. I’ll go with Figueroa then, he looked a tad dodgy against City but should keep his place and provide an added attacking threat down the left.
Ronaldo earns his first of many picks in midfield. Barring injury and suspension, he’ll be there for the duration so get used to that. Lampard’s importance to Chelsea without Deco and Drogba assures him of a place – again he is semi-permanent in the picks whilst on form and maintaining his “essential” tag.
I’ll happily jump on the West Ham wagon and give Etherington a go against Bolton, even though this game could be tighter than anticipated. Etherington is pushing up and cutting inside as the left side of a front three and could profit if Zola’s men find a way past what is likely to be a Bolton rearguard action. Finally I’ll hedge my bets and go with Arteta against Newcastle. Again this may not be the goalfest people anticipate but Moyes could go 4-4-2 which should make for a more open game. The Spaniard is likely to be central to the home sides attacking play and should hog set pieces.
Up front I can’t ignore Zaki – looking strong at home to an obliging and possibly, injury ravaged, Boro defence. There are plenty of options for a partner – Defoe and Crouch have the form at home to Stoke, likewise the Arsenal pairing at Sunderland, while Cole for West Ham presents excellent value again. Torres has form against a City defence that should concede and with Dunne a doubt.
I could easily go for a third United man and opt for Berbatov who has some form in a match where United are likely to need a couple. I’ll settle for Defoe though. He’s a safe home bet against a Stoke defence that should struggle for a clean sheet.
Ronaldo single-handedly destroys the FPL Captain conundrum from this point on, although Lampard also looks strong against a porous Villa defence. If you’re without those two (unlikey surely?) then Zaki looks the next best bet.
That’s all then. I’ll round up my latest thoughts on this lot in the Pre-match Preamble tomorrow morning as usual.