Ronaldo and Anelka fire the goals. Liverpool and Chelsea keep them out. We’ve been here before and by the looks of things, we’ll be here again. At least Villa made things interesting with an outstanding performance against the misfiring Gunners, while Fulham sussed out Harry’s game as Bent thanked his fantasy investors with a blank. Here’s the notes from this weekend…
The Lineups
Starting with the morning kick-off and as suspected, Rafa kept Torres on the bench for the trip to the Reebok, while Carragher shifted to right back to replace the suspended Arbeloa and injured Degen. It was a 4-2-3-1 from Liverpool then, with Alonso recalled alongside Mascherano in midfield, Gerrard, Kuyt and Rierra played in front of them with Keane up front. Gerrard picked up a knock in this one and has pulled out of England’s friendly against Germany in midweek. He is an early doubt for the Fulham game next weekend then.
Megson meanwhile, went with a 4-5-1 but surprisingly dropped Gardner to the bench in order to recall Nolan who was back from suspension. Gardner came on to replace Muamba and impressed again – expect him to start at Boro next weekend and provide a decent cheap defensive option.
At the Emirates, Wenger recalled his senior players for the visit of Villa. Adebayor was kept on the bench with slight doubts over his match fitness, so Bendtner started up front with Diaby playing just off him. As for Villa, O’Neill dropped Shorey to the bench and played Luke Young at left back. Cuellar remained in the defence along with Davies then. Petrov replaced Reo-Coker in the starting lineup. He dropped to the bench as Milner and Sidwell remained in the eleven as O’Neill went with a five man midfield. Carew was also left on the bench with doubts over his thigh injury..
Ferguson’s lineup at Old Trafford included a few unpleasant surprises – although with news of Rooney’s chest infection breaking in the week, his omission was perhaps signposted by the United boss. Tevez started with Berbatov up front then, while at the back, Rio Ferdianand missed out with what appears to be further back trouble. That’s not yet confirmed but regardless, it’s clear that Rio is remains a slight risk for fantasy managers – it’s not the first time he’s missed a game with a niggle and his back appears to be a weak spot. A straight swap for Vidic or Evra seems a sensible move as we approach the busy Christmas period.
Elsewhere in the United lineup Ferguson went for some added height, bringing in O’Shea at right back and Fletcher and Carrick in midfield. Park was also recalled to a wide role. Fletcher picked up a knock in this one and is a doubt for Scotland in midweek – that will make him a doubt for the Villa trip next weekend. Ferdinand and Rooney will also be slight doubts as they have also withdrawn from international duty – this is more than likely just a precaution.
Paul Ince made a host of changes to his lineup that took the field against Sunderland in the Carling Cup – most significantly, Santa Cruz earned a start up front after scoring in that game. Mokoena started for Grella in midfield and Pedersen came in for Derbyshire. At the back, Ooijer earned a recall at left back with Olsson out through illness. Nelson was also unwell so Khizanishvili kept his place alongside Samba.
There was a lot of talk before Saturday over the possibility that Zaki would be absent from the Wigan side against Newcastle and so it proved. It was suggested that Zaki had flu all week, although Wigan’s official site reported as absence as being down to a hamstring injury. Heskey was also still sidelined as was Melchiot with a calf injury, and Koumas with a groin problem. Taylor, Scharner, Kapo and Camara all got starts then. There will be more changes for next weekend’s home game with Everton – Boyce will be missing for starters after his very dubious red card in this game.
Zola made changes at Upton Park with Cole coming back in up front. Sears and Bellamy flanked him with Behrami replacing Faubert in midfield. Boa Morte dropped out of the squad. As for Portsmouth, Adams was without both Campbell and Kranjcar who had picked up toe and ankle injuries respectively, in training. Diop and Kaboul earned recalls then while Belhadj kept his left midfield role with Traore again on the bench. The Arsenal loanee and fantasy darling did earn another clean sheet here though – he replaced the injured Diarra early on and completed the required 60 minutes on the pitch. His third rather fortunate clean sheet of the season.
A couple of notable changes in the lineups as the Cottage, with the home side bringing in Dempsey for a start with Gera relegated to the bench. Redknapp also made one notable change, preferring Bale to Assou-Ekotto at left back. Popular fantasy targets Modric and Bent came back into the side after being benched for the Carling Cup win in midweek. Harry accommodated them but switching to his fluid 4-5-1 formation, although Modric did appear to spend much of his time out wide on the left. He was generally ineffective – more on that later.
No major surprises in the home lineup at the Hawthorns. Mowbray went with 4-4-2 with Miller and Bednar up front. Meite replaced Donk at the back, while Morrsion came in for Kim in midfield.
Scolari was forced into changes however with a couple of fresh injuries. He kept Drogba benched with his match fitness still a doubt and on the eve of a likely three match ban. Ashley Cole and Ballack returned from injury to sit alongside him. Alex missed out with a thigh injury so Ivanovic started alongside Terry. The Chelsea skipper picked up a knock late on and will face a scan on a foot injury later this week. Deco’s groin problem cleared up but Cech missed out with a calf injury and was replaced by Cudicini. Cech will miss the Czech Republic’s midweek international but is expected to return to the Chelsea lineup for the home game with Newcastle next weekend.
Moyes had plenty of options for the visit of Boro on Sunday. Fellaini returned from suspension and that saw the Everton boss bench Pienaar and opt for an attacking midfield lineup with Osman on right and Arteta spending a lot of his time on the left. Cahill and Fellaini occupied the central midfield pairing with Saha partnering the returning Yakubu up front. As for Boro, they made just one forced change – Alliadiere out through illness.
A the KC stadium, Hull boss Phil Brown was forced to make a change in defence with Dawson missing out with an Achilles injury. Rickett’s came in. Mark Hughes also had to make changes with Dunne and Fernandes suspended. Ben Haim and Kompany came into the side. Hart picked up a foot injury and will be doubtful for the home game with Arsenal next weekend.
The Form
I was concerned that Fulham would prove a significant obstacle for Spurs and that proved to be the case. Those who invested in the likes of Bent, Modric and Bentley had an afternoon of frustration as Fulham maintained their impressive form, particularly at the Cottage. Hodgson’s men are only currently bettered at home by United and Liverpool. They’ve won 5 of 7 home games, scoring 10 and conceding just 5.
Hangeland picked up FPL bonus from this one and remains the best option amongst their defensive players given his threat from set plays. In attacking terms, Johnson scored his fourth goal in four games, while Davies belatedly began to contribute with his first goal and assist of the season here. Fulham’s fixtures – Liverpool away, Villa away and City at home, don’t particularly lend themselves to investment.
Worryingly for Modric owners, it’s widely accepted in Sunday’s press that Spurs looked more threatening and effective when Redknapp introduced Lennon and Pavlyuchenko in the second half. That saw Spurs switch to a more familiar 4-4-2 and with Campbell coming on as sub to take his chance again, it looks odds on that Harry will opt for 4-4-2 next weekend.
The problem here is that I can’t see Modric working in that formation. Jenas and Huddlestone will surely take the central midfield roles, while Lennon appears to offer a more direct threat to Modric out wide on the left. That’s a real worry going into the home game with Blackburn – a potential points earner for owners of Tottenham’s attacking players. Having come out and announced that he would look to build his side around the Croatian, I can still see him starting. I’d rather see him behind the strikers than out wide on the left however. In contrast, Campbell could well be worth considering as a budget option for that Rovers game – he could well get the start ahead of Pavlyuchenko.
Defensively Spurs remain a no-go area and Gomes is to blame for that. Harry is set to stand by his “number one” if you believe his post-match comments and you’ve got to fancy Blackburn to score next week as a result. Get on Santa and Samba at set pieces.
I won’t dwell on Ronaldo’s form. It really does speak for itself. Any FPL manager looking to flourish without him only has to look at the gap between Lampard’s return yesterday. Where last weekend those who captained Lampard over Ronaldo benefited from an 8 point swing. The swing from Ronaldo to Lampard this week was a staggering 30 points.
Lampard isn’t the only alternative FPL captain of course, although the pressure on finding a strong option to Ronaldo every week is a real test. Those with Ronaldo meanwhile, can use his explosive scoring to cover a multitude of sins and slip ups. He consistently turns an average scoring week into a good one in the FPL.
Anelka is doing a superb job of keeping up with Ronaldo in the form stakes. He’s moved onto 12 goals for the season now and his 8 goals in the last 4 Premiership starts has already seen him register an FPL price increase overnight. Currently owned by just over 15% of FPL managers, getting him into a lineup with Ronaldo and Lampard isn’t easy. With Drogba set to miss the next three however, he is assured of minutes on the pitch and his form looks irresistible. Bosingwa and Lampard remain essential elsewhere in the Chelsea lineup – if you can afford Anelka as your third Chelsea player then do so.
Kuyt is another maintaining his strong form He has now scored 5 goasl in last 7 starts for Liverpool after his superb header at the Reebok. His starting role in the Liverpool side looks assured and with fixtures continuing to look strong, he will surely continue to contribute decent returns. He picked up a pair of FPL bonus points and brought in his second double-figure return of the season in that game.
Cahill’s role in the Everton lineup in Sunday’s draw with Boro concerned me. He appeared to be playing a deeper role with Fellaini bombing forward more often. Cahill then drifted out wide a little in the second half, swapping with Arteta. I’m not sure Moyes knows how to accommodate Cahill and Fellaini – for me, this casts serious doubts over Cahill’s fantasy value. Arteta is your option in the Everton midfield but the home side looked far from fluid and have scored just six in six home games. His assist for Yakubu’s goal was his first fantasy points in five games. With three away games in the next four, maybe Arteta’s form and returns will pick up. There are better, cheaper options elsewhere for me though.
City’s Stephen Ireland remains one of them. His returns have faltered of late but his two goals against Hull were reward for those who have remained patient with him. His five goals this term is excellent return for a low-to-mid price option. While his owners may have getting fidgety of late, his forward runs never wavered if his points output dropped. There will surely be no doubts over him from this point on. His place is assured and in the current system he continually backs up forward play from a central position and often gets beyond the striker. His fixtures aren’t the easiest but in a City side that scores goals, I see no reason that he won’t maintain his returns over the season – even with the likely influx of new faces in January.
Elsewhere Chelsea’s Malouda who earned a sixth assist of the season at the Hawthorns. He remains a very decent mid-price midfield option but suffers with Bosingwa, Lampard, Anelka and Cech perhaps all above him in the fantasy pecking order. His place could also come under threat in the near future with Joe Cole’s return and a possible switch to 4-4-2 to accommodate Drogba and Anelka.
Villa’s Agbonlahor had an outstanding game at the Emirates, recording his seventh goal of the season. Once United are out of they way next weekend, Villa have strong fixtures going into Christmas to help his cause. There are other options in the Villa man’s price bracket however – notably Cisse of Sunderland who got his fifth goal of the season at Ewood Park yesterday. His third goal in the last 4 starts for Keane’s men. Sunderland have United in gameweek 16 but apart form that, have an excellent run of fixtures which should see Cisse’s goal tally increase further. Team mate Jones is also worthy of attention.
Defensively Liverpool and Chelsea continue to kick off. Rafa’s men chalked up a fourth clean sheet in the last five, Chelsea earned a seventh clean sheet in the last eight – a staggering record. Scolari’s men now have 9 clean sheets for the season, Liverpool have 8.
The likes of Agger, Carragher, Aurellio and Bosingwa look the best options with Terry expensive and injury prone, Alex out with a thigh injury and Cech also now a doubt having missed yesterday’s win with a calf problem. Carvalho will doubtless be a popular signing on his return however although, with Anelka continuing to flourish up front, many FPL managers will be looking to free up a Chelsea slot in their squad. Doubling up on Liverpool’s back four looks a better option.
United moved onto 6 clean sheets with the win over Stoke, although their fixture list remains a problem. They have Villa and City away next and miss gameweek 18 with the Wigan game postponed through Super Cup commitments. I’d steer clear until Christmas then.
Outside of the big three there appears to be few defensive options that stand out. Hull’s form at the back is becoming a concern. Turner, so long a fantasy favourite, has no gone four games without a clean sheet and five without bonus points. He’s needs another bout of goals to resurrect his fantasy potential. Some decent fixtures over the next three should help.
While Hull decline in defensive terms, Portsmouth look likely to provide the best option for mid-price options. They’ve conceded just 6 goals in the last 8 games (matching Liverpool and United) and recorded their fourth clean sheet at Upton Park yesterday. They also have a strong run of fixtures which should see then notch up a few more cleanies in the coming weeks. The unfashionable James and forward thinking Johnson are worth a look. Belhadj is the obvious choice as he continues in a wide left role, although his starting place is not 100% bullet proof giving Kranjcar’s likely return next weekend and Traore’s appearance as sub at West Ham. I’m still not convinced that Adam’s is done tinkering with his starting eleven just yet.
If you want budget defensive options then Stoke have the fixtures to warrant investment. Three home games in four could also bring their centre backs rewards from the Delap throws. Shawcross looks an option, although he looked very shaky at Old Trafford and could be under threat for next weekend’s home game with West Brom.
Villa’s Laursen seems set for a renaissance. He rewarded his owners patience with a sizable haul at the Emirates. There is sure to be renewed interest in him following the United game next week. Villa’s fixtures pick up considerably after that one and he looks a strong alternative to defenders from the big three over Christmas.
Injuries and Bans
Joey Barton picked up a knee injury and was replaced by Guthrie on 16 minutes. He left the ground on crutches according to reports and will have a scan on Monday.
Luka Modric picked up a knock in the first half of the game against Fulham and was replaced by Lennon at half time.
Stoke’s Olofinjana picked up a knock and he was replaced by Cresswell on 31 minutes.
West Brom’s James Morrison sustained an injury and was replaced by Filipe Teixeira on 57 minutes.
West Ham’s Ilunga suffered a knock and was replaced by Faubert on 61 minutes.
Portsmouth’s Diarra picked up an ankle injury early on and was replaced by Traore on 18 minutes. According to early reports and comments from Adams, he could be set to be sidelined for a few weeks.
Arsenal’s Sagna picked up an ankle injury and was eventually subbed on 71 minutes. It’s been revealed that he will be out until December.
United’s Darren Fletcher picked up a knee injury in the win over Stoke. He is out of the Scotland game in midweek and is an early doubt for the Villa trip.
Chelsea’s John Terry sustained a foot injury and he is set for a scan on Monday. He’s a doubt for England against Germany then and could possibly miss the home game with Newcastle next weekend.
Steven Gerrard picked up a leg injury against Bolton and is said to be out for 7-10 days making him a doubt for the Fulham game next time out.
Joe Hart limped out of City’s game at Hull after just 18 minutes with a foot injury. He’ll certainly be a doubt for next weekend’s home fixture with Arsenal.
Moving on to suspensions and Wigan’s Boyce will serve a one match ban for his red against Newcastle. He will miss the home game with Everton on Monday week.
Cesc Fabregas picked up his fifth booking against Villa so he will miss the trip to City next weekend.
Stoke’s Fuller is now suspended for the home game with West Brom. He picked up a fifth yellow at Old Trafford yesterday.
Blackburn’s Warnock picked up his fifth Premiership booking but had already reached five yellows having picked up a booking in the Carling Cup. He will miss the trip to White Hart Lane next weekend.
Evra, Palacios and Fulham’s Murphy are all new arrivals on the suspension tightrope after earning their fourth bookings of the season on Saturday.