And so we have ourselves a gameweek torn asunder by the Carling Cup Final and a string of injuries and suspensions. With most of us toying with the idea of major surgery, here’s my take on the players worthy of attention for the weekend…
I’ve gone for Friedel between the posts. The Villa keeper has a decent fixture at home to a Stoke side that have struggled on the road and although I feel that a clean sheet is in some doubt here (given Beattie’s confidence), at least Friedel should be worked enough to earn some save points. He’s also always a good bet for a penalty save should he come up against a spot-kick.
Friedel’s selection frees me up to select a couple of defenders with stronger clean sheet potential this week and who offer some threat going forward. Chelsea’s Alex is a certain starter against a Wigan side who have lacked bite up front for several weeks now. The Brazilian looks set to carry on alongside Terry, with Carvalho still struggling for fitness. Everton’s Baines is another who has profited from injury of late – he has taken his opportunity to make the left-back spot his own at Goodison with Yobo sidelined. He will surely start against West Brom this weekend and with Arteta sidelined for the rest of the season, he could offer some potential from set-plays along with Jagielka who is also a fine option this gameweek.
The final two spots go to players who benefit from seemingly being safe from rotation. I expect both Wenger and Rafa to shuffle things a little after midweek Champions League exertions and with Premier League games in midweek on their minds. However, both Sagna and Arbeloa should start and both offer strong clean sheet potential at home to Fulham and away at Boro respectively.
Moving into midfield and Lampard’s selection should come as no surprise. With Ronaldo missing, Arteta out and Gerrard still a doubt for the Riverside trip, the Chelsea midfielder offers some warm fuzzy security in our midfields. I can’t see Chelsea finding it easy to break down a stubborn Wigan defence at the Bridge but Lampard is likey to be central to their attacking ambitions and promises decent returns yet again.
Everton will be missing Arteta and perhaps the likes of Pienaar and Osman against West Brom at Goodison but Cahill will return from suspension to carry the fight to West Brom. He’ll surely be Everton’s key attacking threat in this one and will be a real threat ghostng in at set-plays – something the Baggies have struggled to defend all season.
Bolton’s Matt Taylor keeps his starting role in the picks having repaid my faith last weekend with his seventh goal of the season. He faces up against a Newcastle side which should afford him more opportunities to add to his goal and assists columns.
Villa’s Ashley Young has struggled to produce in recent weeks but I feel that Stoke’s full backs will struggle to cope with his quick feet and supply from out wide. While O’Neill’s side still aren’t convincing in terms of form (no win in the last four games), they should have too much for Stoke and I can see Young being central to their downfall.
Up front it looks really tough this week. As I mentioned in my midweek meander, I can’t see many goals at any of the grounds. It makes sense to go with men on form then. City’s Bellamy is just that – he’s on a hot streak of goals and while I predicted the chance of frustration for his fantasy owners from his trip to Upton Park, the injury to Collins at the back and Noble in midfield for the Hammers, have made me reassess City’s chances in this one. Hughes’ side should have the confidence after the Anfield result and the UEFA Cup win in midweek and Bellamy will proivde the cutting edge if they can achieve the win.
Looking around for options alongside him I was tempted to go with Van Persie – although with the slight risk of him being rested with Diaby/Arshavin as an option up front with Bendtner. Bolton’s Daives was also considered – he is on an irresistible run of form and offers a good option beyond this gameweek. I’ve decided to gamble on Blackburn’s McCarthy though, who offers potential against Hull’s obliging defence, whilst offering strong value next week with a double fixture to come.