A re-modelled version of the Scout Notes finds some in-depth analysis of the weekend’s team selections, together with the usual summary of injuries, bans and some notes on future rotation.
Go get the goodness…
Portsmouth 2 Everton 1
Paul Hart compensated for the loss of Pennant to a calf injury by shifting Johnson to the right-wing, brining in Kaboul at right-back. An interesting move for fantasy managers – although Pennant should make a return by gameweek 32 so Johnson’s right-wing role is likely to be short-lived.
Moyes gave a debut to Jacobsen at right-back, leaving Neville in midfield to cover for Tim Cahill who was kept out by his calf injury sustained last weekend. He failed a fitness test for this one but should be good to return after the international break. The Aussies are certainly confident that he’ll make their international fixtures.
The form of Crouch, with Portsmouth’s favourable fixtures in mind, is the key factor to take from this game. I’ll save further analysis of this for another article however.
Injuries and Bans
Jo picked up an injury late on and was replaced by Rodwell.
Fulham 2 Man United 0
Hodgson once again kept an unchanged lineup – maintaining Fulham’s repuation as the most consistent lineup in the Premier League. Ferguson, in opposition, did make changes however. Scholes and Giggs were recalled as expected, as was Fletcher. Carrick and Rooney dropped to the bench, along with Tevez who made way for the return of Berbatov. Evans replaced the suspended Vidic in defence.
The red cards for Scholes and Rooney will limit Ferguson’s options for their next league fixtures. Both players will serve a one-match and miss the home game with Villa. That should see Berbatov and Tevez paired up front, although we can make presumptions about lineups until the international fixtures are out of the way.
United will take on Porto in the first leg of their Champions League tie three days after the Villa game. It’s hard to imagine Ferguson resting any players for that one. United then travel to Sunderland before the second leg and, depending on the score in the tie, we might see some players threatened by rest and rotation there.
Injuries and Bans
Berbatov was replaced by Rooney at half-time with an ankle injury. He has been ruled out of Bulgaria’s international and sounds likely to be a doubt for the Villa game.
Rooney and Scholes will face one match bans as a result of their red cards here. There is a suggestion that Rooney’s ban could be extended to three matches as a result of his protests following the award of the card. Right now though, both players miss the home fixture with Villa next gameweek.
Blackburn Rovers 1 West Ham 1
Allardyce recalled the previously bench-bound McCarthy as he returned to partner Roberts up front in the continued absence of Santa Cruz. Rovers shifted to a 4-4-2 then, with Diouf on the right of midfield and Gamst-Pedersen on the left. Nelsen returned to the defence after injury, while Dunn was fit enough for the bench.
Expect Andrews to push for a start next time out after his equaliser in this one. Santa Cruz looks likely to remain sidelined after the international break as he continues to suffer from tendinitis. Ooijer picked up an injury in this and was replaced at half-time.
Zola was forced into changes with Upson failing to shake off a calf injury to take his place in the defence. Spector started at right-back with Neill shifting to partner Tompkins in the centre. Boa Morte started for the injured Savio. Tristan was given a start up front, with Sears dropping to the bench. Dyer was a notable inclusion alongside him. He saw action with eight minutes to go.
The West Ham lineup will change significantly for their home game with Sunderland next time out. Carlton Cole returns from his two-match suspension, while Savio and Dyer will be pushing for starts in the wide roles. Upson should be fit to return and Collins could also be available to replace Tompkins in defence.
Injuries and Bans
Ooijer picked up a knock and was replaced by Andrews at half-time.
Stoke 1 Middlesbrough 0
Pulis handed a starting role to Fuller as expected. He should now cement that role alongside Beattie going forward. Etherington was back on the bench but couldn’t displace Lawrence who is also looking likely to maintain his starting role. Certianly Delap isn’t going to be dropped from the role on the right, given the contribution of his long-throws.
Southgate made three changes to his side, restoring O’Neil to the midfield and recalling Shawky alongside him. Bates was out through suspension, while Arca was dropped to the bench. Taylor started at left wingback, as Boro shifted to a 3-5-2 playing three centre backs to counter the Stoke aerial threat.
Stoke’s lineup looks pretty settled going forward. Boro meanwhile will undergo further changes next time out. Southgate still hasn’t settled on his attack with Alves, King and Aliadiere seemingly rotating until one finds form. They also seem likely go back to 4-4-2 for the trip to Bolton next time out.
Tottenham 1 Chelsea 0
Redknapp made just one change to his lineup from the win at Villa – Corluka replacing Zokora at right-back. Hiddink meanwhile, kept Belletti in the side after he replaced the injured Deco against City last time out. Alex was recalled with Carvalho suffering an ankle injury in training in the week.
The Spurs lineup is feeling more settled now that Cup distractions are out of the way. King is likely to be an ever present from this point on and that is helping to stiffen the Spurs defence considerably. A good run of fixtures to come suddenly makes the Spurs defence worth considering, whilst Modric and Keane have show form as Spurs make progress at the sharp end.
There’s little on the Carvalho injury right now so it’s impossible to estimate just how much of an issue this will be to Chelsea in the coming weeks. Another absence would of course bring Alex back into the equation but, right now, it’s too early to consider investment here. Elsewhere the Chelsea lineup remains stable enough – it’s just their lack of goals – just 5 in the last 7 games, that’s alarming.
Chelsea have their Champions League tie with Liverpool to follow the trip to Newcastle. Hiddink has yet to show any evidence of heavy rotation and I personally can’t see him starting for the next gameweek fixture. We might however, see some rotation for the game to follow at home to Bolton, depending on the score in the tie with Liverpool.
Injuries and Bans
Modric picked up a knock late on and was replaced by O’Hara.
***Edit***
I’d previously mentioned that Palacios had earned his tenth booking in this game and would therefore be facing a two match ban. This was nonsense. He has of course already served a two-match on his arrival at Spurs. Palacios did earn his tenth league booking here but also had a booking in the FA Cup which saw him suspended earlier in the season. Sorry for the confusion.
West Brom 1 Bolton 1
Mowbray switched to 4-4-2 as expected, recalling Simpson up front for Dorrans. Megson was without Andy O’Brien who picked up a knee injury in the week, Mark Davies was also missing with a long-term injury problem. Puygrenier and Muamba were recalled to take their spots in the side.
This was a must-win game for West Brom and clearly they are now fading fast. The next three to four games are absolutely vital but in fantasy terms they appear dead to us. Simpson has been a disappointment and Mowbray is clearly losing patience with him. Benching him on Monday against West Ham and subbing him here, despite needing a winning goal.
Bolton’s lineup can be relied upon whilst Davies remains absent. Megson did shift to 4-5-1 in this one however, switching Kevin Davies to a wide right role. That needs to be monitored as it will clearly limit the potential of Bolton’s leading scorer. Right now, this seems likely to be a factor away from home, whilst at the Reebok, Davies should continue to offer potential in the central striking role.
Injuries and Bans
Puygrenier picked up an injury and was replaced by Shittu on 59 minutes.
Newcastle 1 Arsenal 3
Nolan completed his suspension and was immediately recalled by Hughton. Smith dropped out to make way, while Lovenkrands was surprisingly recalled to the starting lineup for Owen who was benched. Ryan Taylor earned a recall on the right. Gutierrez dropped out.
Wenger meanwhile kept Diaby in central midfield role, leaving Song benched. Bendtner and Van Persie were partnered up front, which meant that Arshavin adopted a wide left position.
Newcastle need to get Owen on the pitch and he seems almost certain to start next time out. They suffered injuries to both Bassong and Steven Taylor. Both will be doubts for the following gameweek, which is certain to see Beye recalled.
Arsenal’s lineup will become more tricky to predict after the international break with the return of Fabregas presumably threatening Diaby and Song. Denilson should keep his place but we’ll need to see how Wenger shuffles his midfield resources. Walcott and Eduardo will also come back into the equation after the break. That increases the threat on Van Persie, despite his form here, as presumably a place for Arshavin will be found, either out wide or as a supporting striker.
We have to consider the Champions League Quarter Final with Villarreal, the first leg of which follows three days after the home game with City coming next. Arseanal then have the trip to Wigan before the second leg. Van Persie would certainly seem in doubt for at least one of those games.
Injuries and Bans
Newcastle lost three players to injury. Bassong suffered an injury and was replaced by Beye on 38 minutes. Taylor was finally replaced by Owen on 59 minutes after struggling with a knock sustained in the second-half. Lovenkrands sustained an injury and was replaced by Ameobi on 79 minutes. There’s little information available on those three right now.
Man City 1 Sunderland 0
Mark Hughes handed a start to Bojinov up front with Bellamy back but starting on the bench. Bridge failed to shake off the knock picked up in the UEFA Cup on Thursday and Ireland’s ankle injury also kept him out. Elano and De Jong earned starts in midfield then. Zabaleta started at left-back.
Sbragia switched to 4-5-1 once again for this away game. That saw Jones up front and Cisse benched. Murphy came in for Reid on the left and Edwards started for Cisse. Ben Haim was ineligible against City, so Ferdinand earned a recall in defence.
The City lineup is tricky to predict next time out. Zabaleta is the problem player as with Ireland set to return and De Jong and Kompany established in the midfield holding roles, presumably Zabaleta will either drop to the bench or switch to right-back, leaving Richards competing with Onuoha for the spot alongside Dunne. Bellamy will also likely return, although he has new competition in the form of Bojinov. There are question marks here then.
Sunderland are pretty much devoid of fantasy talent so their lineup is not a major concern. Sbragia keeps with this 4-5-1 away from home though which clearly limits the appeal of Cisse and Jones who are struggling for goals. There could be a shake-up to come defensively with Ben Haim’s return for the next fixture. Nosworthy is also likely to come into the equation after the break.
Injuries and Bans
Richards and Kompany both picked up injuries late on and were replaced on 84 minutes.
Sunderland will lose McCartney for their next fixture – the trip to his former club, West Ham. Sunderland could yet appeal the red card however. If the decision is upheld, I’d expect Collins to shift to left-back and Ben Haim to take the spot alongside Ferdinand.
Wigan 1 Hull City 0
Bruce made one forced change to his lineup. Valencia missed out with a hamstring injury so Rodallega profited with a start in a 4-4-2. Zaki remained on the bench. Phil Brown was without skipper Ashbee through injury, whilst the likes of Turner, Mendy and Kilbane returned after being rested in the Tuesday Cup tie. Marney returned from suspension to start in midfield. Geovanni kept his starting role with Manucho and Fagan up front. Dawson earned a recall at left-back.
The Wigan lineup appears to be pretty settled, although Bruce will have a decision to make on the return of Valencia. Watson or Scharner will likely keep their place in midfield. One will have to drop to the bench unless Bruce keeps with 4-5-1.
The Hull lineup is changing with each and every game. Luckily it’s only really Mendy, Geovanni and Turner that seem likely to attract fantasy interest. Their roles in the side appeared to be pretty solid for the run-in.
Injuries and Bans
N’Zogbia was injured in a challenge in the first half and was subbed at the break. He is due to have scans on the knee injury later this week.
Scharner also picked up a knock and was subbed on 79 minutes.
Hull lost Dawson to injury after just 38 minutes, while Zayatte also picked up a knock and was replaced on the hour mark.
Liverpool 5 Aston Villa 0
Two changes for Liverpool, with Arbeloa returning from the injury sustained in the warm-up in the United game. Hyypia dropped to the bench. Alonso also returned from injury to take his place alongside Mascherano. Lucas made way.
O’Neill kept Reo-Coker at right-back but recalled Davies for Knight to play alongside Cuellar. Agbonlahor’s poor form earned him a bench role as Carew started up front.
While the Liverpool lineup looks settled, you have to wonder just how the Champions League qualifier will impact on things. Rafa will take his men to Fulham next time out with the Chelsea European tie four days later. It’s hard to imagine rotation for this one given United’s result at the Cottage. However, we might see more evidence of rest or rotation for the Blackburn home game three days after the first leg with Chelsea. The second leg follows just three days after that. The question is then, will Rafa look to beat Blackburn without Torres and/or Gerrard?
As for Villa, their lineup looks in flux as O’Neill tries to find a place for both Heskey and Carew. Their players are suffering in fantasy terms so it’s hard to believe that there will be many fantasy managers currently fretting about the Villa lineup right now.
Injuries and Bans
Friedel will receive a one-match ban for his red card here. He will therefore miss the trip to Old Trafford, pending a Villa appeal.