It’s midweek-ish, it’s time to take a leisurely stroll around the weekend fixtures in attempt to predict were the fantasy point plundering will occur…
Best For Clean Sheets…
The stats and form show a couple of strong candidates here – namely Arsenal at home to City and Everton against Wigan at Goodison. The Gunners have conceded just 3 goals in their last 8 games and come up against a side that have recorded 4 defeats in 5 on the road, with just a single goal scored. The likely absence of Bellamy only goes to strengthen Arsenal’s case, as does the likelihood that Hughes may opt to pack the midfield and attempt to strangle things. There’s a slight risk that Wenger may rest members of his back four after international exertions but Sagna, Clichy, Gallas and Toure should all start to offer potential returns.
Everton are in outstanding home form with 4 wins in the last 5 at Goodison, conceding just 2 goals in the process. They host Wigan who did run out winners in their last away game at Sunderland but Bruce’s side have struggled for many months to notch goals, particularly away from the JJB. They’ve scored just 3 goals in their last 5 away games. The dependable Everton defence, with Lescott, Jagielka and “Bargain Baines”, look strong investment options then.
I’ll move down a price bracket for my next choice, with West Ham facing a Sunderland side who are attempting to grind their way to Premier League safety but have been gasping for goals. The Hammers look likely to struggle up front with Carlton Cole and I expect them to react to their impotency up front by stiffening things further at the back – as it is they have conceded just 2 goals in their last 5 Upton Park clashes. Upson and Collins should return to bolster things and with Jones jet-lagged and Cisse distracted by poledancing palavers, it’s hard to see Sunderland improving on a record which has seen them score 3 goals in their last 5 away trips.
Elsewhere you have the United, Liverpool and Chelsea defences of course – the top three clean sheet gatherers in the league. They all face stern tests however and all three could well concede.
United have gone four consecutive league games without a shutout and will be missing the suspended Vidic against Villa. O’Neill’s side are struggling for goals though and that keeps United in the hat as a decent defensive option this week, despite their form. Liverpool’s clean sheet looks at risk at the Cottage against a Fulham side who have the United win under their belts but much will depend on Rafa’s lineup here – if Alonso and Mascherano start as protectors, Liverpool should claim the cleanie. Chelsea meanwhile, look decidedly more fragile at Newcastle now that Shearer has been installed.
All three remain good options but I see the clean sheets for Arsenal, Everton and West Ham as slightly more secure.
If you want to gamble in the budget bracket then look at Bolton at home to Boro. You’re on dodgy ground here though – the Bolton defence and Boro as a whole, are two of the least dependable factors in fantasy football. However, no goals in the last 5 away games indicates that the likes of Cahill and Steinsson could offer value for those prepared to gamble.
Best For Goals…
Once again I’m hesitant about the top three here. United will be desperate to unlock Villa early and prove a point after recent setbacks. However, that hellbent desire may lead to some frustration which could see them struggle for a fluid performance. Chelsea just aren’t scoring goals with any real regularity (2 goals in the last 5 away games), although with an inspired Newcastle in front of them, they may well be driven to score at least a couple to get the three points. Liverpool look the best of this bunch, although Fulham’s defence should provide a significant obstacle. You still have to fancy Rafa’s men though, with Torres and Gerrard dealing the damage.
Shifting down the brackets I can see Hull vs Portsmouth providing us with some goals – Pompey have the form, Hull have the motivation and if we get an early break, we could be in for 3-4 goals here. Similarly I can see nets bulging at the Hawthorns with both West Brom and Stoke fighting for their lives. The Baggies can notch at home and while Stoke have struggled for away goals, I just can’t see West Brom dealing with their direct style or Delaps bombs.
Everton, Bolton and Arsenal all look strong options as home sides but all three will need early goals as I see their opponents – Wigan, Boro and Man City, turning up with 4-5-1’s in an attempt to keep things tight. The dark horse for goals here is the Blackburn vs Tottenham encounter, which finds a Spurs side with the form and Big Sam’s Blackburn fighting to raise themselves above the relegation zone. Keane and Roberts (if Santa Cruz misses out), both look decent differentials for those who fancy a risk.
Best For Frustration…
Dare I back Villa to provide some opposition to United after their abject display against Liverpool? It’s a tough one but, as I’ve mentioned, I do worry that United will huff and puff if they fail to get the early breakthrough that Liverpool were gifted. Ferguson won’t have Rooney’s fiery belly to help blow the door, Berbatov is nursing an ankle injury and Tevez is on his way back from South America on the back of a 6-1 loss. I do wonder if United can produce the kind of attacking performance that will bring goals.
I’ve also got a nagging feeling that City will provide periods of frustration for Arsenal at the Emirates. Wenger will likely shuffle his attacking options and with Fabregas and Adebayor likely to figure, the expectation will be high. Hughes sounds like he’s contemplating turning up with a De Jong/Kompany/Zabaleta midfield to interrupt the flow – he could even rest Robinho in order to stiffen things up. With Van Persie likely to be preserved on the bench, much will depend on the guile of Arshavin and perhaps Fabregas, to open things up. If City can keep Arsenal out early, we might see a familiar story of the Gunners struggling to notch the goals to match their plentiful possession.