The Saturday morning expectations make a welcome return, as does my last minute wander around the edge of another gameweek deadline. Here’s my thoughts before breakfast…
There’s not too much to ponder this morning. In terms of the Fantasy Premier League captain selection – Ronaldo looks to be strongest option at home to Villa – a game which United will be lining up as a relaunch of their tittle credentials. Surprisingly, looking at the holy trinity of midfielders, there are more FPL managers with Lampard and Gerrard in their sides, so Ronaldo has almost become an effective differential.
His form of late has been strong without being spectacular (5 goals in the last 8 games) but against Villa, he’s likely to be pushed into a central attacking role and he therefore appears to have a good opportunity to inflict some heavy damage. Whether he or United have the attacking form to do so, is another matter of course.
The rest of the trinity appear to face tougher games this gameweek. Lampard has suffered from Chelsea’s lack of goals in recent weeks and goes up against a Shearer-inspired Newcastle, while Gerrard hauled in some major points thanks to a couple of spot-kicks against Villa last time out, but will surely face a more testing afternoon at the Cottage today. I’m comfortable with Ronaldo as my FPL captain this week then – particularly as I now have Lampard and Gerrard installed alongside him in my midfield. Plus my mini-league rival Granville, goes into the gameweek without the United man.
It’s hard to believe that many will be looking outside the trinity for their FPL skipper. Our FPL cptain poll suggests that Arshavin and Beattie will get some attention and both could certainly be in the profits this gameweek. I worry about Arsenal against City though – just because at the Emirates in the league, Wenger’s side have struggled to score goals and kill off opponents. City will surely turn up and flood the midfield and make things difficult to the Gunners, who will miss the Van Persie craft up front. Arshavin, along with Fabregas will be vital components but Arsenal will need an early breakthrough if the Russian is to come away with a hefty fantasy return.
Some late team news from that game sees Stephen Ireland miss out due to an ankle injury. City confirmed this only this morning and they also hinted that Bellamy could yet make the linep. Elsewhere, there is a strong suggestion that Sbragia will make changes to his Sunderland side at West Ham. Gordon and Nosworthy look set for recalls after lengthy spells out. I’m still backing a tight West Ham win with a clean sheet here.
Elsewhere, there’s not too much to concern us when it comes to team selections this week. Things look pretty settled, even in Rafa’s mind. Shearer’s selection will carry the biggest interest – presumably Owen will start with Martins up front in a 4-4-2 and their influence, combined with the inevitable “Shearer effect” could well offer some fantasy profits in the weeks to come
I’ll leave you now to contemplate your last minute changes before the FPL gong and perhaps to ponder your National tip. Things kick-off today with the Blackburn vs Spurs at Ewood – I’ll be opening the chatroom for that one and will be posting a link in the Dugout Discussion post later.