A few years back (more than a few in fairness) my only worry on Saturday mornings used to be getting up in time to watch Ant and Dec. These days I wake up to stare at Dec’s missus and worry myself over the Premier League teamsheets. There’s an irony in there somewhere.

This sunny Saturday morning finds us Fantasy Managers toying with the usual concerns. The midweek run-outs in Europe might help light up our evening viewing but they do nothing for our stress levels come the weekend.

Today’s preamble subject matter finds me focusing directly on two sides returning to the domestic front following Champions League encounters. Just how will Chelsea shuffle the pack ahead of the potentially profitable visit of Blackpool? And can Spurs possibly find eleven fit players to form a team to take on Wolves at the Lane?

Let’s hit the press to find out.

Will Carlo Ancelotti start with Florent Malouda in his lineup?

A fortnight ago Malouda was looking like an essential purchase for the entire season. Now, after a quick rest to the bench at West Ham last night and the realisation that Ancelotti has options in midfield, there are Fantasy Managers considering the Frenchman’s future in their squad. A Stamford Bridge fixture against the Blackpool defence is just the tonic required to offer Malouda returns and his owners reassurance – so will Ancelotti play ball with his teamsheet?

The Sun: Yes. The Sun have Ancelotti starting with Kalou over Anelka on the right with Ramires coming in for the injury Lampard in midfield. Ferreira comes in at the back with Alex alongside Terry. There’s no place for Ivanovic here then.
The Times: Yes. Malouda returns with no place for the in-form Kalou as Anelka retains his starting role but shifts out to the right to make way for the return of Drogba. Ramires is brought into the midfield for Lampard. The Times are the only paper this morning to predict Ivanovic at right-back and Alex alongside Terry.
The Telegraph: Yes although there appears to be a new role in mind. This paper also selects Kalou and Anelka so presumably, although they’ve dropped Kalou to the central three midfielders, it will be Malouda who drops deeper with Kalou and Anelka patrolling the flanks either side of Drogba. Ferreira starts at right-back with Ivanovic shifted to centre-back and no place for Alex.
The Guardian: Yes. Malouda starts again and this time he’s back on the left flank with Anelka on the right. Once again this paper opts for Ramires as the Lampard replacement in midfield. Ferreira starts at the back with Alex alongside Terry and no start for Ivanovic.
I say: Yep, Malouda will start. That normally means returns for the Frenchman although I think that the Telegraph are onto something when they predict that he could drop deeper in the absence of Lampard. I’d hope that Ramires will come in and solve that concern so fingers crossed that Malouda is given the freedom of the left flank and all the attacking potential that offers against Blackpool.

What kind of side Will Harry Redknapp stitch together for the home clash with Wolves and will Bale be at left-back?

The injuries are totting up at White Hart Lane and suddenly what looked an impressive squad, is now being stretched by the exertions of Champions League football. Redknapp goes into the weekend with doubts over playmakers Rafael Van der Vaart and Luka Modric while up front he has the option of Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and even ex-Wolves hero Robbie Keane to choose from. On top of this, the role of Gareth Bale, our Fantasy darling this season, is under question with the possibility that his goal threat could be reduced by a shift to left-back. It’s a minefield for would-be Fantasy investors – so how will Harry sort it?

The Sun: The red-top has Redknapp opting for a Keane/Pavlyuchenko combination up front with Jermaine Jenas and Niko Kranjcar earning starts in midfield. No place for Van der Vaart and Modric then. Bale starts at left-back.
The Times: We have Keane and Crouch up front here with Bale starting on the left of midfield and Assou-Ekotto at left-back. There’s no start for either Modric or Van der Vaart.
The Telegraph: This paper replicated the Times’ lineup. So it’s Keane and Crouch again with Bale sitting in midfield and Palacios and Huddlestone patrolling midfield areas.
The Guardian: This is the only paper to predict a start for Modric. He sits in behind Crouch the lone striker with Bale again selected on the left of midfield.
I say: I’ve changed my mind on this one. The latest noises from Redknapp on Van der Vaart and Modric indicate that he’s unlikely to take a risk on them and Wolves aren’t the opposition you want to face if you’re looking to protect a couple of players. I’ve gone for the Keane and Crouch combination but I’ve also opted to put Bale at left-back. I think Redknapp considers Bale at full-back with someone like Modric or in this case Kranjcar in front, is actually the more attacking option and against a Wolves side who will defend deep, I think this will be the setup that Harry opts for.

Finally I leave you with this – my own major conundrum this morning. I’m currently toying over spending four points on Cameron Jerome. He’s almost certain to be my transfer next weekend and I’m wondering whether to switch him now as a gamble at West Brom. I won’t do it – I’ve decided to keep transfer spending at a minimum this morning but I’m just declaring it now so when he gets a brace, I’ve got these painful words down in black and white.

Enjoy your Gameweek.