We’ve had our fair share of off-field distractions this week. Didier Drogba’s malaria scare, Joey Barton’s violence verdict, Ray Wilkins’ abrupt exit from the Bridge and Ian Holloway’s second string teamsheet all drew the attention away from the action out on the pitch. That worked out just fine; for the majority of Fantasy Managers it was a midweek programme to forget.
Thankfully we don’t have to wait long to wipe the slate clean and banish it from our memories. Another Gameweek has arrived and, after snubbing our friends at Paddy Power in the week, it’s time to make a call on them once again and see how their odds compare to our current Fantasy thinking…
Who Will Keep a Clean Sheet?
- Chelsea 1.72 (SUN)
- Man City 1.90 (BIR)
- Man United 2.10 (avl)
- Tottenham 2.25 (BLA)
- Liverpool 2.40 (stk)
- Newcastle 2.50 (FUL)
- Wolves 2.87 (BOL)
- Arsenal 2.87 (eve)
Sunderland narrowly escaped a pounding at White Hart Lane on Tuesday, with Tottenham’s attack amassing a staggering 17 corners and 24 shots over the 90 minutes. A testament to Sunderland’s defence or blame for Tottenham’s forwards? Chelsea will find out on Sunday, albeit Paddy does not favour the visiting Black Cats. Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole look good to keep clean sheets, whilst also posing a goal threat from set-pieces and on the over-lap going forward.
Man City held their derby rivals well midweek. Kolo Toure marshalled his line well and will be looking to do the same against Alex Mcleish’s struggling Birmingham. But with Cameron Jerome finding the net in the last two games, and no value to be found in Man City’s rotating back line, Paddy hints that Spurs could be a decent punt. Although slightly longer odds, Younes Kaboul and Alan Hutton at 4.8 and 4.9 in Fantasy Premier League, pose a decent threat going forward and Paddy suggests a clean-sheet is very much on the cards despite a record of just one shut-out so far this term.
Man United and Liverpool both face tricky trips for this weekend’s fixture. With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand re-establishing their partnership and Liverpool riding off the back of two decent cleanies, Villa and Stoke may struggle to make an impression on the score sheet. In Fantasy terms there’s clearly a risk however, perhaps a cheeky punt on Danny Simpson at just 3.9 in the FPL, is a better option? Paddy has the unpredictable Newcastle defence just behind Liverpool.
Anytime Goalscorer
- Drogba 1.44 (SUN)
- Tevez 1.61 (BIR)
- Anelka 1.72 (SUN)
- Malouda 1.90 (SUN)
- Piquionne 2.00 (BLP)
- C Cole 2.00 (BLP)
- Pavlyuchenko 2.10 (BLA)
- Van Der Vaart 2.10 (BLA)
- Kalou 2.10 (SUN)
- Carroll 2.10 (FUL)
- Torres 2.20 (stk)
- Adebayor 2.25 (BIR)
- Hernandez 2.30 (avl)
- Berbatov 2.30 (avl)
- Crouch 2.50 (BLA)
- Rodallega 2.50 (WBA)
- D Silva 2.62 (BIR)
- Odemwingie 2.70 (wig)
- Chamakh 2.70 (eve)
- Nolan 2.75 (FUL)
With what looks like the shortest set of Anytime Goalscorer odds from Paddy thus far this season, you’d expect Fernando Torres and Dimitar Berbatov to feature at the top. But aside the predictable trio of Drogba, Anelka and Tevez, it’s the West Ham strikers that make a debut appearance at the business end of the market.
Form dictates and Paddy confirms, that Blackpool will concede goals at Upton Park and our bookie friends are strongly backing Frederic Piquionne – in the Scout Picks and available for just 5.1 in the FPL.
Rafael Van der Vaart, Andy Carroll and Torres sport short prices and a likelihood to score. Their fixtures are not complete walkovers but they are all carrying strong form.
Van der Vaart hasn’t missed at the Lane since being signed and with Peter Crouch potentially taking lead role from a doubtful Roman Pavlychenko against Blackburn, his knock downs in the six yard box could well make the difference and help the Dutchman to yet another home strike.
Andy Carroll will have been discussing a possible England spot all week over the cornflakes with Kevin Nolan; he has a chance to stake his claim against Fulham. Torres meanwhile, takes a run of three goals in two matches into his trip to the Britannia. Both are highly fancied by Paddy and it’s difficult to argue.
Paddy’s Scout Specials
This weeks’ specials from Paddy offers odds of 8/1 on clean sheets for Wolves, Chelsea and Man City in our Clean Sheet Accumulator. Over the Scout Picks special meanwhile you can get identical 8/1 collective odds on Rafael Van der Vaart, Andy Carroll and Frederic Piquionne all notching at least one goal this weekend.
Paddy’s Money Back Special
Paddy’s Money Back Special finds them down at Goodison on Sunday. They happy to refund all losing 1st /last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles on the match if Theo Walcott scores the last goal.
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