Matters are pretty clear cut this Saturday morning – the team news has been definitive enough to leave us without a huge number of doubts going into the fixtures. Wayne Rooney will start, Chelsea’s injured stars won’t. Gareth Bale, for once, looks nailed on.
That’s not to say we’ve got nothing to worry about. The chances of a couple of Dutchman taking to the field are currently occupying my thoughts, and then of course there’s the dreaded threat of postponements. The morning papers seem unlikely to help us with that particular concern, but my Saturday wouldn’t be complete without a quick cuddle up to the press before breakfast…
Will Rafael Van der Vaart be risked against Liverpool?
The man has been a runaway success. A Fantasy Managers dream ticket. Nestled in the mid-price bracket, Rafael Van der Vaart has been central to everything Spurs of done since his arrival and his record at White Hart Lane almost guarantee’s returns for his Fantasy owners when his clogged feet pitter-patter on home turf. Van der Vaart is a big doubt today though, rated as 50:50 at best to take the field against Liverpool, can the papers offer any reassurance on his chances of seeing action?
The Sun: There’s no comfort to be found here. The Sun go with Aaron on the right-flank – it’s Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe up front.
The Times: Things are looking up. Van der Vaart starts in the support role behind a lone striker with Crouch fulfilling that role. Lennon also starts.
The Telegraph: This broadsheet begs to differ. They’ve gone with a 4-4-2 with Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko starting up front. Lennon is on the right-flank with no place for the Dutch master.
The Guardian: Our final paper goes with the same outlook. It’s a 4-4-2 here but Crouch is Defoe’s partner here.
I say: I can’t see Van der Vaart being risked. Icy conditions, hard pitch; the chances of Redknapp putting a less than 100% player out seem remote, particularly when Spurs sparkled so confidently without him in midweek. I expect a Defoe and Crouch frontline, fed by Lennon and Gareth Bale from the flanks.
With Cesc Fabregas missing, will Arsene Wenger turn to Robin Van Persie to lead his attack at Villa Park?
The Gunners need a win to banish memories of the bitter home defeat to Spurs last weekend, so the injury to their skipper comes as a major blow. Wenger has the talents of Van Persie to turn to, although he’s another Dutchman currently struggling for fitness. Starting Van Persie at Villa could be a risk in a week where risks have backfired for the Arsenal boss. Do the press feel that Arsenal need Van Persie’s inspiration?
The Sun: No. Our red top feels that Wenger will stick with Marouane Chamakh to lead his attack with Jack Wilshere in for Fabregas and Theo Walcott starting over Andrei Arshavin.
The Times: Van Persie starts here. Wilshere and Walcott also come in with Denilson making way.
The Telegraph: There’s no sign of the Dutchman. The Telegraph also feel that Wenger will stick with Chamakh but again it’s Wilshere who benefits from the absence of Fabregas.
The Guardian: It’s Chamakh again here with Wilshere coming in for Denilson and Arshavin and Walcott on the flanks.
I say: Van Persie is just not ready for me. Wenger surely won’t gamble another of his star assets before he’s 100% so I expect Van Persie to be on the bench again. That’s good news for Chamakh who gets a stay of execution in the starting lineup, while it should also mean that Samir Nasri will get to hog set-pieces and spot-kicks.
Will there be any Premier League postponements?
Predictably the papers tell us nothing; nobody really has a clue right now but, with no news of pitch inspections today, we look all set for a full Saturday programme.
Tomorrow could be a different matter and the Newcastle vs Chelsea game is rumoured to be the most at threat, with the North East suffering heavy snowfall earlier in the week. Undersoil heating will get the pitches playable, but it’s the health and safety concerns around the ground that could scupper things. We’re surely going to be fine and I’ve certainly not given the weather any real thought in my Wildcard selection. I’m no Michael Fish though, despite the resemblance.
