With Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Stoke at the Emirates last Wednesday closing the gap at the top of the Premier League to a single point, Man United will be looking to re-establish their lead at the summit by taking advantage of their game in hand over Arsene Wenger’s side this upcoming gameweek.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side first travel to Wigan on Saturday, but a visit to Stamford Bridge next Tuesday evening- where Chelsea will surely be fighting tooth and nail to battle back into the title race themselves- suggests this will be anything but a straightforward double gameweek. Two wins, however, would take United seven points clear at the top and is motive enough for last season’s runners-up in a week that should see plenty Fantasy Investment for the Old Trafford side‘s players, particularly with Arsenal, Tottenham and Birmingham all without league matches this week.
The Prospects
United have not exactly shone on their travels this term; they’ve managed a mere three wins from twelve away games and chalked up just one clean sheet in their last six on the road, with injuries to the likes of Rio Ferdinand leaving them under-strength at the back. Fergie’s side will be looking to recover from their last away game, the unexpected 2-1 defeat at Molinuex that brought their unbeaten league record to an end.
Wigan are undefeated in three league games but are as poor defensively at the DW Stadium as they are away from home; Roberto Martinez’s side have kept just two clean sheets at home all season, with the last one coming in gameweek 13. With the games coming thick and fast (United are also away to Liverpool next weekend) this match will surely see the “weaker” of Fergie’s team selections this gameweek.
Chelsea’s last domestic game saw Everton end their two-year reign as FA Cup holders and, with the champions currently twelve points behind United, Carlo Ancelotti will be desperate to regain some pride in what has become a disappointing defence of the league title. Chelsea will be cheered by their winning Champions League performance this midweek in Copenhagen and, with Fernando Torres on board to face nemesis Nemanja Vidic, will be desperate to prevent United potentially going eighteen points ahead, a scenario that could unfold if the visitors arrive with a win at Wigan already under their belt.
The Likely Lads
It’s practically impossible to second-guess Sir Alex Ferguson at the best of times but with this gameweek coming on the back of a tough Champions League match at Marseille, predicting who will start both games is pretty much a shot in the dark. You would expect at least six, with a fair degree of certainty: Nani, Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Edwin Van der Saar and Darren Fletcher, with the first three clearly the most likely for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) returns.
With Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans today both confirmed as injured until next weekend, Chris Smalling (a subsequent Scout Pick choice of Mark’s for this gameweek) also looks a near-certainty to play both matches, unless Wes Brown gets a game.
Fergie’s recent decision to bench Dimitar Berbatov for the home match with Man City now casts doubt on the Bulgarian’s chances of starting the Chelsea match, in particular, despite his goalscoring exploits this season. Berbatov will surely start at Wigan, though, and as Robin Van Persie showed last gameweek, it sometimes only needs one game for an in-form forward to outscore team mates who go on to play both match.
Cheeky Punt
Having missed the recent European tie, Ryan Giggs could well be fit for the Wigan match tomorrow. The Welshman has been an integral part of the United first-team since just before New Year (he’s started eight of their last ten league games) and has picked up 1 goal, 3 assists and 2 Bonus Points in his last five. Our Members can see for themselves how similar he’s been to Nani in “Distribution and Influence” since the turn of the year, from gameweek 21, though he’s not been quite so prolific in front of goal.
