This morning’s preamble finds us taking a different route. While we normally spend this time debating Rafael Van der Vaart’s hamstring, or the rotational whims of Roberto Mancini, this weekend we seem to have found some balance – an almost zen-like calm.
We’re pretty certain that Van der Vaart will start against Sunderland and, as for the City lineup, it seems cut and dry that we’ll see the big-hitters take the field against Arsenal on Sunday.
Instead then, we’ll grab the Saturday print press, and rinse through a few of the lesser concerns facing Fantasy managers this weekend.
Bendtner Forgiven?
The general opinion is that Nicklas Bendtner will return to the Sunderland attack, despite his alleged involvement in a car-wrecking spree that saw him arrested earlier this week. The Dane apparently came through a behind-closed-doors match in the week, having missed the Blackburn victory with a groin problem. Most of this morning’s papers have him in the Black Cats lineup at Spurs and we’ve now ousted Conor Wickham from our predicted lineup to make way for Bendtner’s likely return.
Check on Cheik
Nobody seems to know how Alan Pardew will set up his midfield for the visit of Swansea. With Dan Gosling suspended, Cheik Tiote’s fitness is the key. Recent reports found Pardew claiming that he was adjudged to be “30-70” for a return to contention for today’s game, but that’s been enough for many of Saturday’s press to put him in their Newcastle lineups. The likes of Mehdi Abeid, Alan Smith and Haris Vuckic are all being touted for starts in midfield – indeed The Sun opt for Abeid in their Magpies team, while The Guardian, The Independent and The Times, all feel that Tiote, if fit, will start. Those backing a Newcastle cleanie with Tim Krul, Danny Simpson or Ryan Taylor in their teams today, will certainly be hoping for positive news on the Tiote front.
Good Evans
Most of the morning’s press feel that we can expect a largely unchanged United lineup at QPR on Sunday. The back four is of particular interest of course. The majority of papers indicate that Jonny Evans will retain his start alongside Rio Ferdinand to offer strong value for Fantasy managers. Only The Guardian opt for Phil Jones within the back four, with most keeping the former Blackburn man in Alex Ferguson’s midfield. The press are split on a recall for Ashley Young – The Times and The Guardian bring him back with Nani on the opposite flank, but elsewhere the feeling is that “Differential” pick, Antonio Valencia, will keep his start.
Drenthe Doubts
Royston Drenthe is a player that earned some Fantasy investment ahead of Everton’s improved run of fixtures, only to fall foul of injury and miss the last three matches. Again, opinion is split on whether he will return this weekend. David Moyes is hoping that the Dutchman passes a fitness test and The Sun are amongst those who feel that Drenthe will start on the left against Norwich. The Times also go with that view, although The Guardian, The Independent and The Telegraph all opt for Bilyaletdinov in front of Leighton Baines on the left-wing with no place for Drenthe.
Call for Clint
It seems increasingly likely that Scout Pick Clint Dempsey will find himself pushed into the forward line for the visit of Bolton. A report this morning cast further doubt over Bobby Zamora’s fitness and, although Martin Jol has options in Andy Johnson, Bryan Ruiz and Mousa Dembele, it could well be Dempsey who is handed the centre-forward role, with two or more of that trio buzzing around him at the Cottage. The Times, The Independent and The Telegraph all opt to leave Zamora out of their predicted lineups.
