Six more Premier League encounters bring Gameweek 24 to a conclusion this evening, with a plethora of heavy-hitting Fantasy talent on show. While Robin Van Persie sports the Fantasy armband for thousands against the Saints at Old Trafford, our remnant Arsenal double Gameweek assets face up to Liverpool at the Emirates. With Juan Mata and company looking to deny Reading their third straight victory and Everton facing an enticing home match-up with an out-of-form West Brom, there are points in the air tonight as Phil Collins might say.
Our Dugout Discussion chatroom now has its net cast wide, looking to gobble them up, along with the joy and agony of those within its virtual walls.
The big team news tonight is that Rafa Benitez chooses to stick with Fernando Torres up front for the trip to Reading; the Spaniard keeps his starting role having notched from his 90 minutes against Brentford in the Cup, Ba is presumably being preserved for the weekend trip to former club Newcastle. There’s no John Terry in the Blues lineup either, while Ryan Bertrand retains a midfield role in the absence of Eden Hazard.
Elsewhere, David Moyes makes the decision to drop Nikica Jelavic following his poor run of form; the inclusion of Johnny Heitinga is likely to see Marouane Fellaini restored to his advanced role in tandem with either Victor Anichebe or Kevin Mirallas. At Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson tweaks the ire of Fantasy managers by resting Rafael – Chris Smalling comes in at right-back as United take on Southampton who themselves make a change at full-back: Luke Shaw is replaced by Danny Fox. Chris Hughton brings back Seb Bassong, Wes Hoolahan and Anthony Pilkington as Norwich look to end a dismal run of results as they host Spurs. Andre Villas-Boas rings the changes from their FA Cup at the hands of Leeds – Jermain Defoe is fit to return, whilst Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Michael Dawson and Mousa Dembele are also drafted back in.
