Fans forums often offer a different insight for Fantasy managers to help make up our mind on those last minute transfer plans ahead of the Gameweek deadline. Here I round up the latest chat from the fans to see what extra information we can glean as the deadline approaches.
What I’ve noticed from reading the forums are that the promoted teams fans have some of the best insights because they know the weaknesses of their other promoted opponents. The Watford fans knew that their stiker Odion Ighalo was more than capable of defeating the Norwich backline. Given that Romelu Lukaku is up next for the Canaries I already think the Everton man could be a good bet for a goal.
I’ve also found that when fans think a change in formation or tactics can get them a result then that is likely to happen. The Liverpool fans were worried that Newcastle could only defend boringly, which would get the crowd on their side as it was their only hope of a win, which also happened. So I will point out the changes in formations that are likely to occur. Here’s what the fans are thinking ahead of the weekend’s matches.
Fans Predictions
– Bournemouth fans are upbeat. They’ll give it a go with a vocal crowd behind them, they don’t expect to win but think they’ve got a very good chance of goals with all Man Utd’s defensive injuries. Man Utd think that Bournemouth are a decent side and the way they play will cause them problems. United fans think this is a game where they might actually start scoring. Could be a high scoring game.
– Chelsea fans have noticed they are the underdogs in their game with the Foxes, and a park the bus strategy is needed for any result. They will have to counterattack or get a goal from a setpiece to win. Leicester fans think this is a sure win, however, this is the first game for a while that Mourinho can use tactics to win. Neutralise Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez and the Blues have got a chance
– Southampton fans think they’ll lose and are worried about Palace’s wingers. They think boss Ronald Koeman will take a more defensive approach to try to get something from the game, as their lack of form is worrying. But they could nick a goal.
– Watford fans think they’ll win, albeit a low scoring win. They have enough quality and don’t see any real threat from Sunderland.
– Spurs also think they’ll win against Newcastle, highlighting Harry Kane as a scorer mainly. The Toon also think Tottenham will win, a two to three nil canter; and no shock is on the cards. Many Spurs regulars like Kane are rested too, after being left out of the midweek Europa League clash
– Unsurprisingly the Norwich forums are worried about Lukaku, they’ve discussed formations to stop Everton and they can’t decide on one that may work. They need to use more defensive midfielders to screen the weak defence, which shows a real lack of faith in their centrebacks. Everton should win.
– Villa either think they’ll get hammered or they’ve got a chance against Arsenal. They point to needing a lot of pace up front to hit Arsenal on the break. They will have to play exceptionally well and maybe their new manager can give them the discipline needed. But they do point out their left back position is a weakness, and if Walcott plays on the right who destroys even good leftbacks, then he could have a good day.
– Man City are looking at a routine win against Swansea, maybe even a cleansheet. They recognize that the Swansea players will be auditioning for the next manager and put up more of a fight but caretaker managers have a pretty poor record, which evens it out. They are looking at just playing a good game for once. Swansea fans want more fight from their players. Should be about two nil City.
– Stoke want the same formation and team from their big win against City. They think Marko Arnautovic’s runs are extremely hard to defend against which will cause problems for a Hammer’s side that still have a lot injuries. They can’t wait for this match. West Ham fans are cursing their injury list but point out they can still field a decent team. They have a chance.
– Some West Brom fans think they’ll keep a cleansheet against Liverpool, but even if they don’t they won’t concede much. They also hope they can nick a goal. Liverpool fear a Pulis team and remember the crystal palace game well, but others have noted that ‘Pool’s dominant centrebacks and West Brom’s lack of wingers shouldn’t worry them too much. It will be low scoring probably.
Conclusion
There are quite a lot of unpredictable games this week, and I hate to say it but Aston Villa could cause an upset. If Aaron Ramsey and Walcott are too far up the pitch Villa could score a couple. Man City, Spurs and Everton all look like plain sailing though.
Who to captain? It’s got to be Kane, not only from this article but also from the stats, the high ownership and he’s a high captaincy choice. Spurs are rested and the Newcastle defence is still a shambles if players run at them. Lukaku though is a good punt if you want a reliable captaincy score, he will get something in their game.
Other players that could do well this week include Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Yannick Bolasie, Eden Hazard and maybe Arnautovic.
To read more about what the fans think you can use the quick links to the forums from this article.
