Fantasy Premier League

Injuries and Comments

Fri Dec 29 02:25PM

[Updated with team news below. -Jeremy]

Sorry for another quick entry, I'm still on the road and don't want to upset my hosts by sitting holed up in a corner typing away while preparations for a party this evening are being made around me. Between injuries and rotation, it should be a difficult week as we come to the end of the jam-packed holiday schedule.

K2 looks to be out of Arsenal's first match but it sounds like the injury is a relatively minor one which means he might be back by New Years Day. This means that neither he nor likely replacements - Baptista or Walcott - are of as much value as they might be if you thought one of those would be starting two matches. RvP is the only Arsenal striker you should be considering. If you're really desperate for a cheap midfielder then maybe you should consider Baptista.

The other wild card for Arsenal is Lauren who might make a return as Eboue and Djourou are also out of contention and Gallas is also still out.

At Old Trafford, Paul "Dead to Me" Scholes has to be taken off the recommended list as he is suspended for the first match of the week, Vidic joins him on the suspended list for one match. Like K2 above, this means that both the usual starters (Scholes and Vidic) as well as their replacements are devalued.

NUFC's entire squad seems to be injured with Given and Solano (neither of whom should be serious fantasy considerations right now) the most recent to join the list of doubts. Since neither are SO injured that they are definitely out, they fit the same profile as the gents above - probable for one of the two matches but not both.

From injuries to suspected rotation - 'arry seems ready to rest Kanu against Bolton so he'll be rested for the match with Spurs on New Years Day. I know its starting to sound repetitive but that means both Kanu and Mwaruwari are only marginally valuable this week.

Finally, some good news about injuries that give you some more certainty rather than less... Keane and Jenas are still out for Spurs (meaning emerging Blog Favorite Tom Huddlestone is going to continue along with Defoe as starters). Lennon and Mido are doubtful as well. Malbranque will likely continue to figure in midfield but he hasn't done too much yet and Berbatov is the beneficiary and should get two starts.

Remember that Joey Barton is starting his suspension. This, combined with a host of injuries means that Citeh will be hard-pressed to generate much in attack. Look for their opponents to gain two clean sheets in Barton's absence. The only thing to think about is that Micah Richards is likely to be moved forward into midfield and could be in a position to generate more points as Citeh play for more 0-0 draws.

Speaking of injuries likely to keep teams off the score sheet, Wigan will be missing Camara, Scharner, and McCulloch which will diminish their chances in front of net which were already slim at best.

Helguson and Jensen are out for Fulham's derby against Chelsea and Andy Reid continues to be out for Charlton removing another productive, kick-taking midfielder out of the mix. Collins John will get a run-out for Fulham but probably only one but Moritz Volz is likely to continue as a defender in a midfield spot and represents a nice option - even more so given Chelsea's issues in the back. No one at Charlton should make you too excited as a Reid replacement.

Chelsea's injury news has not yet been posted, hopefully, Jeremy will pick me up and make a few comments about it when it becomes available. If that doesn't happen, please check to figure out what Chelsea are likely to do with their current mess - especially with Robben in doubt [update: he's out].

UPDATE

Here's all your team news for the weekend's games:

• Villa hopeful over defenders' fitness

• Rafa set to hand Kuyt a Reds recall

• Neville returns to boost Blues boss

• Sutton Blow For Villa

• Key men missing for Blades clash

• John spearheads Cottagers' attack

• Carrick returns for Royals date

• City break for banned duo

• Virus sweeps through Blades

• Scharner knee op hits Jewell

• Boro pair return for Rovers test

• Spurs duo to miss out again

• Campo eligible to face Pompey

• Friedel to carry on for Rovers

• Magpies duo face late fitness tests

• Hornets delaying Shittu decision

• Richards set for City midfield role

• Thomas doubtful for Villa test

• Royals in good shape for OT

• Adebayor KO for Blades clash

Comments1 - 23 of 23

I'd gone for Walcott this week but having read the following on BBC Sport things need to be changed: Arsenal are without Emmanuel Adebayor (thigh), Alexander Hleb (shin), Theo Walcott (back), Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Johan Djourou (hamstring).
I've now got to decide between 2 up front with Rosicky as the extra midfielder, or 3 up front with Shevchenko. I've got a sneaky feeling that Shev might finally get going this weekend...mind you've i've had that feeling plenty of times already this season and it's backfired everytime!
From nikargiropoulos on Fri Dec 29 03:38PM
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is it true stephen quinn injured??
i nly have 7.37, who should i buy??
anyone plzzz help me...
From azli_420 on Fri Dec 29 04:38PM
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azli_420 -- SQuinn is out of the Ars game. For 7.37 you can reach your hand into the relegation zone grab bag and pull out a Rommedahl, a Benayoun, or a Kilbane. Or you look to the top shelf and gamble on Baptista getting some playing time and actually doing something positive, Gonzalez surviving Rafa's rotation, or Ballack coming up with one of his occassional big games.
From jspitzberg on Fri Dec 29 05:15PM
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Hi azli_420, perhaps give Shevchenko a go, if you do not already have 3 strikers.
From piscesian2000 on Fri Dec 29 05:50PM
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Jeremy, gambling on Ballack coming up with a big game is like doing rain dance hoping for rain...
From piscesian2000 on Fri Dec 29 06:33PM
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DO YOU GENTS THINK THAT GIGGS WILL START THIS WEEK? HE DIDN'T PLAY A SINGLE MINUTE LAST WEEK. SORRY FOR THE CAPS
From djnima_19 on Fri Dec 29 07:45PM
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why apologise for the caps when you could have turn them off?
From wiz_1984 on Fri Dec 29 07:47PM
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I suspect Giggs will play at least one of the games. I got burned on him last week. Figured he, Cron and Saha would all see some time on the pine which was ok, but then Cron was subbed in for his 50 point performance. Called it right and still got burned. Bah. Anyway, I would not be surprised to see Giggs, Cron, Fletch, and Park all split time this week between the two games. Of these four, Giggs and Cron are the only two who get points regularly. SAF has been good about fielding strong sides for weaker games this season so I'd bet they'll play, but not all of both games.
From mikelanglais on Fri Dec 29 08:40PM
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are we to assume justin hoyte will stay at starting RB with eboue injured?
From pscarlyle on Fri Dec 29 08:48PM
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while lehman is a good bet for cleansheet pts, is he worth the 13 since he might not get a lot of 'save' action? who is a cheaper bet keeper for this week?
From pscarlyle on Fri Dec 29 09:00PM
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7.37 - It will also buy you Fletch and Park, and while neither will likely start nor play all of both games, they may get a fair amount of time (especially if manyoo goes up 3-0) and are both not unreasonable gambles. Ambrose has two tough games, but is usually good for a couple CWs or SOTs. I wouldn't pick him this week, but also not a terrible choice. Reo-k also a decent gamble at that price since West Ham is now playing with a bit of life and Citee is comprehensively injured. Tough scoring on Citee at home this year, but at 7.37, he's not that bad. All in all, I'd pick Kilbane.
From mikelanglais on Fri Dec 29 09:08PM
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I paid the 13 $/L/units for Lehmann, but yeah, I can see a corner kick goal against Arse in both games wiping out any points and no extra saves. .2 less gets you Howard who has been money and both NUFC and Citee will shoot regularly with limited hope of scoring. Reina and Fridel save you 1 and both could conceivably keep CSs as Liverpool has been playing well and Bburn facing teams that don't score. Hilario is supercheap, but he lost me a point last week. Can Chelsea's D suck indefinately? Is it really Terry or bust back there? I'll take Lehmann this week and sleep (somewhat) better.
From mikelanglais on Fri Dec 29 09:19PM
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Reo-c suspended for Citee. Nevermind that one.
From mikelanglais on Fri Dec 29 09:21PM
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NR-C is suspended for the Citeh match.
From jspitzberg on Fri Dec 29 09:23PM
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my gut tells me that rooney might rack up some goals this gw....thoughts?
From pscarlyle on Fri Dec 29 10:18PM
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I bought Friedel last weekend after the arsenal game when his price plummeted. Given the fact that my budget is very limited, will I fair well by keeping him this weekend. (bought him at 9.33)
I also sold Saha (had him +2) to get van Persie, Saha will probably be rotated since Solskjaer is back, right?
From janlolkehibma on Fri Dec 29 10:37PM
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big brad should do well as bla have an easier schedule this week. i would keep him. saha will get his minutes. it's his turn to come off the bench and score a brace, right?
From jspitzberg on Fri Dec 29 10:53PM
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Is it worth getting Heinze? He's at 5.39, reasonably cheap for a defender, and ManUtd aren't conceding much. Compared to Cashley Cole who costs 7.74 for a leaky Chelsea defence. One more decision I need a little help with - Between Hoyte + Djourou, who is more likely to make it 2 games or more returns this weekend? Any comments would be really appreciated. Thanks!
From kullwee on Sat Dec 30 01:58AM
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Its highly unlikely heinze is gonna get 2 games. Ronney is due atleast a couple of goals i hope he gets them this week
From naveenhere on Sat Dec 30 03:11AM
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which is a better combination...
silva & o'shea or downing & wright
From namanparikh_1902 on Sat Dec 30 05:28AM
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is morrison playing....he might be a good choice....din't play last match and not to be seen in the squad as well....but played the one game and gave pretty good points thinking of taking him any comments...
From namanparikh_1902 on Sat Dec 30 05:37AM
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essien goes down in the 4th minute....uh oh chels...
From pscarlyle on Sat Dec 30 03:08PM
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83' Goal! West Ham United 0, Manchester City 1. Hatem Trabelsi (Manchester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the top right corner. Assisted by Hatem Trabelsi.
what is that like 14 pts..how do you guys do it..you even picked volz to get on the scoresheet, 15,000 goal of the prem...stick that in your trivia bag
From puck1218 on Sat Dec 30 04:46PM
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