The Week Ahead
Thu Nov 16 03:22PM
Match-ups, match-ups, match-ups. You can't really ask for more fantasy options than you're going to get this week. Arsenal are home against a Newcastle side that is beaten up and not very good. Chelsea are at home against a Hammers team that followed up their stunning win over Arsenal with an equally stunning loss to Boro. Man United aren't playing at home but they ARE playing Sheffield United so that's gotta be a good thing for the ol' fantasy stats. High-scoring Reading are home for miserable Charlton and Pompey get Watford at Fratton Park. That, my friends, is a lot to choose from.
Before we get to the analysis of all those choices, I feel the need to point something out. There are really two types of players that fantasy managers can choose from (aside from those that just suck all the time) - players who are consistently good (but rarely great) - Stewart Downing from last year/David Bentley from this year - and those who are up and down - Cahill, Campo, Barry, Rooney, etc. There is certainly room on your squad for both types but you'd better be ready to stick with the latter type for a month or so regardless of match-ups whereas you can invest and divest from the consistent guys without much mental anguish. Nothing worse than holding on to Gareth Barry through two miserable matches only to drop him for the week where he gets an assist and a goal from the penalty spot. Just something to think about as you make your moves.
Enough babbling, on to the week ahead...
Chelsea
They've got to be licking their chops at the prospect of a home match with struggling West Ham - OK, maybe Ballack isn't licking HIS chops since apparently his tongue is hanging out from exhaustion but everyone else is... I'm going under the assumption that Carlo Cudicini has regained #1 status and will be the choice for Premier League and meaningful Champions League matches going forward - or at least until he messes up. Seems like something of a no-brainer against the Hammers.
To quickly summarize the outfield players for Chelsea - I'm all for Drogba, Ashley Cole, Lamps and Terry (or as many as you can afford) and down on Ballack (with the realization that he's still your best bet if you already have him extremely cheap), Sheva (hasn't done it two weeks in a row yet), Robben (who knows if he'll get more than a few minutes), and Joe Cole (who might play even less).
I'm only inclined to recommend Etherington from the Hammers squad and only then because he's pretty cheap at just over 8. Probably not the weekend to pick him up.
The Race for the Champions League
Everytime I think of Arsenal against Newcastle I can't help but think of Bergkamp's wondergoal against Nicos Dabizas. Somehow, the Magpies defence has gotten worse since then and while Bergkamp is home tending his garden or tending to his blonde children or whatever it is he does with his free time, the Arsenal attack is still just as likely to make NUFC look silly.
Find a way to get Henry. One of our readers asked if last weekend was the week for him to break out and I think THIS is the week. Liverpool's good central defenders collapsed on Henry making sure he wouldn't beat them - strategy worked except that all of Arsenal's random guys came into attack and did a great job. This week, he won't face any such problems. I'm putting him down for a brace. If you're looking for other value, I'd go with Eboue and Clichy since NUFC can't seem to score.
Van Persie SEEMS (please note I said seems) to be the first choice to partner Henry and this would be a good weekend to pick him up if you're looking for a forward in the 10 range.
Stay away from the Magpies - nothing to see here, please move along.
Manchester United seems to be virtually guaranteed a clean sheet on their trip to visit Sheffield United. If Giggs is healthy (a big if), then I'd also expect Rooney, Saha, and Ronaldo to be excellent choices. If Giggs can't go, then I'd just concentrate my money on the defence and Ronaldo who seems to get points no matter what.
Pompey, as noted above, host struggling Watford (yes, that is officially their team name "Struggling Watford"). There still isn't a lot to choose from in the attack outside of Kanu who is a nice value for the just-shy-of-11 price tag. I'm still a fan of Stefanovich in defence and Pamarot is an inexpensive option with a reasonable chance for a clean sheet plus a few random points. For Watford, well, if you need to ask, you just haven't been paying attention - BFAY, BFAY, BFAY.
Against the Relegation Zone
We've already discussed the matches "featuring" Relegation Zone fodder Newcastle (@Arsenal) and Watford (@Pompey) which leaves us with Charlton's journey to a Reading squad that should be back in business now that the competition isn't a "big club" every weekend. I recommended Sidwell last weekend and he came through and I'm going to do it again this weekend since he's still cheap. I'm also getting back on the Seol bandwagon since he's cheap as well. Likewise, Doyle is probably the best of the strikers in the 10-11 range. Finally, if you're not willing to trust that Carlo is going to play two weekends in a row, then Marcus Hahnemann is a great bargain. He makes a lot of saves and this weekend Reading should get the win with a reasonable chance of a clean sheet - I'm guessing he's in for a minimum of 12 points with my guess being 15.
For Charlton, Darren Bent is overpriced given the fact that he doesn't really get points unless he scores - no phantom points for him. Still, he's Charlton's most attractive fantasy player. We should probably all take a second to re-think our opinions of Alan Curbishly. Maybe it wasn't so much a fault of his that his teams suffered through a bad spell at least once a year. Given current results, maybe we should be impressed that they had one or two decent runs per year and managed to stay in the Premier League year after year. Just some food for thought.
And the Rest...
Everton vs. Bolton - can you say "YUCK"? AJ seems due for a good match and this may be the match but while I think he'll have a goal, there seems like there will be a yellow card in there as well - probably not the weekend to pick him up (go for Doyle instead)...
Fulham travel to the City of Manchester Stadium where Citeh have a remarkable 12 points in six matches and HAVEN'T ALLOWED A GOAL, let that sink in for a second. That said, Fulham have scored the third most road goals (8) in the Prem behind Man United and Chelsea. Most of Citeh's defenders (Dunne, Disten, Richards) are very expensive but you might want to take a flyer on Hatem Trabelsi who is listed as a defender and getting time in midfield. Citeh have also only scored four goals at home so I'm not terribly bullish on their midfielders or attackers (if you can call them that). For Fulham, I'd be inclined to recommend Claus Jensen and my man Carlos Bocanegra again (who got the five or so points I expected for not very much money last weekend)...
Boro host Liverpool (yes, that's one goal on the road all year Liverpool) feels like a draw to me but I can decide if I think it's going to be really ugly (0-0) or just sort of ugly (1-1). I'm going to try to keep the faith with Kuyt but there are a lot of forwards to like this weekend (good bye Dirk, hello Doyle?). I'm staying away from both defences because I'm not sufficiently convinced that either is going to get a clean sheet. Former Blog Favorite Downing is a little expensive for my blood...
Sunday brings us Blackburn hosting Spurs who have lost their way again (wow, that was quick) and Wigan hosting Aston Villa in a battle of two clubs that like to grit it out. Of the Sunday group, Bentley and Assou-Ekotto are my two favorites with McCulloch being an interesting bet if he continues to deputize for Heskey (he's still cheap and he's a middie playing forward). Petrov had a nice weekend last weekend and is still affordable but I expect the going to be difficult for him against Wigan. I'd also consider Benni McCarthy this weekend - not sure why, but feels like his weekend at home.
I now have Saha, Sheva, Kuyt, Ballack, Bentley, Young, Lampard, Huddlestong, Stefanovic, Assou-Ekotto and Hahnemann...
Any suggestions that might improve the situation? =)
From kullwee on Thu Nov 16 04:11AMI now have Saha, Sheva, Kuyt, Ballack, Bentley, Young, Lampard, Huddlestong, Stefanovic, Assou-Ekotto and Hahnemann.
Any suggestions to improve the situation? =)From kullwee on Thu Nov 16 04:13AMlampard and seol or ronaldo and doyle?
thanks in advance
From silveykyle on Thu Nov 16 04:40AMGot any opinion about who I should choose btwn Saha (got him before the price went up) and Ronaldo??
From victa1234567890 on Thu Nov 16 06:19AMRooney and Saha vs Seol and Henry
Rooney's finishing has gone downhill... and after this week, i doubt I'll ever have much of a chance at affording Henry again.. But still, rooney and saha are against Sheffield!!!
Any thoughts???
From victa1234567890 on Thu Nov 16 06:38AMShould I swap arteta for fabregas this week?, or should i just cross my fingers and toes and hope arteta scores or something? Any opinions will be welcome, thanks
From stormlord152001 on Thu Nov 16 10:28AMShould i get fabregas instead of arteta this week? or should I just cross my fingers and toe's and hope arteta comes through for me? Any opinions welcome, thanks
From stormlord152001 on Thu Nov 16 10:31AMEvery week you guys decide not to mention Joey Barton & every week (so far) that I have picked him he gets me a minimum of 12 points & usually 15 plus. BFAY definately stays regardless if its midfield or attack, as does Bentley & Saha. Also EdVS gets my vote in goal as usual. I bringing back Benni McCarthy as like you I just have a feeling that this could be his weekend. I also am a fan (like you) of Stevanovich & I am recalling him but keeping the rest of my defence all Chelsofski. Probably make it three up front so will keep Kuyt & pray for another double! Thanks for the tip on Sidwell, will take your advice on that one. Keep up the good work (regardless of your distrust of Joey).
From daz_initaly on Thu Nov 16 11:38AMphysioroom rekons rosicky deffinatly wont be back untill the week after the newcastle game but it doesn't say out about freddy so i'm guessin he'll be fit. do i go for flamini? he still wikid cheap so it's not really a risk anyway but just nice to know what yees thinks.
From ryanleethomas on Thu Nov 16 11:55AMBenni McCarthy out form of 3 weeks already, should i keep him in my squad on tis weekend ? any nice advice ?
From winder_kool on Thu Nov 16 12:00PMhello, should i keep Benni McCarthy in my squad ? He was out forming 3 weeks already. any suggestion or advice ?
From winder_kool on Thu Nov 16 12:03PMI think that Berbatov is fairly reasonably priced at 7.76.
From ecpaa on Thu Nov 16 01:34PMKullwee - Not sure about Huddlestone since I'm not sure he'll start w/ Zakora healthy again - not sure I have a great option for you if you have him below 5.00 - Pamarot is probably the best bet in cheap defenders.
Silveykyle - I'd go Ronaldo and Doyle...
Victa1234567890 - If the money were even then I'd take Ronaldo over Saha but if you've got Saha cheap, stick with him and use the money for improvements elsewhere. I'd go Rooney and Saha over Henry and Seol - I think Seol will snap out of it but two guys who have been struggling (well, Henry has been struggling for Henry) for two guys who have been doing well AND have a great match-up is too much.
Stormlord152001 - I'd stick with Arteta - for me Cesc is a great player in real life but only an OK fantasy player even with a strong match-up against NUFC.
RyanLeeThomas - I never feel safe about what Wenger might do in the absence of Rosicky - Freddie seems to be out with migranes, Flamini is a reasonable option although I have a hard time seeing him scoring twice in two weeks. Wouldn't be shocked to see Walcott included in the Starting XI somehow.
winder_kool - I like McCarthy this weekend as I wrote - can't explain why, just a feeling...
ecpaa - Berbatov is a nice option at 7.76, I just don't like the match-up for Spurs @Rovers - they give strikers fits at home but if you need a cheap striker, he's the guy...
From neal_thurman on Thu Nov 16 04:03PMwow. even neal's comments are long-winded.
From jspitzberg on Thu Nov 16 04:10PMgj gj, gl to all, may the best man win.
From rjgdudley on Thu Nov 16 07:46PMDo you ever have one of those weeks when you dont really feel like you NEED to change anyone, but feel like you SHOULD just to prevent having the same XI 2 weeks running? I'm having one of those, so thinking of dropping AJ and bringing Van Persie in....any thoughts?
Current team: Cudicini, Clichy, Trablesi, Stefanovic, BFAY, Ballack, Hleb, Bentley, Henry, Drogba, AJ
From nikargiropoulos on Thu Nov 16 07:51PMIve got saha, drogba and shevchenko for 4-5 points cheaper than their current price,
Ive got a spare 6 points and can afford to swap any of them for henry if I sell ashley cole and bentley for rubbish people ( tugay/flamini and Christanval (if hes playing)), worth it?any thoughts anyone?
From joshtottenham on Thu Nov 16 08:28PMoh, i can keep cole if its drogba that i swap out
From joshtottenham on Thu Nov 16 08:29PMSo is Paddy Kenny out for Sheffield, or is he fine to play with just one eyebrow?
From mattozan on Thu Nov 16 08:42PMI currently have Drogba, AJ, Saha, Ronaldo, Bentley, BFAY, McCulloch, Stefanovich, Eboue, Assou-Ekoto and Cudicini. Outside of AJ's slump [I've had him for the past (underperforming) six weeks.....hoping for a turnaround] any thoughts on improving this lineup?
From kaiser_sosay_returns on Thu Nov 16 09:50PMI'm in the somewhat unusual position (for me) of having every player bought at least 1.3 under his current value...except Henry, but how much more pricey can he get? That makes me very loathe to change anything, and since 8 of my 11 are from either Arsenal or Chelsea right now, I'm feeling pretty good. Of course, a misfire by either would spell disaster, but that could never happen...
From shadow_over_innsmouth on Thu Nov 16 11:19PMwahh thanks so much for that Neal!!
My team this week: Rooney, Saha, Drogba, BFAY, Ballack, Sidwell, (all of the above cheap) Bentley, Ashley Cole, Stefanovic, Pamarot, Cudicini.Still got .96 left, not too sure whether i should leave it or swap Stefanovic for someone more expensive.
Eg:Heinze (prolly not playing), one of the Liverpools (Aurelio.. who knows if he'd play!), Shorey, Assou-ekotto (something makes me doubt he'll get a CS)...
Or I could swap Pamarot for Trabelsi
hmm decisions decisionsFrom victa1234567890 on Thu Nov 16 11:31PMAll this talk but why isn`t anyone considering RvPersie? Rooney or RvP?.. Anyone pls help me!
From mady84us on Fri Nov 17 03:17AMNeal - Thanks for the advice!
But somehow my lineup looks kinda weak without Lampard now... =(
Saha, Sheva, Kuyt, Sidwell, Bentley, BFAY, Ronaldo, Pamarot, Stefanovic, Ekotto, Cudicini.From kullwee on Fri Nov 17 03:52AMThink i'm gonna gamble on swapping Saha for Seol, which will allow me to get Ronaldo in for Bentley, and that frees up money for me to get Clichy in for Pamarot!!!...
Duno, there's so many things that I really end out regretting.
Any opinions?From victa1234567890 on Fri Nov 17 04:17AMlol i just couldn't be patient could I? haha! all done!--
Drogba, Rooney, Seol, BFAY, Ballack, Ronaldo, Sidwell, A.Cole, Stefanovic, Clichy, Cudicini. =DFrom victa1234567890 on Fri Nov 17 04:42AMneal_thurman, got any nice suggestion for defender ? i nd 3 defenders. somebody advice me to buy pamarot, stefanovic, & clichy, but i m not confident with pamarot n clichy, stefanovic is ok for me only.
From winder_kool on Fri Nov 17 05:37AMWhich player . . . long term do you think is a better investment . . . saha or rooney? if you had to pick would you go with rooney?
From djnima_19 on Fri Nov 17 06:51AMi am thinking about putting sidwell in for lennon(is he still injured)...my team rooney/henry/sheva/lennon/ronaldo/ballack/hleb/col
e/clichy/riise/cudicini.....pls advise on lennon
From sloration on Fri Nov 17 10:08AMhttp://uk.premiership.fantasysports.yahoo.com/foot
ball/20549?week=13People, I would like all of you to look at this team. Do you see any weird?
From wiz_1984 on Fri Nov 17 11:04AM
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