Fantasy Premier League

Fri Dec 21 03:01PM by Neal Thurman

Not too much to report from the Arsenal/Spurs match - a bunch of guys from Spurs facing "late fitness tests" but probably not anyone you want on your team - Dawson, Bent, Jenas, and Rocha. Walcott, who wasn't going to start anyway, is a doubt. Shockingly, Eboue is poised to start after looking like he was going to be out 3-6 weeks as he was stretchered off during the Chelsea match.

Not much from the Citeh/Villa match. Michael Johnson is a doubt and Ireland is still suspended so Giovanni might represent a cheap starter with decent match-ups if you're looking for one. Wouldn't be shocked to see at least one assist from him over the two-match stretch.

Bad news for those of us holding/stuck with Mokoena for less than 2.00. He might actually start against Chelsea. Chris Samba is suspended leaving a hole in the Rovers backline. Might want to re-arrange things so that you can "upgrade" to one of the other cheap defenders (Omozusi from Fulham is the guy who has Jeremy's attention).

Not much to report from the ManYoo/Everton match - Osman and Baines are out for the Toffees and we're still waiting on ManYoo's official report.

Chelsea's issues at striker continue to mount. Sheva may be joining Drogba on the sideline (fill in your own "where he should be anyway"-themed joke here). Pizarro and Kalou look like they'll fight it out to start (or maybe they'll both start). If there's a definitive statement or you have a feeling, it might not be bad to get in on a striker going against Rovers' reeling defence.

Looks like Downing is out for Boro - funny thing about him, I read nothing but criticism about him and his game in the media but 1) he plays for a terrible team; 2) he's CLEARLY the best pure English left winger around; and 3) he's really just rounding into form after his injuries last year. If England want to play someone on the left wing, they should put him in and let him get comfortable. If they don't, they need to find a better formation to take advantage of the players they ARE interested in playing. Don Fabio, move to you. (this ends the brief editorial interruption)

In the Fulham/Wigan match, Jimmy Bullard is tantalizingly close to becoming the next cheap midfielder in my line-up but not quite yet (maybe next weekend). Jason Koumas and Emile Heskey are both potential choices for Wigan but both are more likely for Boxing Day than this weekend.

Finally, fairwell to Lawrie Sanchez - he's been great for the Northern Ireland economy but not so much for Fulham in the standings. I know some people who work at FFC and I really like the atmosphere they have continued to cultivate around Craven Cottage but they need to go out and hire an astute talent evaluator if they're going to stay up. He doesn't have to manage the team necessarily but there doesn't seem to be a plan nor the sort of pipeline of young (and inexpensive) players you see at other clubs trying to find ways to compete with the spending power of the big guys.

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Team News

1. Theo out, Eboue relief for Gunners
2. Team news: Persie's return
3. Trio set to shake off knocks
4. Jewell hopes to have Oakley fit
5. O'Brien returns for Brum battle
6. Keane returns but Zokora sits out
7. Heskey may make surprise return
8. Chelsea sweat on Sheva fitness
9. Miller missing for Royals test
10. Johnson doubt for Villa Park trip
11. Paramot misses trip to Anfield
12. Moyes to shuffle his Toffees pack
13. Ridgewell sits out Trotters trip
14. Team news: Ramos' injury woe
15. Gunnarsson doubt for Cats clash
16. Taylor returns for Derby date
17. Southgate sweats on midfield pair
18. Sanchez retains faith in Omozusi
19. Petrov out to add to City Blues
20. Alonso hoping for injury-free run
21. Problems pile up in Spurs defence

And the "Steppin on Our Toes" link of the week... Fantasy: Choose 'em, Lose 'em

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