Fantasy Premier League

Injuries and Suspensions

Fri Dec 28 03:30PM

The injured and suspended lists are pretty depressing reading if you're a Chelsea or Derby supporter (and what hasn't been depressing this season for Derby supporters?).  Chelsea will be missing their spine (Terry, Carvalho, Lamps, and Drogba) as well as some of the complimentary parts (ACole and Malouda) and will likely be gettting a less than optimal performance from Peter Cech who looked terrible against Villa and Arsenal in recent weeks.  Tal Ben Haim and Wayne Bridge are reasonable choices if you think Chelsea's second squad have enough to continue to grind out results.  Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Sheva, and Kalou all go from fringe players to definite starters.

The fact that Derby are missing six or seven first choice players just make Bolton and Rovers players more attractive.  Still not sure about what is going to happen with Benni McCarthy but Warnock, Reid, Bentley, RSC, Friedel, and Nelsen all go up in value.

For ManYoo, EvdS will apparently miss at least the weekend match.  Kusczcak will deputize and is cheap as discussed in The Week Ahead.

Looks like Eboue is going to be rested against Everton.  No injury mentioned so he'll likely play on New Year's Day but worth mentioning in case your decision was hinging on getting two matches from him.

Some question about Jussi Jaaskelainen's health for tomorrow's match - not clear how seriously the danger of him not starting is but worth a mention.

Pompey continues to be without Glen Johnson so Lauren becomes a reasonable option in defence given the match-ups.

Not much to say about Spurs health other than the fact that Ledley King looks to compete in his second consecutive match.

At Villa, Zat Knight will be suspended meaning that Curtis Davies will get his first start - I haven't looked but I'd imagine he's cheap if you need a defender.

Finally, a Happy New Year to Joey Barton as he misses this weekend's match not for injury or suspension but in jail - I guess an even more severe form of suspension. 

Good luck and happy shopping.

Team News

1. Team news: Chelsea depleted
2. Bail-less Barton behind bars
3. Fantasy: Choose 'em, Lose 'em?
4. Hyypia adds to Rafa's worries
5. Toffees wait on captain Neville
6. Aston Villa's Knight loses red card appeal
7. Anton in frame to face United
8. Latics suffer double blow
9. Gallas available for Toffees date
10. Rover pair back from suspension
11. Injuries piling up for Rams boss
12. Hargreaves set for United return
13. Barton ruled out of Chelsea clash
14. Volz banned for St Andrews trip
15. Heskey doubtful for Villa clash
16. Blues Missing Lampard
17. Miller returns to tackle Trotters
18. Duo compete for midfield berth
19. Boateng banned for Pompey trip
20. Gunnarsson out of Spurs clash
21. Midfield duo in line to return
22. Jussi doubtful for Cats clash 
23. Gallas doubtful for Goodison trip

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