Fantasy Premier League

Matchday Open Thread

Sat Feb 09 05:12AM

Through all the ups and downs this season, the one common thread has been, "bet against Derby."  Week 4 - Torres' double.  Week 6, Adebayor does him one better with a hat-trick.  Week 11 Carson keeps a clean sheet.  Week 12, Solano with a goal and CCole with two assists.   Two weeks ago, MPet with an assist on seven successful crosses.  And last week, Larsson's sweet goal.

So why do I have reservations about backing Spurs this week?  They're an in-form team with new players and good results in their last few matches.  Seems like a no-brainer.  Well, it wouldn't be a week in fantasy if I weren't over-thinking things. 

And what I'm over-thinking is that this is a classic trap match for Spurs.  They've had a run of big matches - two each against ManU and Arsenal in league and cup - and they've got a series of UEFA and Carling Cup matches upcoming.  And so everyone expects them to win this match and do so handily.  It would be so easy for them to overlook Derby.

And Derby are improving, though that's a relative compliment.  Jewell has brought some experience into the side with the likes of Carroll, Stubbs, and Savage.  They've been more competitive and held BRM and MAC (granted, both horribly out-of-form teams) to draws in their last two matches.

Finally, the one thing I'm noticing is that this season the home team is normally the good bet.  Spurs haven't scored one goal away from home since Dec 18. @ Man Citeh.  And Derby haven't been blown away on their own patch.

All that being said, I've got Berba King and Lennon in my team this week.  I had Woodgate in until I found out he was suspended this week.  In fact, I thought I had made all my trades and realized that I still had Woody in the team and was afraid I was going to have to start over!  I've been back and forth with AJ, Palacios, K2, Sexy M.F(ernandes), etc.  As many reservations as I have about this match and as much as I want to differentiate my team to make up ground on Neal and the others, I can't.  As Neal said earlier this week in chat, Spurs can take apart a weaker team and will pile on rather than holding back.

So all eyes on Pride Park.  Are you backing Spurs?  Jenas?  Steed?  Hutton?  Everton home to travel-sick Reading too.  And Sunday's Manchester derby and the top, um... five clash between Chelsea and Liverpool.  So eyes on Pride Park but wandering elsewhere.  

What catches your eye?  Share with us here, inyour matchday open thread.

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