Fantasy Premier League

Injuries and Suspensions

Fri Mar 21 02:27PM by Neal Thurman

Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe scores his sides first goal of the game - Sunday March 2, 04:46 PM Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Everton v Portsmouth - Goodison Park

Today, we start with the news that Jermain Defoe is prevented from playing against his former team this weekend.  Seems sort of stupid to us but we don't make the rules, we just let you know how they apply to your fantasy team.  Defoe has been on a great run and I'm sure many of you have him at a significant discount.  If you can stand the hit, it's probably worth keeping him this weekend - Pompey have a cakewalk of a schedule the rest of the way (Wigan, @WHU, NUFC, @Citeh, BLA, @Boro, FUL).  Not a good team in the bunch. 

I have to say, there isn't a ton of other injury news.  Here are the few headlines...

Koumas - suspended...Taylor will probably take this spot (in fact, he'd probably have it anyway)

Cech - still likely out...not sure you want to go with Carlo after Chelsea's showing in midweek.

Ballack and The Elk - both likely back in the line-up vs. Arsenal but of dubious value.

MPet - back from suspension and playing against a depleted (even more so than usual) Bolton squad.  Good pick if you're looking for value in a mid-priced midfielder.

Mido and Rochemback are both suspended for Boro, Huth and Pogatetz are both doubtful.  Andrew Taylor becomes an interesting potential option at 6.01 if you think Huth and Pog won't make it.  Luke Young and Wheater are the guaranteed options.

AJ is out so if you're looking for an Everton striker against WHU then Yak is definitely your man (although he always should have been).

Rio is still out for ManYoo meaning that Pique (sadly pronounced PK) will deputize.  Also disappointing is the fact that he is listed as a midfielder.

Look for a lot of scoring from Spurs as Sol Campbell (injured), Diouf (suspended), and Muntari (suspended) are all out.  That's a lot of backbone missing.  If you can afford Berbs or Keane, it might be worth it.  Utaka is also a decent bet if 'arry is smart enough to insert him in Defoe's spot - he was great as a 2nd striker early in the season.  He's been mediocre at best on the right wing and from the bench.  If Roy Keane is reading this, he should be thinking about how to get Utaka to partner Kenwyne Jones next season (assuming he stays up). 

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 Team News

  1. Team News: Top Four all strong
  2. No new problems for Toon tussle
  3. Rio in race to be fit versus Reds
  4. AJ unlikely to face Hammers
  5. Riise may get a recall from Rafa
  6. No new worries for Birmingham date
  7. King likely to get Pompey break
  8. Utaka set to partner Baros up front
  9. No new headaches for Fulham date
  10. Benjani tipped to tackle Trotters
  11. Keane worries easing for Villa date
  12. Carroll cleared for Riverside action
  13. Boro duo banned for Rams visit
  14. Rovers without Emerton at Ewood
  15. Gardner to fill in at right-back
  16. Hammers hopeful over Upson
  17. Keeper query for Gunners clash
  18. Bolton to be boosted by duo
  19. Larsson set for Royals appointment
  20. Sibierski set to miss Ewood trip 
  21. Rosicky ruled out of Bridge trip

 

(17 user comments)

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User comments

  • (1)

    i wonder who will make way for petrov when he returns ... any ideas? is huth injured? boy that would throw a huge spanner in a lot of ppl's team :)

    Posted by: magia_capoeira on Fri Mar 21 02:37PM | Report abuse
  • (2)

    do anyone know how many matches would Koumas be suspended? I have Koumas from beginning of this season and thinking if i need to take him off my team.. any suggestion?

    Posted by: gapclub67 on Fri Mar 21 02:45PM | Report abuse
  • (3)

    i think koumas is out for 3 but i'm not 100% on that.

    Posted by: jspitzberg on Fri Mar 21 03:03PM | Report abuse
  • (4)

    http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/21032008/1/sibierski-set-miss-ewood-trip.html "Jason Koumas begins a three-match ban after being sent off against Bolton, so Kevin Kilbane is expected to come into the Latics' midfield." - teamtalk.com i suppose the three matches are confirmd for the Welsh . im having a go wit PaRTay though . hes been productive evrytime he starts . takes corners and freekicks . always a thrill to gamble

    Posted by: mynamais897 on Fri Mar 21 03:43PM | Report abuse
  • (5)

    Gardner? If he starts, will it be him or huth, or is he filling someone else's boots?

    Posted by: spezial_a on Fri Mar 21 04:55PM | Report abuse
  • (6)

    Do not forget Grounds/Boro. He was in when Huth was out, and is cheap. Carlos Edwards, even on the road, even vs. Villa, is also cheap and takes a lot of corners. Perhaps a barn door pickup that could produce more points than Palacios, long term? Taylor will start if Pogatetz is lame, for Pogatetz replaced him earlier. He is worth a punt, as well. Kitson may also be worth a punt at home vs. BRM.(4) I like your gambler's instinct!

    Posted by: donegal08 on Fri Mar 21 05:06PM | Report abuse
  • (7)

    I've also had Koumas since the beginning and finally dropped him. got Mpet instead. I am 1 penny short of Ryan Taylor. argh.!

    Posted by: owen1981 on Fri Mar 21 06:12PM | Report abuse
  • (8)

    Neal,how about carew?since aston villa against sunderland could he be a worth buying?

    Posted by: brown_seeds on Fri Mar 21 07:48PM | Report abuse
  • (9)

    Aaron Lennon or Malbranque?

    Posted by: geoffmumley on Fri Mar 21 08:33PM | Report abuse
  • (10)

    ok i've been playing thids for 2 years and i havea question what exactly is a barn door pick up lol thanks

    Posted by: ssanchez0923 on Fri Mar 21 09:26PM | Report abuse