Friday, November 6, 2009

Injuries and Suspensions

Suspensions Plenty of suspensions this week as the 5 yellow cards start to kick in and the raft of red cards last week:
  • Jamie Carragher
  • Habib Beye
  • Gary Neville
  • J'Lloyd Samuel
  • Philp Degen
  • Stiliyan Petrov
  • Barry Ferguson
  • Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
  • Geovani
  • Lorik Cana
  • Kenwyne Jones
Note that Jermaine Defoe is back after serving his recent 3 game ban.

Injuries A few headlines this week, none more so than some potentially disastrous news from Anfield:

Fernando Torres - Rumours are flying round that Torres might need surgery though Sky Sports suggest that having seen a specialist this week, El Nino could avoid any procedures and even play this week against Birmingham. Still held by an incredible 26% of owners makes Torres overpriced and too risky right now. Weeks 14 - 19 look good for Liverpool and Torres might be worth a look then for Van Persie owners spooked by Arsenal's tough schedule but until then I would stay away for now.

Steven Gerrard - Phyio Room rate Gerrard as very doubtful and he is too risky to play this week. Bring in Fabregas or Lampard if you can spare the transfer.

Glen Johnson - Sorry to pile it on Liverpool fans but Johnson could also be out though the Guardian rate him as set for a possible return. I like Liverpool for a clean sheet this week so Johnson owners should wait until tomorrow before deciding on Johnson but if you want a one week premium pick I think either Vermaelen or Bridge are your men.

Gael Clichy - I was all over Kieran Gibbs as a budget pickup here but Drew correctly noted that Eboue could fill in along the back instead. The Guardian and Telegraph like Gibbs too but I agree he is slightly risky. If you have a suspect sub in the 4.5m range and your regular starters face tough fixtures then why not bring in Gibbs for your sub then at least your regular starter can sub in if Gibbs doesn't get the start.

James Milner - It was a massive blow for Milner owners (including me) who jumped on board the Milner bandwagon for his double gameweek only to see him play just 45 minutes total. He is a doubt again this week though the Guardian and Telegraph both suggest he will play. I would keep him active as he is highly unlikely to come off the bench so your sub will drop in if he doesn't make it for kick off. The fixture at home to Bolton looks like it could prove fruitful.

Rio Ferdinand - If you're reading this I can't imagine you have Ferdinand who is outrageously priced at 6.7m having wracked up 12 points all season. However, when on form he is still an upgrade over Evans and Brown so his absence is a boost to Drogba and co who I like this week despite the tough matchup on paper. In case you do own him, Ferdinand is out and should be sold immediately.Vidic might be back for kick off with the Guardian pencilling him into their lineup.

Ashley Cole - The Guardian and Telegraph both report Cole as fit to take his place in the lineup so feel free to start him this week. I know the fixture isn't great on paper but I think Chelsea have a decent shot at the clean sheet and Cole is a solid play.

Aaron Lennon - The Telegraph suggest Lennon could be back this week while the Guardian say he is out. Sky Sports also have the tricky winger missing the game against Sunderland and it seems likely they will be right. If you have him you can probably play him if your reserves are decent and keep him for gameweek 13 when Spurs get Wigan at home.

Carlton Cole - The Telegraph have him in but the Guardian have him out. The official West Ham site say its 'too early to say' but you with a tough schedule after the next three games you might want to look elsewhere anyway.

Stay tuned to Twitter for last minute news tonight and tomorrow morning before the deadline. Good luck for the upcoming week and always, thanks for reading.

VALENCIA CF: VIDEO OF SPECTACULAR GOAL FROM MADURO (EUROPA LEAGUE)

Check this superb goal from VALENCIA CF player MADURO. Ithappened yesterday in the Slavia Prague vs. Valencia CF Groupclash in the Europa League.Watch the ball control…a real cracker!

REAL MADRID: CRISTIANO RONALDO AVOIDS SURGERY, FOR NOW

CRISTIANO RONALDO does not have to be operated, for the moment.Dr. Dijk, Dutch & World specialist on ankles, has recommended another15 days of complete rest & a return to his Consultancy to determine theevolution of the injury. If there is no improvement, operating maybe become the option, although Dr. Dijk is optimistic that there will beno need & will then need another 15 days of exercise &

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Week 12 Preview

Week 12 Fixtures
Aston Villa v Bolton

Blackburn v Portsmouth

Man City v Burnley

Tottenham v Sunderland

Wolves v Arsenal

Hull City v Stoke City

West Ham v Everton

Wigan v Fulham

Chelsea v Man Utd

Liverpool v Birmingham


It seems like forever since I last posted a review, which is worrying seeing as it was less than two weeks ago! Last week saw a bit of order restored to the top of the league with the best three sides right now dishing out beatings to lesser opposition. Liverpool continue to struggle and are pretty much a fantasy minefield, especially in light of Torres' continued injured woes. Six teams face green light defensive fixtures this week, which considering last week's season high seven clean sheets suggests defenses could be back in the money.

Captain picks
The rich keep getting richer at the moment and though I can't help but expect this production to stop, the trends are still strong so I'm going to keep pushing these guys while the fixtures are hot.

1. Cesc Fabregas
2. Emmanuel Adebayor
3. Frank Lampard
4. Didier Drogba
5. Robin Van Persie

Not a great matchup for Cesc this week but he's averaging an insane 10.35 PPG which not even the great Ronaldo managed in his time in England. He is absolutely a must own right now and is probably close to every week captain status unless the matchup is terrible.
I'm a bit sceptical to tip Adebayor at the second spot with his status uncertain due to injury and the fact that he hasn't scored since Sep 12. However, Burnley are conceding 3.4 GPG on the road this year while City have scored 10 in 4 games at Eastlands. City's games are up and down over the next 5 but I rate Adebayor as a solid buy right now and at 10.1m and with 7.1% ownership he is a potential differentiator now everyone seems to be on the Drogba / Bent / Van Persie bandwagon.
I've been critical of Lampard this season but the last two games have given fantasy owners hope and it could be perfect timing with Arsenal's tough run of games coming on the horizon. Chelsea's fixtures are much better and if you can afford it, Lampard might be a great replacement for Fabregas from week 14 onwards. This week Lampard faces United which isn't great on paper but United's defense is thread bare and looked terrible midweek against Moscow. I can't see a rout but Chelsea might get a couple of goals with Lampard and Drogba involved as always.
Like Lampard, Drogba's matchup isn't the best but I like Chelsea to win and score a couple in the process. The Ivorian is in great form and the likes of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans will struggle to contain him.
Van Persie is in scintilating form with 6 goals in the last 5 league games. As with Fabregas above I don't love the trip to Wolves (1.2 GPG conceded) but the form of Arsenal is too strong to back against right now. I actually like Van Persie to score more than Fabregas but the little Spaniard has 12 bonus points in the last 4 games and I see no reason why that kind of production won't continue this week.

Sleepers
This is a new feature in which I suggest 5 players who aren't widely held that I like for this week only.

Tim Cahill
I keep expecting Cahill to rediscover his goalscoring form but he really seems to be missing Arteta and has only managed a single goal this year. Everton have the second best opposition on paper (2.0 GPG conceded) though the fact that Cahill played through pain tonight in the loss to Benfica suggests caution should be exercised before bringing him in.

James Beattie
Picking against Hull is a pretty good strategy this season and I like Beattie to get a goal this week having played well on his return from injury. In his 4 games since returning he has 2 goals and 4 bonus points and is gaining fitness every week. Hull aren't terrible at home but I like Beattie's presence to unsettle them and cause them problems all day.

Kieran Gibbs
With Clichy sidelined for a couple of weeks Gibbs should get a chance to shine at left back and he looked good midweek against AZ. At 4.5m he is great value and could even provide an attacking option for Wenger's side (3 goals for England U-21s already). Wolves have managed just 4 goals at home this year and Arsenal look like a great play.

Clean Sheets
1. Man City
2. Aston Villa
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Chelsea

City have the ultimate matchup for the week as the welcome Burnley who have really struggled away from Turf Moor. I'm not totally sold on City's back line but I think they are solid enough for a clean sheet here and I like Bridge most to capitalise here.
Villa defenders are widely held after last weeks (failed) double gameweek but worth holding for this one. Bolton have actually been decent away from home (1.50 GPG) but are pretty inconsistent and I think Dunne and Collins should be able to deal with the threats Megson's side brings.
I was encouraged by Wenger's tactics to drop Diaby and Song back at 3-0 at the weekend though this hope for a run of Arsenal clean sheets was dashed slightly by the needless goal conceded in midweek. However, Wolves have really struggled for goals (especially at home) and with Gibbs and Song available at budget prices I really like the value you can get from Arsenal this week.
Liverpool's defense has been terrible of late and for much of the season so far but Birmingham just cannot score goals (8 in 11 games this year) and Liverpool really need this one. I'm not really high on this pick but I do like them if you already have players on your team.
Chelsea will seem like a strange pick to many but the fact is that Chelsea have conceded just one goal in 5 home games while United has been less than convincing of late. Again, I don't love this pick but I certainly wouldn't be benching your Chelsea player's if you already have them.

EUROPA LEAGUE 2009-2010 GROUP RESULTS: SPANIARDS DO RELATIVELY OK

Here are the three results from the EUROPA LEAGUE in which Spanishteams participated tonight in their respective Group games.VALENCIA CF travelled to SLAVIA PRAGA for their Group B game &lost the victory in the last moments of the game. The Spanish teamdominated with goals from JOAQUIN in the 21st min & MADURO inthe 47th min. However, things complicated itself with two goals fromSlavia via JANDA

U/17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2009: SPAIN MOVES ONTO QUARTER FINALS

The Spanish U/17 National Team put on the magic to defeat 4-1Burkina Faso & in doing so qualify for the Q/Finals at the U/17World Championships being held in Nigeria.Spaniard SERGI ROBERTO scored a HAT TRICK ( 19th, 56th &67th min) with fellow team-mate CARMONA scoring a penaltyin the 83rd min. For Burkina their player IBRANGO managed agoal in the 26th min.DETAILS:Spain 4: Edgar; Dalmau, Sergi

FC BARCELONA: AJAX LUIS SUAREZ CLOSER?

It’s been on the rumour mill for some weeks & today Barcelona basedsports daily “Sport” adds wood publishing that AJAX OF AMSTERDAMforward LUIS SUAREZ is very close to landing at FC BARCELONA.The “word” is that the Dutch team is going through some financialdifficulties & may accelerate the selling of its “goal scoring machine”for this upcoming “Winter Transfer Market”.Having said this, there are