Well, it looks like Nic Anelka owners may be in for another price rise after Bulgaria's Berbatov picked up an international not-so-friendly thigh injury. Anelka (9.9MM) is in the form of his career and is already owned by 20% of managers, but those 17% of managers who own Berbatov (9.6MM) may now jump ship and head from Sofia to Paris to pick up the sulking Frenchman.International breaks always turn otherwise injury free superstars into made of glass Dean Ashton clones, so I'm glad my true love is back - the Premier League.
Before we get to this weekend's fantasy footie preview, just a friendly reminder that we are offering a $100 gift certificate to Soccer Pro to the loyal blog reader who most accurately predicts next week's Champions League results. Just click on this link for the details.
Now to 1) the best "Real" fixture 2) the best "Fantasy" fixture 3) "studs" and "duds" and 4) a weekly best eleven:
I. Manchester United @ Aston Villa: Can Aston Villa make it two in a row against Top Four opposition? Probably not. The Midlanders have not taken a point off of United at home since 2001. Even with Berbatov missing the trip to Villa Park, Manchester United should have enough firepower to pick up an absolutely necessary away win. It's "make or break" time for Sir Alex's troops, and they should respond.
Villa front-man John Carew (this video really never gets old) could see a return to the starting lineup following a recent hip problem, and England call-ups Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor will lead the Villa line with renewed confidence after England's midweek away victory in Berlin.
Sir Alex Ferguson is suspended from the touchline for the match, so United fans will be hoping that the Scot knows how to use SMS to relay the tactical instructions and substitutions from afar.
Just like last week's Arsenal - Aston Villa match, this one is tough to call from a fantasy perspective. Investment in Villa's defense (Laursen (28%) and bargain option Luke Young (9%) are popular selections) won't pay dividends, but Young/Agbonlahor offer a somewhat brighter prospect. I fully expect Martin O'Neill to pack the midfield and shut down shop at home (remember Villa's 0-0 draw with Liverpool in August!?) while soaking up pressure and trying to nick a late goal on the counter-attack.
As for United, Ronaldo returns from an embarrassing trip to Brazil - no goals or assists in a 6-2 loss, and Berbatov misses out - handing a golden opportunity to forgotten stud Carlos Tevez - who looked lively and very impressive in Argentina's win over Scotland. Defoe/Berbatov owners may take a differentiation punt on Tevez, but more on that later...
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1
II. Newcastle @ Chelsea: Liverpool are home to Fulham but are without Gerrard, so Scolari's men get the tastiest matchup award once again. In what is fast becoming a broken fantasy record, the likes of Cech (check his injured calf), Bosingwa, Lampard (check his injured rib), and Anelka should be owned. Universally. This is the best team in the best league in the world and if fantasy managers don't feature at least one or two of the aforementioned Blues in their side, they will have a long and painful season...
Newcastle welcome back Michael Owen (8.4MM) so Ameobi and Martins owners should keep a close eye on their assets in the long run, but does anyone expect the pretty boy striker's return at Stamford Bridge to make much of a difference? Chelsea are simply too good at the moment.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0
III. Studs: With Berbatov out of action, Tevez (9.1MM) could be a surprisingly effective short term choice for managers who simply can't afford Anelka. The Argentinian scored 14 goals last season and the extra 0.5MM in the bank could be spent on a defensive upgrade. Remember, Manchester United do not feature in Gameweek 18, so riding Tevez for the next 4 weeks and then dropping him for a Defoe or Agbonlahor prior to Gameweek 18 could be an interesting short-term strategy for those managers "chasing" leaders. Other similarly priced Berbatov stud alternatives include Van Persie (9.3MM), Robinho (9.5MM) or Defoe (8.4MM).
Keep a close eye on stud Defoe, however, since he was replaced by Darren Bent with a slight muscle tweak in England's match with Germany.
Manchester United fans or Modric owners could also take a punt on England star boy Michael Carrick (6.9MM). Carrick is in-form for both club and country and turned in a Man of the Match performance last weekend against Stoke, picking up 3 bonus points in the process. With Tottenham's tiny midfield man Modric (6.9MM) out for two weeks, the 2% owned Carrick could see a spike in ownership - especially if he can wrestle away control of the midfield from Sidwell, Barry, or Reo-Coker this weekend. Just a thought.
Duds: Zaki once again straddles the stud/dud fence as he continues to disappoint after his hot start and his injury status is uncertain. With Arsenal's brilliant right-back Sagna (6.4MM) out of action for a while, the Gunners' defense gets even shakier, so don't expect too much from popular selections Clichy (13% owned) and Gallas (8% owned). Keep a close eye on Djourou, though. At 4.4MM, he would offer quite a bargain if he could gain an Alex-style mid-term slot in Arsenal's injury depleted and shaky back line. Bellamy (6.4MM) scored for Wales this week and Cole (5.5MM) is looking to get back on track for West Ham, so these recent duds could turn into studs in a hurry if they start brightly at Sunderland. With studs Jones and Cisse forming a nice partnership, expect a few goals in that matchup.
IV. A gameweek 14 fantasy premier league best eleven for you to debate:
GK: Sorensen
D: Agger - A. Cole - Belhadj
M: Delap - Ronaldo - Lampard - Downing - Kuyt
F: Anelka - Defoe
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11 comments:
Sir - Where is the Captain's pick for week 14? Lamps or CR? After CR's 36 Net Cap Points in week 13, do you dare NOT choose him?
Shelby -
If positive news comes out about Lampard's rib tom. afternoon, I'd go with Lampard. Otherwise, you have to stick with Cron.
An interesting fact: CRon has not scored a goal away from Old TRafford this season.
should i captain anelka or ronaldo?
It hurts me to say, but I think im going to have to stick with CRon with the armband. I think he is gauranteed at least an assist, and probably "big name" bonus points...
Im also sticking with C. Ron as captain. With Berbatov out and Rooney a doubt Ronaldo could well start up front with Tevez (like he did a few times last season). You have to fancy his odds of scoring, especially against Villas shaky defence!
My team has been so injury ravaged this week I have been forced to make 4 transfers! Not good and I still have Kranjcar, does anyone know whats up with him? I cant find anything.
I'd stick with CRon - Lampard is still a Question Mark and CRon should lead the line with Tevez...
As for Man U's defense - if you have a free transfer available, it looks like Ferdinand is OUT, so Evans could be a bargain pick up in the very short term. (Only if you have a free transfer.)
Blog favorite Alex is 50/50 to take his place alongside Terry with Carvalho still out, but it is doubtful managers have kept faith with the short term Brazilian rental this long.. I know I have dumped him already for Arbeloa..
I'll give CRon the armband and hope for big things from my "Cheap" midfield core (Delap, Geovanni, and Ireland) and "Expensive" defense (Agger, Arbeloa, and Cech!)
Cheers.
No doubt about it Ronny has got to be captain! He loves scoring against the villa which is marvelous considering i am the sole Man U fan in a claret and blue household. I reckon he will get 1 or 2 goals and probably an assist for good measure and no doubt the 3 bonus.
My dilemma is what to spend my 2.0 on. Should i replace Fellaini with Nasri/Malouda or bring in Agger at the back for Figueroa. Would like Carvahlo in the team but will he feature this week???
Pikey - I would go with Agger over Figueroa, he's a great bargain and entry point into Pool's defense.
I actually rate Fulham highly this season and wouldn't be surprised if they scored at Anfield (laughter in the background, I know) but for the long term, Agger is a solid selection and gets forward on set pieces.
According to Yahoo, Zaki should be fit. (He had a virus.) According to Physioroom he's doubtful. Hmmm...
Logic dictates that a virus isn't going to flatten a pro athlete for 2 weeks. But I might keep him on the bench. Worked last time he was doubtful - he scored 2 goals.
Wait, there's a chance Alex will play now? I know he was on the bench for Brazil this week, but I thought there was no way he'd be in for Chelsea. I was going to move him for A Cole this week, but if he's 50/50...
Now they're saying Zaki has/had rib and ankle injuries... or something. No mention of a virus. Very helpful. I think I will bench him. (Watch the goals roll in if I do...)
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