Roy Keane is done at Sunderland. A strange tenure, that was. Perhaps the most memorable moment for me came in March when Keane proudly declared that his players would treat the referees with respect on the back of the initiative launched by the Football Association. Ironic. Hypocritical. Whatever it was, it was funny. Here's the weekend preview. We look at (I) the best EPL matchup, (II) the most fantasy friendly encounter, (III) fantasy studs and duds, and (IV) a best eleven for the week:
I. Aston Villa @ Everton: Aston Villa are essentially the "new" Everton, making waves as a non-Top 4 team fighting for a spot in next season's Champions League. Everton, however, should not be underestimated. Quietly the Toffees have won 4-of-6, and a win this weekend will put them level with 5th place Villa, on 25 points.
Villa have kept three consecutive quality clean sheets in the league (at Arsenal, home to United, and home to Fulham) and Everton are missing their star striker, the friendly Yakubu - who is out for the season. All signs, then, point to another Villa clean sheet, right?
Perhaps, but I wouldn't bet the house against Arteta (7.8M), Cahill (7.7M), or Anichebe (5.5M) putting one past Villa at home. As for their opponents, Luke Young (4.4M) owners could be a bit concerned as Nickey Shorey (5.0M) fights for his left-back role and a possible first team recall.
Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor (both valued at 8.4M) are due for some attacking points after back-to-back scoreless draws - they have too much quality between them not to make something happen.
It's really tough predicting this one, but I don't think Villa can pull off four consecutive Premier League clean sheets. I'll go for a draw in this one, then.
Prediction: 1 - 1 draw
II. Sunderland @ Manchester United: Little needs to be said, here. Tevez scored 4 midweek goals as United stormed into the Carling Cup semifinals and owners of Berbatov (11% owned) and Rooney (9% owned) will be biting their nails off before the team sheets are announced on Saturday at Old Trafford.
Honorable mention for tastiest fantasy matchup goes to Chelsea who are clearly better on the road than at Stamford Bridge and I Wanderer why that's the case. Less pressure perhaps, but the Blues have already lost their impressive home winning streak this season against Liverpool, so surely the pressure can't be that great to perform in front of the home fans. Bolton are in 9th (yes, they are in 9th) and Chelsea could find the Wanderers difficult to break down.
But let's get back to United. We recommended Carrick a few weeks ago for disappointed Modric owners looking to dump the tiny, injured Croat, and hope some of you took us up on the advice. In his last three matches, Carrick has a goal, an assist, and 6 bonus points. 22 points total, over 7 points per week. I can see him pulling the strings again for United in the midfield and at 6.9MM, he could be a decent differentiator as the conductor of a high-powered offense. He's not cheap, but he's in form. Perhaps take a punt if you're trailing a league leader and want to make a bold move...
Prediction: Manchester United 3 - 0
III. Studs: We've got to pat ourselves on the back for recommending Glen Johnson (5.5M) last week, and he didn't disappoint - registering an assist and 2 bonus points. Portsmouth are still conceding weak goals, but they travel to WBA and Johnson should get involved in the attack once again. Defoe (8.3MM) and Crouch (7.8MM) are obvious plays against WBA if you can afford them.
I think Liverpool's "stud" defensive line (Arbeloa, Agger, Reina, etc.) could be in for a shocker at Blackburn. McCarthy (7.2M) scored two against United for Blackburn in the Carling Cup, and if given the same space mad man Craig Bellamy was afforded last week in the WestHam match, he could punish the Reds. Liverpool have kept 4 clean sheets in a row, so keep faith with your Liverpool defense, but it would not surprise me in the least if Villa and 'Pool defensive owners were left very disappointed after the weekend.
Surprise stud: Newcastle's Sebastien Bassong (4.0M). Steven Taylor may be the England U-21 Captain but he has lost his starting centre back role to France U-21 international. In my opinion, Bassong was the best player on the pitch for Newcastle against Chelsea in the 0-0 draw and at 4.0M could be a great bargain bench option for managers who still employ Figueroa (10% owned) or Melchiot (6% owned). Figueroa and Melchiot are both valued at 4.3M and play at Arsenal this week, as well as missing Gameweek 18. A 0.3 savings and a starting centre back for the bench looks like an enticing option then. It's not like Wigan's defense is that much better than Newcastle's. Coloccini (5.2M) and Beye (4.9M) are playing well this year, and Given (4.8M) is always a stud, so I wouldn't be surprised if Newcastle kept a clean sheet at home to Stoke this weekend.
Duds: Blog favorite (don't say we don't give you great tips!) Camara (4.7M) will have a tougher time out this weekend at the Emirates, and should probably move from a starting spot to the bench.
And here comes the debate of the week, which I'd love for you guys to sound off on. Zaki is back. Finally. Three weeks out with injury. His price has dropped. But he still sits on 8 goals, takes penalties, and is a relative bargain compared to Defoe, Agbonlahor, and other mid-tier strikers. Despite missing three games (and playing for Wigan) he has outscored Robinho and Robin van Persie, who are both too expensive in my opinion to justify the sproadic returns. 24% of managers still hung on to the massive Egyptian, and I wonder how you guys think he will perform on his return. Will he find his old form and hit for 15 or 20 total Premier League goals? Will he fade as the weather gets colder? Will he remain on the bench in favor of a Camara/Heskey partnership? Sound off. The floor is yours.
IV. A gameweek 16 best eleven for you to debate:
GK: Given
D: Alex - Evra - G. Johnson
M: Ronaldo - Lampard - Geovanni - Downing - Krancjar
F: Defoe - Bellamy
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6 comments:
You have to give that Starting XI a name!
A holiday season name:
Roque SANTA Claus.
Update: Armand Traore a major doubt for the Portsmouth - WBA game for those of you who still hold on to him...
Looked very lively in Europe last night but is struggling for fitness...
I think one of the reasons Chelsea have struggled at home a bit is that Anelka is much more dangerous away from home where he afforded the space to play off the last man. With 2 rows of 4 in front of him Anelka is not half as dangerous and Chelsea are limited to chipping balls in to him that he has no chance of dealing with.
Remember also that Anelka nearly always scores against his former clubs so keep him active for this one!
I have Alex and Agger and 1m in the bank. In the next couple of weeks I need to get rid of both these guys as Carvalho and Skrtel return. Which do you think is the better play this week, and hence which one should I switch now and for who?
I am currently thinking Ashley Cole for Alex this week, save money elsewhere next week, then Agger for Arbeloa the following week. Ideas?
I would also drop Alex before Agger. Hyypia got his "once a month" game in last week, so Agger should be safe until Christmas when Sktrel returns...
As for Alex, Ivanovic has emerged as an alertnative (though I think Scolari does favor his fellow Brazilian), and Carvalho can't be too far away, so I think Agger for the next 3-4 weeks is safer than Alex.
Ashley Cole doesn't attack on the left like Bosingwa does on the right.. If you want to save some $ you can take a punt on Glen Johnson, but if you want to stick with the Top 4 I guess Cole or Arbeloa.
Evra has just been handed a 4 match ban for last year's assault on a Chelsea groundskeeper.. let's see if bargain option John O'Shea becomes our new "Alex" during the Christmas period.. more on this later!
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