Gameweek 33: Predictions

So i’m back after ANOTHER looooong break… Quite the Tomas Rosicky i am, ehh?! 😀

And what a time to comeback as well, with a MASSIVE fixture pile up over the next 5 days!! Unless you don’t know already 4 teams play twice over the Gameweek – and what a list of teams to boot: Arsenal, Everton, Fulham and Manchester United.

***Correction – 5 teams, i forgot dear old West Ham!! Sorry Big Sam!!!

MU will look to bury last week’s defeat under an avalanche of goals and 6 points… Arsenal and Everton will both be desperate to earn 6 points and stake their claim for a spot in the Top 4… And Fulham… will keep passing the ball to Berbatov.

The Tyne Wear Derby is perhaps the star billed match of the week, but with both teams hovering very uncomfortably above relegation spots a win will become even more crucial to both teams.

For multiple reasons – Arsenal vs Everton will be the match to look out for. It might just be a “six-pointer” though not in the strictest of senses.

A Toffees win wil inch them close to Europe, put a massive gap between them and Liverpool & boost their confidence massively for the rest of the campaign.

Arsenal – if they win – will overtake Chelsea and Tottenham and the psychological  ramifications of 6 points this week will be **MASSIVE**.

Elsewhere, Wigan will potentially take a break from their Annual Avoid Relegation party and they visit Manchester City – who seem earnest in winning maximum points from the remaining matches.

Wit most of the big matches covered, let me head straight for my picks for this week:

• Goalkeepers:

1. Joe Hart (High): With a severely over worked Chelsea playing the last match on this week, Hart playing against Wigan seems like a safe bet for a clean sheet. Hart is at the foremost in putting in a shift that’ll make the City supporters and in one of the few players who is still fighting for the City cause.
2. David De Gea (Medium): After 6 clean sheets in a row, City finally breached the Red Devils defence twice last week. Expect SAF to demand that they embark on a new spree with two easily winnable games against teams who arn’t the most prolific of scores: Stoke and West Ham. With two games to be played, potentially penalty saves might just be a welcome bonus.
3. Lukasz Fabianski (Low): Hey! i am just as surprised as you are to see Lukasz “Flappyhandski” here – but the Polish keeper has really put in impressive performances to snatch the starting spot away from Wojciech Szczensny. Once again – 2 games, maybe a clean sheet and a potential penalty save. A gamble, but the low price means it might just pay off handsomely.

• Defenders:

1. Patrice Evra (High):  The only stumble in this pick – and i do have my doubts – is that Evra might just be rested for one of the two matches that MU play. With the title wrapped up, SAF might just let Buttner have a run of two away games against the physically imposing sides. That said, if he does play the Red Devils VC might just contribute to the attack – adding to his tally of 4 goals and 8 assists.
2. Thomas Vermaelen (Medium): The Gunners skipper has now got the opportunity to play two games in a week – albeit only due to Per Merstesacker’s suspension. He will be keen to impress & with 2 games, he will get many chances to earn a starting spot. i reckon he will be eager to leave his mark.
3. Sascha Reither (Low): Imported from FC Koln, Sascha has quickly established himself as a crowd favourite at Craven Cottage. With Fulham playing twice (yeah, it’s a recurring theme in my picks) and the second match to be played at home, he might just turn out to be a smart buy.

***** Note:  Why did i leave out my perennial favourite Leighton Baines you ask, even though Everton play twice and Baines is generally awesome sauce this season?! Answer: He is on 4 Yellow cards – so a booking at QPR who are a scrappy lot – will result in him being suspended for the second match against Arsenal. *****

• Midfielders:

1. Santi Cazorla (High): Regular readers (Bless You 🙂 ) will be aware that i’m a sucker for footballers who have special reasons to perform – seminal matches, overtaking/equaling club records, playing against former clubs, personal joy etc. etc…. And also, players who play twice a week are easy shoo ins in my team. Without further ado – i present to you Santi Cazorla – who plays twice *at home* this week AND welcomed his daughter India (Reason No. 1588 to love him) last week after his wife/partner (?!) delivered the healthy baby girl. Soooo – he’ll either score and kiss both his wrists – or score twice for his two kids. My bet for fantasy Captain to boot.
2. Marouane Fellaini (Medium): Regular readers (Bless You :)) will know that rarely a Gameweek goes where i don’t have multiple Belgians in my Fantasy picks. So Belgian # 2 makes the cut again – Marouane “plays twice this Gameweek” Fellaini; who is back from his suspension and will be raring to contribute to the Toffees cause as they seek to sneak into Europe. Fantasy Captain Choice – Rank 2.
3.  Damien Duff (Low): It has been ages, but there was once a time when Damien Duff was a high flying winger for played for Chelsea. Therefore Duff ticks two boxes – playing twice and playing against a former club. i persist in my belief that Chelsea will be thoroughly exhausted after their lengthy season – and quite possibly slip up at the later stages when they are least expected to. Fulham are gasping for air and would want to pick up as many points they can at this stage, to stave a potential relegation battle.

• Forwards:

1. Wayne Rooney (High) – With That Dutch Snake on a mini drought (i fully expect him to end it over the next 2 games) i would still nominate Wazza for the pick. He’s hungrier to prove himself, well rested and more adept at playing physical sides like Stoke and West Ham. His efforts *for* the team are highly under-appreciated and i wouldn’t be surprised if he sets up team mates more than he scores from now till the end of the season. At least, that’s my take. Also, he’s a bit more economical than He Who Must Not Be Named.
2. Olivier Giroud (Medium): He’s an Arsenal player… looks like a dream… has the body of a Greek God… Is French.. Smiles like a angel… i’m sorry, whaaatt?!! Oh – and he plays twice this week at home. Yup – THAT is why you should have him in your Fantasy…. Squad.
3. Victor Anichebe (Low): Anichebe is a Fantasy Manager’s delight.. Costing only 4.3M £. And he plays with consistent regularity, now that Nikica Jelavic isn’t on the scincillating form that he displayed towards the end last season. Anichebe wasn’t given many chances at the start of the season, and missed out on a lot of games towards the middle. A run now has seen him contribute with 5 goals and assists. Dirt cheap, play twice – Great buy!

So that’s that…

How many of these will deliver, only time shall tell!!

Till next week..

Cheers,

DesiEPLFantasyManager.

Gameweek 25: Predictions

Hello there folks!

i don’t want to brag, but a lot of my picks in Gameweek23 did perform remarkably well… Joe Hart and Leighton Baines with clean-sheets…  Theo Walcott with an 18pt haul, Marouane Fellaini with a respectable 5, Luis Suarez and Romelu Lukaku among the goals and assists…

Could get my picks out for GW24, but it was a week of surprises – what with QPR keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City (!!), Wigan scoring 2 against Stoke, Ryan Shawcross with a goal (!!), Sunderland and Swansea in a stalemate 0-0, and Fulham winning 3-1 over West Ham…

Anyway, here’s a quick look at the fixtures this weekend:

QPR vs Norwich – Harry’s New Boys could claim their second home League victory of this season against a Norwich team which seems to lost some of the early season sheen…

Arsenal vs Stoke – I expected the Gunners to win the match against Liverpool, then have a 0-0/1-1 draw against Stoke. Now,  with the high stakes involved, Arsenal face a must win situation, but i fully expect Stoke to put in a real fight.

Everton vs Aston Villa – i expect Everton to win, but whether they shut out Aston Villa will depend on which side of the bed Christian Benteke woke up today..

Newcastle vs Chelsea – A classic “trap game” – the Toons could spring an upset and pile on the pressure on Rafa Benitez, but i fully anticipate a Frank Lampard goal – quite possibly from the penalty spot.

Reading vs Sunderland – An upset – a rare Reading win.

West Ham vs Swansea – West Ham win; Michu to score.

Wigan vs Southampton – Tooooo close to call, but i’d go for a Saints victory. Wigan will kick start their annual “escape from relegation” ritual next week with a shock result against Chelsea.

Fulham vs Man. Utd – Can Fulham pull off a shock victory?! Unlikely.. but this will be a typical MUtd match – a nervy 3-2 win with at least one RvP goal.. A brilliant performance from Berbatov is probably another guarantee.

West Brom vs Tottenham – Striker less Spurs have recalled Harry Kane, but latest news declare Jermain Defoe fit for this clash. Spurs will look to Gareth Bale to deliver yet another sizzling performance and grab three points in their quest for Champions League qualification.

Man. City vs Liverpool – Man City for the win. Edin Dzeko with a goal or two…

So now that we’ve had a quick look at the games, here are the picks for GW25:

• Goalkeepers:

1. Hugo Lloris (High) – The Frenchman has finally cemented his place as the No.1 at Tottenham, and today will be great opportunity to stamp his authority and silence any remaining doubters. West Brom have been struggling of late, having lost 4 of their last 5 matches. The usually solid Spurs defense could manage a shut out today.
2. Tim Howard (Medium) – Everton host Aston Villa, and will look to claim all three points in their quest for a top 4 finish. With Villans looking quite lost and the Toffees defense in solid if not impressive shape, this could be their third clean sheet in the last 4 games.
3. Julio Cesar (Low) – Why Cesar wasn’t awarded all 3 Bonus points after last week’s stupendous performance is beyond me. He single handedly kept David Silva from claiming a hat trick!! Against Norwich, QPR will look to build on their January enforcements with Man Mountain Christopher Samba in the heart of defense.

• Defenders:

1. Jan Vertonghen (High) – The Belgian has impressed in his first season in the EPL. He has been as important as Gareth Bale in their march towards a top4 finish. Expect him to put in a great shift today once again.
2. Bacary Sagna (Medium) – The Gunners’ right back is having a torrid season – his slip in the last game led to Liverpool’s opening goal. With Stoke’s forwards rarely threatening to score, i expect Sagna to show us all (and maybe potential suitors in summer) what he is truly capable of.
3. Christopher Samba (Low) – At 12.5 millions pounds and a salary of 100k, don’t expect Harry Redknapp to give the formed Blackburn Rovers man “time to settle” at QPR. Also, he won’t be caught unawares in the EPL, having left English shores only last January. He will slotted right in the centre of he action, and at the very low price of only 5.0m i fully expect the Congolese international to be a valuable asset – to QPR and to your FPL teams.

• Midfielders:

1. Gareth Bale (High) – Some research today confirmed that Jermain Defoe will be available for the match against West Brom. However, Bale’s position as the focal point of Spurs’ attack is beyond doubt. This could well turn out to be one of those games where the midfielder lights up the BPL with a brilliant display.
2. Marouane Fellaini (Medium) – The Belgian is having a quite run of late, having scored his last goal over 2 months ago. Aston Villa will be the perfect tonic to kick start the new month and a crucial run of games to clinch the top 4 spot for the Toffees.
3. Yohan Cabaye (Low) – Among the Frenchman who have arrived this year at Newcastle, let us not forget the “dreamboat” who came ashore last season.. Cabaye is already a vital cog in the Toons’ mechanism. With 2 goals in his last two outings, expect Cabaye – NUFC’s set-piece specialist to boot – to lift Alan Pardew’s men away from the relegation battle.

• Forwards:

1. Robin Van Persie (High) – If he isn’t in your FPL teams already, then you need to sell off 3 midfielders and get him in already! Agreed.. he costs more than any other player in the league, but bloody hell does he deliver! And now, Wayne Rooney has declared he will be relinquishing his penalty taking responsibilities to the Dutchman.  [http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Feb/wayne-rooney-decision-not-to-take-penalties.aspx] So that means RvP – who is a Manchester United player now – will get at least 10 penalties from now till the end of… February. 45.2% of FPL Managers already own him…. Will i be surprised to find out the number’s doubled by next week?
2. Olivier Giroud (Medium) – 3 goals, 1 assist – a maximum 6 Bonus Points in the past two weeks – yeah, the Frenchman’s a flop alright. i hope my wife’s like Oliver – wait, that doesn’t sound right.. Surely, he will muscle (or charm) his way into the starting XI against the Rugby team tonight, and chip with a goal or an assist.
3. Rickie Lambert (Low) – The Saints are looking for their first win under new manager Mauricio Pochettino. Wigan gives them a great opportunity to claim three points. Rickie Lambert will the best man to score goals, set up team mates and take set pieces as well. And with a record as fabulous as “Career Penalties Taken: 33;  Career Penalties Missed: 0” and with 10 goals and 4 assists this season alone, who wouldn’t want Super Rickie Lambert in their team?! Or am i confusing him with some other penalty scoring Englishman?!

So, what do you think? Do my picks pass muster?!

in 48 hours we shall know for sure!

Cheers!

DesiEPLFantasyManager.

Gameweek 23: Predictions

i’m no saint – it’s hard to be a blogger, especially with a limited audience… It’s never about the money (take my word, i’m a Gooner) but a little love goes a long way in such endeavours… the loooooong break was a result of a lot of things, but at the heart of it was disappointment.. Hope writing makes me fall back in line…

Speaking of saints – former Saint Theo Walcott has FINALLY ended his transfer saga by extending his contract, and he will stay at Arsenal and be at the very front of “The British Core”, while Saints Manager Nigel Adkins has been unceremoniously dumped by Southampton after a run of 5 undefeated matches…

No round up this week, i’ll dive straight into the selections:

• Goalkeepers

1. Joe Hart (High) – Manchester City host notoriously unimpressive travelers Fulham, one week after they managed to keep Arsenal at Bay. With Vincent Kompany’s Red Card overruled, he will be back to help the Citizen’s cause of retaining the League Championship. And it helps that Hart is easily one of the best ‘keepers in the world, let alone the EPL.
2. Wojciech Szczesny (Medium) – This pick is slightly risky, but if all goes as per script it’ll pay off.  The Pole saved a penalty last weekend which proved he’s no mug in between the sticks.. And with 2 matches to be played by Arsenal this Gameweek, with a clean sheet seemingly achievable in the home match against West Ham, i reckon this a gamble worth taking.
3. Adam Federici (Low) – Reading travel to Newcastle United at a time when the North East club is free falling into a vortex of relegation battle.  With Demba Ba’s departure, and key players like Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote missing, the Toons are desperately lacking firepower upfront. Can Brian McDermott’s men add to Alan Pardew’s misery?!

• Defenders

1. Leighton Baines (High) – Somethings never change.. the number of times i’ve had Baines in my picks and yet i can’t buy him in my squad! Everton take on Southampton mere days after Nigel Adkins was given the boot. David Moyes would want the Toffees to take advantage of their instability. Set piece specialist Baines will look to have a bumper game with assists and goals there for the taking. But can they keep a clean sheet, not if their life depends on it i’m afraid!
2. Kieran Gibbs (Medium) – Again, a Gunner selected purely because Arsenal play twice this Gameweek. Easily the most impressive of the Arsenal backline, the Englishman is having a terrific season. A goal last week, with assists flowing with some regularity, Gibbs is integral to starting attacks deep in the opposition half. His overlapping runs with Podolski are already impressive and with some practice, his dangerous crosses should regularly find Giroud and Walcott more often.
3. Billy Jones (Low) – The Englishman has established himself as a near constant presence in the Baggies defence. While not a goalscorer like team mate Thomas McAuley, his ability to read the game and put in crucial tackles and interceptions are essential to the Baggies impressive home defensive record. Against a highly suspect Aston Villa side, Steve Clarke’s men would look for a clinical victory over Paul Lambert’s charges.

• Midfielders

1. Theo Walcott (High) – No, this isn’t Gunner bias, not in the least!! If i haven’t told you already, Arsenal play twice this Gameweek, so there! And Theo’s just signed a contract extension. And he is deployed as  a striker these days. So his chances of scoring are higher, and he’s still classified as a Midfielder. “Days after signing a new contract, Theo gives back to his fans by scoring against familiar opponents, Chelsea” – You tell me that headline seems far fetched!!
2. Marouane Fellaini (Medium) – The Belgian has it a plateau after his blistering start to the season.. A three match ban didn’t help either. Southampton – who’re seemingly in disarray – should provide a great platform for Fellaini to get back in the limelight.
3. Kevin Nolan (Low) – See?! No bias. West Ham are the other team that play twice this Gameweek, and who else to buy other than their Captain Nolan?!! With The Other Kevin (Noble, for those who came late) suspect, Nolan becomes the focal point in attack AND will take over the set piece duties, if they do arrive. An obvious buy.

• Forwards:

1. Luis Suarez (High) – Last week’s battle of the top strikers saw Robin Van Persie emerge the obvious victor. This week the Uruguayan will be keen to set the record straight. Last time he faced the Canaries in the league, he scored a hat-trick, and provided an assist. While hitting those numbers seem unlikely, expect him to put in a match-winning performance nonetheless. 
2. Demba Ba (Medium) – In my books, Ba is now an Undroppable. Every Fantasy team simply MUST have him!! With he boatload of chances that Chelsea create, Ba is a seamless fit at the very top – waiting to poach on every available opportunity. Arsenal failed to mark him the last time they met, and he scored 2. While he was still at Newcastle. i fear for Arsenal.
3. Romelu Lukaku (Low) – Chelsea seem to have most of their strategies plain wrong. Lukaku is living proof of it. They bought the Belgian (surprise surprise!!), wasted him and then loaned him off to West Brom – where’s he’s been outstanding! He takes on Aston Villa at home, after scoring 2 past Reading last week. Once again, a highly logical buy.

So that’s it! Hope i’m back on Thursday to assess my picks!

***Note: Had Kevin Noble and Lukas Podolski been available, i’d have SURELY picked them! 🙂

Also, maybe Ben Forster (WBA vs AVFC) instead of Federici as the goalkeeper in the Low department – that’s a close call though.

Cheers!