Line 'em Up

Over-hyped? Chelsea continued to show they can score goals in Europe vs. the other teams that Mr. Abromovich owns - and lets not fool ourselves, he has a HUGE stake in CSKA Moscow and might as well own Porto after all the $$ he threw them over the summer - but Arsenal and ManYoo looked questionable against a bunch of guys no one has ever heard of. ManYoo can't score anywhere and Arsenal can't seem to stop doing silly things on the European stage. What does this mean for fantasy managers? Probably nothing. The smart money is on the trends continuing. Arsenal will put up points (but maybe not so many as usual since the ManYoo defense is solid). ManYoo players are not worth the risk of another shutout against them (it says here Arsenal win 1-0 with Henry getting the goal from a Pires assist). In the meeting of the "resistable force" (aka Chelsea's offense) and the "movable object" (aka the Blackburn defense) expect one goal from Chelsea but where it will come from, no one knows. In other potentially lopsided match-ups - Liverpool host Charlton, Boro host always-dodgy-on-the-road Pompey, and Newcastle host ManCiteh. All that said, here are some line-up suggestions should you be unsure of yourself going into the weekend:

Strikers
Henry, Arsenal - If there was a week you wanted to risk not having him in the line-up to pick up some ground, this is probably the time to try, but I wouldn't do it. Would you?

JFH, Boro - In the goals vs. Blackburn last weekend and only played 20 minutes midweek in UEFA action. Match-up vs. Pompey should be a good one.

Craig Bellamy, Newcastle - Depends on how much you think Souey wants to prove his point. Bellamy has been excellent when he's played and Citeh who, despite Chelsea making their defense look competent, aren't up to the task on the road.

Midfielders
Lampard, Chelsea - With Karl Malone gone from the NBA, Lamps is next in line for the "Mailman" nickname - somehow, he always delivers despite the fact that Chelsea can't seem to score.

Downing, Boro - Sven threw out his name as an England contender this week (and how often does that happen to a Boro players?). Nice weekend last week in the JFH goal-fest. Put in one of his own today in UEFA Cup action. On the rise. If he played at ManYoo he'd be the next hot thing. Coming soon to a tabloid near you "Sir Alex eyes up Downing for a January swoop"

Osman, Everton - Who would have guessed at the beginning of the year that there would be multiple Everton midfielders worth selecting for a fantasy squad where money is no object. Gravessen hasn't done much in the last few weeks but has still had a strong year so far and Osman appears to be in form.

Defenders
Jaidi, Bolton - he's been solid offensively and Bolton comes up with the occasional clean sheet to boot.

Terry, Chelsea - coming off a goal in Champions League and a sure bet to start in what promises to be another clean sheet for the Blues. Really, any Chelsea defender that is likely to start is a good bet for some solid points here.

Hibbert, Everton - The Everton defense has been tight, even on the road, and he's been contributing the occasional point or two on offense as well. Very solid.

Note: In the battle of Old Trafford, Part Deux, I'm sitting Heinze because I can't see ManYoo getting a clean sheet or scoring a goal themselves. Probably bad mojo to go against a guy I've praised so much, but this doesn't seem like his week.

Goalkeepers
Cech, Chelsea - Sort of a boring choice, but they give up goals at about the same clip that W says things that Americans can be proud of. Martyn of Everton and Schwartzer of Boro would be decent alternatives. Given would be as well but his status is uncertain because his wife is scheduled to give birth soon.