I don't know if the Brittish media is awash in silly titles like that but if the Prem were college football, you know damn well that Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Lee Corso would be all over this like bad rash. With early season pretender/contender Charlton flying high, we get to see what they're made of as they host Champions Chelsea. On Sunday, the marquee match-up will be Manchester United traveling to Anfield to square off with the (and, yes, I still have trouble believing this after seeing that snoozefest vs. Tottenham) European Champions. The Monday match-up pits last year's 2nd and 4th place teams against each other with both teams seemingly headed in the wrong direction. Should be an interesting weekend. And with that, we're off to the fantasy analysis...
Chelsea - Charlton seem like they have a lot of the same characteristics of last year's Everton squad with Darren Bent playing the role of Tim Cahill only more prolific (at least so far). Charlton are talented, but not uber-talented, at every position and seem to be willing to play for the betterment of the team. If Chelsea continue to perform at a mediocre-for-them level, this could be a trap because Charlton must be full of confidence. It does seem unlikely to me that Charlton will score a lot of goals win, lose or draw so they are probably not a great fantasy bet unless, like me, you're keeping Darren Bent because you've got him on the cheap. Another major note is the absence of fantsy RotY Asier del Horno who is out with a thigh strain. Gallas is likely to move over to take his spot (and grumble about it all the while) and Carvalho will move into Gallas' spot in the middle of the park. On the offensive side of the ball, Chelsea are clearly still in disarray. Drogba has been a good mid-range fantasy option at striker (even when he's only played 30 minuntes). You can ask Jon about how Crespo has been doing but you're more likely to get a one-fingered salute than a verbal answer. One last Charlton note, Smertin is out due to his loan agreement. Overall, my advice is that you should stay away from this one unless you're protecting a player you already have.
The Former "Big Two" - Think Bergkamp is excited about this week? First he scores a late winner to save the team from the embarrassment of drawing with unknown Swiss side Thun. Now, for dessert course he gets Everton the team he destroyed almost single-handedly at the end of last season in a performance that surely convinced Wenger that it was worth keeping him around for another season. And, did I mention that they're coming off of a trip to Romania where they got completely destroyed (following up a loss to Pompey) - not good times for the Toffees. Arsenal has had their own problems and I'm still not convinced that I want anyone from their backline on my fantasy squad but you have to like the potential for a big offensive rebound on Monday Night Football. If you can afford Reyes, get him. Ditto Freddie. Since Bergkamp is going to be drafted into Champions League service in Holland, he may not start (heck, he may have gotten on his bicycle already to start the trip to Amsterdam) so I'd give some thought before picking him. Pires seems to have calcified almost as quickly as Paul Scholes so I'd stay away from him too.
As for the Devils, they travel to the more successful part of Liverpool. With defenders dropping like flies, ManYoo will likely find out how good their investment in van der Saar was this past off season. Most of the "experts" seem to be picking a ManYoo win but this seems to have unpleasant 1-1 draw written all over it. Not good for watching and not good for fantasy owners. Ruud continues his excellent form and is likely to get the goal for ManYoo. Ronaldo and Rooney have been good but not quite as good as you'd want to make them every week no-brainers in your fantasy line-up. Richardson is being tipped to replace the injured Gabriel Heinze in the line-up - hard to tell what that might bring.
Playing Against Newly Promoted Clubs - Jeremy pointed out yesterday that Fulham aren't nearly as bad as people have given them "credit" for. That said, they aren't good either. West Ham make the trip across London high from their thrashing of Villa this past Monday and are likely to give Fulham all they can handle and more. This has the makings of a high-scoring affair and I'd be willing to bet that at least 4 goals will be scored between the two sides - obviously the message is go for the offensive players on both sides. Claus Jensen, Boa Morte and McBride merit consideration on the Fulham side and Benayoon, Reo-coker, and Etherington deserve a look on the West Ham side of the ball. Marlon Harewood was the hat trick hero but keep in mind that he's consistently been an underachiever in the Premiership so he may be the next candidate up for the Steve Watson memorial "all my fantasy points for the season in one match" award. Last week at $5, a great value, this week at over $10, not so much in my book.
In other newly promoted team match-ups miserable Sunderland host up and down West Brom in a match that could turn into just about anything. Scoring hero Geoff Horsfield is in doubt for the match and I can't think of a single reason to put a Sunderland guy in your line-up. Zoltan Gera had a nice year last year and seems ready to come back to the WBA line-up but other than the cache of having a guy named Zoltan in your line-up, I can't think of a good reason to include any of the Baggies. Finally, we have Wigan/Boro and I can't even muster the energy to talk about how horrible this is likely to be. Just don't get involved.
Other Random Notes - Blackburn host a Newcastle squad who might not have any midfielders with Parker, Nobby, Emre, Luque, and Dyer out of action - time for MGP to justify the fact that I kept him for that crap-fest last weekend. Bellamy will also be facing his good buddy Souey which is sure to end in him scoring a brace or seeing a red card (or both) - interesting risk if you're looking for a "dare-to-be-great" proposition. I'm also staying away from Owen in this one for two reasons - 1) no midfield; 2) Blackburn are a bunch of goons and Mikey is 5'2 and weighs about 105lbs. The other interesting match-up is Tottehnam going to recently-pasted Villa. What will win out here? Villa's propensity to give up goals or Tottenham's inability to score them? If you're looking for a forward choice, Defoe has to be in your consideration set from this match. Ditto Paul Robinson and anyone else from Tottenham's defense - seems like a cheap clean sheet - I know I have new left back Lee in my line-up. From the Brum/Pompey match the two wingers - Robert and Pennant - are the only two players I'd even think about. Finally, like real estate prices, who knows when the Joey Barton bubble will burst but he's playing at home, playing well and still relatively affordable at just under $12 - who would have guessed it?
So, there it is...good luck with your last minute moves and trying to figure out what Jose is going to do with his line-up...
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