Injuries and Suspensions

Premier League and FA Cup team news - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet

So, here's the latest rundown that might have an impact on your team for this weekend and beyond...

Arsenal are a bit of a disaster at the back with Song suspended and Gallas and Campbell hurt.  This reduces the value of Almunia pretty significantly - I still think they'll beat Burnley handily but they may do so 5-2 vs. 3-0 or 4-0.  The news is better up top with Diaby, Arshavin, and Denilson all back - my guess is that the impact will mostly be on Walcott and Nasri with Bendtner continuing to start.  The question you have to ask yourself is whether it is worth it to take a risk on someone like Silvestre who may deputize for Gallas/Campbell.  He's not terribly expensive but I don't have a hard time envisioning him getting a card and NOT getting any clean sheet points.

The interesting note for Burnley is the return of Graham Alexander who isn't insanely priced and famously takes PKs to the tune of 5 goals thus far this season.  At 8.20, that wouldn't be bad business.

Not much insight from Bolton on which of their midfielders (MTay, Weiss, Wilshere, etc) might get most of the minutes across their two matches.  If I had to guess, I'd say that Wilshere is the best bet for big minutes but I'm certainly not saying that with any confidence.

ManYoo's match-up with Wolves is interesting with Rio and Nani back from injury and suspension respectively while Giggs and Owen are out and Rooney is listed as "doubtful" with a knee injury.  Unless you're positive Rooney is going to start then I'd go with Torres or Gerrard for the money as that is too much money to have sitting on the bench if there is actually a real worry that he won't play.  Wolves would be a reasonable spot to rest him (although I wonder if the League will fine ManYoo for fielding a diminished line-up if that's the case).  If Rooney is out, Berbs value increases dramatically as he will theoretically be the focal point of an attack that should have plenty of chances.

Cahill is listed as "being in contention" for Everton but he hasn't trained yet so I'm guessing that he'll be a substitute if he plays at all.  Saha is ruled out which presumably means that the Yak will get a start at striker.  Otherwise, the big questions are which midfielders (I'm including Donovan in this group) between Donovan, Pienaar, Bily, Osman, and Arteta play? and where do they play? and who takes the majority of the kicks? I have to admit, I'm really not sure what the answers to those questions are.

On the Hull side, Jummy "could start" which means you have to consider him for fantasy purposes.  At the very least, you should be thinking BD because at his current price, he's a huge bargain if he's back at even 3/4 of his previous form.

Looks like Liverpool's defence is going to be somewhat intact with GJohnson coming back from his long term injury, Agger shaking off his knee injury from last week, and Kyrgiakos back after his suspension.  If all three are present, then Reina is better value than I was thinking when writing TWA.   Agger is still good value as is Kyrgiakos.

Good luck with your selections.