The Week Ahead



I'm really not a big fan of international friendlies - either as something to watch or as a distraction from/possible source of injuries related to the Fantasy Premier League season. I guess there is more utility in them now as teams start preparing for the World Cup but still more negative than positive in my view. What do I mean?

Here's a strong example...US and Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden - who many fantasy managers had high hopes for after a strong first Premier League start last weekend - was knocked out for around 6 weeks with a broken leg during the US match with Holland in Amsterdam yesterday. Seems like the US is worse off today than they were yesterday for the jamming of a friendly into an already crowded fixture schedule. This is to say nothing of the players who will either miss their club's matches or get injured because they have traveled long distances and try to play at something below optimal fitness and preparation levels.

OK, I guess that wasn't really much of a rant by TWA standards but it's been sort of a busy week at work and a fairly un-interesting one for Premier League news. I guess I'm sort of interested in the Red Knights thing and the Glazers turning down a reported Billion Pound Plus offer for ManYoo but there really isn't much to write about other than just mentioning the two incidents. I usually have some sympathy for the supporters in these cases but given that ManYoo are two-time defending league champions, have been in the mix for or won the Champions League title each year, and while showing some cracks aren't out of the running for anything except the FA Cup leads me to wonder what exactly the supporters want from new owners. The finances are the business of the owners, if they're still delivering the results on the field (and they are) what do the supporters care? If the supporters groups will take the time to cast their eyes toward Spain, they'll see that Real Madrid (with Ronaldo) are one point farther out of the title race than ManYoo (without Ronaldo) are. Throw in the fact that moneybags Chelsea haven't found anyone to spend their copious cash on either and you have to think that maybe ManYoo are biding their time until an opportunity to improve significantly comes along. Not like the deals they haven't done in recent years - Benzema and Huntelaar - have turned out to be big misses for United.

OK, that's more like the amount of rant you expect, now on to the forecast for this week in fantasy EPL...

The first thing you need to know is that a number of teams aren't playing at all and a couple of bad ones - Bolton and Burnley - are playing twice. The teams not playing are:
  • Citeh
  • Chelsea
  • Spurs
  • Villa
  • Fulham
  • Rovers
There are likely a couple players in there (Drogba at a discount; Bale at a huge discount; etc.) that you want to keep through the off week.  On the other hand, there are some great match-ups this week for the one-gamers as well with Arsenal hosting Burnley and ManYoo and Liverpool with attractive away fixtures (Wolves and Wigan respectively).  Given that the teams with two matches are struggling and their fixtures aren't particularly attractive (Bolton are away for both and Burnley travel to ARS and have Stoke at home) I'm thinking that I'll be pretty light on the two-gamers this week.

Forwards
  • Rooney - going to be hard to fit him in but he's on fire this year and hard to deny - for me, the only question is whether to sub him in for Drogs and take the hit on Drogs price and then decide what to do between the two for next week;
  • Nando - back with a match-winning goal last week so his price went up but still a cost-effective alternative to Rooney with the great match-up;
  • Bendtner - his price has gone up after 2 goals in 2 matches but seems likely to continue on starting and with the match-up he's likely to keep producing;
  • Saha - Everton are home to Hull so Saha is an inviting - if risky, due to injury - option.  With Donovan coming off the bench last weekend, it is hard to say where he is in Moyes' plans right now - I'd love to recommend him but sort of hard right now;
  • Klasnic - likely back after returning as a sub last weekend - not a huge endorsement but definitely an option on the theory that he'll have 2 chances to make up his cost;
  • Paterson/Fletcher - Paterson drove up his price last week so unless you got him on the BD, I'd stay away from both but if you have to choose one, Fletcher is probably your best bet as he's likely to be fit to play even after breaking a bone in his hand on Monday.
Midfielders 
  • Cesc - great player, in strong form, at home, against Burnley - not sure what else you need to know;
  • Gerrard - great player, mediocre form, on the road, against Wolves - still not a bad argument; 
  • Valencia - but only for those of you who kept him through the off week;
  • Arteta - great price, strong match-up, and we know he has the talent - only reservation is the role he's been playing (holding midfielder) and the fact that EVE have 4 or 5 guys who have been splitting up the kicks;
  • Jummy - not a great match-up but he's likely to be back and the opposition usually doesn't matter to one of our favorite fantasy players;
  • Maxi - not likely to far exceed his price but the price and match-up are right in a week when there are a lot of expensive options that you likely want to consider; 
  • Lee - he seems to be immune from the rotation at Bolton so he might have the most value across two matches;
  • Wilshere - hasn't really made a huge fantasy impact yet but with Holden injured he is more likely to get two matches in an attacking midfield role; 
  • Weiss - not sure where he fits for Bolton but I'd watch the team news for any indication that he might play;
  • KRich - isn't this always the situation with him? price is right... nice match-up... but there's a reason that the price stays right, he doesn't deliver that often.  At 5.13 he's worth taking a chance on if you're trying to get to some more expensive parts with your budget;
Defenders
  • Bale - see Jeremy's post on his likely positioning;
  • Campbell - might be some cheap clean sheet points against Burnley if Gallas remains out - he wasn't nearly as bad vs. Stoke last weekend;
  • Agger - decent price with a good match-up but currently an injury doubt;
  • Degen - with injuries across the back line, he may get a start against Wolves at a good price (5.35);
  • Fox - nice job last week with 12 points and should get two more cracks at it for 7.17 - not a bad deal;
  • Hutton - more expensive after a big weekend last weekend but with Bolton coming to visit still likely worth the new 5.71 price
Keepers
  • Almunia - decent value for 10.64 with a great home match-up;
  • T-Ho - excellent home match-up and his price has taken a hit over the last month or so - best value of the week for my money; 
  • Reina - but probably a little over-priced with an injury-riddled defence in front of him; 
  • Gordon - Sunderland have a nice match-up at home with Bolton in mid-week that I'm guessing won't have a lot of attacking in it but could yield some cheap CS points for Gordon who is cheap at 5.96.

26 comments:

  1. Neal - Good thoughts on the Glazers. Why did they inspire so much venom when they bought the team and why do they still receive it? I'm thinking it's mainly anti-Americanism or an unreasonably rabid fan base.

    I hope deJong breaks a leg. Serves him right for giving that type of challenge in a 'friendly'. He is a punk.

    KRich usually pops up with a couple of big games during the season. Not this year though. His biggest outburst this season was 14 points back in Week 10.

    Not sure Agger is a definite start because of a knee injury.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous2:24 PM

    Is Sagna out of rotation for Arsenal?

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Neal - 3 time defending league champs, if I'm correct...just wanted to clarify and great article as usual. I'm predicting Diamanti to go off on Bolton so he's going nowhere...

    Jaaskelainen
    Bale/Hutton/Fox or Neville(United brother)
    Lee CY/Nani/xxx/xxx
    Torres/Diamanti/Bendtner

    I have 20.21 for 2 midfield positions. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Regarding Sol Campbell, on the Arsenal website AW says that Campbell is a doubt becos of a slight groin problem. Gallas still out, Diaby 50:50, but Denilson and Arshavin should be back.

    The last time i picked Arshavin he underperformed, and i declared him dead to me. But as a Gooner i think he's a magical player, and there is always the hope that this week will be the week he repeats what he did to Liverpool last season. I don't think i'll risk him this week, but i might have to think about getting him on the barndoor for next week, particularly as i may have to downgrade Fab4 in order to buy Villa.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous3:33 PM

    'The finances are the business of the owners, if they're still delivering the results on the field (and they are) what do the supporters care?'

    Neal - I think this is slightly naive; would you have said the same thing to a Portsmouth fan two years ago who questioned the club's financial state?

    That said, I do think it's extremely unlikely that the Glazers will run the club into the ground a la Pompey...

    DC

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous3:50 PM

    Is Kyrgiakos returning/will he play/is he a good option?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous4:30 PM

    Anyone heard anything on whether or not Nani is going to start?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I believe Gerrard is playing against Wigan, not Wolves.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous6:08 PM

    What about Matthew Taylor? Any reason to avoid him? Haven't seen any injury report with him on it.

    ReplyDelete
  10. - MTay is fairly expensive for his productivity. Basically, he's had a pretty shit fantasy season. Holden DID steal some kicks, but now that he's injured, might be an OK pick. If you're gonna spend, I'd rather have Cesc or Gerrard's 1 gamer instead.
    - Jenas is out, having surgery in Germany. Makes Bale playing left wing even MORE probable.

    ReplyDelete
  11. ToffeeDave8:17 PM

    To gman***

    Man Utd. supporters are pissed off royaly at the glazers(and every fan would and should if it happened to their team) because they bought the club, then loaded all of their PERSONAL debt onto the club. So as of right now, Man Utd. are hundreds of millions of dollars in debt with only a few years to get rid of it before they are barred from playing champions league football according to uefa. Im not even a fan of Man Utd, and I hate the glazers.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Roger that, Toffee Dave, but as Neal pointed out what real effect does the debt have right now when they have won trophies under their watch? Trophies mean that they have only built up the ManU brand more which increases the value of the club. And there was serious opposition before they even bought the club and brought this debt, so I don't buy this recent animosity as being tied to the debt. It was there from the word go.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Boom; Isabel; wrong baby!

    What? Oh yeah...right...

    Hey over on the AM blog somebody posted something about how J O'Hara was nursing a sore back and may sit out this weekend...as I consider this Blog The Definative Word on Fantasy Football... any truth to these blog posted rumors?

    O'Hara has been my surprise discovery of the season.

    Dwight Schrute is a pimp.

    ReplyDelete
  14. @Saul

    MU is indeed a 2-time defending champion, as a defending champ, you have to win the previous season to defend your title. so MU will be a 3-time defending champion next season :D

    bad news for me this coming week, im taking Zeros for holding Adam and Drog... while i dropped Maxi at 5 for Holden and now he's injured...

    btw, the Physio room list shows Bale as injured. any news on that? if he's injured for a few months i will be happy coz i didnt pick him up at 2.xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Apparently Bale did pick up a 'slight knock' and we was substituted for Wales as 'precaution' because he has a big cup game this weekend and Toshack gets pressure from managers to do this.
    I wouldn't worrry about it. unless you don't have Bale on your team. THEN you should worry.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous2:17 AM

    Saha or Donovan? Klasnic or Elmander or Davies? Nugent or Fletcher or Paterson?

    Dilemma ...

    Sephiroth

    ReplyDelete
  17. First of all great post Neal. I always like your work. This is mys first time paying YFF and I'm already in the top 5000. But the thing about Man Utd owners, I cant really agree with you. Yes United still win cups but how much revenue does winning a cup give you. If I'm not mistake teams that make it to the final of CL will get 36 mill and their interest for the 500 mill bond is 45 mill a year, Rooney's salary will be approx 7.82 mill a year. Winning cup alone will not ensure Man Utd survival. Financial factor play a role too. All I know is that, based on my accounting degree 500 mill repayable in 9 years with an interest rate of 45mill PA is not a good deal.

    @gman "an unreasonably rabid fan base." Launching criticism without any proven facts. I think you're the one thats unreasonably rabid.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Elliot from Burnley or Wilshere from Bolton?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous8:11 AM

    even in such good period for ManUtd, they still hadn't repay all the principal debt(repaying only the interest). Just to think when the bond mature, how are they going to pay that 500m . And to think one disastrous season could really be damaging. By the sale of CR7, it seemed a good deal, but to think of it, manutd lose the CR7 'effect', imagine the loss of shirt sales going to be reflected on the next financial report. If i am a manutd fan, i be worry(pompey style). on the other hand, i am worry(pompey style) over Liverpool, at least we 'need' debt as we need a new stadium(once it's built, it will be the golden goose that lay the golden egg, like arsenal's).
    ~Newbie

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous8:14 AM

    @Merv , i'll take wade. think he's not miss a game yet(correct me if wrong). good filler imo. wilshere? bolton's a funny team. i'm not sure if he's to play or not.
    ~Newbie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:43 AM

    Have to strongly disagree with you Neal and gman, with respect I think you are somewhat removed from the situation. The Glazers have loaded the club with debt such that the interest on the loan is greater than their yearly net 'profit'. They are now financially untenable. Add to that the fact that the Glazers have paid members of their own family 10s of millions of pounds in "consultancy" fees. They have financially ruined a club with deliberate intent to take maximum profit for themselves and move on.

    Joshtottenham

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ooooooook...moving on from the Glazers and Man Utd's money problems and back to the pitch..picking any Man Utd midfielders this season has always been risky and doesn't necessarily pay well even if u get it right. Last season was simple...have CR7 in your team or die :)

    Anyway i kinda fixed my team last Sunday and looking at it now I don't really feel I need to change anyone. Of course come tomorrow, a few red cards, missed penalty kicks and benched players later I'll be cursing my stupidity (and probably blame Neal cause...well someone has to take the blame rite).

    For my midfield I've barndoored Fabs 2 weeks ago n added in Stevie G last Sunday. I feel these 2 have the easiest run of games of all the big earners (although Stevie has been off the boil this season mostly but hoping he'll strike a rich vein of form soon as Liverpool traditionally do). O'hara has been in there for ages and added maxi for this week as a filler .....and also based on last weeks performance maybe get a bit more confidence n 1 or 2 SOT's or assists.

    Up front I had Rooney for the longest time and he really really was a points machine for me but i dropped him last week when he wasn't playing to put in Torres. Please don't ask me what i was thinking....I'm blaming it on temporary insanity. Torres however repaired my faith and he's still in at a discount. kevin Davies got me good points last week and I'm hoping he'll do it again with this double week. Elmander seems to be on fire but he just doesn't have the luck I feel. All the hard work and none of the goals. K.Davies on the other hand might be invisible for 89 minutes n suddenly pop up with a winner at the last minute. Rest of the team speaks for itself...most are on discount n Mancienne is a filler.

    Keeper
    Almunia (7.23)

    Defenders
    Vermaelen (7.36)
    Bale (5.45)
    mancienne (3.90)

    Midfielders
    O'Hara (6.56)
    fabs (18.61)
    Maxi (5.04)
    S. Gerrard (16.74)

    Forwards
    Bender (5.80)
    Torres (15.83)
    K.Davies (7.03)

    team value 99.55

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ooooooook...moving on from the Glazers and Man Utd's money problems and back to the pitch..picking any Man Utd midfielders this season has always been risky and doesn't necessarily pay well even if u get it right. Last season was simple...have CR7 in your team or die :)

    Anyway i kinda fixed my team last Sunday and looking at it now I don't really feel I need to change anyone. Of course come tomorrow, a few red cards, missed penalty kicks and benched players later I'll be cursing my stupidity (and probably blame Neal cause...well someone has to take the blame rite).

    For my midfield I've barndoored Fabs 2 weeks ago n added in Stevie G last Sunday. I feel these 2 have the easiest run of games of all the big earners (although Stevie has been off the boil this season mostly but hoping he'll strike a rich vein of form soon as Liverpool traditionally do). O'hara has been in there for ages and added maxi for this week as a filler .....and also based on last weeks performance maybe get a bit more confidence n 1 or 2 SOT's or assists.

    Up front I had Rooney for the longest time and he really really was a points machine for me but i dropped him last week when he wasn't playing to put in Torres. Please don't ask me what i was thinking....I'm blaming it on temporary insanity. Torres however repaired my faith and he's still in at a discount. kevin Davies got me good points last week and I'm hoping he'll do it again with this double week. Elmander seems to be on fire but he just doesn't have the luck I feel. All the hard work and none of the goals. K.Davies on the other hand might be invisible for 89 minutes n suddenly pop up with a winner at the last minute. Rest of the team speaks for itself...most are on discount n Mancienne is a filler.

    Keeper
    Almunia (7.23)

    Defenders
    Vermaelen (7.36)
    Bale (5.45)
    mancienne (3.90)

    Midfielders
    O'Hara (6.56)
    fabs (18.61)
    Maxi (5.04)
    S. Gerrard (16.74)

    Forwards
    Bender (5.80)
    Torres (15.83)
    K.Davies (7.03)

    team value 99.55

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sorry for the double post guys.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Does Nugent start with Paterson back? Thanks, guys.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous3:32 PM

    Gordon over Jussi you think? Seems some people don't like Jussi's match-ups this week. Debating it myself, not sure who to go with. A single game over a double, general consensus of the single gamer wins out here?

    ReplyDelete