Injuries and Suspensions

We're finally back on schedule here at blog headquarters and since it is Friday morning on the East Coast of the United States that means it is time for all the news that is fit to print, err, type and link to about injuries and suspensions and how they impact your fantasy choices for the weekend.

Arsenal vs. Bolton
Sagna and Ramsey back for Arsenal while Yossi and Djourou are both out with injuries.  Not much of significance there as Sagna is the most expensive of the Arsenal defenders and Ramsey hasn't yet proven himself worthy of being picked despite remaining a fantasy bargain.  For Bolton, Klasnic is suspended and Holden is a gigantic question mark as he returns from injury (I'd wait and see if he plays and, if so, how he looks).

Chelsea vs. Swansea
Cech should be back from injury, Sturridge is out injured and Alex is suspended.  The important item here is Alex's suspension which SHOULD mean that Luiz starts alongside Terry with ACole and Bos in the wingback spots.  Luiz and Bos are both eminently affordable and strong bets to return more than their value.

Liverpool vs. Wolves
Agger is out injured, and Gerrard is a question mark given that he is returning to fitness.  Returning are Skertl and Kelly who are both solid (and affordable) options if you believe that a) Liverpool's performance last weekend was an anomoly or b) Wolves start to the season was an illusion and they aren't to be taken seriously on the road.  I'm not convinced of either of those propositions but I can see the logic in believing one or both and wouldn't try to talk you out of either.

Manchester City vs. Everton
City appear to be healthy with the exception of Nigel de Jong who PhysioRoom still lists as "very doubtful".  In my mind, that downgrades the value of all City players eligible for a clean sheet (Hart plus whichever defenders start).  I'd be inclined to pick Luiz and Bosingwa over Richards (all are similarly priced and equally likely to produce attacking points).

Stoke vs. Manchester United
It would seem that United are entirely healthy with the exception of the long term absentees (Vidic, Cleverley, and Rafael) while Stoke will be missing Kenwyne Jones making their attack that much less potent and/or tall.  This should improve United's chances of securing a clean sheet but not enough that I'd pick Smalling over any of the similarly priced defenders who are playing at home (Bos, Luiz, and Richards).

Wigan vs. Tottenham 
The injuries are mounting at Spurs with Lennon, Kranjcar, Gallas and Pav all missing out.  BAE is also struggling to be fit and is listed on the injury report (although no probability is attached to his participation making it hard to judge).  For Wigan, their one tried and true goal-scorer Hugo Rodallega is out for at least a month. It is hard to pick a road clean sheet but if King and Dawson are both fit then it is hard to picture Wigan scoring on Spurs.

In other news, David Dunn is out which makes it a pretty normal fantasy week and HBA "could make his first appearance" which also likely means that he isn't going to start.