Adebayor takes on his old club in a tasty derby
Big weekend in the Premier League. The last gameweek before an international break. The two Manchester clubs continue to hog the headlines. Wayne Rooney’s status is still uncertain (at the time of writing this post) and perhaps Welbeck and Hernandez will step up to fill the void and grab a few goals. Cheap fantasy picks if they do…
Tevez is out but Dzeko has made amends and could feature against Blackburn whilst there is uncertainty over Aguero’s starting role after playing 90 minutes in Munich. Balotelli could be the main man – he did take a few penalties for the club (Aston Villa last season and all throughout pre-season this summer) so he’s one that is blinking on our radars… So let’s get right to it and preview the weekend.
I. Arsenal @ Tottenham: I know that Liverpool are at Everton this weekend – and for many neutrals, that’s the ‘game of the weekend,’ but I’ll stick with the North London Derby as the prime match of the weekend. Two teams with Champions League ambitions – one in superb league form (Tottenham – 3 straight league wins) whilst the other, Arsenal, have been inconsistent to say the least.
I expect goals in this game, not only because of the defensive injuries on both sides, but because of the recent history. We had a 3-3 last year, and a 4-4 a few years ago in this fixture. Perhaps this game won’t provide us with 6 or 8 combined goals, but 3-4 should be expected.
Arsenal are two points and seven places behind Tottenham, and will be led by Robin van Persie, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey. Can they penetrate the wall that is Scott Parker? Can they take the ball off the dazzling feet of Luka Modric? We shall see…
Theo Walcott and Gervinho both have minor knocks but are expected to start in this one. If they miss out, it could be youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain chosen on the wings and/or the veteran Arshavin.
The quality of class players such as Van der Vaart, Bale, Modric and Adebayor will place Tottenham as firm favorites at home – an unusual feeling for the men in white, but I think it’s well deserved, and I think despite Arsenal’s firepower, that Tottenham win this one outright. I was leaning to a 2-2 draw all week, but I’ve changed my mind…
Prediction: 2-1 Tottenham
II. Norwich @ Manchester United: For the record, and those of you following #RooneyGate, Wayne Rooney trained and should play in this one. I’m not sure if he’ll start. I’m not sure if he’ll receive the full 90 minutes, and to be honest, I highly doubt he’ll play more than 70 minutes, but it’s important to mention that he has trained and is available. I actually think the likes of Aguero and Balotelli have just as much likelihood to score at a weak Blackburn defense this weekend (or Drogba and Sturridge at Bolton) but we have to keep Manchester United (as a team) in this spot as the most ‘fantasy friendly’ fixture.
One thing worth noting is that Norwich have scored in every single away game this season. Perhaps they won’t be as easy of a pushover, as say, Arsenal, in an 8-2 loss [typed sarcastically]. That said, Norwich were playing their football in the Championship last season. Grant Holt has been benched in recent weeks (Morison has been preferred) and his price is down to 5.3M whilst Hoolahan (also 5.3M) is perhaps Norwich’s most creative attacking influence, and if he starts, could cause the likes of Anderson some problems.
But this one is all about Nani, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, and either Hernandez or Welbeck. If those players all start and receive significant playing time, Norwich’s defenders won’t be able to do much to contain them. Especially not at Old Trafford. Especially not after only being able to draw 3-3 with Basel at home. Surely Sir Alex Ferguson made the point in training this week not to underestimate opponents, and surely United will be well up for this one.
Prediction: 3 – 1 Manchester United
III. Studs & Duds: As briefly mentioned above, Manchester City face Blackburn amidst off-the-field (off-the-bench?) controversy but should win. They have too much quality. All studs then. Play David Silva, Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and expect big-time point production.
Adebayor is a stud for me facing his old club. I’m tempted to put him in the weekly XI picks even with Manchester City and Chelsea strikers having easier matches. Adebayor is in form, playing with a smile on his face, and has a point to prove. Stud.
Luis Suarez looked dangerous last weekend and Everton may be at home but I think they’ll concede to Liverpool so he’s a stud despite the difficult road matchup. He’s always in line for a yellow card though, so keep the Captain’s Armband away from him… Will Saha ever get the playing time from David Moyes that he deserves? He’s Everton’s best finisher but hasn’t been given much playing time this season. If he starts against Liverpool, I think he scores.
Chelsea are at Bolton and former FFF Daniel Sturridge is a cheap, cheap replacement for Fernando Torres. Sturridge should start at the Reebok – a stadium very familiar to him – as he dominated for Bolton just this past spring on loan. Didier Drogba and/or last week’s FFF Nicolas Anelka could join him along with stud Juan Mata (9.5M) in attack. Who needs Torres? All studs.
Darren Bent and former FFF Gabriel Agbonalhor are studs at home to Wigan. I’d put the likes of Given in this category too but I think Wigan may sneak a goal through Sammon, Di Santo, or Moses. Roberto Martinez will really want to put in a good performance after choosing to stay at Wigan rather than leaving to manage Aston Villa. Either way, don’t bench Aston Villa defenders / goalkeepers at home to woeful Wigan. They are starters despite my gut feeling of Martinez’s men rising to the occasion.
I don’t know how Wolves will react as Newcastle come to town. Ba and Best are obviously on the stud/dud fence in form, but don’t expect a performance like last weekend’s. For Wolves, it’s Fletcher who is the stud if he gets the start.
Neither Sunderland nor West Brom are in great form, so I don’t really recommend too many of their players this weekend. Duds for me with uncertainty and lack of form. Fulham could be tired from the Europa League but should still have a goal in them at home to QPR in what may be a fun match for the neutral. Two London teams with some new players on display. I wonder if former FFF Andy Johnson will rise to the occasion after his good performance midweek. He’s on the stud/dud fence then with great potential.
For QPR, it’s the usual suspects – SWP, Barton, and Taarabt in midfield with Bothroyd and/or Campbell potential studs up front. A 1-1 perhaps in that one – which would disappoint fantasy managers.
Swansea players are studs at home to Stoke – despite Stoke’s great European win over Besiktas yesterday. Stoke rested a few regulars for that win, so they should be fresh at Swansea. Dyer, Sinclair, and Vorm are the most popular investments for Swansea and continue as studs. Stoke have Peter Crouch in form so he has stud potential but a 2-1 home win is how I see this one… Stoke defenders, usually studs, turn to duds then.
IV. Gameweek 7 Best Eleven:
GK: Vorm
D: Hutton – P. Jones – Bosingwa
M: Nani – D. Silva – Mata – Bannan – Bale
F: Balotelli – Rooney
Subs: Krul – Agbonlahor – S. Ward – Senderos
Related posts:
Which ONE do i sit out of these guys:
- J. Enrique (@EVE)
- Ivanovic (@BLT)
- Lescott (@BLK)
- Baines (LIV)
- C. Adam (@EVE)
Also, for the future, is SWP or Ramires a better option than C. Adam?
Thanks!
I reckon you should sit Adam.
Given or Vorm?
I think Arsenal will show some real class on Sunday and show spurs who the big boys are. Hopefully your prediction is wrong
Cheers
dzeko to start tomorrow?
and should i transfer dzeko for sturridge?