RVP: In-form, and the key to an Arsenal Top 4 finish
The Manchester Derby. Trash your Tevez shirt day. Joe Hart overhead kicks at the training ground. It can’t really get too much better than this. Let’s preview this 9th Premier League Gameweek…
I. Manchester City @ Manchester United: A battle of 1 vs 2 at Old Trafford. Remember the last meeting between these two sides here? “That” goal by Wayne Rooney. The goal of the season, perhaps? Of his lifetime? An amazing overhead kick and a 2-1 win. The anticipation surrounding this match is not without merit, so let’s dive right in…
Nemanja Vidic is fit and should partner Rio Ferdinand in the middle – which should provide enough resolve, but United generally play without a holding midfielder as Fletcher and Anderson tend to enjoy getting ‘box-to-box.’ Will that leave space in between the back four and midfield for the likes of Silva, Nasri and Aguero to exploit?
As we alluded to just a few days ago, the big questions will be in Sir Alex’s team selection. My gut is that he will go with an attacking lineup and reward Nani for his Community Shield performance with a start over J.S. Park – who was good against Liverpool, but not great. Nani and Ashley Young with one of Welbeck or Hernandez dropped with just Rooney up front? Could be an option too… There’s always a surprise or two with Sir Alex and he does prefer the likes of Giggs and J.S. Park in “Big games,” but can he really ignore Nani? Fantasy managers owning the 10.2M Portuguese star winger will be disappointed if he’s left out, though he’s always capable of a moment of magic from the bench…
On the Manhester City side, Roberto Mancini will certainly be happy with a point (even a 0-0) so I can’t see all three of Balotelli, Aguero, and Dzeko seeing the pitch at the same time. Aguero the most likely for a start with one or both of the others set for a bench role. Balotelli gets the slight edge over Dzeko in terms of starting potential.
Both teams are confident but I think the likes of Silva / Nasri / Adam Johnson and even Aguero could cause serious problems for the young Phil Jones (to be deployed at right back) or the just re-united partnership that is Vidic / Evra so I can’t see a home clean sheet.
As a fantasy manager, play all your big guns in this one but just enjoy the match for what it is – neutral or not, supporter or not, as it should be a fun showcase for the league, and anything can happen.
Prediction: 1 – 1 draw
II. Norwich @ Liverpool: Liverpool will be confident after out-playing Manchester United for much of their 1-1 draw last weekend and will want to return the maximum 3 points at Anfield against a surprisingly in-form Norwich side. The promoted side have won 3 games out of their last 4, their only loss coming at Old Trafford. With Chelsea at QPR, Arsenal home to Stoke, and Tottenham at Blackburn, there are plenty of ‘fantasy friendly’ options this week but we can’t turn our back on Liverpool.
Suarez is the main asset from a fantasy perspective at just 9.5M – around 3M cheaper than Wayne Rooney. Steven Gerrard, back from injury, is on the expensive side at 11M but with free kicks and penalties to his name, he could deliver despite the prohibitive price tag. And at the back it’s all about the cheap Jose Enrique (5.3) and Kelly (5.4M) though Glen Johnson (6.8M) is now fit again and could come in to the starting lineup.
Norwich have a few nice cheap assets in Barnett, Pilkington, and Morison – but none should be started at Anfield. Bench them.
Liverpool have kept just 2 clean sheets in 10 league and cup games this season, so I won’t go as far as giving them a clean sheet, but I’ll predict a comfortable victory.
Prediction: 3 – 1 Liverpool win
III. Studs & Duds: Tottenham players are studs at Blackburn but manager Harry Redknapp has some major problems in defense with injuries so 4.4M rated Sebastien Bassong could be set for a surprise stud start. Up front, it’s all Adebayor (8.5M) and Van der Vaart (9.8M) as your studs. VDV is slightly downgraded by Jermain Defoe’s recent form and his fitness troubles, but he should still start and hog set pieces. Still a major stud. The wild card in the equation is 7.9M rated Gareth Bale – a frustrating fantasy asset of course with his Walcott-esque returns of 2-3-2-12 but one that can always explode. On the stud/dud fence then.
Bent and Agbonlahor are obvious studs for Aston Villa at home to West Brom. Long and Brunt are your WBA selections on the stud/dud fence if you think Given (stud) won’t keep the clean sheet…
Bolton are home to Sunderland, and with some cheap assets like N’Gog, Eagles, and Patrov – could provide a bit of “stud” output with a 2-goal performance. Play your cheap Bolton midfielders/forwards if you own them off the back of the 1-3 away win at Wigan.
Newcastle are home to Wigan so Ba / Best / Cabaye are stud selections. Newcastle have also kept it tight at the back and Roberto Martinez’s men will need a strong performance to climb out of the bottom three.
As previously mentioned, Norwich players are duds at Anfield. QPR star selections like Barton, SWP, and Taarabt can’t be expected to product against Chelsea – all duds, while Stoke’s usually superb defensive assets (Shawcross, Begovic, etc.) should all be benched at Arsenal. Duds.
For Chelsea, Mata, Drogba, Sturridge and Lampard are all studs. Play them with confidence.
On the fence for me are Everton and Fulham players. Will Fulham players be tired after the Europa League? Can Tim Cahill or Saha find the net? An interesting match at Craven Cottage, and one that could go either way for me. Play Zamora, Johnson, Dempsey, Baines, etc. if you own them, but there are other options long term who are perhaps better.
IV. Gameweek 9 Best Eleven:
GK: Krul
D: Koscielny – Enrique – Warnock
M: Van der Vaart – Gerrard – Petrov – Cabaye – Meireles
F: RVP – Suarez
Subs: Hennessey – Agbonlahor – Simpson – Boyata
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Been contemplating dropping Taarabt and picking up Eagles or Pilkington. Good idea? If so, which mid?
ps: Would either of those guys be a better starting option than Charlie Adam (vs. NOR) this weekend?
As always, thanks!
Eagles over Pilkington due to fixtures.
Agbonlahor on your bench, even with West Brom’s abysmal defensive record?
I’d start Agbon if shifted to a 3-striker formation but have historically done the preview as 3-5-2 for last 3+ years as it’s been my favored formation… Agbon is a great shout. Though don’t forget West Brom kept a clean sheet last time out against Wolves.
Wigan to get a result at newcastle. their run can’t go on and neither can the toon army’s unbeaten start to the season. also, blackburn to beat spurs.
Interesting. You never know in the Premier League, that’s the beauty…