Welcome to the upgraded Gameweek Preview! Each week we will be giving you a run down on each game and the main players in captain selection, now that we can start looking at players form. For those first timers out there, your captain scores you double points and you need to nail a good one. That’s where we come in.
Each player has a number next to their name, showing what they have averaged in the last 3 games they have played. Let’s go!
Chelsea Vs BurnleyDrogba (9.33)
Bikey (8.00)
Lampard (5.00)
Bosingwa (4.67)
Blake (4.33)
Elliot (4.33)
Chelsea: (probable, 4-1-3-2): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A. Cole; Essien; Ballack, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba
Burnley: (probable, 4-1-4-1): Jensen, Mears, Bikey, Carlisle, Jordan; Alexander; Blake, Elliott, McCann, Paterson; Fletcher.
Chelsea has a 100% record, winning all three of their Premier League games this season. Drogba is the main form player under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, starting all 3 games. With Anelka likely to partner Drogba up front, Burnley’s defence will have to be on top form to contain the Blue’s attack. Chelsea has the second most Fantasy League Points, with 161, and has only given away 65 points to their opposition this season. The Blues host Burnley in the top-flight for the first time since the 3-3 draw in August 1974.
Burnley has already given an outstanding performance at Stamford Bridge, winning on 5-4 on penalties in last season’s Carling Cup. Burnley has a 100% record at home this year, with wins over defending champions, Man Utd, and Everton. However they have lost to Stoke in their only away outing this season. Burnley is sitting 4th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 145, and is 11th overall in points against with 108.
Blackburn Vs West HamNoble (8.00)
Cole (5.50)
Jiminez (4.00)
Givet (4.00)Blackburn Rovers: (probable, 4-4-2): Robinson, Jacobsen, Nelsen, Samba, Givet; Diouf, N’Zonzi, Andrews, Pedersen; Roberts, Di Santo
West Ham United: (probable, 4-5-1): Green, Faubert, Upson, Collins, Spector, Stanislas, Noble, Parker, Collison, Jimenez; Cole.
Blackburn remains without a win this season following defeats to Manchester City and Sunderland, although against Sunderland they were unlucky not to at least get a point. The last time Blackburn have beaten West Ham was in 2005. They have the second worst Fantasy League Points, with 44, and is 10th overall in points against with 109.
The Hammers are looking to make it two away victories having already recorded a win at Wolves. There are bound to be goals at Ewood Park with the two teams having failed to manage a goalless draw since the inception of the Premier League. West Ham is sitting 14th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 98, and is 17th overall in points against with 65, the same as Chelsea.
Bolton Vs Liverpool
Johnson (7.67)
Gerrard (6.67)
Kuyt (5.00)
Torres (4.33)
Jaaskelainen (3.5)Bolton Wanderers: (probable, 4-4-2): Jaaskelainen, Robinson, Cahill, Knight, Ricketts; Davis, M. Davies, Muamba, Taylor; Elmander, K. Davies
Liverpool: (probable, 4-2-3-1): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Torres.
Fernando Torres has scored just 2 goals in his past 10 Premier League appearances away from Anfield.
Bolton has yet to record a win this season with defeats to Sunderland and Hull. They have beaten Liverpool just once in their last 9 attempts. Bolton boss Gary Megson has a terrible record against Rafael Benítez with his team only managing just 1 goal and conceding 15 in their 5 games. Bolton is sitting 18th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 48, and is 8th overall in points against with 121.
Liverpool has a had a shaky start to the season, with a tough defeat to Spurs, and a poor performance against Villa. They have made their worst start to a Premier League season under Benítez, losing 2 of their opening 3 matches. They only lost 2 all last season. However they have recorded the highest gameweek score of 88 points, in their game against Stoke, so they can turn it on when they click. Liverpool is sitting 6th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 137, and is 9th overall in points against with 110.
Stoke City Vs SunderlandShawcross (7.67)
Jones (6.33)
Sorensen (6.33)
Bent (4.67)
Malbranque (4.50)
Stoke City: (probable, 4-4-2): Sorensen; Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham; Lawrence, Delap, Whitehead, Etherington; Beattie, Fuller
Sunderland: (probable, 4-4-2): Fulop; Bardsley, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney; Malbranque, Cattermole, Cana, Richardson; Bent, Jones.
Stoke at home is a tough contest, their home form last season was the key to their survival, winning 10 games at the Britannia, a better home form than both Everton and Villa.
Sunderland on the other hand only managed 3 away wins last season, and lost their last 2 visits to Stoke. Thomas Sorensen, Dean Whitehead, Rory Delap and Liam Lawrence are all set to start against their former club. Sunderland is sitting 10th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 124, and is 13th overall in points against with 101.
Tottenham Vs BirminghamDefoe (8.67)
Hart (6.00)
Lennon (5.67)
Keane (5.67)Tottenham Hotspur: (probable, 4-4-2): Cudicini, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric; Keane, Defoe
Birmingham City: (probable, 4-4-2): Hart, Carr, Johnson, Queudrue, Parnaby; Bowyer, Ferguson, Fahey, McFadden; O'Connor, Phillips.
Robbie Keane loves playing against Birmingham having scored 5 times in his last 6 outings for Spurs against the Blues. Defoe is also on fire this season, with 4 goals in 3 games. Tottenham are undefeated at home under Redknapp, since Everton in November. Spurs is sitting 3rd in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 149, and is 16th overall in points against with 71.
Birmingham have yet to score a goal from open play in the Premier League this season but will have fond memories of their last trip to Spurs. On that occasion, the Blues triumphed 3-2 in December 2007. Birmingham is sitting 9th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 127, and is 7th overall in points against with 129.
Wolves Vs Hull City
Hunt (4.67)
Hennessey (4.67)
Myhill (4.67)Wolves: (probable, 4-4-2): Hennessey, Stearman, Craddock, Mancienne, Ward; Halford, Henry, Milijas, Jarvis; Keogh, Doyle
Hull City: (probable, 4-4-2): Myhill, Gardner, Zayette, Turner, Dawson; Geovanni, Boateng, Olofinjana, Hunt; Ghilas, Altidore.
Not a lot to shout about here in terms of Fantasy Football. It might very well be a day for the GK’s. Hunt is the only stand out player of these two teams so far this season.
Hull is sitting 13th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 104, and is 6th overall in points against with 131.
Wolves is sitting 11th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 107, and is 3rd overall in points against with 165.
Man Utd Vs ArsenalFabregas (11.5)
Van Persie (8.50)
Gallas (8.00)
Rooney (7.67)
Evra (5.00)
Manchester United: (probable, 4-4-2): Foster, O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park; Rooney, Berbatov
Arsenal: (probable, 4-3-3): Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Clichy; Diaby, Fàbregas, Song; Van Persie, Bendtner, Arshavin.
Arsenal has made a statement in their start to the season, with Wegner saying they will only get stronger. 10 goals in 2 games for the Gunners, and a 100% record. The Gunners are hoping to repeat their fantastic start to the 2004/5 season where they began with five consecutive victories. Arsenal is sitting 5th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 144, and has conceded the joint least points against with 43.
United are notoriously slow starters and tasted victory just once in their first three league games last season before going on to take the top prize. However, very poor performances against Burnley and the first half against Wigan, just go to show United need the first goal to get going. It seems a lot of their confidence and arrogance is in Spain now. But surprisingly United lead the way in overall Fantasy League Points, with 164, and is 12th overall in points against with 105.
This is the 41st meeting between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger with the United boss currently leading the way with 15 wins to the Frenchman's 14. However I think it will be all square after this weekend.
Portsmouth Vs Man City
Adebayor (8.50)
Given (7.50)
Wright-Phillips (6.50)
Belhadj (3.00)Portsmouth: (probable, 4-4-2): James; Vanden Borre, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj; Utaka, Mullins, Mokoena, Kranjcar; Kanu, Piquionne.
Manchester City: (probable, 4-3-1-2): Given, Richards, Dunne, Toure, Bridge; Wright-Phillips, Barry, Ireland; Robinho; Tévez, Adebayor.
The Abu Dhabi Derby!
Pompey may have had a money injection with new owners but its not going to make a difference in this game. A terrible start for Portsmouth sees them giving away the most Fantasy League Points, with 172! While sitting 16th with 71 points scored. There is the fact that City have failed to beat Portsmouth away since 2004 though!
City is still trying to gel together and become more rigid. Lapses in concentration in the game against Wolves nearly cost them the 3 points. However with such attacking talent in the squad, it is only a matter of time before a hammering is on the cards for their opponents, and this week may just be it. Adebayor has 2 from 2 and could very well add a few more at Portsmouth. City is sitting 8th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 127, and has conceded the joint least points against with 43.
Everton Vs WiganKoumas (4.67)
Rodallega (4.00)
Pienaar (3.50)Everton: (probable, 4-4-2): Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Baines; Osman, Rodwell, Cahill, Pienaar; Fellaini; Saha
Wigan Athletic: (probable, 4-4-2): Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa; Thomas; Koumas, Diame, Gomez, N'Zogbia; Rodellaga.
Everton have had a nightmare start to the season, humiliated by Arsenal and outplayed by Burnley. They lost their last 3 opening league games at Goodison last term before finishing 5th. Everton has won 3 of the last 5 meetings between the two. Everton is sitting rock bottom in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 36, and has conceded the 5th most points against with 146.
Wigan have only managed 1 win at Goodison since 2005. Paul Scharner has scored 3 times in 7 appearances against the Toffees. They sit 12th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 105, and has conceded the second most points against with 165.
Aston Villa Vs Fulham
A Young (6.50)
Zamora (5.50)
Hangeland (4.50)
Friedel (4.50)
Dempsey (4.00)
Aston Villa (probable, 4-4-2): Friedel, Beye, Davies, Cuéllar, Shorey; Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, A Young; Carew, Agbonlahor
Fulham (probable, 4-4-2): Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Gera, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff; Zamora, Dempsey.
Ashley Young is Villa's most prolific striker in this fixture having scored 2 in his last 3 appearances against Fulham, and is in form after coming off a goal and assist in the clash with Liverpool. Villa sits 17th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 70, and 14th in points against with 90.
Fulham have never won in the Premier League at Villa Park. Six of the last nine meetings between these two have ended in draws with Fulham claiming a point on 3 of their past 4 visits to Villa Park. They sit 15th in the team standings for Fantasy League Points, with 77, and 15th in points against with 89.
FPL TALKS Top 5 Captains This Week
#1.Drogba
#2.Adebayor
#3.Defoe
#4.Lennon
#5.Young
