Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 13
Today is a good day. Disney+ came out today, and I’ve been watching classic cartoons from my early childhood all morning. This isn’t an ad for Disney, I’m just trying to let you into my frame of mind right now. I’m in a genuinely good mood. Who knew I needed to see some classic Daffy Duck again? Just watching Daffy beat his nephews for no good reason really took me back to a simpler time, a better time.
And then I knew I had to sit down to write this article and praise Liverpool and trash on Everton for a bit. Oh well, maybe when I’m done writing this article, I’ll watch Dumbo’s mom get whipped and then watch Bambi’s mom die. Surely that will be more cheerful than having to put Liverpool up on a pedestal once more.
FPL FIXTURE TRACKER
But first up that all important Fixture Tracker itself…
FIXTURE TRACKER LINK
Best Fixtures
Liverpool – CRY (A), BHA (A), EVE (H)
Liverpool fans react to VAR
Liverpool are pretty great this year, no? Nothing I do seems to have any effect on their outcomes. I compliment them in hopes of jinxing them, and they win. I try to say disparaging things about them, and they win. If I try to ignore them completely, they still win. One might start to think that I, Guy Sanchez, really don’t have any control over what happens to Liverpool at all. But that can’t be right. If one lone Everton-loving voice from across the pond has no effect on the Reds in any way, then we’re all doomed.
It’s time to face facts, this Liverpool team have now proven that they’re the team that will win the title. They completely wasted City last round, and it wasn’t even close. You can blame VAR all you want, but City weren’t going to win that game, not even if they were given an extra penalty to try to mount a comeback. Things just can’t go wrong for Liverpool. Hell, even now when facing a minor injury crisis (Robertson, Salah) – they somehow managed to fit that crisis into an off-week so that they can all get right again. It’s just not fair.
Regurgitating stats about how great Liverpool have been isn’t what this article needs. Suffice to say, they’ve been more than decent. Here’s what I will tell you, I feel good that Liverpool will win their next three matches by a total score of 9-1. I’d like to be able to think that they could win against Palace 5-0 and Brighton by 4-0 whilst losing to Everton 0-1. But odds are they put up 3 goals or more against each – and at some point they’ll probably concede the single odd goal en route to maintaining two clean sheets. This prediction brings me no joy, but I’m not overly worried about being proven wrong here.
Leicester – BHA (A), EVE (H), WAT (H)
Poor Leicester. On a year when they’re primed to make another miraculous run, they’re caught staring up at an unbeatable Liverpool side. But let’s be fair, the ONLY team that Leicester have to stare up at are Liverpool. Nobody saw Leicester being quite this good nearly a third of the way through the season, but their second place position is well-deserved. Their goal differential is second best in the league (+21) and they’ve conceded the fewest goals of any team in the league (8). For all the Twitter doom and gloom that surrounds this team every time transfers come around, they continue to defy expectations.
“Vardy won’t score this round, don’t @ me”.
“Leicester haven’t played anybody yet.”
“Look for Maddison to disappear against (insert name)’s defence.”
You’ve all seen variations of these tweets and comments. But they’ve all been rubbish. Maybe Leicester haven’t played anybody worthwhile (and outside of Spurs, maybe you’d be right), but they’re absolutely demolishing the lesser competition, so what does it matter? Against this schedule coming up, it should be more of the same for this squad. Two home games and an away trip against Brighton – they could mimic my predicted scoreline I gave to Liverpool when all is said and done.
Arsenal – SOU (H), NOR (A), BHA (H)
“I can feel your anger”
This team is a bit of a surprise to me. For all of the talk about Emery’s lack of leadership or playing style, the dust-up with the team captaincy, and the team’s general recurring bout of ‘little man syndrome’ in the larger scope of what constitutes the league’s Big 4 – Arsenal have somehow found themselves nestled into 6th place in the table despite all of these distractions. I couldn’t believe it either. When Evertonians bemoan their lot in life, you can look at their 15th place position and concede they have a real grievance. You shake your head and pat them on the shoulder and go about your day, thankful that you never loved a club that can’t love you back. But these Arsenal fans…c’mon now. 6th place and you all act like the sky is falling?
I know, the Gunners expect more from themselves. I get that. But the season is far from lost, and this stretch here is the perfect place to get right. I’m not selling you any BS here – Arsenal have a definite chance to take 9 points from these next three games. Southampton and Norwich are in 19th and 20th place, respectively. Brighton aren’t bad, per se, but they aren’t stocked up in the same way that Arsenal are.
I’m not the advice guru – believe me, my OR in the game is so bad that I’m surprised that they even let me have a login on this site still. But if you were ever going to look for a differential pick in the attacking department, playing an Arsenal man against the two worst teams in the league might be a decent shout.
Teams to Avoid
Brighton & Hove Albion – LEI (H), LIV (A), ARS (A)
Brighton have been punching above their weight thus far. And their fans will be happy that the team is relatively safe from the relegation battle. But there’s no way that Brighton are still in 11th position in the table when this run of games is finished. Somebody just award Leicester and Liverpool the 3 points already. No way does Brighton get a result out of either game. The best Brighton could hope for is a draw against Arsenal, but like I just said above, Arsenal will be riding a wave coming off two easier games. I may pour a preemptive sip on the concrete for poor Brighton here after writing this article. Just bad luck getting this schedule at this point in the season.
Everton – NOR (H), LEI (A), LIV (A)
Everton might have the Norwich game circled on the calendar as a gimme game. But with the way that Everton have played lately, maybe Norwich have Everton circled on THEIR schedule in a bid to get out of the cellar. Knowing Everton, they’ll play down to the level of competition and probably give us a 1-1 draw with Norwich. And then after that, away to Leicester and Liverpool? No chance.
This all reminds me of when we’d be playing outside with my Pop as kids. We’d play Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians, etc. Sometimes he’d join in with us. We used to have these stock piles of dirt clods saved up to use as ‘grenades’. When you’d throw the dirt clod, they’d make this great little puff of dust – and if you had a puff of dust come off you, everybody could see you’d been hit. My Pop had an arm on him, and he’d get really into the game sometimes. And man alive, he’d chuck that dirt clod at us from 30 yards away, and BAM, pinpoint accuracy right to the chest. And then my pop would yell in a quasi-Eddie Murphy voice: “You’re dead! Lay down, because you’re dead, man!”
And that’s the message I’d like to send to Everton now. You’re dead. Lay down, because you’re dead. We have no hope here. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch Simba paw at Mufasa’s lifeless body to cheer myself up a bit. Cheers.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Fixture Analysis Gameweek 13. This article was written by Footy Fantastic (Guy Sánchez).
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Tnx for the article Sánches. Good a decent mixture of pool and Leicester.
The Netherlands playing Northern Ireland… Bloody pathetic how every British country always boos Virgil van Dijk.
Why are they booing him?
Don’t know. Every British country always boos him. Because he’s a Liverpool player? The thing I noticed and the commentator also said it. VVD always gets booed by the UK countries. My guess is that Liverpool is still very hated there and he is one of their top players. I am pretty he doesn’t care but I find it astonishing. Usually don’t care for the personalities of the players but pretty sure he is one of the more decent guys.
I think you nailed it Raz. Even so called England”fans” boo their own player who plays for Liverpool. Is it envy or jealousy or stupidity?
Are they that hated by the rest of the UK that by proxy their players get booed? I’m not sure either. The Gomez thing was odd too so maybe it is just that. Which is a shame because Klopp has made them very likeable. I appreciate that Liverpool people do make Liverpool a bit of an island with their ridiculous attitude at times but has that really gone that far? Maybe it has. Which is perfectly understandable.
It’s not against Liverpool per se as a city. You’re Evertonian right? Pretty sure if one of your teams biggest players in history played a match for the Netherlands versus a British team, he wouldn’t be booed. It’s purely because he’s a player from Liverpool FC.
I guess they won a lot of shit in the past and were cocky about it? People remembered and they still don’t like em for it? Even with Klopp and likeable guys like VVD and Wijnaldum. Hehe. It is what it is.
In the Netherlands most people supporting other teams than Ajax really dislike them because they are cocky for Dutch terms. Though, I don’t see them boo someone like Tadic….
Sometimes it’s just banter, when I’m at the match (Newcastle for the one person reading this who doesn’t know) the fans (not me) sometimes boo the oppositions best player, there’s no real malice there and always plenty laughing about it. I’m not saying that’s the case in this instance but sometime a its nothing more than that! I can see our fans booing Salah when we play Liverpool and honestly there will be nothing in it. Would t get worked up over it mate, football fans are a strange bunch!
Do you think it’s just a herd mentality thing regarding the best player then?
I still find that odd but it is what it is if that’s the case. I could go on about this forever and never win. I just dislike tribalities as they make so little sense, logically. Or illogically.
Who knows, there sure are a whole lot of idiots who attend football matches, sometimes it’s embarrassing to be honest
No Rosco, it’s not like that. They specifically target VVD because he is one of Pools best. I don’t remember other Dutch players that played in England and were successful being booed so harshly. Andy to think this is Northern Ireland. Hehe. I do remember the English fans last summer being quite annoying during the game whenever VVD had the ball. It was it is. Hehe. :big-lol:
Fair enough mate, personally I think he’s class, couldn’t care less about his team or nationality!
As pointed put above, football supporters as a collective are pretty much tribal and ignorant.
You need to be careful who you listen to.
Any proper football watcher – not supporter – realises that he’s the best defender in the world right now.
The fact that VVD played for Celtic won’t have endeared him to a significant % of the crowd last night!
Versus Northern Ireland? That’s Scotland right? :wacko:
All the crap between Celtic & Rangers originates from Northern Ireland.
Also I really have to add that most Irish fans were awesome. This was probably one of the most boring and terrible games I’ve ever seen. But the Irish fans sang for 90 minutes. Was also the last game of their coach O’Neil?
I think he’ll take charge of any play off games.
That’s good. He’s done well with the material he has.
I’m starting to doubt Koeman… He really isn’t caring at all… Playing safe instead of daring… It’s just not the Dutch way… Reminds me of LvG 2010.
Kop, it was mooted the other day that he may well / probably will take them in the summer too should they qualify. Which seems fitting.
That’s a shame Raz because you were really looking like you were on the up again not so long back. He is basically LvG Lite though, as you say. Conservative at best. Other than the obvious issue with flying has Bergkamp never been considered?
I hadn’t heard that Init but it would be great for the North should it happen.
It will be interesting to see how he gets on at Stoke. He’s got a big job on his hands.
Looks or sounds like that’s how it’ll pan out Kop. They’re looking for his successor to start afresh after next summer. Makes sense all round, especially as whoever they get will presumably already be in a job and be mid-season right now. Stoke will just have to suck it up in the knowledge that they end up with a very good manager, who they also get right away.
Hey guys who out of these Chambers , Rico or Saiss cheers all
Rico. Saiss gets a yellow card every week. Can’t wait to get rid of him.
Rico got terrible fixtures up until gw20 more or less…
Chambers for me. Fixtures only. Might get lucky with an odd goal as well..
I would not be getting Chambers. I’d expect Bellerin to come back after the break
Added to that, Arsenal are so weak and leaderless right now IMO.
Rico
Going with this on my wildcard! Shall I stick with Sterling or pick Kdb ?
Good to go mate. If you have only 1 city asset, it might as well be Sterling.
City and Sterling both have a point to prove
Thanks mate! Any thoughts if I can improve?
Probably just mcgovern to button. If Ryan dosen’t play you won’t have a goalie now. And if Ryan dosen’t play, button will…
Umm ill change to button! What about best 4.7 or below keeper? Shall I get Pope?
There’s no point getting Pope if your 2nd keeper is going to be Button.
Button as your 2nd keeper works only with Ryan since he’s the replacement.
So with that in mind,I’d say stick to Ryan
I think Sterling ultimately ends up with more points come the end of the season so I think I’d stick to him. I think….
Besides that and what Allan suggests I’d say that’s a cracking WC team :yes:
Pope and Ryan is a close call. But Ryan seems to be getting a lotta save points
Also your alternative to taking out Sterling would be to keep KdB and use the extra 2 mil to upgrade one of your defenders to TAA. If funds permit.
Else I don’t see any place you could make that team better than it is
My bad,I meant Robbo. See you already got TAA.
But you might want to wait on Robbo till we have an idea on his ankle injury
I can only get Robbo for Soyuncu if I keep Kdb over Sterling,otherwise have to downgrade Jiminez or 1 of the other mids
Or I could do Sterling Pulisic to Son and kdb? Thoughts
No I’d hold onto Pulisic if I can.
You could leave Sterling as is this week and give him a go. In a couple of weeks once you have 2 FTs left you can make a decision again
whether you want to downgrade to De Bruyne then.
Gotta keep in mind Liverpool blank in GW 18. So you might rethink triple Liverpool then. Or else in a few weeks if Salah finds form you can do Sterling to Salah without having to tear down your team.
I hadn’t noticed Liv v WH wasn’t in week 18. Do we know when it will be played ?
Not yet Otieno, needs to be rescheduled.
So, still a couple of days left of internationals for our prize possessions to be fit or crocked for week 13.
Sterling should be good for a full game against Chelsea I would think after his enforced rest on Thursday. His sparring partner Joe Gomez is looking less likely.
Could probably launch a full article on the other international injuries and performances but what are the concerns for your team?
Robertson.
Salah, potentially, although I don’t actually believe that is an issue.
Assuming he’s good to go what would you do here with 2FT’s?
Depends how you want to play it formation wise for the next few.
A Liverpool defender and/or Cantwell or Connolly upgrade would be my thinking so maybe a Salah dgrade to Maddison/Martial/Pulisic/Tielmans could fund all that?
It could fund that and more, just don’t know if I want to sell him!
Init,
Aurier to Charlie Taylor and Cantwell to Mount?
Money’s tight on this one but if you’re lucky maybe. . . . . looks a lovely 3-5-2.
+1 I like what GP is suggesting
Not a route I’d looked at but that’s why we ask, thanks.
Maybe just Connolly to Ayew or Mousset and roll the second FT?
Can’t say I’m particularly excited about either but that could be the route if I decide to nothing else and simply don’t want to waste a FT.
I have two free transfers and a wildcard still. Where are all the international injuries to spice things up a bit :wacko:
May be hold the wildcard as late as possible now. May be use it around the Pool blank week.
Yeah that’s when I think it will happen now
Hey everyone -it’s a long time since I rambled & feel I may have wasted this IB by not doing so! Have been reading your comments avidly and would like to thank Guy for this top dose of methadone for FPL players. The photos are great – doesn’t Unai Emery look like some sort of scary rapper in those rain-drenched pics? Can’t wait for his new album (something with the word ‘Arse…n’all’ in the title?????
)
Anyway, I think I have mentioned it before, but have come to realise the inordinate number of Callums and Harrys in the PL. Can anyone else help to make up a team of players with these first names???? Or perhaps someone can tell us if there are any other more common names that I have overlooked? Just out of interest before the next article comes out!!!
Well there we go, that’s done isn’t it? Will sollicit help for my team at a later moment. I’ve got in Janmaat for Kelly, and have been thinking of getting in The Ox as a possible ‘December reserve’ (cos Pool have so many matches then a blank in GW 18) for Kanté, but would need to do something like change Pereira (Leicester) for Soy. But not until next week when I have 2 FTs. Haven’t got around to including my team, but doing really well since WC in GW, so I’m a relatively happy AJW!
See y’all soon!
Should read ‘in GW 9′! What a Womble I am ! Speaking of which, can anyone fine players we could give Womble-based nicknames to? The obvious would be Tobemory for the Chelsea defender! Apologies for those who come from countries where the Wombles were not screened or for those of you who were born too late to have profited from this amazingly cult-like kids’ TV show! See yah!