Game-week 28 Review – FPL Fantasy Football Premier League

Everton 1-0 West Ham
Goals: Lukaku
Assists: Baines
Bonus Points: Baines (3), Stones (2), Lukaku (2)

Fantasy Focus:
Everton: West Ham have been on a fantastic run so for Everton to keep them scoreless is a great effort. Fantasy managers who own Mirallas will not have been happy as he started on the bench. Leighton Baines showed how important he is to this Everton team as his attacking qualities caused problems for the Hammers defence finally resulting in him providing the assist for the goal. Lukaku was rightly tipped during the week and came up good. He did start on the bench but this was due to a chest infection and so should be in the mix from the start next time out. Steven Pienaar showed some good form in this one and may be a good differential for the future, keep him in mind.

West Ham: One solitary goal was the demise of the Hammers but they still look very solid at the back. Keeper Adrian was in good form coming up with two good saves. Perhaps a tad unfortunate as they had a penalty shout in the first half turned down. Kevin Nolan is still at the heart of everything but was not able to register any fantasy points in this one. The return of Andy Carroll who came on for Carlton Cole after 30 minutes will only boost Nolan’s appeal in the future.

[divider_1px]

Fulham 1-3 Chelsea
Goals: Schurrle (3), Heitinga
Assists: Hazard (2), Torres, Bent
Bonus Points: Schurrle (3), Hazard (2), Torres (1), Terry (1), Cahill (1), Heitinga (1), Bent (1)

Fantasy Focus:
Fulham: Things are really looking tough for Fulham now who need points desperately. To be fair they did put up a fight and kept Chelsea scoreless in the first half but this could have been due to Chelsea being really poor rather than Fulham being very good. Heitinga scored a consolation goal for Fulham as he had a tap in from a corner, Bent was credited with the assist. Still not enough from any of their players to warrant consideration for your team.

Chelsea: A really poor first half had Jose Mourinho fuming at half time, but rumour has it he walked into the changing room, said nothing and walked out. Well if that is what happened then he should carry on saying less as Chelsea cranked up the heat at the top of the league. Unlucky not to produce another clean sheet but even without that a couple of defenders were awarded bonus points. Hazard once again was instrumental in the midfield producing a couple of assists. The big talking point though of course was the hat trick for Andre Schurlle. If you intentionally transferred the German in this week then I take my hat off to you. Before you all transfer him in bear in mind that he has not been a regular starter for Chelsea.

[divider_1px]

Hull 1-4 Newcastle
Goals: Sissoko (2), Anita, Remy, Davies
Assists: Debuchy, Dummett,Goufran, Huddlestone
Bonus Points: Sissoko (3), Anita (2), Remy (2)

Fantasy Focus:
Hull: Usually very hard to beat at home but they have now lost four consecutive home games which will be a worry for those with defensive exposure from Hull. Nickica Jelavic looked lively once again and he had a short range header saved and also hit the cross bar with a free kick. There was a chance of a comeback as a Tom Huddlestone free kick found Curtis Davies who flicked the ball home, but this was the only positive of the afternoon.

Newcastle: It is not often that you score four goals in a game yet it is your manager that makes all the headlines as Alan Pardew was sent to the stands after headbutting David Meyler of Hull. Apart from that crazy moment, Newcastle provided a good showing away from home. Loic Remy carries on with his good scoring form as he was gifted a goal. Two goals from the midfielder Moussa Sissoko could interest you and maybe he’s one to keep an eye on once more. Vurnon Anita just topped off the afternoon for the Toon with an easy tap in at the far post, his only league goal of the season so far.

[divider_1px]

Stoke City 1-0 Arsenal
Goals: Walters
Assists: None
Bonus Points: Walters (3), Shawcross (2), Begovic, Cameron

Fantasy Focus:
Stoke City: When looking at some of the Stoke players you can find some options to hold you over until the DGW in 31. Charlie Adam is one, because of set pieces and the fact that he leads the team in shots per game with 2. Also be aware that Stoke lead EPL in aerial duels won, which enhances Adam’s chance for assists. With Jonathan Walters it was hard not to notice his high position up the pitch. He is also on pens still, but I am not sure that is a good thing… I admit I was cringing as he took it but he managed to score this time. Peter Crouch played very well up top; he forced a good save with a header and could have scored with another attempt or two that were just off target. Marko Arnautovic had a solid game and should be seeing the minutes continue to stream in, he provides a lower priced option (5.1) for those on a budget. I would still stay away from the Stoke defence despite the cleansheet, let’s just say I still trust Walters from 12 yards more than them. Note: Stoke City does not have a blank game-week on the schedule.

Arsenal: Oh Dear!!! Finding it hard to point to anyone who started, as an option to bring into your FPL squad and not just because they have a blank next GW. They were dreadful… However I will say, that was a lovely Cardigan that Arsene was wearing. Arteta, Giroud and Wilshere took turns on the ground all game long and their most notable contributions were made complaining about calls. Santi Cazorla joined in the struggles of many of his mates and Lukas Podolski played 65 minutes as Mr. Invisible. Mesut Ozil came on with 25 minutes left to go and was as inspiring as ever, I believe he has officially left for Brazil. Tomas Rosicky had a tough game and was eventually subbed off. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also came on and provided a spark with his pace and willingness to take people on. He laid one back for Yaya Sanogo in the closing moments that should have equalized the score. Keep your eye on The Ox if he gets the minutes, he provides Arsenal with something they sorely need, speed. Considering their upcoming fixtures it is probably not wise to bring in any of Arsenal’s defenders. Aaron Ramsey is expected back for GW30, so just be aware of that. He is still Arsenal’s second highest scoring midielder for fantasy points despite not playing since GW18.Note: Arsenal has a blank game-week in 29 and await the rescheduling of their fixture with Swansea.

[divider_1px]

Southampton 0-3 Liverpool
Goals: Suarez, Sterling, Gerrard
Assists: Suarez (2)
Bonus Points: Suarez (3), Skrtel (2), Gerrard, Agger (1)

Fantasy Focus:
Southampton: The Saints will feel a bit unlucky with the result as they had their chances to make it a much better game. As we look through their squad we see possibilities, but also some disturbing trends for managers looking to invest in them. At the back we see that Calum Chambers over Nathaniel Clyne is looking set, as he has started 12 of the last 14. At a 3.9 price and 3.1% ownership for Chambers he could prove to be very good value. Luke Shaw played well and could have had an assist if one of his strikers had been able to convert any one of his team high 6 crosses. Dejan Lovren & Jose Fonte had a real tough time of it, but are always dangerous on set pieces if you have the extra cash to splash. The cheapies in the midfield Jack Cork, Steven Davis and Morgan Schneirderlin were not able to provide points and only mustered a couple of shots off target by Morgan. Of the 3, Davis is probably the best bet if you are looking for that one or two week punt. Adam Lallana is undoubtedly their best player and was unfortunate to not score, hitting the woodwork with one of his attempts. He also provided 4 key passes along with his 3 shots and if there is anyone to own from Southampton, it is him. Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert once again blanked and that is 4 in a row for the former and 3 on the run for the latter. Note: Southampton does not have a blank game-week on the schedule.

Liverpool: If you celebrated clean sheet points from this game, you are both very persistent and a terrible FPL manager all at once. Despite holding the Saints goalless, I would not be jumping on any of their defenders any time soon. That was their 5th clean sheet in their last 25 games. For all of my distrust in their backline, the same can not be said about their attacking options, they should probably be maximized once we hit the DGW in 31. The highest scoring team in EPL offers an array of potential for points. Raheem Sterling came on as a sub in the 57th minute and scored in the 58th. Having started the last 15 before this game and after his impact on the score sheet, I suspect Rodgers will not be sitting next to him in future games. Jordan Henderson had two shots at goal, but both went off target. That is 9 blanks in 11 for him and considering his higher price, Sterling seems the better option for those looking for good value. Steven Gerrard only seems to appear in front of goal every so often, but when he does he delivers the points. For all of our doubts about his deep position, he is still raking in the points and that is 15 games with a goal or assist in his last 18 starts. Daniel Sturridge left many a turncoat stranded in an open field with all the Luis Suarez loyalists firing at them as target practice. Not the best of games for the England striker, a bit of imprecision cost him an assist and goal. Suarez delivered the goods, but for any watching this game, you might have noticed a slightly different positioning. This could be due to Sterling not starting, but for most of the game he was more central in his attacking position and not out on the wing as he has been as of late. 1 goal and 2 assists for the Uruguayan and a bit of selfishness could have given him a bigger tally. Note: Liverpool has a blank in game-week 29 and has a Double game-week in 31 vs Cardiff (a) and Sunderland (h).

[divider_1px]

Aston Villa 4-1 Norwich
Goals: Benteke (2), Bacuna, Bassong (og); Hoollahan
Assists: Vlaar, Delph, Westwood, Weimann; Hooper
Bonus Points: Benteke (3), Bacuna (2), Delph (1), Westwood (1), Hoolahan (1)

Fantasy Focus:
Villa: Christian Benteke showed glimpses of last season’s form with a superb 15-minute display in the first half, including a sensational bicycle kick to equalise Norwich’s early goal. This was one of Villa’s good days, where most impressed, but were made to look better by a lethargic display from the Canaries. However, it did go to show that Andreas Weimann, Ashley Westwood and gabriel Agbonlahor showed great attacking prowess, but the value from a fantasy point of view rests with Benteke, if he can find consistency and also Leandro Bacuna as a cheap midfielder.

Norwich: A fantastic start saw them take the lead early on through Villa-target Wes Hoolahan. This was the end of their joy as they were taken apart by a rampant Villa in 15mins. The Canaries offered little going forward, but it is their capitulation at the back that will worry FPL managers. Robert Snodgrass was replaced at half-time with a wrist injury that makes him doubtful for next week, though one would imagine they will do everything they can to wheel him onto the pitch for a massive home game vs Stoke. The fact that the home fans were singing, “We’re winning at home, we’re winning at home, how s**t must you be, we’re winning at home”, tells you everything you need to know about this Norwich performance.

[divider_1px]

Swansea 1-1 Crystal Palace
Goals: De Guzman; Murray
Assists: Britton
Bonus Points: De Guzman (3), Britton (2), Williams, Davies

Fantasy Focus:
Swansea: This was a game that the Swans should really have won and probably would have done, had they not had to travel back from Naples Thursday night and fatigue set in. An impressive first half performance saw them take the lead through Jonathan De Guzman, who again showed his class. Significantly, once Pablo Hernandez had gone off injured, De Guzman played higher up the pitch just behind Wilfried Bony. Angel Rangel was a constant threat down the right, but their failure to convert chances again came back to haunt them. Chico Flores was sent off for the foul that led to Palace’s penalty equaliser.

Palace: They certainly played their “get out of jail free” card here as they were handed a penalty on a plate after substitute Glenn Murray was fouled by Flores outside the box but fell inside the box, with the referee far away from the action.. Murray converted the penalty himself. It was the striker’s introduction at half time that caused the change in the nature of the game – oft outplayed for much of the first half, the removal of “Daddy’s boy” Tom Ince at the break saw the Eagles come into the game more, with Yannick Bolasie the biggest threat on the left wing. After the penalty, they were the likeliest of winners, but couldn’t find the break through – Jerome Thomas was booked for diving in the last minute and to his credit, Tony Pulis lambasted both young Thomas and Marouane Chamakh for blatant dives. Refreshing to see a manager standing up for the good of the game, rather than head-butting opponents.

[divider_1px]

Tottenham 1-0 Cardiff City
Goals: Soldado
Assists: Adebayor
Bonus Points: Soldado (3), Naughton (2), Vertonghen (1), Dawson

Fantasy Focus:
Tottenham: A frustrating afternoon saw them nick the win, show the greater class but fail to trouble a stubborn Cardiff defence once they had taken the lead. It was Roberto Soldado with the goal, slotting in from Emmanuel Adebayor’s pass. Aside from that move the front two did very little, with any penetration coming down the flanks from Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend. On the whole, Spurs were solid at the back, with Michael Dawson mopping up anything Cardiff tried but the fact remains that when Jan Vertonghen plays, statistically Spurs concede less. Paulinho was quiet in the middle of the park and was replaced by Sandro on 73mins, but it was Soldado’s day – as only his second goal from open play in the league kept Spurs in the hunt for a Champions League place.

Cardiff: Certainly am improved display from Cardiff as Solskjaer changed to a five-man defence, with Fabio and Declan John attacking from the flanks. Steven Caulker marshalled the troops well and remains the class act in the defence, while he was also unlucky not to score as his header rattled the crossbar after 29 minutes. Aside from that, chances were few and far between – Craig Bellamy huffed and puffed, swore a bit and got his customary booking. The match fizzled out and the second half was duller than the first – the return of Craig Noone from injury should bring some much needed flair going forward.

Thanks for reading Game-week 28 Review, this article was written by Cookie, Migs and Mito