Team Talk Fantasy Football Game-week 7

Team Talk Fantasy Football GW7

Welcome my friends to GW7. Many say that 7 is a lucky number, so as we’ve said just about every other week so far this season, may this be our lucky week. It can’t be much worse for many FPL managers, who continue to struggle with the abnormalities that the season has brought in the first six gameweeks. Though much of that has of course been the wrong captaincy choice. You’ve had the captaincy article, you’ve also had the Tips and Fixtures – it’s now time for the match previews and all-important team news. Our gameweek begins Saturday lunchtime as Sergio Aguero prepares to single handedly destroy Spurs once more. Six 3pm matches follow – Leicester host the Gooners in what could be a goal extravaganza, United welcome Sunderland in what could be a goal extravaganza…for the home team. Poor old Liverpool take on Villa at Anfield, Swansea go to Southampton, Bournemouth travel to Stoke and West Ham entertain Norwich. Saturday night takes us to the North West as struggling Newcastle host the not-quite-as-struggling-as-they-were Chelsea. And then it all sort of goes downhill really. Sunday we have just one match as Watford meet Crystal Palace and then we have a Monday night special as West Brom and Everton do battle at the Hawthorns.
Let’s go Around the Grounds to catch up on the latest team news.

Spurs vs Man City (Sat 26 Sep 12.45)
Lunchtime at the Lane sees league leaders City the visitors as they attempt to extend their lead at the top, while Spurs will be looking to put their midweek Cup defeat to their nearest and dearest behind them to win their third league match in a row. Three clean sheets in succession for the Spurs will surely be put to the sternest test by the likes of Aguero and de Bruyne, although they’ll have to perform better than last week when they were humbled at home by the Happy Hammers. Aguero has scored ten goals in seven league matches vs Spurs and has only failed to find the back of the net in one of those games – so a proper test for the tight Spurs defensive unit – and even if they stop Kun that will only be part of the job as City have scored 27 goals in their eight vs Tottenham.

Spurs will be without quartet Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb, Mousa Dembele and Alex Pritchard for the visit of City. Manager Mauricio Pochettino says all four are close to being available but are not quite ready for Saturday. Everyone else is fine.

City will continue to be without David Silva for Saturday’s match, though Manuel Pellegrini has not given up hope of the playmaker being available for Champions League action next week. Also missing are Eliaquim Mangala, Gael Clichy, Fabian Delph, Wilfried Bony and Kelechi Iheanacho, but Pablo Zabaleta could be ready to make the squad, making Bacary Saagna owners nervous. Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Samir Nasri all return to the squad. The manager admitted Aguero wasn’t fully fit or at his best vs West Ham but believes his striker is now 100% – beware Spurs!

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Leicester vs Arsenal (Sat 26 Sep 15.00)
This one should be fun and full of excitement and action – lock up your defenders and unleash your attackers. The Foxes have of course been the surprise package this season, sitting proudly in fourth place, just above their guests this week, but they have only won one of their last four league matches and have had to come from behind in all those matches. The opponents in those matches were Spurs, Bournemouth, Villa and Stoke – Arsenal will likely be a different kettle of fish and unlikely to reject such generosity so easily. The Goonies of course responded well to their usual defeat to Chelsea by strolling through their usual defeat of Spurs in midweek and with three clean sheets before the Chelsea defeat, FPL’s leading points scorer Riyad Mahrez will again be instrumental for the Foxes if they are to stay above Arsenal. The Algerian has already scored five goals this season and understandably is the most owned player in FPL. Leicester haven’t beaten the Gooners since 1994/5 and only once in 18 Premier League matches have Arsenal failed to score against the Foxes. Time for Alexis to shine? The Chilean has had more attempts on goal than any other player this season but is still to score. Goals there will be – but will it be more Mahrez mayhem or Alexis’ time to shine?

The Foxes will be without Nathan Dyer, who picked up an injury when scoring the winner vs Villa. The only other absentee is Matty James. Claudio Ranieri says the midweek Cup win over West Ham has given him a selection headache at the weekend, but with Arsenal in town, it would be a major surprise if the Tinkerman lived up to his name this week and reverted away from his preferred starting team in the league which has seen them impress thus far.

Francis Coquelin will miss out with a knee injury, but the tough tackling midfielder should return to training on Saturday. Wenger says he is not worried about Alexis’ form and is confident he will be back scoring very soon, but did admit he played the attacking midfielder earlier than he should have done. The club are waiting for the FA verdict on Gabriel – if he is banned Per Mertesacker will play alongside Laurent Koscielny. Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck remain unavailable. Naturally.

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Liverpool vs Aston Villa (Sat 26 Sep 15.00)
If you read the press, it’s all doom and gloom on Merseyside. Four league matches without a win, humbled at home by the Hammers (relax scousers, West Ham beat better teams than you on the road), destroyed by United (relax scousers, you made their day), held at home by Norwich (relax scousers, the Canaries are above you in the league, it was a good point). More impressively, in midweek they battled hard and held Carlisle to a draw over 120 minutes, so things are looking up for Brendan. Or maybe not. The speculation is huge that the wally is on borrowed time, with Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti and Steve McClaren all in the frame to waste some more US dollars. This week doesn’t really help deluded Brendan – despite their woeful form, they are still expected to beat an even-worse Villa side who have only gained a point since their opening day victory over Bournemouth. However, those who like fixture form, and Tim Sherwood will like this – none of the last eight meetings between these two have ended in a home win. If that sequence carries on, young Brendan may find himself out of a job before you can sing, “Sign on, sign on, with a pen in your hand…..”.

The pain doesn’t stop for Rodgers as he has been forced to rule out Christian Benteke, Firmino and Dejan Lovren. Firmino has cracked a bone in his back, Lovren is out for a few weeks with an ankle ligament injury and Benteke picked up a hamstring injury in last week’s draw with Norwich and the manager says he is unable to say when he will return. Over to you Danny Ings. Jordan Henderson also continues to miss out, but Daniel Sturridge will again be in the squad and Joe Allen could feature.

Tim Sherwood has a number of doubts for the trip to Anfield. Adam Traore, Gabby Agbonlahor and Idrissa Gana will all need to be assessed late on. Defenders Jose Angel Crespo is lacking match fitness and is unlikely to be available while Tiago Llori cannot face his parent club.

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Man Utd vs Sunderland (Sat 26 Sep 15.00)
Bottom club Sunderland visit Old Trafford this week with seemingly damage limitation their only hope, if you believe the chat. No wins yet, thirteen goals conceded in six league games and thrashed at home by City in the Cup in midweek, things are certainly looking bleak for Dick Advocaat and his team of nothings. Still, Mrs Advocaat may get her wish and be living back in Holland soon if things don’t improve. And let’s face it, they’re not likely to get better soon. United have turned from possession freaks to attacking giants, care of one man. Young Anthony Martial was described as overpriced, raw, one for the future when he was plucked from the alleys of Monaco to the boulevards of Manchester. Well, he ain’t doing bad for a raw, inexperienced kid. A goal vs the scousers lifted him immediately to legendary status and then last week’s brace in the win at Southampton allowed United to win away at a decent club – and of course allow LVG to get one over his old mate Koeman. His fantasy suitors were relieved to see him rested in the cup in midweek but he still climbed off the bench to score again, just for good measure. United are second, with just City in front of them – and although on paper they may not seem as good a team right now as their neighbours, one can only see the continual improvements in the squad that LVG has made. The Black Cats have only beaten United once in 26 meetings and have won just one of their last 14 away games in the Premier League. The odds on Martial becoming the first United player to score in each of his first three Premier League matches are narrowing by the minute. Jeez…..even Rooney could score.

LVG has a small dilemma in defence with Marcos Rojo joining Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw on the injured list. Ashley Young could fill in at left back or even Daley Blind if Phil Jones is fit enough to start in the middle. There are no other injuries, though the manager says he wants to see how the other players recover from the midweek win over Ipswich before deciding on his starting XI.

The Black Cats have two major injury concerns for the weekend – Jermain Defoe and Jack Rodwell are both doubts for the game. Advocaat seemed fairly hopeful on Defoe’s chances, suggesting he will be ok, but was less optimistic about Rodwell. Defender Adam Matthews remains unavailable with an ankle injury.

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Southampton vs Swansea (Sat 26 Sep 15.00)
Just one league win for the Saints so far has seen Koeman’s men just two places off the relegation zone – not the start that people were expecting and they’ll want to reverse that sooner rather than later. A win this weekend vs the visiting Swans would put the teams level on 9pts. Garry Monk’s men started off like a house on fire – two wins and two draws in their first four, beating United, drawing at Chelsea, Gomis scoring for fun, Ayew looking like this season’s Michu, Montero tearing it up on the wing. Things were rosy. Until they went to Watford, where they lost. That started a run of three games without a goal and they got knocked out of the Cup by Hull. The good part for the Welshies is that the away team has won this fixture 1-0 in the last three meetings and you’d be right to expect another tight match here as there have only been seven goals scored in their last six meetings. If you’re an owner of Graziano Pelle, then you may as well play him – 14 of his 16 league goals for the Saints have come at home. Pelle and a 1-0 double then? Or will the travelling Swans keep the away forture form run going?

Two games without a win has seen the Saints fall to just above the relegation zone – even Chelsea are above them for heaven’s sake. But Ronald Koeman is as cool as you like and doesn’t appear that worried. The midweek demolition of MK Dons helps as does the news that in form striker Graziano Pelle trained well on Thursday and will be fine and ready for the weekend. The more interesting news, unless you’re Mrs Pelle of course, is that Ryan Bertrand is available – the left back came off the bench at Milton Keynes to replace Matt Targett and Koeman now has to decide if Bertrand is ready to start. If he doesn’t this week, then he likely will next week – so Targett owners be warned. Sadio Mane grabbed a brace in the week as did J-Rod, who Koeman described as almost 100% fit now. Jordy Clasie should be back for the match at Chelsea in GW8, hence Koeman’s good mood as his options within the squad are increasing by the week. Even Fraser Forster is making quicker than expected progress, but he’s a while off returning just yet.

Three matches without a win have thrown the Swans early bandwagon off the rails somewhat – harsh that on Bafetimbi Gomis – poor lad scores four goals in four games, has a minor blip and everyone sells him for Anthony Martial. The Swans have no new injuries – in fact they have no injuries as they travel to the South coast and it’s just a matter of Garry Monk working his magic in building up confidence in the changing room and no doubt he’ll be focussing on last season’s win there.

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Stoke vs Bournemouth (Sat 26 Sep 15.00)
Stoke are still looking for their first win of the season with only Newcastle and Sunderland below them in the league – didn’t see that coming when they were splashing the cash in the summer – and I’m pretty sure a relegation fight is not what Xherdan Shaqiri signed up for. But that is what they’re in, although with Villa just above them a couple of wins will soon put them right. They meet the fresh faced Bournemouth this weekend, who crashed to a defeat the last time they went on the road in GW5 to the Canaries. Mark Hughes will fancy this one – time to bully one of the league’s new lads in the ever friendly and welcoming atmosphere that is the Britannia. Set piece Stoke will be eyeing the stat that Bournemoth have conceded the most goals from set pieces in the league this season (well, jointly with Sunderland – but Sunderland are a given as being the worst at everything). Stoke have won their last six at home to the Cherries and this week may well see them gain that much needed first win of the season and put a smile on Hughesy’s face.

Hughes is determined that his players turn decent performances into points and they go into the game with very few injury worries. Ryan Shawcross obviously is a long term absentee, while Marc Wilson is a doubt with a calf problem. Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam are both available after suspension, while Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters were among those rested in midweek in preparation for the weekend.

Bournemouth have few injuries worries as they travel to winless Stoke, though captain Tommy Elphick remains out and has flown to Sweden for specialist advice on his ankle injury. Can think of worse places to go. Harry Arter also remains unavailable, while Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel are longer term absentees.

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West Ham vs Norwich (Sat 26 Sep 15.00)
West Ham’s away form has been much heralded, but their performance at the Boleyn has been somewhat of a worry for Slaven Bilic. Sure they won last time out when Newcastle came to town, though in fairness they would have had a harder match vs a sandcastle than the useless Geordies. Previous home defeats to Bournemouth and Leicester will concern Bilic – but since then wins at City and Liverpool, together with their opening day win at Arsenal should surely give them the confidence to push on, especially vs the likes of Norwich. Or is that unfair on Norwich? Maybe, for the Canaries grabbed a draw at Anfield last week, won at Sunderland (obviously) and trounced Bournemouth at home, so Norwich clearly have something about them and are more than capable of getting a result this weekend. The Hammers have won the last meetings three between the two in the East End and have never lost at home to Norwich in the Premier League. In fact Norwich don’t really like London – they have not won any of their last 13 in the capital. It’s all there for the Hammers to march on and if they approach the game as they did last week at City they surely will grab another victory to consolidate their top four spot.

The Hammers will be looking to bounce back from their extra time loss to Leicester in the week, but after their win at City, confidence shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Slaven Bilic said his team had a “few knocks” from the midweek game, but didn’t specify who, annoyingly – he did say they were not serious injuries though. He is at least happy that Andy Carroll is getting game time but is not rushing him or pushing him too much. Angelo Ogbonna, Joey O’Brien, Alex Song and Enner Valencia remain out.

Norwich have no new injury concerns for the trip to West Ham but will have to go without Matt Jarvis who is ineligible to face his parent club. On a more positive note, Alex Tetty returns from suspension, but striker Gary Hooper still weeks away with an ankle injury and midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu continues to struggle with a foot injury.

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Newcastle vs Chelsea (Sat 26 Sep 17.30)
If you thought things were bad at Liverpool, then imagine being in Steve McClaren’s position. I say imagine – you could probably apply for his position in a few days. Only ahead of Sunderland on goal difference at the bottom, poor old Macca is looking like a chap on borrowed time. And just as Liverpool struggled in midweek, well the Toon were even worse – losing and failing to score at home to Sheffield Wednesday. And now Chelsea turn up. Wonderful. Struggling Chelsea, they say. Well they saw off the Gooners easily enough last week and their “reserves” saw off Walsall easily enough in the week. Bizzarely, Newcastle have won the last three meetings at home to the Blues – it’s not a happy hunting ground for Jose, in fact he’s never won there in the league. And Diego Costa is suspended. That’s good news for the Blues – trust me here – the Blues have won eight and drawn four of the 12 matches that the Brazilian Spaniard has missed since the start of last season. Away win then, obviously. One Toon goal in their last six matches may even give Chelsea another clean sheet, they’’ll be nearer that top four and the struggles will continue for Macca and the Toon.

Macca says he is glad to have Aleksandar Mitrovic available again after suspension and that the striker will be the focal point of any potential, if unlikely, attacks that take place vs Chelsea. The forward hasn’t done much to impress so far and has picked up one red card and two yellows in just 127mins game time. And he’s the focal point. Says it all I guess. Jack Colback and Rolando Aarons will have late fitness tests, but Papiss Cisse and Chieck Tiote have been ruled out. Daryl Janmaat has been passed fit after the full back suffered an illness in the loss to Wednesday.

Chelsea will be without the suspended Diego Costa for the trip to Newcastle – either Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy will deputise, though Mourinho said he is undecided as to which one he will start with. Aside from the injured Thibaut Courtois, there are no other injuries after Willian was passed fit this morning.

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Watford vs Crystal Palace (Sun 27 Sep 16.00)
Our one game on Sunday sees Lord Pardew march his troops from the Palace to north of north London. Now I’m no fan of Pardew, as you have probably picked up on over the years, but last Sunday he was in Tottenham. Fear not, next week he has an early Saturday kick off at home and can enjoy a good roast off his wife on Sunday. So to speak. Anyway, back to the game, before the lawsuit arrives. Both clubs have 9 points, which I guess they would have taken at the start of the season, certainly Watford would. In fact the Hornets are yet to concede at home, which is amazing when you consider they have Heurelho Gomes in goal – but credit where it’s due, you can’t knock ‘em. Palace have already shown what they can do on the road however – they have walked away from Norwich and more impressively Chelsea with the spoils, though they did upset that run by losing at Spurs last week. Another tight game is expected this weekend and much may depend on Watford’s Odion Ighalo who has scored four of their five goals this season.

Watford will be without the suspended Valon Behrami but have no new injuries as they attempt to record their third successive win.

Palace will again be without strikers Connor Wickham and Marouane Chamakh – Pardew says they are the only two definite non-starters, which would suggest Joel Ward has a chance. With the game being on Sunday, it gives Scott Dann and Damien Delaney an opportunity to be fit. Julian Speroni is not quite ready for first team action and Pardew praised Alex McCarthy saying, “he’s a strong character and been terrific this season.” On Speroni, the manager said, “when we get up to speed with the squad, he’ll get a couple of games and be in contention.” So looks like McCarthy stays in goal. For now.

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West Brom vs Everton (Mon 28 Sep 20.00)
Our game-week comes to an end with a humdinger of a Monday night match. Goals, excitement, thrills, action. Nope, sorry. It’s West Brom vs Everton. The Baggies, hardly the most adventurous at the best of times have scored four goals all season and have kept three clean sheets in a row. The Toffees have actually scored eight goals already – though they scored those in 3 games and have blanked in their other three. Last week was a blank at Swansea. Pulis has tightened up the Albion as we knew he would eventually. And I am really struggling to find any inspiration for this preview. Guess what, last time these two met they drew 0-0. Neither side has scored more than two goals in their last ten meetings. Bored yet? Yep, me too. If you’re still awake, go read the team news.

There was bad news for Ben Foster this week as he suffered a setback in his recovery, though Tony Pulis hopes to have the keeper available sometime around Christmas. It’s good news of course for Boaz Myhill owners who will continue to benefit from the uncompromising and tight defensive wall that is West Brom. Chris Brunt, Gareth McAuley and Salomon Rondon were all rested in midweek after picking up knocks in the win at Villa – the trio are all expected to return to the squad for Monday’s festivities.

The Toffees will have some late decisions to make before Monday’s match. John Stones has responded well to treatment but it’s too early at this stage for the Roberto Martinez to say whether he will be ready, while Seamus Coleman could return to the squad. Kevin Mirallas is suspended following his red card at Swansea, while still missing are Leighton Baines, Tony Hibbert, Mo Besic, Tom Cleverley, Bryan Oviedo and Steven Pienaar.

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Suspension Report
Those players suspended this week are:

Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Kevin Mirallas (Everton)
Valon Behrami (Watford)

Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football Game-week 7. This article was written by LawDogg and Cookie

Follow @PlaneGooner

Follow @SteveCook9

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