Team Talk Fantasy Football Gameweek 1
Well, finally it’s here. After weeks of creating, tinkering, reassessing, trying different formations, discussing different ideas, GW1 has arrived. We look forward to a fun season of FPL, with some exciting new additions to the Barclays Premier League. In comes Louis van Gaal at Man United, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa at Chelsesa and Alexis Sanchez down at the Emirates. We welcome Leicester, Burnley and ‘Arry’s QPR back to the top flight. We look forward to seeing the magic disappearing spray, but reports that Jack Wilshire and Andy Carroll have ordered extra supplies have not been confirmed. We greet the emergence of the new club, Scousehampton. We’ve seen Mauricio Pochettino change clubs moving from the South Coast to Spurs, while Frank Lampard has left Chelsea to go to New York, via Manchester City, if that makes sense. But with all these additions and new things, they are always goodbyes and we’ve had to say “adios” to Luis Suarez, that wonderful example of a man, who has decided to ply his trade down in Spain, after his short sabbatical. Gone too is his old sparring partner Patrice Evra, who joins Cashley down in the warmer climes of Italy. And just when you thought that was it, we’ve already had the first managerial casualty of the season as last season’s manager of the year Tony Pulis, has parted company with Crystal Palace, less than 48 hours before their first game of the season. Never dull is it?!
So here we are, back to Presser Friday. Let’s go Around the Grounds to check up on the latest news for GW1.
Man Utd vs Swansea (Sat 16 Aug 12.45)
In his first news conference, LVG has already given more clarity than Moyes did in seven months. RVP, Jonny Evans, Michael Carrick, Danny Welbeck, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia will all miss out due to injury or lack of fitness in RVP’s case. Rafael is fit again and could slot straight back into the right wing-back slot. Marvin Emmes and Leon Britton miss the trip to Old Trafford, but better news of Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge, who are both expected to be in contention to feature. Kyle Bartley is likely to partner Ashley Williams at the heart of the defence, with Angel Rangel and Neil Taylor filling the full-back roles.
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Leicester vs Everton (Sat 16 Aug 15.00)
The big news is that reports are coming in that Ross Barkley has been injured in training and could be ruled out for 6-8 weeks. Roberto Martinez was coy on the fitness of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman – though all three have trained well this week, the boss is concerned about rushing them back, so be warned. Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone are both still out. Naismith will play though, so the Gladys Street mob will be happy.
Leicester winger Anthony Knockaert should be available after recovering from a knock, while Marc Albrighton is almost certainly out. Striker Jamie Vardy is unlikely to make the game, while Matthew Upson is out for a few weeks.
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QPR vs Hull (Sat 16 Aug 15.00)
Hull have no injury worries for the weekend – expect new signings Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass to make their league debuts for the club. Striker Yannick Sagbo is suspended.
Loic Remy is expected to be fit for Rangers, but not so maverick Adel Taarabt who hasn’t trained, isn’t fit and is likely to leave the club if anyone is mad enough to pay for him. ‘Arry has no other injury concerns.
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Stoke vs Aston Villa (Sat 16 Aug 15.00)
Villa strikers Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak remain injured. Joe Cole has trained this week, while Ron Vlaar has stepped up his work after his late arrival from the World Cup and is expected to play. New recruits Philippe Senderos, Kieran Richardson and Ally Cissokho are set to make their debuts.
Mark Hughes says his Stoke squad has no injuries, so all eyes will be on whether he will start with FPL cheapie Bojan Krkic. Robert Huth will be keen to put an injury ravaged season behind him, while the battle for the right back slot will likely be won initially by Phil Bardsley. Hughes said due to the nature of a fully fit squad, some “senior” players will miss out tomorrow.
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West Brom vs Sunderland (Sat 16 Aug 15.00)
The Baggies will be without Joleon Lescott, while James Morrison, Stephane Sessegnon, Brown Ideye and Gareth McAuley are all doubtful
For Sunderland, Emmanuele Giachcherini faces a late fitness test. Billy Jones is doubtful, while Jack Rodwell could feature, but Poyet says he is not yet ready to play 90mins. The Mannone vs Pantilimon debate intrigues many, with most reports suggest Mannone will get the nod.
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West Ham vs Spurs (Sat 16 Aug 15.00)
Enner Valencia, Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll (obviously) will all miss out. Big Sam says there are a few other players carrying minor knocks (believed to be Demel, and Jenkinson) but not bad enough to stop them featuring. Ravel Morrison won’t play as he sorts out his, errrr…problems.
Spurs have issues at the back, so they’ll be thankful they’re playing West Ham. Jan Vertonghen, Michael Dawson, Kyle Walker and Vlad Chiriches are all doubts for the match, while Mousa Dembele, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli ate also unlikely to play.
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Arsenal vs Crystal Palace(Sat 16 Aug 17.30)
Wenger to field a similar squad to the Charity Shield. Germans Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski are still not ready. Laurent Koscielny is expected to recover from his achilled injury in time for the game. Theo Walcott, David Ospina and Serge Gnabry remain sidelined.
Managerless Palace are likely to hand debuts to Fraizer Campbell and Brede Hangeland, while Damien Delaney and Jonathan Williams will need to be assessed. Adrian Mariappa is expected to be ok.
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Sothampton vs Southampton reserves(Sun 17 Aug 13.30)
Liverpool will be without Jon Flanagan, Daniel Agger and new recruits Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic for the visit of their feeder club. Dejan Lovren will make his league debut against his old club, but Alberto Loreno won’t be available due to the paperwork not being completed in time.
Saints boss Koeman says he is undecided whether new striker Shane Long will feature at Anfield. Frankly the Dutchman is in grave danger of becoming my new enemy this season as he gave out no injury news. I will give him a second chance next season, but this doesn’t bode well. Obviously J-Rod is still missing.
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Newcastle vs Man City (Sun 17 Aug 16.00)
Newcastle will be without Siem de Jong, Chieck Tiote, Papiss Cisse and Davide Santon through injury. Emmanuel Riviere, Jack Colback and Remy Cabella should all make their league debuts for the club, while Yoan Gouffran is expected to be available.
Pellegrini says that Alvaro Negredo is the only player to be ruled out with injury, but did say a few of his World Cup players will not be fit for the game – these are thought to include Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Fernandinho. New signing Eliaquim Mangala is not expected to be in the squad, while Sergio Aguero, who the manager refused to rule out of the game, said that he didn’t expect to be ready until GW2.
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Burnley vs Chelsea (Mon 18 Aug 20.00)
Burnley boss Sean Dyche begin their comeback to the Premier League with a virtually fully-fit squad, with striker Sam Vokes the only casualty. Summer signings Lukas Jutkiewicz, Michael Kightly, Steven Reid, Marvin Sordell and Matt Taylor will all be hoping to make their debuts.
The Special One reports that Didier Drogba is the only real concern for the Blues. Ramires is suspended, but everyone else is available, so hold on to your hats and cross yoiur fingers hoping that your Chelsea players have escaped the rotation gun.
Thinking I’m going for this, what’s the verdict?
Foster (Krul)
P.Jones Terry Dunne (N.Taylor Bruce)
Ramsey Hazard Mata Sigurdsson (S.Davis)
Rooney(c) Costa Austin
Looks good to me EBC. I’m just not sure how long Dicky Dunne will last.
How come, fitness or selection? Do you think QPR will definitely stick to 3-5-2?
In a big pickle, any advice would be appreciated!!!
Which combo is best???
Sterling + Mata + Wanyana Vs Silva + Sigurdson + Ash Young
option 1
Sterling, Mata and Wanyama would be my preferred choice.
suprised not more people are going for gerrard. Will be 50% more set pieces now than goofy is gone, and is more or less priced the same as sterling who he massively overscored last year. debating takin silva out for him right now. only negative i can see is that they may not get as many pens with suarez gone.. sterling/sturridge still likely to draw a good few fouls in the box though
Shane if I had more funds I’d defo go for Gerrard as my Pool mid coverage.
Evening chaps! Thankyou for all the articles fellas! Been reading up tonight!
Evening BBash,
All set to go a few places better this year ?
Are you in the Bojan brigade or the plan an early WC club?
Sod Bojan
His partner will outshine him.
Doohof
Potty
Evening Chins!
Last season was a a rush! If I finish above 82nd this season I’ll be amazed!
Struggling with the Bojan brigade. But not settled yet. He does free up cash though!
No plans on an early wc though!
B-Bash
So buddy did you learn things from last season?
I felt after you did that Article it cost you big time?
Kind of like when they award…..Manager of the Month…….the next few games are lost mate.
Potty
Hello Potty!
I didnt learn a thing from last season as it was such a rush! I spent the last 5 months in the top 100 globally and it was brilliant!
I’m looking forward to another season!
Alright there B-bash..ready for another monster season mate ??
Good luck… Are you settled on your team yet ? Tbh I’m still struggling with the format of my team let alone the players in I’m putting in it.. I have all evening and 3 bottles of cava though so I’m sure I’ll come to some sort of agreement with myself sooner or later..
Hello Demsie
I am ready for another season, although I did consider the unimaginable for a short spell! Still not finalised my team and I’ve been at a pub all day! Not thegreatest prepbut hey! Format is still gonna be 3 4 3 though!
Evening B-bash, all good? Ignore Potty 😉
Ignore me?
Why?
A valid point I thought?
In fact I voiced my concern ahead of B-Bash’s article going on these boards last season.
He was having a remarkable season and I would have loved to swap places but he was a better manager than me.
I think if you don’t learn from one’s mistakes your doomed.
For me I certainly have and I guess you Inittowinit have too?
As we both know putting FF247 first cost us a better season than we hoped for?
I now will on a Friday night give my team some proper attention this season.
Potty
Hey B-Bash, great to see you on the boards! How’s the team coming along, you almost there or will it be a late night? Best of luck to you this season, it was really great to see you do so well last year and hear your thoughts and strategies through it all. Hope this season is even better!
Cheers Red. Team is pretty much done! Struggling with all the Bojan attention though. Got Roo and Costa up front and my 3rd striker is a complete punt! (Yes, the p is meant to be there). Hoping we all have a good one!
Haha, yes B-Bash the Bojan question has been a hot topic all week. I went back and forth between him and Fletcher for a while and then finally bit the bullet today and shuffled some things around to get Dzeko up top with Rooney and Costa. It’s been tough with our budget to get everyone I wanted but it’s like that to start every season!!
Your front 3 should score well mate, its the sacrifices elsewhere that are hard to swallow! Be interseting to see where the leaders get the points to be there! It’ll be from the random 4.5 defender that scores! 😉
My only question with my team is my goalkeeper selection:
De Gea + a random or Krul and Mannone? Is a Man United defensive pick a must?
Krul and Foster for me. I’ve gone for Jones rather than De Gea.
Newcastle and West Brom rotate nicely?
Yes, pretty good.
First few weeks here:
Foster – Sunderland (H) Southampton (A) Swansea (A) Everton (H) Spurs (A) Burnley (H) Liverpool (A)
Krul – Man City (H) Aston Villa (A) Crystal Palace (H) Southampton (A) Hull (H) Stoke (A) Swansea (A)
I’ve gone Krul & Foster as well.
Ok. Sold on Krul and Foster.. Foster’s games look pretty good as well.. Recommendations for a cheap 4m defender to replace Baird since I don’t want West Brom double coverage?
Bruce?
EBC, it was mentioned Bruce’s game time isn’t guaranteed..
Agree it’s not guaranteed but he’s looking most likely at 4. He’s already played in 2 competitive games.
Hutton looks like a decent option for the first 3 weeks.
Even a 4.5.. since I’ve currently got 5.0 in the bank for a 5th defender.. but would want to save where I can
If it makes any difference to you whatsoever milky I don’t think Man U defensive cover is essential… In fact, I’m actually happy I don’t have one given their list of injuries.. Yeah their fix are pretty good but have they really improved so much from last year ? Already ? Remains to be seen in my eyes..
Doesn’t stop me going with roo & Malta mind.. 😉
DeGea + Random for me Milky. I don’t actually think the Newc / Sunderland rotation is that good from a defense perspective. – Posted something last night that showed something like 11 out of the first 14 games, you’d actually be better playing the keeper that has an away match for an easier fixture.
QPR/Palace (0.5m more expensive) is a much better rotation in my opinion to get good CS potential each week.
Yeah Chins.. I went for Foster instead of Mannone because of the fixtures.. I wouldn’t touch Palace right now at all after the treatment of Pulis!
Quick reminder for those doing MLS. Easy to forget with all the FPL excitement.
Thought that’s what we were all talking about? :cuckoo:
Ha!
Keane for Captain tonight. And quadruple LA. What about you?
Chins gone for Wondo but I didn’t give it much thought tbh!
Just done my team Chins… I’m ready for the GW although I’m a lot less interested this week for some reason…
How you getting on in it ?
Demsie, I’m doing about as well as I could expect given I knew only the ex-Prem players at the start of the year and had nothing to go on. I’m 3,478 place overall at the moment.
Starting to learn a few of the players though and I’ve subscribed to get all the games on TV so hoping for an improvement next season.
How about you?
Nice one Chins… I must admit that I’ve yet to watch a mls game and, same as you I only knew the ex prem players at the start. I know 100% more than I did at the start but I just play it for fun.. Make at least 4 transfers a week and pretty much punt a lot, completely different to my FPL ways.. Maybe cos I don’t care as much ? Anyway I’m 149 in the world and one time I was 68 !
But, it just feels a bit hollow… I don’t know why.. If it was FPL I’d be making a movie of my life right now ! Haha
Howdy chins. I’ve just noticed that Javi Morales is a doubt for tonight. It’s a real kick in the teeth.
Wow there NIN, is that the Morales I have or one of the 16 Morales’ ?
init – The one who plays for Real Salt Lake mate. I have 1 FT left and don’t know what to do now. Hmmm.
Tis ok then I have one of the brothers. The Vancouver version.
init – What do you make of Dempsey mate? An old FPL friend i know, but is $10.5m a decent price for him? Form is kat but that dgw next week…
Feckin Morales, ruining my sweet team for this week.
NIN that would be a smart move given the DGW as well as you say.
Cheers init. Looks like a reluctant switch to Dempsey so. Shite fixture this week though. Sigh.
Not for me NIN!! 😉
It’s all about Le Toux for me tonight.
chins – Typical 😉 I’ve got Le Toux also. I think he’ll do well against Houston.
Had the captaincy on Morales tonight, but when I saw he was an injury doubt I changed it to Morales. Still have Morales in my starting lineup though, hoping both he and Morales plays. Not that there’s any reason to suspect that Morales won’t play, as he’s not an injury doubt, unlike Morales.
Tekno, you crack me up sometimes!