Team Talk Fantasy Football Gameweek 29

Team Talk Fantasy Football GW29

The DGW has come and gone. The FA Cup too for good measure. So here’s your weekly preview show. Brought to you with great pleasure. When I started prepping this. I didn’t know what to write. The intro needed beefing up. A change from the usual shite. And so our gameweek kicks off. Just as we order lunch. A bottle of white. Palace to beat Rangers. Happens to be my hunch. Just four 3pm starts follow. Arsenal face West Ham. The Gunners v The Irons. Arsene v Big Sam. Hull travel to Leicester. Who remain down at the bottom. Another home loss here. And they’ll soon be forgotten. A trip up north for Villa. To the Stadium of Light. Where they’ll encounter Gus Poyet. Spoiling for a fight. Pulis past and present. As West Brom welcome Stoke. Broken chairs, bookings galore. Those strange Midlands folk. Early evening for City. As they cab it to Turf Moor. They face the struggling Burnley. Watch Kun and Silva score. Sunday, The Lord’s Day, The Sabbath. But for the marching Saints no fun. As they face Diego, Eden, Pikey. And Chelsea’s Special One. Our next stop is at Goodison. Z-Cars will be the tune. As The Toffees seek a win at last. When they take on the mighty Toon. And then we take the short trip. Along the M62. It’s Spurs at Man Utd. Kane and the Roo. Our gameweek nearly over. With just one game to come. It’s a Monday night special. To heighten all our fun. Down to the valleys we go. With Hendo and Stevie G. But will they get undone? By Siggy and Shelvey.
Sorry about that. Right, let’s get down to the nitty gritty and we go Around the Grounds to hear what the managers have said.

Crystal Palace vs QPR (Sat 14 Mar 12.45)
Stuck in the drop zone, three points from safety, it’s now time for Rangers to turn battling performances into victories if they are to survive in the top flight. It’s their third London derby in succession this week as they take the short trip down to Palace, a venue where they have at least enjoyed recent success, winning their last two at Selhurst. But this is now Lord Pardew’s Palace, a royal house where the King reigns and calls the shots – well except for the last three home games from which they have gained just a point. Compare this with their form on the road where they have won their last three, it seems that Lord Pardew prefers playing away from home. Like any great King.

Lord Pardew could have a stronger front line this week as Glenn Murray returns from suspension and Yaya Sanogo is available again after injury. Fellow striker Marounae Chamakh is not quite ready to return, however. Mile Jedinak misses out through suspension, while Jordan Mutch is still suffering with a thigh injury and Fraizer Campbell is also out. Being the innovative, forward-thinking, top class manager that he is, Lord Pardew had his squad training on the Selhurst Park pitch Friday morning, paying special attention to set pieces. C’mon Jason Puncheon lad. Another three assists and I promise to be nice to Lord Pardew next week. Ok for two weeks.

Darnell Furlong, Adel Taarabt and Eduardo Vargas have all returned to training this week and manager Chris Ramsey will make a late decision on all three. Richard Dunne remains out but is hopeful of scoring another own goal before the end of the season. Joey Barton is naturally suspended.

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Arsenal vs West Ham (Sat 14 Mar 15.00)
It’s been a decent ten days or so for the Goonies – a 2-1 win at QPR was followed by a 2-1 Cup win at Old Trafford, a venue where they generally struggle. Four league wins in a row for Arsenal have torpedoed them into unchartered territory, 3rd place. The Hammers meanwhile are back in their usual mid-table location – six matches without a win has seen them drop quicker than a dog at Crufts and left their fans hounding the owners over the running of the club. Well this has been a bitch of a fixture for West Ham, as they have not won at Arsenal since 2007 and in their last fourteen meetings their only success is two draws.

The accident and emergency ward that is the Emirates has claimed another victim. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has picked up a hamstring injury and is likely to be out for a month or so. The good news however is that Mathieu Flamini is available again – the midfielder has only seen 30mins of league action since GW19 – which was coincidentally when Arsenal beat the Hammers at Upton Park. A lucky charm perhaps? Defender Gabriel will miss out this week, but should train on Sunday, while Wenger says of Jack Wilshire, “It’s difficult to say when he will be back. We have to respect his recovery.” Oh Jack, if you weren’t the future saviour of English football we’d take the piss out of you. Mikel Arteta has now returned to training and should be available in three weeks, probably before Wilshire, who has taken a Diaby pill.

The Hammers will again be without Winston Reid, although the defender is expected to return to training at the weekend and should be back for GW30. Carl Jenkinson also misses out as he is ineligible to play against his parent club – James Collins and Joey O’Brien are likely to come in for the pair. It has also emerged that James Tomkins dislocated his shoulder in training late on Thursday and could be out for the season – Cheikhou Kouyate could fill in alongside Collins. Gulp. Up front and problems persist as Enner Valencia is a doubt after he cut his toe very badly on a broken cup at home. Not quite sure why he was kicking a broken cup, but whatever. With Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole both out, Diafra Sakho may be partnered by Nene. Morgan Amalfitano is available again following suspension.

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Leicester vs Hull (Sat 14 Mar 15.00)
The Foxes are seven points from safety and in all honesty, it feels like we’re watching a long, slow, painful death, unless they can very quickly get some wins on the board and build some momentum as we enter the finishing straight of the season. Hull, on the other hand, have found a little bit of form and will likely do just enough to stay up – a win here would go a long to pushing them nearer the safety mark and more importantly, put some real space between them and those in the relegation zone.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson says he has a relatively full squad to choose from, with the main news being keeper Kasper Schmeichel is available again. Winger Anthony Knockaert is not available, as he has returned to France due to a family illness, while Dean Hammond is unlikely to feature.

Hull boss Steve Bruce says that midfielder Mo Diame misses out again, but the manager hopes to have him back training next week. James Chester, Liam Rosenior, Robbie Brady and Robert Snodgrass all remain out, although Brady may start training next week and Rosenior could be available for GW30 against Chelsea. I’d probably delay that comeback for a week, Liam lad.

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Sunderland vs Aston Villa (Sat 14 Mar 15.00)
Don’t take this the wrong way now – and I apologie in advance to any Sunderland and Villa fans, but truthfully, if anyone can get excited about this match, then you really need to take a long look in the mirror and go find yourself a life. Seriously. I guess at least Villa fans have had the unusual pleasure of seeing two wins in a week vs West Brom. Black Cat supporters have only witnessed one win in the league in eleven matches, they’ve had a player sent off in a case of mistaken identity or assumed responsibility (delete as appropriate), their most “adventurous” midfielder has errrrmmm, how can I put this while avoiding a lawsuit? Well, he’s been caught doing something to someone he shouldn’t be doing it to. Allegedly. And it’s all got too much for the manager who has been driven to kicking water bottles over and taking on fellow managers eight times his size. “Go on Gus”, they cried, “have a pop at Sherwood”. Jeez – I haven’t even taken the piss out of the gilet genius. I’ve run out of space here. Next week, I promise. Oh hang on, if you think I’m being harsh regarding this fixture, then get this – five of the last six meetings between these two has provided just two goals. In five matches. Get the picture? Snooooooze fest.

The good news first for the Black Cats as right back Billy Jones is available after recovering from injury. The bad news for them, though good news for the opposition’s personal safety is that enforcer Lee Cattermole is suspended. Again. Will Buckley is also out, Emanuele Giaccherini is likely to miss the rest of the season and Adam Johnson is, errrrr, helping the police with their enquiries.

Villa will need to assess striker Christian Benteke and defender Ron Vlaar, both will have late fitness tests, though Sherwood said Benteke should definitely make the squad at least. Alan Hutton is suspended after his accumulation of ten yellow cards, while Libor Kozak has finally returned to full training and is hoping to appear in the first team before the end of the season.

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West Brom vs Stoke (Sat 14 Mar 15.00)
Tony Pulis welcomes a whole load of familiar faces to the Hawthorns as Stoke turn up on the back of three successive league wins, which has seen them climb to eighth in the league. West Brom continue to baffle – a couple of clean sheets and an apparent more expansive game than was imagined under Pulis, has been followed by two defeats in a week to Villa. To Villa!!!! Even Leicester beat Villa! So recent form suggests Stoke and so does form in the fixture as the Baggies haven’t beat the Potters at home since 2003.

Baggies midfielder Chris Brunt could play after deciding to contest his FA charge following the Cup defeat at Villa. However, Callum McManaman is likely to be missing for a few weeks, while Saido Berahino, Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe continue to struggle with knocks and will need assessing as late as possible. Claudio Yacob is suspended.

Mark Hughes has said that Ryan Shawcross has trained well all week and is a consideration for the game, which is good news as Ryan Wollscheid remains a doubt with a groin injury. Marc Muniesa, Stephen Ireland, Peter Odemwingie and Bojan Krkic remain sidelined.

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Burnley vs Man City (Sat 14 Mar 17.30)
It’s brownie points time, ladies and gentlemen. The 3pm kick offs are not really that inspiring are they? The lunchtime derby you can get away with missing if you have to. But do not miss this. Well, that’s unless you have a Burnley or City defender, in which case sell ’em or bench ’em. For there will be goals. Lots of them. The last time these two met at Turf Moor, it finished 6-1 to City. When the two teams met at the Etihad in December it was a 2-2 draw. In their last five meetings, there has been 29 goals – for the less educated of you, that’s pretty much an average of 6 goals a game. Chuck in that both defences can’t defend and to be honest I can’t do any more for you. You have been warned. Goals.

Burnley have no new injury concerns for the visit of City, but will have to continue to do without Kevin Long, Dean Marney and Matty Taylor who is a tad nearer a return after completing 70mins this week for the Development side.

City are again injury free and Manuel Pellegrini has some big decisions to make, with City facing the second leg vs Barcelona on Wednesday. Fernandinho has denied reports of a bust up with Vincent Kompany at half time at Liverpool and I’m really waffling now. City are unbeaten in their last thirteen matches vs Burnley and have scored in every one of their previous twenty Premier League matches on the road.

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Chelsea vs Southampton (Sun 15 Mar 13.30)
The Chelsea machine rolls on. Not without the odd hiccup, but with the rest of the league showing huge levels of inconsistency, the Blues have been able to withstand a home draw with Burnley and an unusual thrashing at Spurs and still find themselves five points clear at the top. With a game in hand. And in the meantime they’ve got their revenge over Spurs by collecting the first silverware of the season. Relentlessly efficient probably sums them up nicely. In the league at least. Time will tell what effect their midweek elimination from the Champions League has, though don’t be surprised if Jose gets them up and fully focused on winning back the league.
Efficient is probably a description that also characterised Southampton up until recently, until they forgot how to score. Just two goals in six games has seen them drop out of the top four and all momentum has been lost. Clearly this week won’t be any easier for them – Chelsea are not known for giving points away and while we don’t see a thrashing on the cards, a first win at the Bridge since 2002 also seems very unlikely.

Mourinho says he has no new injuries for the weekend, which implies that the ever important Nemanja Matic is ok. Jon Obi Mikel remains missing with a knee injury. Despite the disappointing CL exit, The Special One is optimistic his team will bounce back and correctly says that every team would love to be in Chelsea’s position. He will, however, be keen for his side to improve their efficiency in front of goal – they have scored just three goals in their previous three league matches vs Everton, Burnley and West Ham, while Diego Costa hasn’t scored a league goal since mid-January.

Ronald Koeman says the Saints have no new injury concerns. Toby Alderweireld is fit and available to start his first game since early January. To be honest his presser was very dull. Expect the game to be the same as the league’s best two defences meet. Chelsea have forgotten how to score more than one in the league. Southampton have forgotten how to score at all. When the two met in December, there were two shots on target, both resulting in goals. A classic it won’t be.

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Everton vs Newcastle (Sun 15 Mar 16.00)
With two wins in nine, Newcastle are in better form than Everton! That’s how bad the Toffees have become. Blame injuries, blame the Europa League, blame Kevin Mirallas, blame Moyesie, blame what you like, but one win in twelve leaves Roberto Martinez a worried man and Everton a worried club, just six points clear of the drop zone. Fortunately those in the bottom three look about as likely of stringing a run of wins together as Jonny Evans has of being able to spit straight. But it’s not a good show from those at Goodison and a quick turnaround and a half decent end to the season may be necessary for a) Martinez to keep his job and b) stop an exodus of their “stars” who wish to pursue the passion of glory rather than a fight against relegation and a midweek tour of Eastern Europe. This is another game that traditionally brings goals, but with Papiss Cisse currently on spit leave with Evans, one has to wonder where the Toon will find any penetration up front. Martinez is hoping that Thursday’s Europa victory over Dynamo Kiev is a turning point for his team. Then again, he probably hoped for that when they beat Young Boys too.

Martinez expects to have John Stones back – the young defender has had a virus, but trained on Friday and although he has lost some weight, he should be ok. Leighton Baines could also return – the left back has been missing due to a groin strain, but like Stones, he trained this morning and will be given a fitness test tomorrow. Gareth Barry starts a two match suspension which will be a relief for everyone, Steven Pienaar and Aiden McGeady have returned to light training and are not far away, while Bryan Oviedo and Tony Hibbert are a couple of weeks away from a return.

Chief Magpie John Carver has thrown the gauntlet down to Everton by saying all the pressure is on them to win the game and the extra 12-14 matches they have played in this season’s Europa League will have an effect. Good to see you learnt much from your amiable predecessor John. On the injury front, defender Massadio Haidara remains sidelined with a knee injury, but Remy Cabella and Rob Elliot are fit again. Which ain’t as positive as it sounds as Elliot is only the reserve goalie and Cabella has notched the impressive total of errrm, one goal this season. Papiss Cisse is of course suspended for being a very naughty boy and Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett, Chieck Tiote, Rolando Aarons and Siem de Jong are all still injured.

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Man Utd vs Spurs (Sun 15 Mar 16.00)
Oh dear. It may not have been pretty for much of the season, with many of the big names playing out of position, but United were at least winning, most of the time. Until Monday. The Goonies were in town for the FA Cup Quarter Final. United always beat Arsenal. Home, away, league, cup – they always win. And up popped Danny Boy to send United crashing out of the Cup and ruin LVG’s philosophical dream of winning some silverware in his first season in England. And now it’s Spurs in town. And United always used to beat Spurs too. Until recently that is, for United haven’t beaten Spurs in their last five and have lost their last two at Old Trafford. Spurs have won five of their last seven and now, with just Champions League qualification to play for, they will go all guns blazing to make it three in a row at United.

Where do we start? LVG’s favourite Robin van Persie is injured. Falcao is not liked, so will probably be on the bench. So Wayne Rooney will play up front. Juan Mata is not liked, so will definitely be on the bench. Angel di Maria is suspended. Marouane Fellaini will probably play no.10. Jonny Evans is suspended for a very long time (yipppeeeeee) after trying to snog Papiss Cisse, while Marcos Rojo will need a late assessment as he is struggling with a minor injury. No Adam Johnson jokes please.

Spurs have no injury concerns for the trip to Old Trafford, knowing that a win will take them level on points with the Reds. With Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor in their squad, they will continue to rely on Harry Kane, who has scored in each of his last six away matches.

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Swansea vs Liverpool (Mon 16 Mar 20.00)
And here we are. The end of the gameweek, a last chance to rack up some points and gain a few places in the rankings. And if Spurs can get a result at Old Trafford, then Liverpool will be eyeing a top four berth if they can win down in the valleys. But it’s a big if. For Liverpool have never won in the Premier League at Swansea – lost once and drawn twice. They do bring some fantastic league form into the game though as they have won nine and drawn two of their last eleven and have not tasted defeat since they were hammered by United in mid-December. Which Swansea turn up is anyone’s guess – they have beaten United, drawn with Sunderland and got thrashed by Chelsea in their last three at home, so literally anything could happen. But you’ll be pleased to know, it’s another game that normally brings goals, which will put a Liverpool defence to the test as they are currently on a run of five successive clean sheets on the road.

Swansea should thankfully be able to call upon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who returned to training on Wednesday after his fainting at Spurs last week. Defender Kyle Bartley remains out with a knee injury, but there are no other injury concerns for the Swans.

Poor old Swansea. Having a decent season under Garry Monk, halfway in the table, another season negotiated and safety assured by mid-March and then there they are, Monday evening interrupted, not only will there be a load of dirty bin dippers in town, but old manager Brendan Rodgers as well. And Joe Allen. Young, tiny Allen expects to be fit after missing the thrilling 0-0 Cup draw with Blackburn last week. Steven Gerrard has declared himself fit, after missing the last seven matches with a hamstring injury. Bless. Jon Flanagan has reported himself 100% fit again, while Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho are also expected to be available. Jordon Ibe and Lucas remain out.

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Suspension Report

Players suspended for GW29

Alan Hutton (Aston Villa)
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace)
Gareth Barry (Everton)
Jonny Evans (Man Utd)
Angel di Maria (Man Utd)
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle)
Joey Barton (QPR)
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
Claudio Yacob (West Brom)

Players who receive ten cautions by the second Sunday in April will receive a 2-match ban. Players currently on 9 cautions are:

Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Phil Bardsley (Stoke)
Seb Larsson (Sunderland)
Neil Taylor (Swansea)

Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football GW29. This article was written by Cookie

Follow @SteveCook9

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WooFBet
We would like to remind you that our official partners, WooFBet, are again running a whole host of prize competitions. If you haven’t done so yet we recommend you get yourselves over to WooFBet.com as this week they have launched an exclusive competition for FF247 members with a prize pool of €50 and we are throwing in one of our FF247 much sought after mugs for the overall winner!

Aside from this competition, there is also the usual array of competitions to enter. You also have the option to create your own tournaments and head-to-head challenges. Choose your rules and buy-in fee, and invite friends or leave it open for the public to challenge you.

The password for the competition is FF247

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Don’t forget to vote in this week’s Captain Poll

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