Team Talk Fantasy Football Gameweek 30

Team Talk Fantasy Football GW30

The next gameweek upon us. Again I’ve turned to verse. In the search for a massive score. Let’s face it, it can’t be worse. GW29 was a shocker. A shipwreck, with an average so low. Rankings tumbled, places lost. Oh well, just nine weeks to go. So what will GW30 bring? Goals and clean sheets galore? Or rotation, bookings, injuries? Of that you can be sure. An early start again this week. So don’t get caught unawares. A David Silva hat-trick. The answer to our prayers? The Baggies go to City. Who got dicked on out in Spain. A third loss in a week. And their season is down the drain. Mid afternoon sees five matches. The Swans at Villa Park. The great Sherwood revival. With Benteke providing the spark. From Monaco to Toon for the Gunners. With their focus just Cup and League. Can Giroud and Alexis recover? Or suffer Euro fatigue? It’s Burnley the guests at St Marys. Koeman vs Dyche. A Pelle goal, a Mane assist? Or another George Boyd strike? Angry Pearson take the Foxes. Down to White Hart Lane. Another cleansheet unlikely. More like a HurriKane. Lord Pardew takes his Eagles. Soaring up to face Mark Hughes. Of course the Lord expects a win. The Silver Tom Cruise. A new look Sunderland venture. Down to London town. The Hammers licking their lips. At facing Wesley Brown. No love lost at Anfield. The rivalry different class. Rooney punching above his weight. Gerrard slipping on his arse. The march to glory beckons. For Jose and his men. It’s Hull this week at the KC. Another three points then. Our week concludes as Rangers. Seek a vital, vital win. Against the Toffees at the Loft. It’s down to Phillips and Austin.
Right. Let’s get on with it and go Around the Grounds to see what nonsense the bosses have spouted this week.

Man City vs West Brom (Sat 21 Mar 12.45)
It’s not been the finest week for City has it? Shame that. Oh well. A 1-0 loss at Burnley was followed by what only can be described as a 1-0 mauling by Barcelona. Back to their home, they can at least expect to see the ball, something that was a small issue on Wednesday, though don’t expect them to have things all their own way against a rugged, stubborn and resolute West Brom side, well drilled, as you would expect by Tony Pulis. Something we seem to say every week. Unsurprisingly, City have dominated this fixture of late, winning the last five at home, though an early kick off probably isn’t ideal for them after their midweek disappointment and one feels Manuel Pellegrini will have to raise his troops for one last title push. Four clean sheets in five tells us that the Baggies won’t lie down and if Yaya Toure continues to show the same apathy that has been evident for most of the season, then it could be a frustrating lunchtime for the current Champions. The better news for City is that West Brom haven’t won on the road since the beginning of November, so as tight as they may be, making it count at the other end is a big issue for them away from the Hawthorns.

Now, call me a cynic, but having watched Yaya Toure stroll around the pitch since returning from ACON, he gives the impression he’d rather be anywhere else but on a football pitch. So how convenient he now has an achilles problem that will keep him out of this weekend. Feet up for you then Yaya pal, bet you’re gutted. The other “casualties” from Wednesday night are James Milner and Aleksandar Kolarov. Kolarov has a muscle problem, while Milner has a knee problem – so would you if you spent midweek letting short little Argentinians run between your legs. Pellegrini suggests changes are in the offing when he says, “We haven’t had long to recover. Maybe we are going to refresh the team mentally”. Ooooohhhhh wholesale changes eh. Where’s Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Joleon Lescott when you need them?

The Baggies have a few concerns for the early kick-off. Obviously the big news is the keeper situation with Ben Foster being ruled out for around a month with a knee ligament injury – Boaz Myhill will deputise. Jonas Olsson, who has only played a minute since returning from injury has issues with his calf and ankle and is doubtful, while strikers Saido Berahino and Brown Ideye are “touch and go”, which seems to be a weekly occurrence. Victor Anichebe played 90mins in the week for the Development Squad as is fit to return to the squad, but Chris Brunt and Claudio Yacob are both suspended.

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Aston Villa vs Swansea (Sat 21 Mar 15.00)
He didn’t want the Palace job, he didn’t want the West Brom job. It was like Tim Sherwood and Aston Villa were made for each other, something most of us would have endorsed a few weeks ago. But, by jove, the cocky little git is doing ok. Sure, there will be harder tests than West Brom and Sunderland coming up – but give the lad credit, he’s got a team who couldn’t score, scoring, and got our old mucker Young Tom performing. This week the Swans are in town and it won’t be straightforward for the Gilet Genius and his men. Garry Monk has surprised many this season, he has made his team hard to beat and they were unfortunate to lose to Liverpool on Monday – but a failure to take their chances cost them dear. Villa have only only won one and lost four of their seven meetings with Swansea in the Premier League and it was our old mate Gylfi Sigurdsson who scored the only goal when the teams met at the Liberty on Boxing Day.

Villa, buoyed by two wins in a row under the Genius, may choose to name an unchanged starting XI for the visit of the Swans, although Alan Hutton is available again following suspension. However, Leandro Bacuna impressed at right back at Sunderland, creating two of the four goals. Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos, Aly Cissikho, Kieran Richardson and Nathan Baker all remain out, but Sherwood says he hopes some of them may be available for the trip to Old Trafford next week.

Garry Monk has confirmed that defender Federico Fernandez comes back into the squad for the trip to Villa – the defender missed the defeat to Liverpool due to family reasons. There are no new injuries, with just Kyle Bartley unavailable.

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Newcastle vs Arsenal (Sat 21 Mar 15.00)
Relax it’s not you having a funny turn with a sense of deja vu. It’s mid-March so obviously Arsenal are out of Europe, looking ok in the League, still in the Cup, preparing for their final push towards destruction over the next two months. So a disappointing return to Monaco for Arsene, his only salvation is his team face Newcastle, who they have beaten in their last six meetings. For those of you who instantly think “goals, goals, goals” in this fixture, be warned – that’s at the Emirates, darlings. At St. Whatever-its-now-called Park the last three meetings have produced just two goals – two 1-0 victories for the Goonies and a 0-0. Granted, the game before that was a 4-4, so do what you want, I’m only trying to help you not make a horrendous mistake. The Toon, as young Init pointed out in Fixtures, are already on their hols and will likely finish the season 4-5pts ahead of the final relegation places having secured safety with 4-5 matches to go. Could be worse, they could be Funderland. Of course, the Goonies won’t underestimate Newcastle, Arsene won’t allow it. Just one look at how they respected Monaco……..ah.

Newcastle manager John Carver says he only has thirteen fit outfield players for the weekend. Play it right Johnno and you only need eleven mate. Hope he’s not got confused with the rugby. So, still out injured are Paul Dummett, Steven Taylor, Massadio Haidara, Chieck Tiote, Siem de Jong, Mehdi Abeid and Rolando Aarons. Papaiss Cisse continues his supension, while Fabricio Coloccini is also banned after his sending off at Everton last week.

The Gonners could welcome back Tomas Rosicky after he missed the wins over West Ham and Monaco with an illness. However, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy are still three or so weeks away, while the mysterious disappearance of Jack Wilshire continues – Wenger said he’ll be out for a few more weeks. Out clubbing. Out partying. Out boozing, I assume. The Ox remains out with a hmastring injury. So basically, pretty much the same squad as per Monaco but with Rosicky, possibly. I could have said all that in one sentence.

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Southampton vs Burnley (Sat 21 Mar 15.00)
Has the Burnley great escape started? Can they put the Saints to the sword as they did to City last week? Well, as we all know lightning rarely strikes twice, but what last week showed is that Burnley, under Sean “Sandpaper” Dyche will fight to the end and not give anyone an easy game. Southampton also had a good result last week when they drew at Chelsea, but one feels they will really need to win this one if they are to hang on to the coattails of the top 4. Burnley do at least have happy memories of beating the Saints in December, courtesy of an Ashley Barnes strike – completing the double will send shockwaves to the likes of Sunderland, Villa and Hull.

Ronald Koeman praised Shane Long in his presser, saying the striker “has amazing qualities”. He also spoke of Graziano Pelle, saying the misfiring forward has “shown a reaction” to being benched. An Italian showing a reaction to being benched usually translates to “he has moped about the training ground, sulking and showing little interest” – but that’s just my view, not a Koeman quote, before you mad Pelle owners panic too much. On the injury front Eljero Elia is fit again after recovering from an ankle injury – only Jay Rod is not fit.

Dyche says that defender Stephen Ward missed a few days of training this week, but is hopeful of being in contention for the weekend. There are no other fresh injury concerns. Matty Taylor played another 90mins in the week, but is probably another week or so from being part of the first team squad.

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Spurs vs Leicester (Sat 21 Mar 15.00)
Saturday gives Spurs the perfect chance to bounce back after their dismal display at Old Trafford last weekend – if they don’t then doubts will grow, certainly among the FPL fraternity, and you’ll see the likes of Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose being sold quicker than a Spurs fan can say, “Next year will be our season”. Yeah, course, like it always is. Anyway, there is no reason why they shouldn’t beat the Foxes, who despite showing all the fighting spirit you would expect under Nigel Pearson, are just not good enough, have lost their last three and will likely be relegated sooner rather than later. When your team celebrates a 0-0 draw at home to ten-men Hull, then you know your season is pretty much errrr, ‘scuse the French, ….. buggered.

Spurs fan get a whole load of stick. I’ll qualify that by suggesting they bring most of it on themselves. The arrogance, it’s not even optimism, that they’re better than they are. Or the dumb-arse way they sing their songs, as if they’ve only just learnt to talk. Well my little half-wit fans, I have some good and some bad news for you. Firstly the good news, as you’re all glass full sort of people. Roberto Soldado is injured. Knee injury apparently, not that you care. Now for the bad news. Emmanuel Adebayor – remember him? He’s fit, sorry. Ryan Mason is also fit after recovering from a dead leg. Spurs have no other injury worries.

The Foxes have no new injury worries. Midfielders Dean Hammond and Anthony Knockaert remain out, while Pearson says he is considering giving keeper Kasper Schmeichel a start between the sticks.

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Stoke vs Crystal Palace (Sat 21 Mar 15.00)
Probably not the most exciting fixture of the weekend, nor the one with massive fantasy interest, but some of you may have some Stoke defensive coverage. Well, they’re probably injured. Some of you might have Jason Puncheon. Unlucky. Now, I’m gonna hold my hand up here. I’ve given Lord Pardew a fair amount of stick over the last year or so, all of it justified, I hasten to add. However, let’s be fair, he’s done ok at Palace, a few wins, not many clean sheets, but they’re playing pretty well and unlike a Pulis team, they look likely to score. And concede. You don’t really care do you? Be honest. Ok, onto the team news.

There will be plenty of late fitness tests for Stoke this weekend. Victor Moses is the biggest doubt, while Jon Walters has had an operation on his jaw. Manager Mark Hughes says the midfielder could possibly play in a mask, but will leave the decision to Walters. Erik Pieters, Philipp Wollscheid and Steven Ireland are also touch and go and will needs assessing tomorrow morning – Wollscheid has returned to training this week. Marc Muniesa, Peter Odemwingie and Bojan Krkic are all definitely out.

Lord Pardew says that Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon are both doubts for the game – they will be given every chance to play, but if they don’t make they will be back for GW31. Marouane Chamakh has been ruled out of the game after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, while fellow striker Fraizer Campbell and midfielder Jordon Mutch also remain out. Mile Jedinak is still suspended.

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West Ham vs Sunderland (Sat 21 Mar 17.30)
Three losses in a row, just one win (and that was against Hull) since before Christmas, Andy Carroll injured and then…..piff paff poof The Fairy Godmother appears and grants you one wish….”That’s easy”, says Big Sam, “Sunderland at home please.” And so it came to pass……Being the Black Cats manager is certainly bad luck at the moment – and that was certainly the case for Gus “come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough” Poyet – his dismissal after last week’s comedy/horror show at home to Villa was as obvious as Arsenal being knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16, as our Euro friends like to call it. Dick Advocaat is now in charge – jeez the guy has more clubs on his cv than Peter Stringfellow and more countries on his passport than Phileas Fogg on speed. Well Dick, we can only wish you luck, my friend, I guess there is only upside for you as your (new) club is a laughing stock.

Despite dislocating his finger in the warm up at the Emirates last week, Hammers’ keeper Adrian is ok to play this week. Striker Carlton Cole also is also available again, but Big Sam laments that the spine of his team has been torn apart with the continual absence of Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll. Carl Jenkinson comes back into the fray after he was ineligible to play vs Arsenal.

So, in his first presser, Dick doesn’t want to make friends. “Every player who has trained has a chance of starting vs West Ham”. Thanks Dick, you dick. Duncan Watmore even has a chance. Yeah I know, I know, I had to look him up also. Striker. Never played in the PL. The Dick confirms that Adam Johnson could feature after he returned to training this week. Keep your hands off those cheerleaders Johnno. What we do know is that Lee Cattermole is suspended. Obviously. Will Buckley and Emmanuele Giaccherini remain out. John O’Shea and Seb Larsson have missed some training this week, but are expected to be available. Can’t wait till the Dick sees Wes Brown play. He’ll probably resign on Sunday. “No one told me things were this bad”.

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Liverpool vs Man Utd (Sun 22 Mar 13.30)
Still the biggest fixture in the land, the two powerhouses and most successful teams in English football meet at Anfield with just two points separating them as they chase Champions League qualification. The clubs are joined together by history, success, tragedy, despair, emotion, loss and legacy – heroes of the past are household names – Busby, Shankly, Edwards, St.John, Charlton, Dalglish, Best, Keegan, Ferguson, Paisley, Robson, Rush, Cantona, Giggs, Heskey, Downing… The winner on Sunday will not be guaranteed a CL place, but they would go a long way to improving their chances. Liverpool’s recent form is superb – they have won ten and drawn three of their thirteen matches since losing 3-0 at Old Trafford in December. United meanwhile have stuttered to wins, but do presently hold 4th place and produced probably their best performance of the season last week in seeing off Spurs. So, it’s all set up – the atmosphere will be electric – it may not be pretty, but it’ll be tasty. “Could be worse, could be scouse, eating rats in your council house.” Bring it on!

Mario Balotelli and Lucas have returned to training for Liverpool and will be assessed on Saturday to see if they can make the squad for the visit of United, leaving Jon Flanagan and Jordon Ibe as the only players unavailable. Brendan Rodgers may decide to name an unchanged side from the one that beat Swansea, leaving placekicker Steven Gerrard to start from the bench again.

Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are still not fit enough to start, but could make the bench, according to LVG. Love child Robin van Persie has begun his recovery and is running, which is strange, as he failed to do much of that when he was fully fit. Angel di Maria is available again following suspension, fortunately Jonny Evans still has a few matches to miss. Expect Daley Blind to continue at left back and Wayne Rooney to start up front again.

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Hull vs Chelsea (Sun 22 Mar 16.00)
Despite starting the gameweek six points clear and with a game in hand, The Special One has admitted that his team have been below par of late. In fact their away form is better than their home form – draws at the Bridge vs Southampton, Burnley, City and PSG have been disappointing and seen them exit the CL at the same stage as Arsenal. Oh the shame. Jose says he knows when his team lost its mojo, so he has, presumably, been working on that this week. Hull continue to stutter – win one week, lose the next, draw the next, blah blah blah. Dull Hull. Well, again, I don’t wish to waste your valuable time waffling on unnecessarily about fixture form and all that. But I will. Hull haven’t beaten Chelsea since 1988 and have lost nine and drawn two of their last eleven meetings. The last three have ended 2-0 to Chelsea. With Hull dull and Chelsea not quite at their best, my cash is on another 2-0.

Hull striker Nikica Jelavic has undergone knee surgery and has been ruled out for at least six weeks – the forward has a long standing and persistent problem, which has clearly not improved and has prevented him hitting a barn door from six yards. There is more positive news of quartet James Chester, Liam Rosenior, Mo Diame and Robbie Brady who all returned to training on Thursday – Sunday is likely to come too soon for them all, but returns are not far away. Robert Snodgrass is still out, while Tom Huddlestone is suspended.

Jose Mourinho says his squad has suffered some niggles which has led to a couple of members of the squad from missing some training sessions this week, but these are not thought to be serious. The Special One just expects to be missing Jon Obi Mikel, who continues to recover from surgery but should be back after the international break.

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QPR vs Everton (Sun 22 Mar 16.00)
This week sees a run of three fixtures which will determine in which division Rangers play next season. A home tussle with the Toffees is followed by trips to Birmingham to face both West Brom and Aston Sherwood. So, it’s must win time for the Hoops, not only to boost their own points total, but to ensure their relegation rivals don’t sneak off. Everton will, of course, do just enough to stay up, but let’s be honest, it’s been a season to forget for Roberto Martinez and his team. This was highlighted perfectly on Thursday evening when they beaten 5-2 by Dynamo Kiev – Martinez has used their Europa form to try to inspire some form in the league….not sure where they go from here, but it is only QPR this week. The last two meetings at Loftus Road have ended 1-1 – with both teams defence looking as suspect as an executive member of FIFA, goals are almost certainly guaranteed here.

Rangers could welcome back defenders Rio Ferdinand, Mauricio Isla and Darnell Furlong, but will have to continue to be without longer term casualties Leroy Fer, Richard Dunne and Alejandro Faurlin. Dunne and Fer are on their way back, with manager Chris Ramsey saying they have been undergoing double training sessions in order to return asap. Joey Barton is available again following his suspension, until he does something ridiculous and gets banned again.

Martinez says none of the squad picked up injuries in Kiev, well not physical ones anyway. Mentally scarred maybe. John Stones is fit, which will be a huge relief to Everton fans and Tim Howard as it means Antolin Alcaraz won’t have to play. Tony Hibbert, Bryan Oviedo and Steven Pienaar remain out and Gareth Barry is suspended. Kevin Mirallas’ thigh injury is worse than expected and will likely keep him out, but Aiden McGeady has recovered from his knee injury and will be available.

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Suspension Report

Players suspended for GW30

Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace)
Gareth Barry (Everton)
Tom Huddlestone (Hull)
Jonny Evans (Man Utd)
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle)
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle)
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
Chris Brunt (West Brom)
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)
Victor Wanyama (Southampton)
Phil Bardsley (Stoke)
Seb Larsson (Sunderland)
Neil Taylor (Swansea)

Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football GW30. This article was written by Cookie

Follow @SteveCook9

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WooFBet – FF247 GW30 Competition
This weeks exclusive FF247 comp is live now over at WooFBet.com

There’s a slight twist on this weeks competition as it is a ‘Low Budget’ one which tests your fantasy skills to the limit as you have only £80m to spend on your squad.

WIN AN FF247 MUG!!!
It’s a €2 buy in this week to enter but we are sure most of you probably have a healthy balance built up on there by now! If you need any more convincing though we are offering up a much sought after FF247 Mug again for the overall winner.

PASSWORD for GW30
The password for this weeks comp is BENTEKE

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

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