Team Talk Fantasy Football GW10

Team Talk Fantasy Football GW10

GW10 is here and I am smelling points – enough of these drab gameweeks like GW9, it’s time to go big again, see the points roll in and make huge strides in our mini leagues and rankings. It is a gameweek that promises much, here’s hoping it delivers! Our gameweek kicks off Saturday lunchtime in the North East as Newcastle entertain Liverpool – a game that has traditionally brought goals and excitement. Six 3pm matches follow as Arsenal host Burnley, QPR take the short bus ride to Chelsea, Everton welcome Swansea to Goodison, Southampton travel to Hull, Leicester take on West Brom and Stoke play West Ham at the Britannia. There is no early evening game, damnit – go enjoy some fireworks if you’re in the UK. If you’re not, go buy some anyway. Assuming you’re old enough, of course. Talking of fireworks, there’s a sparkler of a match Sunday lunchtime – the Manchester derby, City hosting, expect incident, controversy, goals and no doubt a shambolic display from the United defence. Villa then welcome Spurs for the later game. And then onto Monday for our gameweek conclusion – and we go down to South London as Crystal Palace host the current whipping boys, Sunderland.
Loads to look forward to, but first and foremost, let’s go Around the Grounds and catch up on all the news from the pressers.

Newcastle vs Liverpool (Sat 1 Nov 12.45)
Daniel Sturridge is still missing for Liverpool – boss Brendan Rodgers believes the striker will not be available until after the next international break, so we’re looking at GW12 at the earliest in all likelihood. All up to you then Mario lad. Or is it? Rodgers heaped praise on Fabio Borini in his presser, saying the striker was “magnificent” in the midweek Cup win over Swansea and said he was impressed with Borini’s pace, movement and work rate – not qualities that are ever evident in Balotelli. Interestingly, Borini has scored three in three matches vs the Toon. Sturridge has been joined on the treatment table by left back Jose Enrique, who has picked up a knee injury. Mamadou Sakho, Suso and John Flanagan continue to be unavailable also.
Newcastle go into the match on the back of three wins on the bounce but Papiss Cisse is only described as touch and go for the visit of Liverpool – the striker has a knee injury and missed the victory at Spurs last weekend. If Cisse doesn’t make it, then Emmanuel Riviere or Alun Armstrong are the likely deputees. Cheick Tiote is again ruled out with a calf injury and joins Davide Santon, Jonas Gutierrez and Siem de Jong on the sidelines.

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Arsenal vs Burnley (Sat 1 Nov 15.00)
Guaranteed three points for the Gunners, surely? Yeah, probably, but it may well be that Arsenal don’t have things all their own way. Unbeaten in their last 22 home Premier League matches is great form, of course. But deeper analysis says their recent form is not quite as impressive – just two clean sheets in their last 10 league games at the Emirates and they have been behind at some point in each of their four home matches this season. So careful on those Callum Chambers transfers. Burnley, we know, are not very good – no wins yet this season, but they have scored four goals in their last three matches.
Oh Arsene, sometimes I think I should feel sorry for you, but I just can’t bring myself to show any sympathy. So as I prepare this article and make some note, I write down “good news as Jack Wilshire returns from suspension”. However, young Jack, during his week off has managed to pick a knock on his knee and Wenger expects to be without his hop-a-long midfielder this weekend. Couldn’t make it up! Kieran Gibbs is however expected to be available despite suffering a pelvic injury at Sunderland. Theo Walcott is not quite ready to start the game – however expect Theo to be on the bench and I’m sure Le Professeur would love to give him 15ish mins at the end of the game. Yaya Sanogo may also make the bench, Serge Gnabry and Abou Diaby are not match fit, while Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Mesut Ozil and David Ospina are still crocked. Wenger said Giroud is three weeks ahead of schedule, he is expected to start training after the international break and should be back missing sitters before you can say “useless frog”.
Burnley midfielder Dean Marney has recovered from his hamstring strain and is in contention to play, but fellow midfielders Steven Reid and Matty Taylor as well as Sam Vokes remain unavailable.

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Chelsea vs QPR (Sat 1 Nov 15.00)
Another home banker on the cards – Chelsea have won four out of four at home, remain unbeaten this season and are four points clear at the top. Rangers have lost four out four on their travels and remain slumped in the relegation zone, despite Monday’s win over Villa. So it doesn’t matter then that Chelsea have failed to score in three of their last four matches with QPR? Nah, not really, irrelevant – home banker all the way, ‘Arry has never beaten Jose in five attempts and in their last 12 league matches at the Bridge, Chelsea have kept 10 clean sheets and conceded just four goals.
Rangers will have predominantly the same squad as per Monday night – they have no fresh injuries and ‘Arry hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Adel “Tubby” Taraabt being in the squad. Bobby Zamora is only capable of playing 60-65mins due to his hip problem. Rio Ferdinand starts his three match ban after his “offensive” tweet, while Redknapp is hopeful that Jordan Mutch and Joey Barton will return to training next week and could be available for GW11 vs City – sure they’ll be training their asses off for that one. Nedum Onuoha and Alejandro Faurlin remain out.
Mourinho reveals that striker Diego Costa is available again after missing the club’s last four matches, but maintains he needs special care, which the club will continue to give him. So will he start, will he be a substitute? Only Jose knows that of course, but bear in mind Chelsea play Maribor in the Champions League on Wednesday and then Liverpool next weekend (Saturday lunchtime, early kick off). I’m going to stick my neck on the line and suggest that Costa starts vs Rangers tomorrow, Didier Drogba starts in Europe (thus giving him a week’s rest after playing twice this week) and then Costa, if fit, returns for the Liverpool game. Just my view, could be wrong. Ramires also returns from injury while Jon Obi Mikel and Loic Remy are both ruled out through injury. Filipe Luis will continue to deputise for the suspended Cesar Azpilicueta.

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Everton vs Swansea (Sat 1 Nov 15.00)
OK remember the Swansea sequence? GW8 – “they never win at Stoke” – they didn’t. GW9 – “they always beat Leicester at home” – they did. Here we are, GW10 away to Everton. Swansea have never beaten Everton in the league in 18 attempts. Easiest money you’ll ever make. Get down the bookies or ask Potty for some special FF247 odds. Hang on, wait. How about a double up? Ross Barkley scored the winning goal in both league meetings between the two last season. Get on it! Jeez, I’m too good to you lot.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has trained after picking up a knock in the win at Burnley with manager Roberto Martinez describing his forward as being “absolutely fine now”. Darron Gibson picked up a knock in training on Wednesday but only missed a day of training and is expected to be fit. Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo step up their comebacks by playing in a behind the scenes friendly, while defender John Stones and winger Kevin Mirallas remain sidelined.
On to Swansea and relax everyone – Siggy is ok! The midfielder, who was substituted in the 58th minute (that still hurts) as a precaution (ffs) has trained this week and is available for the weekend. The same is true of fellow midfielder Sung-Yeung Ki, though I suspect that doesn’t bother quite as many of you. The Swans have a bit of a crisis in defence with Jordi Amat, Dwight Tiendalli and Jazz Richards all injured, but there was huge relief when Federico Fernandez successfully appealed his red card he was given at Anfield in the week and he is available to play alongside Ashley Williams at the back.

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Hull vs Southampton (Sat 1 Nov 15.00)
How long can Southampton keep this up? Sitting pretty in second while most tipped them to be fighting relegation after selling their “best” players to Liverpool. Well they took the cash and used it to buy better ones. Easy. Take note Spurs (and Liverpool), it’s not that tricky. After an uncertain start, Hull have steadied the ship somewhat, beating Palace and securing draws vs Arsenal and Liverpool – so maybe this won’t be another straightforward away day for the Saints, who have won two and lost two on the road thus far, although they have had the better of Hull in the last four meetings.
Saints midfielder Sadio Mane is a doubt for the trip to Hull after picking up an ankle injury – he was ok to resume training on Thursday afternoon and manager Ronald Koeman hopes he will be ok for the weekend. James Ward Prowse and J-Rod remain out.
The good news for Steve Bruce is that he has no fresh injuries to contend with, which is a mega result with the players they have missing. However, defender Andrew Robertson, who missed the draw at Liverpool last week, is fit to return to the squad this weekend. Gaston Ramirez, who has amassed a total of 117mins playing time this season for Hull, is ineligible to face his parent club. Positive news also on absentees Allan McGregor, Steve Harper, Michael Dawson and Nikica Jelavic, who are all expected to return after the international break. Meanwhile Tom Ince, who turned down Inter in the summer, has been shipped off to to Nottingham Forest on loan. Well played that, Tom pal.

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Leicester vs West Brom (Sat 1 Nov 15.00)
“A dull game, no-one cares”, I hear you cry. Well usually, you would be right, but this season is different. A cheap Leicester defender or keeper, Andre Wisdom and Saido Berahino are all of big FPL interest this season. So what can we expect? Well, on form, the Baggies should take all three points – just one defeat in five means a win for West Brom could see them jump into the top half of the division, but they have won just one of their last seven matches on the road and scored just four gaols in nine away matches.
The Foxes themselves have scored just twice in four matches since smashing five past United. Funny old game, isn’t it? Berahino has of course scored in his last four league games. Can’t predict it – hope it works out for you.
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has said that captain Wes Morgan will be fine after the defender picked up a slight knock in the loss at Swansea last weekend. However no.2 keeper Ben Hamer misses out with a dislocated finger and will likely be sdielined for a few weeks whiled Matthew Upson and Zoumana Bakayogo continue to miss out.
West Brom have no new injuries for their trip to Leicester. Manager Alan Irvine has revealed that winger Silvestre Varela has returned to training but won’t be involved this weekend, while defender Jonas Olsson is ruled out with an Achilles injury.

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Stoke vs West Ham (Sat 1 Nov 15.00)
Well, look at you, West Ham. Fourth in the league, beaten City and Liverpool and you all love Big Sam at last. You fickle, fickle eastenders. As for Stoke, there remains one word. Dull. Just six goals have been scored in four Premier League matches at the Britannia this season. Dull. I told you. This won’t be any different.
The news that everyone is waiting for is…..inconclusive, sorry! Big Sam says Diafa Sakho remains touch and go for the match – his shoulder injury is still very painful but has shown no dislocation or fracture and he will wait until the last minute before making a decision. Defender Guy Demel and striker Mauro Zarate both continue to miss out, while Andy Carroll will be very slowly reintroduced over the coming weeks, as Sam describes this current period as the striker’s “pre-season”, Which I assume means he’s getting stoned and meeting some ladies in Ibiza. James Tomkins and Matt Jarvis are both available again.
It’s almost easier to tell you who is available for Stoke this week! Injuries and suspensions have rocked Mark Hughes squad, what the hell they will do when the it turns a bit too cold for some of their number I dread to think. Peter Crouch and Phil Bardsley miss out through suspension, while left back Marc Muniesa is a doubt after picking up an ankle knock in training this week. He joins Robert Huth, Glenn Whelan and Peter Odemwingie on the treatment table. Manager Mark Hughes suggests Geoff Cameron will deputise at right back for Bardsley.

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Man City vs Man Utd (Sun 2 Nov 13.30)
The big one of the weekend, the Manc derby. Manuel Pellegrini vs Louis van Gaal. Should be a goal fest, with both defences nervy and vulnerable, City having lost two games in a week, local pride at stake, United trying to recover from a slow, uncertain start – I reckon they’ve actually got a chance of filling the Etihad on Sunday. Maybe. Ok, that may be pushing it a bit. City have won the three previous derbies in the league and will be looking for a fourth to get their season back on track.
Pellegrini has confirmed that playmaker David Silva is unavailable for the derby and could miss the next 3-4 weeks with damaged knee ligaments. It’s worth bearing in mind that City’s win record when Silva is missing is significantly lower than when he plays. There is better news of his midfield partner, Yaya Toure, who has a slight groin injury and will need to be assessed tomorrow, but is expected to be ok, which will be a relief for City as Yaya has scored in three of his last four appearances vs United. Aleksandar Kolarov, Samir Nasri and Frank Lamapard are also available, leaving Silva as the only definite absentee.
Wayne Rooney is fit and returns to the starting line-up from suspension in time for the derby – great news for the Reds as Wazza has scored more goals in Manchester derbies than anyone else and has notched four goals in his last five appearances at the Emptihad…ooooopps sorry, Etihad. In fact, LVG says Rooney was never injured. Sadly, Radamel Falcao is injured and misses out, meaning RVP retains his place, while Antonio Valencia is fit and could make the squad. The weekend probably comes too soon for Michael Carrick, while Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair, Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard do their best Gooner impression and lay on the treatment table.

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Aston Villa vs Spurs (Sun 2 Nov 13.30)
Oh dear Villa, three wins out of four and unbeaten at the start of the season, Paul Lambert is given a new contract and CRASH! Five consecutive losses, thirteen goals conceded, none, yes none, zero, nil, zilch scored. Keano has lost his beard and Villa have lost their way. Maybe this is their chance to regroup as Spurs are in town and they are in no form either – just the one win in seven and six goals conceded in their last two. Surely Villa can score vs them? Don’t be too confident of a Villa victory though – Spurs have won eight and lost none of the last eleven league matches between the two, with Emmanuel Adebayor having scored more goals vs Villa than anyone else in the Premier League.
Villains manager Paul Lambert is confident that defender Nathan Baker and Andreas Weimann will be fit to face Spurs on Sunday – Baker tweaked a hamstring at Everton in GW8, while Weimann took a knock in the defeat at QPR on Monday. However, not all is good news – defenders Alan Hutton and Philippe Senderos have failed to recover from injury and will miss out along with midfielder Fabian Delph and striker Libor Kozak.
Spurs welcome back defender Kyle Naughton back into the squad leaving the only absentees as Kyle Walker and Nabil Bentaleb.

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Crystal Palace vs Sunderland (Mon 3 Nov 20.00)
Another home banker….on paper. And on the pitch, cos we’re talking Sunderland here. And Wes Brown. Last time on their travels they of course conceded eight at Southampton; last weekend they presented two goals to Alexis Sanchez on a silver platter. Confidence will be as high as their league position.
Palace go into Monday’s match with no new injury problems – however a virus has spread around the squad, which has particularly affected four of their players, though annoyingly manager Neil Warnock didn’t divulge names. There is good news though as James Mcarthur is likely to return to the squad and although defender Scott Dann has not yet returned to full training, he will be given every chance of playing after he has made good progress from his knee injury. Keeper Julian Speroni has recovered from the knock on the head he took at WBA.
The Black Cats are still without Emanuele Giaccherini, Ricky Alvarez, Billy Jones and Sebastian Coates, but manager Gus Poyet is pleased to reveal that striker Steven Fletcher is ok after he was stamped on in the defeat to Arsenal. Regarding Vito Mannone, Poyet dodged a direct answer but did say that he is not afraid to make big decisions – get yourself ready Costel Pantilimon, your time may be now! Wes Brown after his calamitous error last week could make way for French veteran Anthony Reveillere. To be honest, Brown could probably make way for French veteran Charles de Gaulle and we’d see an improvement.

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Before I sign off, please may I ask you to vote for FF247 as we attempt to win the Best FPL Football blog – all details on the links below. We have a week left to gather votes and every vote does count, so please vote if you haven’t already. If you have, please try and get us some more votes – partners, colleagues, mates etc. The Captain Poll is also below, please vote for who you think will be this week’s highest scoring player.
That, my friends is everything for GW10. I wish you all the very best for this gameweek.

Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football GW10. This article was written by Cookie

Follow @SteveCook9

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