Team Talk Fantasy Football GW12

Team Talk Fantasy Football GW12

Ready for action? Hungry for points? Excited to be back? Excellent news then as we say “au revoir” to international breaks for a while and get back to the real action. GW12 is upon us and we are reaching a crucial part of the season as the fixtures ramp up into the Christmas period, the hamstrings are tearing in the colder weather, whilst the yellow card count is mounting up for the players. Also, qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations is complete and we have details of what that means for FPL – and finally we have an exclusive offer from Woofbet for FF247 members to pit their FPL wits in the hunt for some Christmas spending cash. We have it all here on TeamTalk. Let’s get down to action.
Our gameweek commences at 3pm on Saturday with six matches. Chelsea entertain West Brom at the Bridge, Everton take on West Ham, Sunderland travel to Leicester, Man City host Swansea, Newcastle welcome QPR and Burnley visit Stoke. Early evening we’re down to the Emirates as Arsenal play Man Utd. Sunday sees two games as Liverpool take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst before Hull entertain Spurs in the later kick off. Our gameweek comes to an end on Monday evening and they’ll be significant interest for many of us as Aston Villa welcome Southampton to Villa Park. As you will no doubt be aware, the injuries picked up in the international break have been extensive to say the very least – on that regard be aware that many managers will give their injured players as much time to recover as possible, which means in some cases definite decisions may be delayed until the morning of the game. Which doesn’t help us one bit – but don’t shoot the messenger!
So let’s wade through the minefield and go Around the Grounds to see what the managers themselves have had to say.

Chelsea vs West Brom (Sat 22 Nov 15.00)
The Baggies go to the Bridge seeking their first win there since 1983 and their hopes are not helped by the fact that Chelsea are not only top of the league, but are also unbeaten this season with a perfect record at home. West Brom have only beaten Leicester, Burnley and Spurs this season and let’s face it, they will not hold out much hope of adding to that tally here, though they did grab a draw at the Bridge last season and with Chelsea struggling to fend off QPR in their last home game and with their midweek Champions League match on their minds, maybe, just maybe West Brom can sneak something – like a narrow defeat instead of a heavy one. While all eyes will be on Costa and Hazard, don’t ignore Didier Drogba, who has scored eight goals in seven starts vs the Baggies.
Alan Irvine may be forced to play Andre Wisdom at left back if Sebastien Pocognoli fails to recover in time. If Wisdom does swap sides then Cristian Gamboa could fill in at right back. Craig Gardner returns following suspension and will replace Youssouf Mulumbu in midfield, but Jonas Olsson remains out.
The news many will be waiting for out of he Chelsea camp is that Cesc Fabregas has returned to training and Jose Mourinho is hopeful of him playing. Diego Costa and Andre Schurrle are now 100% fit, but there is a doubt over Jon Obi Mikel, who only returned from international duty on Friday morning. Ramires is still struggling with a knock and is not fully fit, but is available, according to Jose. The only definite absentee is defender Nathan Ake, who will miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty.

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Everton vs West Ham (Sat 22 Nov 15.00)
Plagued by injuries, not a great start to the season, languishing in mid table. No you fools, not West Ham, I’m talking about Everton. The Hammers miraculously, bizarrely are in 4th position, a Champions League place there for the taking. “Stop the league pronto guv, we’ll take that – would you Adam and Eve it geezer? Right result innit”. But Goodison has not been a happy hunting ground for our Euro glory aspirants, who have won just once there in 17 visits, yet one look at the Toffees casualty list will give Big Sam and his troops every hope of reversing that record.
Yep, it’s a proper casualty unit for Roberto Martinez and his medical team. Not really sure where to start! Leighton Baines I guess, you’ll all be worried about him. No definite answer I’m afraid! Martinez describes him as “touch and go”. Basically, Baines has a grade one hamstring strain which would mean usually, for the average player 10-14 days out, but the left back is a great healer and according to his manager is improving every day and has been known to recover from this injury in eight days. If he doesn’t make it (which is probably the likely scenario) he is expected to be fit for the Europa game, showing you how close he is. Gareth Barry is almost certainly ruled out, Bryan Oviedo, Antolin Alcaraz, John Stones and Arouna Kone are definitely out, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson are probably out, while Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas have rejoined training and could make the squad. Seamus Coleman will need a late assessment as he is still struggling with his cut Achilles, though he did play for the Republic of Ireland with the cut – the doctor will just need to pass him fit to play with the wound. The good news is that Phil Jagielka is ok! Phew.
It’s not all good news in the Hammers camp either. Both Stewart Downing and Diafra Sakho picked up injuries whilst on international duty and will need to be assessed before the game. Big Sam did say that he is very wary of starting any players who are not ready especially with the fixture list going into overdrive after this week. Speculation is mounting that both may miss out, with Big Sam being quoted this morning as saying that Sakho couldn’t even get out of bed due to his back problem. He ain’t playing. Andy Carroll is ready to start but not 100%, although the striker has claimed he can play for 90mins, while Allardyce did emphasise that he also has Carlton Cole and Enner Valencia to call on. Guy Demel and Winston are expected to be fit for the game.

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Leicester vs Sunderland (Sat 22 Nov 15.00)
Does anyone really care? I mean, honestly. If you truly can be bothered to read anything about this match with some personal fantasy interest then I fear for your season and sanity. The surprise when I started to research this week was that both sides have actually won twice this season. It doesn’t get any more interesting than that I’m afraid. We can bang on about the Foxes smashing five past United, but since then they have amassed just one point from six matches, while Sunderland have Wes Brown. Recent history in this fixtures sees Sunderland on top, but that was in League One – which is exactly where these two will be next season if they don’t sort themselves out soon. In the Premier League Leicester have won four out of eight vs the Black Cats. Told you it was boring. Enjoy.
Sunderland chief Gus Poyet reveals that striker Steven Fletcher is available for selection despite picking up a knock on international duty. Sebastian Coates and Ricky Alvarez have returned to training, while Billy Jones and Emanuele Giaccherini are close to getting back on the training field. Defender Patrick van Aanholt is a longer term absentee with a shoulder injury.
Nigel Pearson expects a near-fully fit squad for the visit of Sunderland, but will have to check on those returning from international duty, namely Kasper Schmeichel, defender Jeffrey Schlupp and midfielder Riyad Mahrez. Midfielder Dean Hammond won’t be available after picking up a calf injury, but Ritchie de Laet has recovered from his back problem and will make the squad as will Liam Moore and Wes Morgan. Reserve keeper Ben Hamer has returned to training after recovering from his dislocated finger and is available.

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Man City vs Swansea (Sat 22 Nov 15.00)
City welcome Swansea to the Etihad knowing it’s now or never if they are to hang onto the coat tails of Chelsea at the top. Sitting 8pts behind the Blues, City can’t afford not to win this weekend, but they come into the game in somewhat stuttering form. Lost at West Ham, beat United in the derby and then scrambled a draw at QPR! They have at least beaten Swansea in each of the three games in which they have hosted them in the Premier League, not even allowing the Welshies a goal yet at the Etihad. Swansea haven’t won away from home since their GW1 victory at Old Trafford and only find themselves in 5th place due to their much more impressive home form. Two goalless draws in their last three games on the road suggest they have the ability to shut up shop, but those games were at Everton and Sunderland – this week they face Aguero & co.
City welcome back captain Vincent Kompany, who has recovered from his calf injury, while Frank Lampard is also available for the visit of the Swans. Not so good news of defender Aleksandar Kolarov, midfilder David Silva and striker Edin Dzeko who remain on the treatment table.
The Swans have no fresh injuries and have seen both Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer return to training this week. Defenders Federico Fernandez and Jazz Richards will likely continue to miss out, while the club has been boosted by striker Wilfried Bony signing a contract extension this week with impeccable timing to scupper further Liverpool’s Christmas shopping adventure.

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Newcastle vs QPR (Sat 22 Nov 15.00)
Rangers go up to Newcastle looking for their first away win of the season – in fact they’re still looking for their first point on their travels. Yep, they’re not great on the road, certainly not the same team that ran City close last time out, beat Villa and would have beaten Liverpool if they learned to kick the ball in the correct net. But sadly those three matches were all at home and this week they face a Toon side that has risen out of the relegation zone and into 8th place, above the likes of Everton and Liverpool, with a run that has seen them win three of their last four, unbeaten in five and have kept three clean sheets also in three of their last four. Fixture form also points to Newcastle – they are unbeaten at home to Rangers since 1993.
Our old “mate” Alan Pardew says that Fabio Coloccini, Davide Santon, Gabriel Obertan, Rolando Aaarons, Chieck Tiote, Siem de Jong and Jonas Gutierrez are all ruled out of the game, while Steven Taylor is a “big doubt”. Papiss Cisse should be fit to start after scoring for Senegal in the week, though Pardew may be keen to retain Ayoze Perez up front due the diminutive striker’s form and Cisse’s travels.
QPR have no fresh injuries for the trip, although ‘Arry says he is still to check on Chileans Eduardo Vargas and Mauricio Isla, who only returned to the club on Thursday. Leroy Fer and Yun Suk-Young are both ok after the internationals, but Adel Taarabt is still not fit and is suffering with a groin strain. Alejandro Faurlin is a longer term absentee and Rio ‘twitter’ Ferdinand is suspended.

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Stoke vs Burnley (Sat 22 Nov 15.00)
The best part about this fixture is that it will pale into insignificance whilst you are all cheering on Costa and Aguero at the same time. Truly I think this could be worse than Leicester vs Sunderland, at least in that one we have Wes Brown to entertain us. There have been just eleven goals in the last nine league games between these two and frankly this could be as dull as they come. So I will not waste your time or mine. Let’s just get down to the injury news.
Burnley chief Sean Dyche is hoping to have midfielders Nathaniel Chalobah and Scott Arfield available – both picked up knocks in the week but neither are thought to be too serious. Steven Reid and Dean Marney are back to full fitness, Matty Taylor remains out for a number of weeks yet, while striker Sam Vokes is closing in on a return.
Mark Hughes is confident that defenders Phil Bardsley and Erik Pieters will be declared fit for the match, but is less optimistic about Marc Wilson, who he describes as likely to miss out, though he will be given every chance. Robert Huth and Peter Odemwingie remain sidelined, but Glenn Whelan could make a surprise comeback after making a quick recovery from a broken leg.

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Arsenal vs Man Utd (Sat 22 Nov 17.30)
Gone are the days of Pizzagate, Fergie vs Wenger, Vieira vs Keane and Winterburn vs anyone that fancies a row. However, despite much of the aggro being taken out of this fixture, the rivalry remains as the two battle it out for 6th place. United have taken Arsenal’s lead in the race for most injuries, but recent form is very much on their side as they have lost just once to the Gooners in their last fourteen clashes. However, consistency has been in short supply for both clubs so far this season, so this is a tough one to call – the only things we can rely on are both defences being awful, Alexis Sanchez scoring and Marouane Fellaini doing something laughable at some point. Probably involving a stray arm. One interesting feature will be the RvP vs Welbeck show, with both facing their former clubs – RvP has scored three times in four appearances vs the Gooners since moving to United, while Welbeck has seemingly been very unlucky in missing an average of 27 one-on-ones per game since moving to the Emirates.
Good news, I think, for Arsenal as Wenger reveals that Olivier Giroud and Mikel Arteta are back and available for selection. Giroud is a month ahead of schedule. Defenders Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy are both still out and unlikely to be fit for another three weeks or so, while Mesut Ozil is doing well but will not be available until the New Year. Danny Welbeck will need a late test after picking up a knock while on England duty, while Alexis Sanchez will be assessed after arriving back late from international duty. Theo Walcott won’t be involved this weekend as he has a tight groin and won’t be risked.
Poor old LvG – the bloke is given an open purse, he spends millions only to see his squad decimated by injury. However, it’s not all bad news as keeper David de Gea and playmaker Angel di Maria have been passed fit to play, meaning the team’s suffering is more at the back than going forward. Despite that, United’s injury crisis has been eased somewhat by the return of Giroud, though the Reds continue to be without Rafael, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, while Luke Shaw is unlikely to play after injuring his groin vs Scotland. New signings Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao are also ruled out, but Michael Carrick is expected to be fit to play. Ashley Young remains out, but the only person who cares is David Moyes, who is reportedly interested in signing him in January. Oh Moyesie….stop it.

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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (Sun 23 Nov 13.30)
Sunday lunchtime sees Liverpool return to one of their nightmare venues of last season when they threw away a three goal lead to only draw vs the Eagles as their league challenge capitulated faster than a Daniel Sturridge muscle. Palace however are in no form, having lost four out of their last five matches and only hover above the relegation zone due to their better goal difference than Leicester. Liverpool’s poor run has been well documented, they haven’t won since mid-October and they are in the bottom half of the league, though if there is a team they would choose to play at the moment, Palace would probably be quite high on the list. Sadly for Liverpool, Palace may say the same about them! Liverpool haven’t won any of their last five matches at Selhurst Park and will be keen to change that and re-launch their season.
The Eagles will be boosted by the return of midfielder Mile Jedinak from suspension, while James McArthur is hoping to be involved after taking part in a light training session on Thursday. Striker Kevin Doyle has recovered from a groin injury and should make the bench, while Wilfried Zaha is available again after being ineligible to play against United last time out.
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Sturridge faces a further spell on the sidelines and describes the striker as being “as down as I have ever seen someone” – clearly Rodgers wasn’t in the dressing room after the match at Selhurst Park last season. Midfield maestro Jordan Henderson is expected to be available after his latest hamstring injury, while Mario Balotelli will need to be assessed after the “striker” picked up a groin injury whilst with Italy. Rodgers says Rickie Lambert will get a decent run in the side over these next few weeks. Jon Flanagan remains out.

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Hull vs Spurs (Sun 23 Nov 16.00)
It’s not a happy time to be a Hull fan, which if nothing else makes them realise how Spurs fans have felt for the last 30 years. Steve Bruce’s men have won just once since the opening day of the season and don’t have the easiest run of fixtures coming up, so will be keen to secure the three points on Sunday. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility as Spurs have been struggling of late, losing three of their last four matches and generally flattered to deceive on a number of occasions this season. Hull haven’t beaten Spurs at home since a Division Two clash in 1977 and have lost four of the last six matches between the two.
Good news for Hull as keeper Allan McGregor, defender and ex-Spur Michael Dawson and striker Nikica Jelavic have all trained well this week and are in line to play on Sunday. Curtis Davies has just returned to training and should make the squad, but Alex Bruce and Robert Snodgrass remain out.
Mauricio Pochettino says he has a number of doubts going into the game and won’t be able to finalise his squad until the final training session on Saturday. The doubts are Danny Rose and Andros Townsend. Aaron Lennon is expected to be ok, while Nabil Bentaleb definitely misses out through injury as does Kyle Naughton due to suspension. There is more positive news of Kyle Walker, who has begun his comeback by resuming full training with the squad, though he will not be ready for a return to action for a few weeks.

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Aston Villa vs Southampton (Mon 24 Nov 20.00)
Ah the end of our gameweek, but they’ll still be loads to play for as most teams will have at least one of their squad represented. High flying Southampton will still be 2nd by the time of kick off, though they are likely to be 7pts behind Chelsea if the Blues do as expected and see off West Brom. The problems for Villa are at the other end of the table – winless in their last seven matches and scoring just one goal in the process, they’ll do well to nick anything on Monday night against a confident Southampton side, who have kept a clean sheet in their last four.
Villa defenders Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker have all been ruled out of the game, but manager Paul Lambert is relieved to welcome back Alan Hutton. Christian Benteke remains suspended, while Fabian Delph and Libor Kozak are still sidelined. Two out of Ciaran Clark, Chris Herd and Jores Okore could line up at the heart of the defence.
Ronald Koeman says that midfielders Steven Davis and Morgan Schneiderlin are both doubts for the game at this stage and if the game was on Saturday they wouldn’t be ready. However, as the match is not until Monday, Schneiderlin has a bigger chance of playing and the manager is hopeful he will make it, while Davis will also be given as much time as possible, but Koeman is less optimistic about him. Dusan Tadic is fit for the match, while James Ward-Prowse is expected to be out for another three weeks or so.

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Suspension Report

Players suspended for GW12

Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)
Kyle Naughton (Tottenham)
Rio Ferdinand (QPR)

Those players on 4 yellow cards and one booking away from suspension:

Andreas Weimann (Aston Villa)
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Gareth Barry (Everton)
Steven Naismith (Everton)
Liam Moore (Leicester)
Jack Colback (Newcastle)
Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle)
Richard Dunne (QPR)
Graziano Pelle (Southampton)
Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton)
Neil Taylor (Swansea)
Ashley Williams (Swansea)
Winston Reid (West Ham)

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Africa Cup of Nations
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[/three_fourth]Despite the fear of the spread of the ebola virus and Morocco’s decision to withdraw from hosting the tournament, the AFCON goes ahead with Equatorial Guinea the new host. Qualification was completed this week, so we thought it prudent to list the players involved, who will likely miss some Premier League games, as you ponder your transfers. The tournament will be held between January 17th – February 8th, but players will likely be called to join up with their countries before that. The gameweeks that will be definitely be affected are: GW22, GW23 & GW24 (bear in mind the FA Cup Round 4 is between GW22 & 23).
The players likely to be involved are:

Crystal Palace – Adlene Guediora (Algeria), Yannick Bolasie (DR Congo)
Everton – Christian Atsu (Ghana)
Hull City – Mohammed Diame (Senegal)
Leicester City – Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Jeff Schlupp (Ghana)
Liverpool – Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast)
Manchester City – Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Newcastle United – Mehdi Abeid (Algeria), Papiss Cisse (Senegal), Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast)
Southampton – Emmanuel Mayuka (Zambia), Sadio Mane (Senegal)
Stoke City – Mame Biram Diouf (Senegal)
Swansea – Wilfried Bony (Ivory Coast)
Tottenham – Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria)
West Ham – Alex Song (Cameroon), Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Diafra Sakho (Senegal)
West Brom – Youssouf Mulumbu (DR Congo)

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Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football GW12. This article was written by Cookie

Follow @SteveCook9

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And now for something completely different… WooFBet
This weekend we are teaming up with WooFBet to host a GW12 tournament exclusive to FF247 users. The tournament is free to enter and has a €150 prize-pool to be split between the 3 highest finishers.

WooFBet is an exciting new website which operates like normal fantasy football, except you can bet money on your fantasy team. Each week the website hosts multiple free and paid entry tournaments ranging from high budgets to low ownership, and even individual matches. The idea is you pick a one-off team each week to compete against others in a mini-league for that particular week only and the winner’s take the pot which is split between the top placings.

A few of us played this last week as a trial behind the scenes and we have to say it was very easy and very enjoyable. This a chance for our members to give it a whirl for free, see what they think and win some actual money in the process!

To enter, visit https://woofbet.com and sign up (no card details required). Navigate to the Tournament section and click participate on the Gameweek 12 – FF247 – €150 Freeroll.

Isn’t it time your fantasy manager job finally paid off!

Any questions or queries on this just post as normal as WooFBet will be on hand to answer them on here.

Follow @WooFBet