Team Talk Fantasy Football GW23

Team Talk Fantasy Football GW23

It has been two weeks since a ball was kicked in a league match and for those of you on your wildcard it must have seemed like an eternity. For those of us suffering from premature transferculation we’ve spent the last two weeks second-guessing our decision to play our wildcard and wondering why it won’t return our phone calls.
It hasn’t been an uneventful two weeks, though. Several Premier League sides saw an end to their FA Cup aspirations as Round 4 saw the elimination of Swansea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Southampton and Chelsea. Three others – Liverpool, Manchester United and Sunderland – face replays on 3rd and 4th February to settle draws in their first matches.
In transfer news, Arsenal shocked the world by signing not one, but TWO (yes, two) defenders they should have signed last summer. Krystian Bielik is expected to be “one for the future” while it is almost certain given Arsenal’s luck that Gabriel Paulista will sign a long-term deal with the club only to be denied a work visa and then be eaten by a rabid pack of wolves on the way home from the visa office. Arsenal would then fall short on a last-minute, deadline day swoop for the entire pack of wolves after failing to agree personal terms with their agent. It’s hard being an Arsenal fan.
The gameweek kicks off Saturday lunchtime with Newcastle traveling to KC Stadium to face Hull. Saturday afternoon features the real meat and potatoes of the game week with Everton and Palace facing off in Alan Pardew’s home league debut for Palace, West Ham travel to Liverpool, Manchester United stomp Leicester, QPR travel to Mordor, Burnley visit Sunderland and Spurs travel to The Hawthorns to face a rejuvenated Baggies team. Saturday evening’s match is a must-watch as title contenders Chelsea and Manchester City square off at Stamford Bridge. A relatively quiet Sunday this week sees Aston Villa visit the Emirates and Southampton welcome a depleted Swansea team to town.

Hull vs Newcastle (Sat 31 Jan 12.45)
Both teams enter this match having lost five of their last eight matches and all three players who scored in the 2-2 draw in Gameweek 5 will miss this match. John Carver will make his debut as caretaker manager for Newcastle until the end of the season, but will anyone be watching? Clean sheet warning: in their five previous EPL encounters neither side has kept a clean sheet.

Its good news for the Tigers as Abel Hernandez, Nikica Jelavic, Gaston Ramirez and Andrew Robertson are all back and available for selection. Mohamed Diame is out at least another month and there is no timetable for James Chester’s return.

For Newcastle, Paul Dummett has been ruled out while Gabriel Obertan is fit and could feature for Newcastle. Jonas Gutierrez and Siem de Jong could return next weekend against Stoke. Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote continue to be unavailable while away at the African Cup of Nations.

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Crystal Palace vs Everton (Sat 31 Jan 15.00)
This match features two middle-of-the-table teams trying desperately to find some form. Crystal Palace come into this match having won their last two and will fancy extending that streak against an Everton squad which seems lost at sea. The Toffees have lost five straight away from home and haven’t won on a league match since 15 December. The last eight matches between these teams has produced only one win for the home side.

Alan Pardew has declared his team completely fit for the weekend, and new signing Jordon Mutch is available for selection. Only Mile Jedinak, who is away at the Asian Cup, will miss out.

Kevin Mirallas has returned to training and Roberto Martinez expects the Belgian to play this weekend. James McCarthy “has a chance” to make the team, while Tim Howard (11 Feb return), Leon Osman (no timetable for return) and Steven Pienaar (no timetable for return) continue to be unavailable.

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Liverpool vs West Ham (Sat 31 Jan 15.00)
Liverpool hope to continue an impressive run that has seen them go unbeaten in their last six. They will also be looking to avenge their 3-1 loss to the Hammers earlier this season. Raheem Sterling scored in the losing effort and will look to add to the goal and two assists in his last six. West Ham have never won at Anfield in the Premier League and their win over Liverpool earlier this season was only their third in the last 23 EPL meetings between the teams. Adrian owners beware: West Ham hasn’t kept a clean sheet away from home all year.

Brendan Rodgers has revealed Daniel Sturridge “has looked outstanding in training” and has a chance to return to the team this weekend. Rodgers has repeatedly stated he will not rush Sturridge back so it appears unlikely Sturridge will start; a cameo from the bench is a possibility. Steven Gerrard is fit and will start.

For West Ham, Diafra Sakho is available while James Collins has returned to training and will be a game-time decision. Cheikhou Kouyate has returned from ACON and could play. Defenders James Tomkins and Carl Jenkinson will face late fitness tests.

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Man Utd vs Leicester (Sat 31 Jan 15.00)
Like Liverpool, Manchester United will have revenge on their mind. Last time out Leicester embarrassed van Gaal’s men with a 5-3 win in the first ever Premier League match between the sides. This time the tables are turned: the second-worst road team faces the second-best home team. Don’t expect a high-scoring game this time: in United’s last four games a grand total of five goals have been scored by both teams. Bottom of the table Leicester hope lightning will strike twice. It won’t.

For the Red Devils, Robin van Persie is available. Chris Smalling and Ashley Young are close but likely will not return until next weekend. Johny Evans remains out long-term, while Michael Carrick has been ruled out for a month.

For Leicester, the only injury concern is Matthew Upson and Nigel Pearson has removed all doubt, stating he is “more or less available.” Liam Moore returns to the team, leaving only Riyad Mahrez (away at ACON) the only player unavailable.

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Stoke vs QPR (Sat 31 Jan 15.00)
Charlie Adam will lead his underachieving side into Mordor-on-Trent to do battle with Sauron’s forces. The Orcs average just 1.2 goals a game at home. QPR is terrible on the road: they haven’t kept a clean sheet or won on the road all season. And that’s been against humans. Will ’Arry’s boys finally win one for the gimper, or will the forces of evil prevail?

Saruman has announced that Jonathan Walters and Orc Chieftan Ryan Shawcross are fit and will play. Mame Diouf has returned following Senegal’s elimination from ACON and could make the bench. Erik Pieters (21Feb return), Bojan Krkic (ACL – no return date), and Peter Odemwingie (ACL – out for season) are unavailable. Robert Huth has been suspended for two games for trying to use the internet to play CONC. Don’t ask.

For QPR, Richard Dunne is back while Suk-Young Yun has trained and could be available. Sandro remains out and Abel Taraabt will miss out with an undisclosed knock.

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Sunderland vs Burnley (Sat 31 Jan 15.00)
A wounded Sunderland side welcomes Burnley to town in a match that features two teams who are fighting to stay above the relegation zone. Sunderland has a single home win this season and only one win in its last twelve league matches. Burnley has a single road win to its credit and has won just two of their 29 Premier League matches. Sunderland has 11 draws this season, Burnley has eight. Anyone care to guess the result earlier this season?

Sunderland welcome back Wes Brown, Adam Johnson and Anthony Reveillere back to the team and all three have been declared fit and available for selection. Lee Cattermole remains out and Jack Rodwell is suspended.

Sean Dyche revealed there are no players in his side facing last-minute decisions for this match. Lukas Jutiewicz played mid-week and is available. Kevin Long, Stephen Ward and Matthew Taylor all remain out.

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West Brom vs Spurs (Sat 31 Jan 15.00)
West Brom have won only three times at home this season but will draw some strength from their 1-0 win over Spurs earlier this season. Spurs have won five of their last eight and are unbeaten in their last four trips to The Hawthornes. Christian Eriksen has bagged a goal in two of his three league matches against The Baggies.

Tony Pulis has confirmed Stephane Sessegnon is fit and available. Jonas Olsson returned to training this week but it appears the weekend has come too soon for him. He should be back next weekend. Youssuf Mulumbu is out (ACON).

Everyone for the Spurs has been declared fit. Nacer Chadli missed training this week after his father passed away and is unlikely to start, though he could make the bench.

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Chelsea vs Man City (Sat 31 Jan 17.30)
Chelsea have won all ten of their home games this year and have kept a clean sheet in their last five at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea boast a 11-4-1 record in their last 16 EPL home games against City. Manuel Pellegrini’s men boast the league’s best away record (7-3-1) and have scored at least one goal in all eleven road games this season. Take note: City haven’t won a league game this year without Yaya Toure (away at ACON) in their side.

Jose Mourinho continues to set a good example for kids by taking his toys and going home after Diego Costa’s three-game suspension was upheld. The Chelsea skipper cancelled his presser this week, so keep an eye on Twitter and the FF247 forums for the latest news. Felipe Luis is out and Andre Schurrle, Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic all face last-minute tests.

For Manchester City the only real news is Samir Nasri could make the trip to Stamford Bridge but would likely be available only from the bench, while Eliaquim Mangala has a shoulder injury. Wilfried Bony and Yaya Toure remain unavailable while away at ACON.

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Arsenal vs Aston Villa (Sun 1 Feb 13.30)
Arsenal have won their last four home games, five of their last seven, and have tallied at least one goal in all ten of their home games this season. Aston Villa is winless in their last seven (0-3-4) and has not scored a goal in their last five games. Christian Benteke has scored three goals in four EPL appearances against Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has sent fantasy owners into a frenzy after announcing he in “unlikely” to risk Alexis Sanchez against Aston Villa. Remarkably, Gabriel has recovered from his wolf attack and is available for selection. Danny Welbeck and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain return to training Monday and should be fit to stomp Spurs next weekend. The usual suspects remain out: Mathieu Debuchy (Orc bite), Abou Diaby (Diabyitis), Jack Wilshere (ankylosing spondylitis) and Mikel Arteta (licorice ankle).

For the Villains, Gagriel Agbonlahor and Fabian Delph are expected to return while the weekend may come to quick for Philippe Senderos. Joe Cole, Leandro Bacuna and Ron Vlaar all remain out, though Vlaar has returned to training and could be back as early as next week.

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Southampton vs Swansea (Sun 1 Feb 16.00)
Southampton sit third in the league thanks to a run of good form that has seen them win five of their last six matches. Swansea are struggling following the departure of Wilfried Bony, and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s three match ban won’t help. Swansea are scoreless in their last 377 minutes of league football against Southampton, and there have been just six goals scored in the five previous EPL meetings between these two sides.

For the Saints, Saido Mane has returned from ACON and is available this weekend. Maya Yoshida has been declared fit and should feature. Toby Alderweireld, Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama are all out but expected to be back next weekend, while there is no timetable for Jay Rodriguez’s return.

Swansea are close to landing Jack Cork on loan from Southampton for the remainder of the season. Ashley Williams is fit and expected to return. Sung-yueng Ki (Asian Cup) and Wayne Routledge (calf) will miss out, as will suspended players Kyle Bartley (1 match) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (3 games).

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Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football GW23. This article was written by Lawdogg

Follow @PlanoGooner

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