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Around the Grounds FPL Team News

Team Talk Fantasy Football – GW3

Team Talk Fantasy Football – GW3 2014/15

IntroGW3 is upon us and there’s plenty to look forward to. Mad Mario is set to be unleashed on Spurs, Angel Di Maria looks to make his United debut, Samuel Eto’o has turned up at Goodison, while Michael Dawson has left Spurs for Hull. The injury to Diego Costa has rocked 42.2% of FPL teams, while the return of goal machine Sergio Aguero gathers pace. Oh and happy-go-lucky Neil Warnock makes a Premier League reappearance as he’s given another go at Crystal Palace where the fireworks between him and Jason Puncheon will make Mario’s best Guy Fawkes impersonation pale into insignificance.
Our gameweek begins with the derby between struggling Burnley and struggling United and then we have five 3pm kick offs as City host Stoke, Newcastle entertain Crystal Palace, Sunderland take the long trip to QPR, Swansea welcome West Brom and Southampton take on West Ham at the Boleyn. The early evening kick off sees Everton play Chelsea at Goodison. Our week is completed on Sunday – Villa hosting Hull is an insomniac’s dream while at the same time increased excitement is expected at White Hart Lane as Spurs welcome Liverpool. The final match is Leicester vs Arsenal.
Don’t forget that after GW3, we have a two-week gap due to the international break, so careful on those early transfers!
Let’s get Around the Grounds and catch up on all the latest news.

Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyBurnley vs Man Utd (Sat 30 Aug 12.45)
burnleyLVG’s squad is still depleted by a whole host of injuries – Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Luke Shaw, Rafael, Chris Smalling, Shinji Kagawa and Jesse Lingard are all still on the treatment table, while new signing Marcos Rojo is still awaiting his work permit. LVG says Angel Di Maria is fit and ready to play, whether that means a start or a cameo remains to be seen.
Burnley have concerns over midfielders David Jones and Dean Marney, who both picked up knocks against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. Sam Vokes remains out.

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Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyMan City vs Stoke (Sat 30 Aug 15.00)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyStoke have problems at the back with Phil Bardsley struggling with a knee injury – the full back has missed training this week, but manager Mark Hughes hasn’t definitely ruled him out yet and will be extra keen to have Bardsley on the pitch as understudy Geoff Cameron is out for another couple of weeks with a thigh strain. Bojan Krkic trained on Thursday and should make the squad, while Victor Moses impressed in the week and should also feature at some stage at the Etihad.
Edin Dzeko has recovered from the knock he picked up against Liverpool on Monday, meaning Manuel Pellegrini has to choose two from the Bosnian, in form Stevan Jovetic and star striker Sergio Aguero. Talking of Aguero, the boss said, “Kun is available, we’ll see tomorrow how many minutes he will play.” So there you go, your guess is as good as mine! City’s only absentees are Eliaquim Mangala and Alvaro Negredo, while the more attack-minded Aleksander Kolarov may be preferred to Gael Clichy at the back.

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Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyNewcastle vs Crystal Palace (Sat 30 Aug 15.00)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyToon midfielder Chieck Tiote will again miss out with a hamstring injury as will Ryan Taylor and Davide Santon. Promising news of forgotten striker Papiss Cisse, who is expected to return to training soon after the international break, while Jack Colback and Rolando Aarons should both be fit to face Palace.
New Palace chief Neil Warnock has quashed rumours of an issue with Jason Puncheon, saying, “I have spoken to Puncheon and his response has been great. He trains very hard and will be involved at the weekend.” Probably as Warnock’s driver or manservant. Joe Ledley is struggling with a groin injury, while Scott Dann is touch and go and will need a late fitness test. Wilfried Zaha has rejoined the club on loan and is likely to be given a start.

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sunderlandQPR vs Sunderland (Sat 30 Aug 15.00)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyRangers striker Charlie Austin is expected to be available after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Alejandro Faurlin is likely to be sidelined for 6-9 months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Striker Eduardo Vargas is unlikely to feature as he was last spotted in Italy trying to sort out his work permit.
The Black Cats have no injury worries for the trip to west London. Adam Johnson and Emmanuel Giaccherini have both recovered from illness, while a fit again Billy Jones will be pushing Santiago Vergini for the right back slot.

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Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlySwansea vs West Brom (Sat 30 Aug 15.00)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyMixed news for the Baggies as they travel to Wales. Defender Sebastien Pocognoli is a doubt and has not trained this week, while the game comes too soon for new signings Georgios Samaras and Silvestre Varela. Joleon Lescott could well be in contention after the international break. On the plus side, Gareth McAuley, James Morrison and Cristian Gamboa will be part of the squad for this weekend, while Graham Dorrans and Craig Gardner have shaken off knocks and Victor Anichebe is expected to recover from a groin problem.
The Swans are still missing Leon Britton, Rory Donnelly, Marvin Emmes and Alan Tate but with two wins out of two, clearly they’re not being missed. New centre-back Federico Fernandez may be the only change that Garry Monk makes to a confident side.

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Photo 10-08-2014 21 18 49West Ham vs Southampton (Sat 30 Aug 15.00)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyThe Saints are expected to field an unchanged team this weekend. J-Rod continues to miss out as does young midfielder Lloyd Isgrove and striker Sam Gallagher. Gaston Ramirez or Shane Long could get a start this week as Ronald Koeman seeks some goals from his side.
The emergency ward at West Ham is as busy as ever as Big Sam has to do without Andy Carroll, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan, Carl Jenkinson and James Collins, while Diafra Sakho is a doubt with a back injury. Enner Valencia is still not match fit, despite playing 120mins in the week.

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Photo 10-08-2014 21 19 43Everton vs Chelsea (Sat 30 Aug 17.30)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlySteven Pienaar is ruled out for the Toffees with a groin injury, but Romelu Lukaku, formerly of Chelsea, is expected to shake off a toe problem and will hope to haunt his old employers. If Lukaku doesn’t make it, Samuel Eto’o, also ex-Chelsea could be thrown in at the deep end for his debut. Loanee Christian Atsu is ineligible to face his parent club – anyone spotting the pattern here? These Merseysiders just take rejects from other clubs – as Liverpool have become Scousehampton, Everton have turned into Eversea, or Chelton. I’m waffling. Ross Barkley, Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo, none of whom have a connection with Chelsea, remain out, but Darron Gibson is available.
It’s wait and see time for Diego Costa owners. Jose said this about him in his presser today: “Costa hasn’t trained for 2 days. Trying a light training session today – if the reaction is positive he will travel to Everton and maybe play, maybe bench, let’s see. If the reaction is not so positive he will not travel, obviously. For tomorrow he is a big doubt.” I’m not here to advise, just inform, so read into that what you will. Everyone else is fit, according to Mourinho, suggesting Andre Schurrle is ok.

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Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyAston Villa vs Hull (Sun 31 Aug 13.30)
Villa striker Christian Benteke is on course for a return to training after the international break, which should help Paul Lambert’s side who have managed just one goal in two matches. Ron Vlaar reseumed training today and is likely to play, but Aly Cissokho remains a doubt. Libor Kozak remains sidelined.
Hull defender James Chester misses out through suspension, meaning Michael Dawson is likely to make his debut alongside Curtis Davies and Alex Bruce. Yannick Sagbo is available again but Robert Snodgrass misses out as Hull attempt to put their Europa League disappointment behind them.

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Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlySpurs vs Liverpool (Sun 31 Aug 13.30)
Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlySpurs continue to be without Kyle Walker and Roberto Soldado as the scousers march into town. With most of the first team being rested for the Europa League win on Thursday, an unchanged side from the one that destroyed QPR is likely. The game will be a good guide to how good Spurs are – having beaten West Ham and QPR so far, Liverpool will be a completely different prospect.
Liverpool have a few worries at the back – new signing Alberto Moreno twisting his ankle at the Etihad, but has been recovering well and could play, while Martin Skrtel has a knock, will be checked and given maximum time to make the game on Sunday. The good news for Rodgers is that Glen Johnson is unlikely to be available. Adam Lallana will make the squad for Sunday, but does lack match fitness, while the manager said Mad Mario has looked fantastic in training. Defender Jon Flanagan is nearing a return to full fitness, but will not quite be ready to face Spurs, but Jose Enrique has been training for over a week now and will be given every chance to make the squad.

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Fantasy Football Pre-season FriendlyLeicester vs Arsenal (Sun 31 Aug 16.00)
Photo 10-08-2014 21 22 15Arsene Wenger has to do without Mikel Arteta and Kieran Gibbs again for the trip to Leicester, but welcomes back Aaron Ramsey, who sat out Wednesday’s Champions League victory through suspension. Keeper David Ospina has returned to full training but will not quite be ready on Sunday to challenge Wojciech Szczesny. Oliveir Giroud has been ruled out until the New Year with a broken ankle, so Alexis Sanchez is likely to start up front again, although Lukas Podolski may make an appearance. Nacho Monreal will continue at left back.
Leicester winger Marc Albrighton is fit to start, but midfielders Danny Drinkwater and Matty James are still missing. Nigel Pearson could hand a debut to former Inter Milan and Argentinian midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, who joined the club this week.

That’s your lot, good luck for GW3.

Thanks for reading Team Talk Fantasy Football – GW3 2014/15. This article was written by Cookie

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128 Comments

  1. 13
    Ant0800 says:

    Is Dzeko City’s safest striker?.

  2. 14
    duthers says:

    Some good news for us Costa owners, I hope

  3. 15
    Ant0800 says:

    Had enough now, my head battered. Feedback on wildcard team please.

    • 15.1
      Calvin Clyne says:

      20 quid to your mate then Ant? 😛 Not sure I like Aguero in there this early, and Hutton is a horrible idea given his run of fixtures after GW3. I do appreciate you want Aguero though, and if you don’t get him now with the WC then it’s harder later on, but them’s the breaks of the early WC..

    • 15.2
      Peps Packers says:

      Def is very weak, plus your better off putting in a Chelsea attacking defender for a it more money and rotating two cheaper keepers. You can save .5 mil rotating Krul and Forster. That way you can afford Cahil and have potential attacking returns and bps.

      Personally not sure about Di Maria atm. I played my wc this week and had him in for a while. My concern is he will be like Silva/Fab, but for a worse team that still needs time to sync up. Therefore not getting as many assists.

      Otherwise like the team. I’ve got Aguero as my capt atm, but not sure if its wise.

  4. 16
    jamesimmo says:

    Aguero – is he essential now?

  5. 17
  6. 18

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