Team Talk Game-week 37- FPL Fantasy Football Premier League

Welcome to DGW37 and the one last chance to make a big gamble in your mini league with six teams playing twice and our game-week is not completed until Wednesday evening, leaving just a quick turnaround to GW38. With so much still to play for at the top and the bottom of the division, it promises to be a week of excitement, thrills, highs and lows and hopefully a massive haul of points for us all. Our game-week kicks off Saturday lunchtime down the east end mate, as the ‘Ammers entertain Spurs – always lively as they hate each other but maybe too early for that much excitement as the pubs will not have been open that long, unfortunately. We then have five 3pm matches as Aston Villa entertain Hull, Man Utd welcome Sunderland, Cardiff go to Newcastle, Stoke meet Fulham and Swansea take on Southampton. Saturday evening is huge – it’s Everton vs City, with City needing a victory to increase the pressure on Liverpool at the top. Then onto Sunday and Arsenal can seal fourth by beating West Brom before Norwich go to Chelsea in a desperate attempt to beat the drop. It’s Monday night down at Selhurst Park as Palace host Liverpool. And then into midweek and the doubles – Tuesday sees Man Utd take on Hull at Old Trafford and on Wednesday we have Villa going to City and Sunderland welcoming West Brom to the Stadium of Light.

So, as you can see, loads to get through – let’s go Around the Grounds and catch up on all the latest news.

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West Ham vs Tottenham (Sat 3 May 12.45)

Ha-ha, what a joke these two clubs have become. Hammer’s fans hate Big Sam, irrelevant of whether they win or lose, while poor old Tim Sherwood thinks everyone wants to manage Spurs and is quickly driving himself mad, quicker than he’s being driven out of the club. It’s looking increasingly likely that both managers will be out on their ear the minute the season finishes, which will certainly please the eastenders, who will likely celebrate the appointment of a Michael Laudrup or Malky Mackay, enjoy the better football and then accept relegation with a shrug and the old, “well, it was better than last season under that fat prick Allardyce”. Strange mentality – now you know why I had to get out of there. As for Spurs, who really cares? Every year the same old drivel, “it’s gonna be our year”, “we’ll finish above the scum” blah blah bleedin blah. Big yawn. Did you know that if you bet a Spurs fan £20 in 1995 that Arsenal will finish above them and went double or quits every year since, today that idiot would owe you £5,242,880?

Big Sam’s only injury is Marco Borriello – aside from him, the rest of the squad is fit and available for selection as the Hammers attempt to complete a treble over their arch rivals. The manager is keen to get at least another point and clean sheet, but is also more than aware of the Hammers’ failings in front of goal, which has seen them go 230mins without scoring. Striker Andy Carroll has a decent record vs Spurs – he has scored in both previous meetings with Spurs for West Ham, although both matches were lost.
The Wannabe Gooners will have to continue to do without Kyle Walker and Erik Lamela – the latter I’m convinced they bought last summer but I’m beginning to think I may have dreamt that. Jan Vertonghen and Etienne Capoue have returned to training this week, but GW37 will likely come too soon for them both. Mousa Dembele remains out with an ankle injury, while Andros Townsend has been ruled out for the season. Jermain Defoe had the right idea.

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Aston Villa vs Hull City (Sat 3 May 15.00)

Hull travel to Villa knowing they are probably, but not mathematically safe from the drop, while their hosts are in a whole world of poo, due to a dreadful run of collecting just one point out of a possible eighteen. Manager Paul Lambert is another manager under enormous pressure and could well end up playing squash with Moyesie soon as the fans’ increased frustration continues to boil over. Villa really need to win this to avoid a week of bum-squeaking as their remaining matches see them travel to Man City and Spurs, while Hull will want to guarantee their survival as soon as possible so they can concentrate all their efforts on the Cup Final. Villa have won four and lost none of their five previous league meetings with Hull, who themselves have not even scored in any of their last eight competitive meetings with the Villains.

Villa defender Joe Bennett is a doubt for the game with an ankle injury. Midfielder Leandro Bacuna has recovered from his virus (confirmed as being myteamiscrapitis) and is available. Christian Benteke, Charles N’Zogbia, Chris Herd, Jores Okore and Libor Kozak remain long term absentees.
Steve Bruce has no fresh injury worries for the game and will therefore select from the same squad as last weekend. Allan McGregor and Paul McShane are both continuing their battle to be fit for the Cup final, while midfielder Robbie Brady is still on the treatment table.

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Man Utd vs Sunderland (Sat 3 May 15.00)

Giggsy takes charge of his second match as United chief as both teams play their first game of their double game-week. Of course, there is much more riding on the game for the Black Cats, who now find themselves out of the drop zone after winning their last two matches and having just beaten Chelsea and drawn with City, a trip to Old Trafford will hardly faze them. They have already won there this season in the Capital One Cup and a repeat of that result will see them to the brink of survival, but their record vs United is awful – without a win in 23 league meetings vs the Reds, taking just 5pts out of a possible 69. But it’s a funny old game and with Player of the Month Connor Wickham in great form, they have a chance and interestingly they have scored in nine of their last ten away games.

Giggs has confirmed that Wayne Rooney has a bug and a tight groin – no Granny jokes, please. Wazza is desperate to play and will be monitored over the next 24 hours, though there are unconfirmed reports that he is a doubt for both games. RvP has trained well all week but tomorrow may come just a bit too soon, certainly for a start, but he has a great chance of being involved vs Hull in the week.
Sunderland are likely to be without Carlos Cuellar, while goalkeeper Kieren Westwood, Ki-Sung-Yueng and Steven Fletcher are set to miss the rest of the season. Phil Bardsley will be hoping for a recall against his old club, though Gus Poyet may decide to stick with Santiago Vergini. Emanuele Giaccherini came off the bench for just 18mins at Cardiff but scored and assisted and will be hopeful of a start. Poyet says there will be no surprises in terms of injuries or team selection. Thanks Gus.

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Newcastle vs Cardiff City (Sat 3 May 15.00)

I don’t know about you, but I just laugh now when I watch Newcastle. The owner is a joke who hardly ever goes to the games, the players just don’t give a toss and the manager is a complete spanner who is only loved by his mother, possibly his wife and perhaps his kids. Though I doubt it. It’s quite possible that Cardiff could be relegated by 5pm on Saturday if they lose to the Geordies and Sunderland get a result at Old Trafford, so the Welshies really do need to pull something out of the hat if they are to survive. Little sympathy though – Solskjaer is obviously a legend but the Chairman is a cock with a glock and the fans are Welsh – they’re best off in the Championship. See ya. The home fans have planned a walkout during the game in protest at the running of the club – brilliant, that’ll work – pay for your ticket, buy your Newcy Brown and eight pies, read the programme….and then walk out. Well thought out that. Jeez you idiots, if you’re gonna do it, do it properly – make a big banner and hire a plane – works every time.

Mr Angry has said that striker Luuk de Jong has returned to the squad after injury – the rest of the squad will be the same as that which was available for the defeat at Arsenal. This means midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa continues to be frozen out by Pardew – the Frenchman has said he is desperate to play and isn’t injured, but is being frozen out by Monsieur Angry and had to watch Monday’s defeat in his own living room – the non-playing play maker wasn’t even allowed to train with the first team this week – excellent stuff Pards, keep digging that grave you arrogant prick.
Cardiff defender Juan Cala misses out through suspension, so Ben Turner is likely to deputise, while ex-Toon striker Craig Bellamy could feature after coming off the bench at Sunderland last weekend. Craig Noone and Mark Hudson are out for the season.

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Stoke City vs Fulham (Sat 3 May 15.00)

A must-win game for the Cottagers, who will still be annoyed at throwing away a 2-goal lead home to Hull last weekend which leaves them staring relegation in the face. Their only real hope is that Stoke are busy packing their sombreros and speedos as was clearly the case last weekend when they allowed Spurs the three points at the Britannia. It has to be two wins or its downski for the Fulham and the fact they’ve only won four times on their travels this season doesn’t bode well and despite their loss last weekend, Stoke have only lost three times on their own patch – but never say never, as an ex-girlfriend said to me once. It is worth noting, however, that Stoke haven’t won in any of their five clashes with clubs in the bottom three and Fulham triumphed in the fixture at the Cottage in October.

Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell is a doubt for the game after picking up a knock on his ankle in last week’s draw with Hull. The bigger mystery surrounds the lesser spotted striker Kostas Mitroglou – Penfold says the Greek has finally trained all week and “maybe” he will join the squad this weekend. Weird. Defender Matthew Briggs and midfielder Damien Duff continue to be unavailable.
Stoke have no new injuries, but will be without Ryan Shawcross, who is suspended after being sent off last week – Hughes still has to decide who to bring in, with Marc Muniesa the obvious candidate to partner Marc Wilson, though Geoff Cameron could also play there. Jonathan Walters is pushing for a start after impressing from the bench against Spurs, while Oussama Assaidi will be assessed after picking up a knock. Robert Huth remains out.

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Swansea vs Southampton (Sat 3 May 15.00)

The only game of the weekend that has absolutely nothing riding on the result, at either end of the table, so expect freedom, good football, hopefully some goals, maybe some rotation and goodness knows what else. The Saints come into the game fresh off their victory over Champions League chasing Everton last week, though they haven’t won on the road since early March when they turned up at Palace and nicked the win. The Swans guaranteed their safety last weekend with a comfortable victory over Villa and will look to sign off at the Liberty with another win to send the fans off on their caravan holidays to Tenby happy. Despite having never beaten Southampton in the top flight, the Swans haven’t lost at home to them since 1962, though to qualify that statement, they have only hosted them six times in that period.

Swans midfielder Michu has been ruled out for the season with his ankle injury and has returned to Spain, not Tenby, for treatment, while defender Angel Rangel will also not feature again this term. Dwight Tiendalli or Neil Taylor could deputise for Rangel, while Chico Flores is available again following suspension.
Saints striker Rickie Lambert is a doubt after picking up a knock, though manager Mauricio Pochettino suggests he could come off the bench. Kelvin Davis, Maya Yoshida, Gaston Ramirez and Jay Rodriguez are all expected to remain unavailable, but midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is hoping to be feature after recovering from a thigh injury.

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Everton vs Man City (Sat 3 May 17.30)

The big game of the weekend, hence the prime time slot, when the losers of this world are watching X-Factor or Britain’s Got No Talent or whatever is on at the moment, but we’ll all be focused on events at Goodison as City attempt to win their last tough-looking match. If they do manage to grab the three points then surely the title is theirs, unless they slip up at home to the claret collection of Villa and West Ham. But despite going down limply last week at Southampton, Everton are a different beast at home, especially under the lights and they have won the last four matches vs City at Goodison, so the omens are good for them and their dear neighbours. The Toffees have to win to preserve any faint hopes they still hold for Champions League qualification, so in helping themselves they may also do Liverpool a huge favour if they can defeat or even just draw with City.

Roberto Martinez says he is optimistic that defender Phil Jagielka, who has missed the last eleven matches, will be fit, while Sylvain Distin trained on Thursday and will be assessed before the game. Leighton Baines, who took a knock last week at Southampton is fine, while on-loan midfielder Gareth Barry is ineligible to play vs City. Steven Pienaar has returned to training but won’t be ready for this week, Martinez is hopeful the South African may play a part in GW38. Darron Gibson, Arouna Kone, Lacina Traore, Bryan Oviedo and Kevin Mirallas remain sidelined.
David Silva is fit again for City, though whether he can play twice in five days remains to be seen. Matija Nastasic has resumed training but is not yet ready to play, leaving Jesus Navas as the only injury for City as they aim to take a giant leap towards the League title.

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Arsenal vs West Brom (Sun 4 May 13.30)

Depending on how Everton get on vs City, this could be must win for Arsenal or another Emirates snooze fest. Either way, the Baggies will still feel they may need another point or two to ensure survival and with the Gooners having won their last three matches, this is sure to be a tough one for Pepe Mel and his troops. Le Professeur will of course want his team to maintain their form going into the Cup Final and if they can see West Brom off in the same laboured way they beat Newcastle on Monday then its job done for the Gooners and Wenger will be celebrating another 4th place Championship trophy. The Goonies have won ten and drawn two of the last thirteen meetings between the two and another home win to secure Champions League football looks likely, despite the Baggies showing a tad of form by winning three of their last seven.

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is a doubt for the game as he is struggling with a knee injury, leaving Carl Jenkinson to deputise. Apart from Sagna, the squad will be the same as it was for the Newcastle stroll. Kieran Gibbs is nearing a comeback, but The Ox continues to miss out and is undergoing continual treatment on his groin injury. Theo Walcott remains sidelined, of course, but Jack Wilshire is close to full fitness.
Baggies defender Gareth McAuley has returned to training and should return after missing the last two matches, but Steven Reid is a doubt with a groin problem. Liam Ridgewell and Zoltan Gera both miss out this week, while our “hippy crack” loving friend Saido Berahino will hope for another start after scoring the winner at West Ham last week.

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Chelsea vs Norwich (Sun 4 May 16.00)

Forget the game for a sec, cos we all know what is going to happen. Who saw John Terry crying on Wednesday night after their loss to Athletico? Doesn’t matter how bad your week has been or who has annoyed you at work, just one look at the ‘orrible Pikey blubbing makes the world seem such a happier place and lifts the gloom, if only temporarily. His Dad’s a racist drug dealing scumbag, his old dear is a drunken thief, so I guess it’s no real surprise how their little scrote turned out. Ok, back to the game and Norwich are in an even bigger danger than a Chelsea wag on a team night out. Relegation seems almost certain given their fixtures, form and general uselessness – but of course, if somehow they can create a miracle and get the Pikey crying again on Sunday they will have a chance of survival on the final day of the season – and the majority of us will adopt them as our second club. But, the Canaries have lost their last nine matches in a row on the road and the trip to West London is likely to take that run into double figures and increase the gloom in Norfolk.

Norwich manager Neil Adams says that defender Joseph Yobo has trained well, but will need to be assessed before the game – however Anthony Pilkington has been ruled out with a hip injury.
Chelsea have no fresh concerns for the match, so Oscar remains out with the hope of maybe playing in GW38. Mark Schwarzer is expected to continue in goal in the absence of Petr Cech and Ramires is suspended.

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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (Mon 5 May 20.00)

A must win for Liverpool and if City win at Goodison, this turns into a “must win and must score loads” as goal difference could cost the scousers after their slip-up last weekend. After getting Mourinho’d at Anfield, they now have Tony Pulis to deal with and after Palace were comprehensively beaten by City last week, he will want his team to return to the form of their five-game winning run. These past few weeks have all been about Steven Gerrard of course, from his blubbing “Let’s go again” squeak after the victory over City to last week’s Captain Slippy “here we go again” as his mistake let in Demba Ba. It goes without saying that wherever Liverpool finish, they will have had an amazing season, without doubt better than what they could of hoped for in August, while exactly the same can be said of Palace – in fact this match probably brings together the two managers of the season in Brendan Rodgers and Pulis.

Tony Pulis is looking forward to facing the challenge of Liverpool, but accepts it’ll be a difficult game. He says his squad has “a couple of niggles”, but nothing too serious and hopes to have a full squad available for selection as they have a couple of extra days to let everyone recover.
Liverpool’s main concern for Monday is Daniel Sturridge, who hasn’t trained all week due to his ongoing hamstring problem. It would appear that the club are being very protective with the striker and playing him only if necessary, hence his 33mins off the bench vs Chelsea – I would suggest that he starts again on the bench on Monday and only brought on if Liverpool are struggling. Jordan Henderson misses the game as he serves the final match of his suspension, while Jose Enrique remains unavailable. Rodgers said he hasn’t had to pick up Gerrard this week – that change of studs must have helped then my little squeaky friend.

And then onto midweek. Obviously team news may be impacted by what happened at the weekend, so keep your ears to the ground and eyes on the site for all relevant injury news.

Man Utd vs Hull City (Tues 6 May 19.45)

Man City vs Aston Villa (Weds 7 May 19.45)

Sunderland vs West Brom (Weds 7 May 19.45)

Best of luck to you all for GW37.

Thanks for reading Team Talk Game-week 37, this article was written by Cookie.