Team Talk Game-week 38 The Crying Game

Team Talk Game-week 38 The Crying Game – FPL Fantasy Football Premier League

Well, this is it folks – GW38 – the last game-week of the season. And what a season it’s been, what a week it’s been!! We’ve had the most topsy turvy of a DGW37, which was rescued for some by Yaya and Dzeko and ruined for others by Mata, Aguero and Rooney. We’ve seen Cardiff and Fulham relegated with Norwich joining them unless they demolish Arsenal 17-0. We’ve had Villa, West Brom and Hull do just enough to survive, while Sunderland have made the mother of all comebacks. West Ham beat Tottenham….again! Norwich parked their bus at the Stamford Bridge bus garage. RvP returned. But nothing as dramatic as events at Selhurst Park on Monday evening as Palace came back from 3-0 down to draw with Liverpool, further denting their title chances. Those title chances of course diminished further on Wednesday as City thumped Villa 4-0. And we’ve had the tears. The blubbing. Cashley, Goofy, Gerrard, Cardiff fans, Fulham fans, Norwich fans, I think even Vidic almost let a tear drop at one moment! Marvellous.

So this week – no DGW you’ll be pleased to hear, no three-day game-week either – all the action takes place from 3pm on Sunday, which gives all you who are still competing in a mini-league or Cup competition a perfect chance for some interactive banter/abuse/screaming with your opponent!
Last weekend saw all the games bar one actually having something riding on them. This week it is the opposite with only Man City and Liverpool competing for anything – and even that is unlikely to be that dramatic. In that regard, please, please remember that this week may see random players rested, some youngsters given a first team outing and plenty of surprising and potentially frustrating team news. So, make sure that bench of yours is well stocked up! Oh – and don’t shoot the messenger!

So the all-important team news – let’s, for the final time this season, go Around the Grounds and see what’s happening.

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Cardiff City vs Chelsea
Jose takes his lads across to Cardiff with many of his squad looking forward to the World Cup, while the Welshies are just looking forward to their holidays…and then a season in the Championship. With just pride to play for, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be looking for his players to bow out with pride and a performance and will have revenge on their minds after they were beaten 4-1 at Stamford Bridge in October.

Chelsea may be without John Terry, Samuel Eto’o and Frank Lampard for the trip. Lampard is in bed ill, while Eto’o and Terry picked up injuries in training. Petr Cech is obviously out after undergoing shoulder surgery so Mark Schwarzer will continue to deputise between the sticks. Ramires is suspended.
Cardiff just have Craig Noone and Mark Hudson definitely ruled out through injury, while defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine is a doubt due to illness and a silly name. Juan Cala is suspended after receiving a three-game ban.

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Fulham vs Crystal Palace
We can’t end the season without a London derby and it’s Fulham’s turn to host one this week. Which is nice for them as they won’t be seeing the Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Upton Park, White Drone Lane or Selhurst Park for a while. Palace of course will still be smarting after ruining Liverpool’s title party on Monday and you wouldn’t bet against them trashing Fulham’s Premier League farewell either.

Fulham have no new injuries for the game – and to be honest, no-one cares.
Palace also have no new injuries – striker Cameron Jerome is hoping to return to the squad, while Dwight Gayle will be looking for a start after his heroics on Monday.

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Hull City vs Everton
With Hull firmly focused on next weekend’s FA Cup Final, Everton will be confident of finishing the season on a winning note – and who wouldn’t bet against “Last Day Lukaku” repeating his antics of last season? The Toffees will be looking to end the season on a positive note after losing three out of their last four.

Roberto Martinez is pleased to welcome Steven Pienaar and Sylvain Distin back into the squad for the weekend. On-loan striker Lacina Traore also has a chance of an appearance after resuming training this week, while Gareth Barry returns after being ineligible to face City. Darron Gibson, Kevin Mirallas, Bryan Oviedo and Arouna Kone all remain sidelined.
Hull keeper Allan McGregor, who has been injured for the last six weeks, is in contention to start vs the Toffees. Paul McShane could also feature for the first time since February, but Robbie Brady and James Chester are both ruled out. Nikita Jelavic and Shane Long are both cup tied for the final so will expected to feature here.

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Liverpool vs Newcastle
Even if the expected happens and Liverpool fall just short of their league title in 24 years, they will still receive a rapturous reception from their supporters on Sunday. Though of course, the cheers will be mixed with disappointment and thoughts of “what might have been”, if only they had managed to shut the door on a 3-0 lead at Palace or indeed been able to stop Chelsea scoring on Busgate day. But with every slip, there is always a pick-up and Champions League football is to be looked forward to. Of course, they do go into the game with the slimmest of chances of winning the league but are dependent on old boys Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing doing the biz at the Etihad.

Liverpool welcome back Jordan Henderson to the squad for Sunday’s game – he is likely to replace Lucas in what will probably be an otherwise unchanged line up. Jose Enrique remains the only absentee.
Sammy Ameobi and Davide Santon both returned to training today, though Sunday’s game may come too soon. Papiss Cisse will be out for several months after having surgery on his broken kneecap, while the standoff between Hatem Ben Arfa and Mr Angry lingers on – it’s just a question of who leaves the club first.

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Man City vs West Ham
After the midweek victory over Villa, City have one hand on the league title and a win over the Hammers will confirm it. In fact a draw will be enough unless Liverpool go goal crazy against Newcastle – to the tune of some 13 goals!! So Jose called it right all along – and you all discounted his “we cannot win the league, City will win the league” comments in January. West Ham, as we know, are pretty much useless at this time of the season unless they’re playing Spurs, so expect nothing bar Vincent Kompany to be lifting the trophy around 5pm. But just imagine an early goal or three at Anfield and a resolute and stubborn defence display from Big Sam’s men….and then Liverpool nick another goal or two. Half time, Liverpool are 5 up, City 0-0 – squeaky bum time maybe? We’ll see, it’s unlikely, but it’s been a strange league this year with everyone dropping points and plenty of twists. Could there be one more?

Big Sam says he “has a fully fit squad for Saturday” – which is all well and good but the game is on Sunday. Anyway, assuming they make it to the ground at the right time, on the right day, Sam says his players are looking forward to playing without pressure and spoiling City’s party. Good luck with that one. Andy Carroll has scored more Premier League goals vs City than anyone else – that’s comforting for Liverpool until you realise that number is only five.
Manuel Pellegrini, with a smile on his face, says that all his squad are fit for the game. Yep, even Sergio Aguero. And Jesus Navas. Matija Nastasic is also available. Just what the scousers wanted to hear. Oh and David Silva is ok. And Yaya is ready to lead his team to glory.

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Norwich vs Arsenal
There’ll be tears at Carrow Road on Sunday as Norwich wave goodbye to the Premier League, unless they beat Arsenal by 17 goals or whatever they need. Of course, that’s not going to happen, but with Arsenal Wembley bound, it will sum up this season’s league perfectly if the Canaries go and win this! After all, they kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge last weekend and showed they can keep out the best, especially at home.

Wenger has relieved many an FPL manager by stating that Aaron Ramsey has recovered from his thigh injury and is available, now all you have to do is guess if he plays him or not! Good news also of Jack Wilshire, who could also make a return to the squad. Kieran Gibbs is fit, but The Ox is still missing through a groin injury. Clearly Wenger will have one eye on Wembley, so as per Hull, do not be surprised if one of your chosen Goonies is rested…and don’t blame me. You have been warned!
Norwich will be without Anthony Pilkington, Joseph Yobo and David Fox, who have all missed training this week.

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Southampton vs Man Utd
Giggsy’s final game in charge sees the Reds travel down to Southampton, who despite having nothing to play for have won their last two and not conceded in three games. United still have “hopes” of Europa Cup football (oh, how the mighty has fallen), but will need to beat the Saints and hope that Spurs lose at home to Villa. Not out of the question.

Sunday will likely come too soon for our burger-munching, granny-loving mate Wayne Rooney – he is still short of full fitness after suffering from a groin problem, virus, food poisoning and slight bloatedness. Phil Jones also misses out with ugliness and also the shoulder injury he picked up vs Hull, though Giggs said it wasn’t as bad as first thought – the shoulder I mean, not the ugliness. Jonny Evans is out with an ankle problem, while Rafael continues to be sidelined with a thigh injury.
Mauricio Pochettino says he has no fresh injuries for the game, but then said “but there are still two days of training before the game” – jeez, he’s a happy, optimistic chap to be around. Kelvin Davis has returned to training, but Gaston Ramirez and J-Rod remain on the treatment table.

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Sunderland vs Swansea
With Gus Poyet making a late charge for Manager of the Year and all the pressure off, the Black Cats can actually look forward to this game. Swansea too are safe and with Garry Monk being appointed full-time boss this week, everyone is relaxed in the paddock and can enjoy a good old kick around for 90mins. Jumpers for goalposts and all that.

Poyet has said he is likely to make a number of changes for the weekend and mentioned specifically that Lee Cattermole, Seb Larsson and Connor Wickham have been playing with knocks. “We are not going to do anything crazy, but there are two, three, four players who have been supporting the team every day and need to finish the season with a feeling they have played a part.” Ohhhhh, that’ll set the cat amongst the FPL manager’s pigeons!!
Michu continues to miss out for the Swans, while Angel Rangel is unlikely to be risked after suffering a groin injury that ruled him out of the defeat to Southampton last week. Chico Flores is also a doubt with his toe injury.

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Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Spurs need just a point to secure Europa Cup football for next season – and please, please, please let them get it so they can be crap and knackered again next season. Villa meanwhile will be looking to show the same determination they displayed in the first half at the Etihad in the week

Gabby Agbonlahor looks set to be fit for the match, but Marcus Albrighton is still struggling with a groin injury. Chris Herd, Charles N’Zogbia, Christian Benteke, Jores Okore and Libor Kozak all continue to miss out.
For Spurs, Younes Kaboul is suspended after being sent off in the loss at West Ham. Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Erik Lamela, Andros Townsend, Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele all remain out but Etienne Capoue is back in contention.

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West Brom vs Stoke City
The Baggies are still not mathematically safe, though whoever first said that stats don’t lie, they certainly didn’t have this scenario in mind. Basically West Brom are three points clear of Norwich with a better goal difference of 17 – you can do the maths. West Brom are safe.

The Baggies welcome back Morgan Amalfitano and Jonas Olsson back into the squad, but Steven Reid, Billy Jones and Zoltan Gera are all ruled out. Liam Ridgewell has returned to training and will need to be assessed before the game.
Sparky says his and the team’s aim is to win the game and hopefully finish in the top ten for the first time. Oussama Assaidi is unlikely to be fit after picking up a knock in training. There are no fresh injuries and Ryan Shawcross returns from suspension. Striker Peter Odemwingie returns to the Hawthorns and will likely receive a hostile reception after the manner of his leaving the club. Robert Huth remains out.

Best of luck to you all for GW38.

Thanks for reading Team Talk Game-week 38 The Crying Game, this article was written by Cookie.