Team Talk Gameweek 25 – FPL Fantasy Football Premier League

Welcome to GW25 and following the drama and excitement of GW24, the action shows no sign of slowing down. We kick off at Anfield on Saturday, with the game of the weekend, as Liverpool host Arsenal. A whole bunch of 3pm matches follow with West Ham travelling to Aston Villa, Chelsea entertaining Newcastle, Crystal Palace meeting West Brom, Man City travelling cross country to Norwich, Southampton facing Stoke and Sunderland looking to continue their impressive form against Hull. Then it’s fun and games in South Wales as Cardiff take the short journey west to Swansea. That’ll be fun for the police after a full day’s boozing for the fans. Sunday sees Tottenham host Everton and our game-week is wrapped up as under pressure Fulham take the trip to Old Trafford. Surely United can’t balls this one up?

Let’s get around the grounds and catch up on all the latest team news.

Liverpool vs Arsenal (Sat 8 Feb 12.45)

Still top of the league, despite many suggesting that the title race is between City and Chelsea, Arsenal travel up to Anfield with one game plan – keep Luis Suarez quiet. The Liverpool striker, as we are all aware, has been in magnificent form this season, but when he doesn’t score his team don’t win. In the seven matches in which he has failed to find the net, Liverpool have drawn three and lost four. Call me a genius, but I can’t believe others haven’t recognised that stat and either mark or kick or bite him out of the game. Liverpool haven’t beaten Arsenal at Anfield in the league since 2007 and have won just one of the last twelve meetings between the two, in all competitions. Another success for Arsenal come Saturday lunchtime, will put further pressure on the chasing pack, while Brendan Rodgers will be desperate for a win that could reignite their faint title hopes, but more realistically, maintain 4^th spot and Champions League qualification.

Arsene Wenger will have a similar squad to select from as per that of last week, with the exception of midfielder Jack Wilshire, who may be fit to return after an ankle injury – he’ll need to pass a late fitness test. Fellow midfielder Mikel Arteta, who was limping at the end of the Palace game is fine. Mathieu Flamini is suspended, Aaron Ramsey faces another month on the sidelines while Theo Walcott is a longer term absentee. Thomas Vermaelen is thought to be missing for another two weeks after suffering a setback in training.

Liverpool will use the same squad as last week, with Joe Allen pushing for a start in midfield. Rodgers still has to cope with a defensive injury crisis, though he is glad to report that Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger should hopefully return to training next week. Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique and Lucas all remain sidelined. Daniel Sturridge will hope to continue his great scoring run – he has scored five goals in four league games since returning from injury.

Aston Villa vs West Ham (Sat 8 Feb 15.00)

The Hammers will be looking to continue their decent(ish) form of late when they travel to Villa Park to face enigmatic Aston Villa. Having just got Andy Carroll back from injury, they lose him to suspension following his spiteful and violent attack on Chico Flores last weekend. Without the striker West Ham have struggled to find goals, which could lead Big Sam to park the bus, as he did with success at Chelsea. Villa have won four and drawn two of their last six PL matches at home to West Ham and have scored in each of their last six league matches, meaning the Hammers solid defence could come in for a severe test.

Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor is hopeful of returning to the team after recovering well from injury but defender Ron Vlaar remains very doubtful with a hamstring strain and has not trained all week. If Vlaar misses out, Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker will be the partnership at the back. Joe Bennett is fit again, while Chris Herd is not far away.

Big Sam has no new injuries for the game. Striker Ricardo Vaz Te faces a late fitness test, while Joe Cole, Mohammed Diame and Joey O’Brien are longer term casualties. Defender Winston Reid is pushing for a start.

Chelsea vs Newcastle (Sat 8 Feb 15.00)

Monday night’s victory at City was huge for Chelsea, but despite that, Jose Mourinho continues to talk down his side’s chances of the title, suggesting the Blues are only third favourites and the “little horse” in the race. Well, the next few game-weeks should see if the Special One is genuine in his belief or ramping up the mind games. The visit of Newcastle would appear to offer little threat – one win in six and an awful performance last weekend at home to their nearest and dearest is certainly piling the pressure on Alan Pardew. For those expecting a walkover, however, it may be worth bearing in mind that the Blues have scored more than two goals in a match in just three of their twelve home league games this season.

To say Newcastle are depleted is an understatement. Leading scorer Loic Remy is still suspended, midfield battering ram Chiek Tiote has been ruled out for at least two matches with a hamstring injury, Yoan Gouffran is unlikely to play, captain Fabricio Coloccini remains sidelined with a knee injury and Papiss Cisse is a major doubt with a back injury. New signing Luuk de Jong is on course for a start.

The Special One suggests his squad have a couple of small niggles that will need to be assessed before the game – unfortunately he didn’t specify who, but maintained they weren’t serious. He was more revealing when he said that Mohamed Salah will definitely play and also regarding striker Fernando Torres, who he said was very close to a return, but Tuesday’s game vs WBA is more realistic than tomorrow.

Crystal Palace vs West Brom (Sat 8 Feb 15.00)

West Brom travel to meet Palace with both teams on 23 points and knowing that a win would propel the victor up to halfway, while the loser will remain firmly entrenched in the relegation dogfight. Tony Pulis has brought stubbornness to Palace, more so at Selhurst Park, where they have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven matches. The Baggies are winless in four, though did fight back to claim a point at home to Liverpool last time out, but have not won away from home since their win at Old Trafford in September. This one will likely to be decided by who scores first – Palace’s last six wins have come by scoring first and then not conceding, suggesting they struggle to chase a game while West Brom, to their credit, scored three times at Aston Villa and West Ham, so the hope is there for them.

Baggies boss Pepe Mel says that striker Nicolas Anelka, defender Jonas Olsson and midfielder Stephane Sessegnon will all miss out through injury, but better news of James Morrison, who has recovered from a calf injury and will play. Defender Craig Dawson will also start the match alongside Gareth McAuley, while Diego Lugano and new signing Thievy Bifouma will start on the bench.

Pulis has to decide whether to include all or some of his new recruits for the visit of the Baggies. Tom Ince, Joe Ledley and Scott Dann will all be looking for a place, while keeper Wayne Hennessey will again be on the bench. Great news of last season’s 30-goal hero Glenn Murray, who suffered a severe knee injury in the play-off semi-final – he has finally returned to full training and will be pushing to make the squad sooner rather than later, expect him to really challenge starting strikers Marouane Chamakh & Cameron Jerome.

Norwich vs Man City (Sat 8 Feb 15.00)

It’s probably a good thing for City to get away from the Etihad for a bit and travel to Norwich, smash another seven goals past them and forget about the loss to Chelsea. Well, that will be manager Manuel Pellegrini’s thoughts as he looks to lift the team after Monday’s disaster. But despite hovering just above the relegation zone, Norwich have tried to firm things up at the back and indeed have kept two clean sheets in their last two matches at home…ok, ok, those games were against Hull and Newcastle, but even so, it’ll do their confidence the world of good. But one win in nine games means serious pressure on the Canaries and manager Chris Hughton and this could be the worst time for them to play City, whose away form of 18 goals in their last six away games suggests Norwich’s defence will again come in for a serious test.

Pellegrini has revealed that striker Edin Dzeko has been suffering with an ankle problem, although he will be included in the squad that travels to the game. Joleon Lescott returns to the squad after injury, while midfielder Fernandinho, who City missed badly against Chelsea, will be out for another two weeks or so. Samir Nasri and Javi Garcia are recovering well and could be back for the FA Cup match vs Chelsea next weekend, while it is confirmed that Sergio Aguero is definitely out of the Barcelona game in eleven days’ time. It could be time to put your money on Stevan Jovetic – with Dzeko carrying a knock and Alvaro Negredo scoring in just two of ten away games, a punt on the Montenegro striker could pay dividends.

Norwich’s Ryan Bennett is a major doubt for the game – the inform defender has picked up a thigh injury, hasn’t trained all week and will need to pass a late fitness if he has any chance of playing. Loan signing Joseph Yobo may be considered if Bennett doesn’t make it. Michael Turner and Jonny Howson should both be back soon.

Southampton vs Stoke City (Sat 8 Feb 15.00)

Southampton welcome Stoke with the two teams just two places apart in the league, but separated by ten points, highlighting the tight battle going on in the bottom half of the table. But Stoke will be buoyed from last week’s surprise win over Man Utd, which was their first win in seven games, but they’ll come up against a Saints team who looked to have recovered from their rocky period and are unbeaten in four. The Potter’s away form is nothing short of dreadful – eight losses, two draws and just one clean sheet in ten. The Saints will be confident, but they know it’s never an easy ride against Stoke.

Saints young striker Sam Gallagher has been ruled out of the game following the sad loss of his father. Midfielder Victor Wanyama and defender Calum Chambers, who both picked up knocks in the win at Fulham, have trained this week and will be assessed before the game, while Dejan Lovren and Gaston Ramires remain out, but both are recovering quicker than expected.

Stoke have doubts over midfielders Marko Arnautovic and Jon Walters, who both limped out of last week’s win over United. Mark Hughes says Walters has more chance, but he is hopeful both will prove their fitness. Steven Nzonzi is available again from suspension, but after last week’s performance he is not guaranteed to walk straight back into the starting XI. Long term absentees Andy Wilkinson and Matthew Etherington have returned to training, but Robert Huth is still a couple of weeks away.

Sunderland vs Hull City (Sat 8 Feb 15.00)

Ex-Sunderland boss Steve Bruce returns to the Stadium of Light with his Hull team, but he’ll be coming up against a Black Cats side in top form – three league wins out of four and with a date at Wembley to look forward to, a home win here looks more than likely. Hull have lost five and drawn one since smashing six past Fulham and are in danger of being pulled right into the mix at the bottom, having looked fairly comfortable a few weeks ago. Fresh from last week’s derby victory, Sunderland will want to secure the three points here, before they embark on two tough away trips to the Etihad and the Emirates before their Cup final clash with City.

Hull have no new injuries for the game, so Bruce will select from the same squad as last weekend, plus Jake Livermore, who was ineligible to play vs Spurs. Keeper Allan McGregor is still suspended, so Steve Harper continues to deputise, while James Chester and Joe Dudgeon remain on the treatment table. Striker Sone Aluko has started his recovery from injury by playing 60mins for the reserves and should make the squad.

Black Cats striker Steven Fletcher is out with an Achilles injury and will likely miss the next couple of weeks. Lee Cattermole, who came very close to joining Stoke on deadline day, has recovered from injury and will return to the squad this weekend, but will need to compete for a place in midfield with new signing Liam Bridcutt, who impressed on his debut in the win at Newcastle. Long term casualties Carlos Cuellar & Kieren Westwood are still missing.

Swansea vs Cardiff City (Sat 8 Feb 17.30)

It’s been a turbulent few weeks down in the Valleys – from Malky Mackay’s sacking at Cardiff, to Chico Flores attacking fellow defender Garry Monk with a brick in training, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer turns up at Cardiff, buys a few Utd reserves, but unfortunately not Cleverley or Fellaini, Chico then gets his pony tail wagged by Andy Carroll (bit soft for a brick-wielding thug), Cardiff suddenly win a game, Swansea lose again, Michael Laudrup gets the boot and the victim of the brick attack becomes Chico’s new boss!! So anyone willing to predict this feisty local derby is a brave pundit, but they do say beware the team with a new manager and Monk will likely impose some backbone into a Swansea team that has won just one of their last ten league games, but interestingly they have yet to lose a game at home this season against a side in the bottom ten. Cardiff, meanwhile have lost eight of their twelve away games, scoring just seven goals, so it’ll take all of Solskjaer’s managerial nous to change that record this weekend.

Caretaker boss Monk says Michu could return and play some part in the match, though he admitted the midfielder is still suffering some soreness. Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is a doubt, while keeper Michel Vorm is believed to be close to a return. Jose Canas is ruled out with a foot injury.

On loan winger Wilfried Zaha is in line to make his first start for Cardiff after impressing as a first half substitute last week, but club captain and defender Mark Hudson and Andrew Taylor are still likely to be missing. Kevin Theophile-Catherine is pushing for a recall, while new signing, defender Juan Cala, who joined this week after having his contract terminated by Sevilla is battling Ben Turner for a start.

Tottenham vs Everton (Sun 9 Feb 13.30)

Sunday’s opening match sees Tottenham welcome Everton to the Lane, with both clubs still holding realistic ambitions of catching Liverpool for 4^th place. Despite their trouncing by City in their last home match, Spurs have taken 17 points from a possible 24 since Tim Sherwood took charge and have displayed more of an increased willingness to attack than under AvB, characteristics that are also common at Everton under Roberto Martinez. So expect goals, rather than clean sheets, with both sides struggling to keep their opponents out of late. Spurs have only won one of their last seven meetings with Everton and have already been beaten four times at home this season, but Everton have failed to win any of their last three away matches and a draw seems a good option here.

Many FPL managers will be relieved to hear that defender Seamus Coleman has trained all week and will play on Sunday, while the manager expects Ross Barkley to also be available. The young midfielder has been playing through the pain barrier lately with a broken toe. Gerard Deulofeu should be back soon, while striker Romelu Lukaku will be out for another two weeks. Antolin Alcaraz misses out this week and Martinez has to decide whether to include striker Lacina Traore, who he says is medically fit but maybe lacks some match fitness, but is desperate to make his debut. Some encouraging news of Arouna Kone & Darron Gibson, who are both making good progress and should play before the end of the season.

Sherwood is boosted by the return to fitness of winger Andros Townsend, who hasn’t played since mid-December and Mousa Dembele and both could walk straight back into the starting XI. Not so good news of Vlad Chiriches, Erik Lamela and Sandro, who are all still missing.

Man Utd vs Fulham (Sun 9 Feb 16.00)

Fulham take the trip up to United with no-one giving them a chance, some managers even deciding that this is the week to splash the cash and go with RvP. Well, the stats would definitely concur with that thought – United have won the last seven meetings between the two, with Fulham not having won at Old Trafford since 2003. But this is a funny old season – West Brom, Everton, Spurs and Newcastle have all come away from OT with the three points, while last week Stoke recorded their first ever PL win over the Reds. But Fulham are bottom, they’re rubbish, even Sheffield United beat them midweek, I hear you cry. Yeah you’re right. If United don’t win this one, the knives really will be out for David Moyes, while Fulham boss (for now), Rene Meulensteen returns to Old Trafford under more pressure than the Moyesiah himself.

Meulensteen says that new signing, Kostas Mitroglou, is improving all the time in training and a late decision will be made as to whether he takes part vs United. John Heitinga is fit and will play, while Sascha Riether and Kieran Richardson are also expected to be fit.

Moyes reveals that Jonny Evans has been ruled out with the calf injury he picked up at Stoke, but Phil Jones, who was also substituted in the same game, has a good chance of making the game after recovering from mild concussion. Nemanja Vidic, despite announcing he will leave the club at the end of the season will continue to play and captain the side. Marouane Fellaini picked up a groin problem in the week and is a major doubt.

Thanks for reading Team Talk, this article was written by Cookie.

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