So, yours truly is back from Sin City and that can only mean that we're back on a regular train schedule, no? Based on the week's fixtures on paper, this weekend's games will fall short of delivering an encore from last week's action. Liverpool and Chelsea should have an easy go of it against Hull and Wigan respectively while Manchester United have the pleasure of an always tricky trip to Stoke. In fantasy terms, this might be the week that you should pay attention to the Man of Glass, Louis Saha's goal output and buy the oft-injured striker.
First off, one would expect me to have some extensive rants and raves of last Sunday's Manchester Derby. However, unfortunately for you, I watched it live early in the morning at the local pub, an evening removed from getting wasted after the previous Saturday's Mayweather/Marquez fight. Compounded to this was yours truly feeling a bit under the weather the past two days. I pride myself on being practically impregnable from getting sick, but for some odd reason, I tend to either get sick after my Vegas trip or during my Vegas trip. It doesn't matter if it's in the last few days of Summer when the weather is still scorching hot (albeit it's not one of those 110-115 degree days Vegas is notorious for) or if I visit in the Winter when it's bloody freezing. I didn't come down with the flu, but I reckon a few of those nights where I didn't get much shuteye just caught on to me and I felt rather fatigued. Oddly, I don't have a lingering cold but I have this nagging sore throat since Wednesday, which is quite a puzzlement and a nuisance. Other than that, I'm feeling stronger although I'm not much in the mood for words, blah.
Forwards
Must-haves:
- Fernando Torres, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Didier Drogba, Chelsea (at Wigan)
- Jermain Defoe, Tottenham (v Burnley)
- Wayne Rooney, Manchester United (at Stoke)
Start:
- Darren Bent, Sunderland (v Wolverhampton)
- Craig Bellamy, Manchester City (v West Ham)
- Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aston Villa (at Blackburn)
Risky business:
- Robin van Persie, Arsenal (at Fulham)
- Kevin Davies, Bolton (at Birmingham)
Take a punt on:
- Cristian Benitez, Birmingham (v Bolton)
- Louis Saha, Everton (v Portsmouth)
After being suspiciously anonymous against Burnley, Fernando Torres returned to goal rampaging ways with a two-goal brace away to West Ham. Another soft matchup beckons for Torres in the shape of Hull against the worst conceding side in the league, as the Tigers have conceded a league-high 13 goals. It would take an audacious bet to believe Torres has another quiet day against soft opposition at home the second time around. To save a bit of money, you can take a look at Dirk Kuyt instead of Torres although the latter has more explosive scoring potential. Didier Drogba has far and away been the best fantasy scorer six weeks in, averaging nearly 20 points a week and although his health is a question mark, don't cut him if you have him on discount (I still have Drogba in the 10's). The payoff is quite handsome for the Ivory Coast hitman, as Wigan have been outscored and outclassed at the hands of Man United and Arsenal thus far. Jermain Defoe came up empty against a staunch Chelsea side, but the likelihood he bounces back this week is great when Burnley visit White Hart Lane with the highest goals allowed tally on the road, with 9 goals conceded. Stoke are notorious for making it hard for visitors to move the ball down against them with their physical play, which makes Wayne Rooney a not-so-promising play and I'd elect to go with either Torres or Drogba over him. That said, if you have Rooney at some discount, don't feel compelled to dump him when he has been just as effective as Drogba this term.
Once again, Darren Bent is a worthy start as Sunderland play host to a fairly suspect Wolves side, even though his scoring output has been good, not quite stellar for the best pure matchups. Craig Bellamy has thrived since Robinho got crocked and his role is of higher importance with Emmanuel Adebayor suspended of course. Bellamy had a two-goal brace against United at the weekend, one a beauty and one off a horrible gaffe from Rio Ferdinand. Whatever the case, Bellamy has good odds of striking against his last employer, West Ham, who were shredded for three goals at home against Liverpool. Prior to that, the Hammers let a respectable three goals go in the first four matches, granted those were against rather tepid attacking sides. Expect City to be a bit much for West Ham and at the heart of it all could be Bellamy. Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor has struck the net three games in a row for Aston Villa although it's worth mentioning that their opponents, Blackburn, had done a decent job of shoring up their rearguard prior to letting three past away to Everton. That said, if you're looking for a name that won't likely appear on a host of rosters and is still moderately priced, Gabby can be a solid play here.
I'm a bit wishy-washy on endorsing Robin van Persie this weekend, which is why he's in the risky business section, given that for the same cost, Torres and Drogba are better matchup plays. Fulham tend to fare better at closing down their home pitch, but it's worth mentioning that Fulham have yet to keep a home clean sheet and they haven't recorded a clean sheet since the 1-nil opening day victory at Portsmouth. Always know that RVP can be a difference maker when he takes all the set plays for the Gooners. Elsewhere, Kevin Davies might have a fantastic matchup on paper for the moderate price, but the truth of the matter is, Birmingham have defended better than some would otherwise think. It could be a rather cagey affair at St. Andrews this weekend.
On the flip side, I believe Cristian Benitez is worth another shot, just as he continues to adapt to the English game, and he's a potential bargain against a Bolton side that have leaked goals at the back recently and just as the pressure is mounting from the Trotters fans on their gaffer Gary Megson. The other punt is somewhat on the deep end as he's surely not cheap. That man made of glass, Louis Saha, has tacked on four goals from his first four appearances, including a brace against Blackburn last time out. Saha has a golden matchup as Everton head over to Fratton Park to face a troubled Portsmouth side who are at the very foot of the table and while he's a bit pricey in the mid-12's, Saha is in a rich vein of form of late and can be a difference maker, considering that about 5% of Yahoo teams own him.
Midfielders
Must-haves:
- Steven Gerrard, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Frank Lampard, Chelsea (at Wigan)
Start:
- Aaron Lennon, Tottenham (v Burnley)
- Yossi Benayoun, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Shaun Wright-Phillips, Manchester City (v West Ham)
- Andy Reid, Sunderland (v Wolverhampton)
- James Milner, Aston Villa (at Blackburn)
- Jamie O'Hara, Portsmouth (v Everton)
- Steven Pienaar, Everton (at Portsmouth)
Risky business:
- Matthew Taylor, Bolton (at Birmingham)
- Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal (at Fulham)
- Ashley Young, Aston Villa (at Blackburn)
Take a punt on:
- Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal (at Fulham)
Like Fernando Torres the other week, it was Steven Gerrard's turn to go missing but the matchup against Hull is too great to turn down. By far, he's the best elite midfielder play over Frank Lampard, who is starting to worry me a bit with only three shots on target from the first six games. For what it's worth, Lamps is in a favorable position away at Wigan although the Chelsea attack hinges mostly around Drogba instead of Lamps.
Aaron Lennon was neutralized in back-to-back matches against Manchester United and Chelsea, which puts his stellar form at a major dent. However, his pace will be troubling for Burnley to cope with and he should come up with meaningful points against the Clarets. Yossi Benayoun might be a worthwhile option to Gerrard if you're strapped for cash while Shaun Wright-Phillips has a fine chance of scoring as he's playing up as a third forward for City. Following up on a massive week against Hull with a match-winning goal, Sunderland's Andy Reid assisted Darren Bent's goal for the only Sunderland goal against Burnley last weekend. Reid is a tad expensive for a mid under 12, but remains as one of the better mid-tier priced mids this week with an attractive home matchup against Wolves. Like Reid, James Milner has been a tad expensive under the 12 million price tag, but has been more cost-effective than his Villa winger teammate Ashley Young. Milner pitched in with a goal and an assist against Pompey at the weekend and is a worthy play against Blackburn, a team he bagged a goal against last time Villa visited Ewood Park. Another mid-tier midfielder that's worthy of consideration is Everton winger Steven Pienaar, who can rack up some effort points against poor old Pompey. Sticking with Pompey, Jamie O'Hara has been a bit of a bright spot for the South Coast bottom dwellers and is a bargain buy for an ex-Spurs lad who will get his playing time at Fratton Park and can be a boon in his involvement in set pieces.
Matthew Taylor has been terrific on paper with two penalty kick goals in his last two matches. I reckon it'll be a cagey go of it at St. Andrews this week and while I had seen his mate up front, Kevin Davies, as risky, I'll admit that while Matty carries a bit of risk of not performing up to price, the difference between the two is Taylor is at the heart of anything involved in the Bolton attack. In other words, Matty's still worth a plug in. Cesc Fabregas has three goals on four shots on target, which makes the Catalan midfielder a premium lad for a guy who doesn't necessarily push forward all the time. Like Matty, Cesc is worth considering but it's just a lukewarm endorsement as Fulham tend to defend better at home although they haven't really gotten in gear in earnest. Lastly, Ashley Young nearly netted 10 points in a week for the first time this term in Yahoo leagues, but again, I still see him as a bit expensive for his price and I'd rather go with Milner, even though this might be one of those unpredictable weeks where Ashley has a run of it against Rovers.
For the same price as Ashley Young, you can nab Andrei Arshavin for a little over 15 million in the Yahoo game and the Russian forward figures to be fit enough to feature against Fulham. It seems like Wenger is going to give Arshavin the green light to start and if you want to roll the dice while saving a bit of what you could have invested in Cesc for a high-reward payoff, Arshavin is a long punt for the pound.
Defenders
Must-haves:
- Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal (at Fulham)
- Glen Johnson, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Ashley Cole, Chelsea (at Wigan)
- Leighton Baines, Everton (at Portsmouth)
Start:
- Stephen Warnock, Aston Villa (v Blackburn)
- Richard Dunne, Aston Villa (v Blackburn)
- James Collins, Aston Villa (v Blackburn)
- Wayne Bridge, Manchester City (v West Ham)
- Micah Richards, Manchester City (v West Ham)
- Roger Johnson, Birmingham (v Bolton)
- Johnny Heitinga, Everton (at Portsmouth)
Risky business:
- Jamie Carragher, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United (at Stoke)
- Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United (at Stoke)
Take a punt on:
- Sylvain Distin, Everton (at Portsmouth)
- George McCartney, Sunderland (v Wolverhampton)
- Alan Hutton, Tottenham (v Burnley)
- Gary Cahill, Bolton (at Birmingham)
Just as Glen Johnson reaffirmed his dominance as bar none, the best fantasy scoring defender, the Belgian import Thomas Vermaelen notched a two-goal brace for Arsenal against Wigan, giving the new lad three goals on the young season. Because Vermaelen came in on a fine discount in the Yahoo game, one would deem him to be the better value for the buck. Next up for Vermaelen and Arsenal is a Fulham attack that has yet to find a prominent scorer, which makes Vermaelen a fantastic must-start here when he can poach goals off set pieces. Glen Johnson actually has a better shot on target rate than Vermaelen and his attacking game is likely to yield more attacking effort points (i.e. corners, fouls won). Like Fulham, Hull have been relatively anemic in putting the ball in the onion bag, outside of Stephen Hunt, which makes Johnson a favorite of nabbing a clean sheet here. A bit pricier than Glen Johnson is Chelsea left back Ashley Cole who is about level on points with the Liverpool fullback, thanks to a stellar performance of a goal and assist scored alongside a clean sheet against Spurs. Cashley doesn't quite have the popularity of Johnson, but again should be in line for a potential clean sheet at Wigan and can pitch in on the attack if necessary, which makes Cashley something of a difference maker, if you're looking for an edge that your league mates don't quite have. Rounding out must-haves is Everton's Leighton Baines, who for me, is a bit off on the price/value formula as the latter three, but for what it's worth, Baines is second in corners won (to Jose Bosingwa) and he leads in fouls won (tied with Birmingham's Roger Johnson). Much is made of Pompey's inability to score, but methinks they get one on the board at home which makes Baines' ability to get forward and collect attacking effort points all the more important.
The Villa rearguard have looked more menacing now that Martin O'Neill has some depth at the back, with the additions of Stephen Warnock, Richard Dunne, and James Collins. This trio has racked up their share of clean sheets since making the post-deadline move to Villa Park and the encouraging thing is, they've done it against teams who have known to be quite goal-shy and Blackburn are no exception. Of the three, I like the former Rovers man Stephen Warnock best because of what he can provide going forward, but Dunne and Collins are more than worthy of a look. Manchester City's defense was in communications disarray against United last weekend, but don't let that stop you from taking a shine on having any one of their defenders aboard your fantasy team, as West Ham are rather offensively anemic as well. Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott are a bit rich for my blood, which makes the two fullbacks Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards better buys on the cheap while both can pitch in going forward. I also like the steady points producer Roger Johnson of Birmingham and I'd give Johnny Heitinga a chance as he's cheap, can go forward, and nab a clean sheet in the process for Everton.
Aside from Glen Johnson, I'm not keen on Jamie Carragher who seems a bit overpriced and Liverpool haven't been watertight at the back although Liverpool are at home and they have managed to keep out the anemic sides at Anfield. Still, the payoff in buying Carra isn't necessarily noteworthy especially if the Reds concede a goal. Even though the matchup at Stoke seems ripe for a clean sheet, I wouldn't take complete stock in the United defense, especially Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
It's a homecoming for Sylvain Distin as Everton visits Fratton Park, but that also boosts his fantasy significance now that he's no longer plying his trade for poor old Pompey. Distin is also a good deal cheaper than Baines and is worth considering for a clean sheet possibility. Sunderland's George McCartney is a decent return for how little it is to spend on him and once again, the Black Cats have a favorable matchup against a relatively punchless attack in Wolves. Sebastien Bassong figures to be fit enough to start against Burnley, although that doesn't diminish Alan Hutton's status from featuring in Spurs' starting XI. My preference would lie in Bassong because he's usually cheaper than Hutton, but if you have some doubts on Bassong's fitness, Hutton can also be considered. Lastly, I keep endorsing Bolton's Gary Cahill here and there and while the Trotters have leaked goals, Cahill has a few things in his favor: he can head in set pieces and Birmingham have yet to muster goals, such was their story in the Championship last term. Cahill won't get much consideration because of Bolton's poor goals against record, which makes taking a punt on Cahill an interesting change of pace from most other rosters.
Goalkeepers
Must-haves:
- Jose Reina, Liverpool (v Hull)
- Brad Friedel, Aston Villa (at Blackburn)
- Petr Cech, Chelsea (at Wigan)
Start:
- Shay Given, Manchester City (v West Ham)
- Carlo Cudicini, Tottenham (v Burnley)
- Joe Hart, Birmingham (at Bolton)
- Vito Mannone, Arsenal (at Fulham)
- Tim Howard, Everton (at Portsmouth)
Risky business:
- Ben Foster, Manchester United (at Stoke)
- Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton (at Birmingham)
- Brian Jensen, Burnley (at Tottenham)
- Brad Hennessey, Wolverhampton (at Sunderland)
- Paul Robinson, Blackburn (v Aston Villa)
Take a punt on:
- Craig Gordon, Sunderland (v Wolverhampton)
Toss out:
- Mark Schwarzer, Fulham (v Arsenal)
- Robert Green, West Ham (at Manchester City)
- David James, Portsmouth (v Everton)
- Thomas Sorensen, Stoke (v Manchester United)
- Chris Kirkland, Wigan (v Chelsea)
- Boaz Myhill, Hull (at Liverpool)
As you may know, I normally shy away from paying top dollar on a keeper, especially in Jose Reina's case when his backline has been relatively unreliable thus far. That said, Reina and Liverpool were able to do the business against a side that's as deficient at scoring as Burnley, and figure to fare well against Burnley in snagging a clean sheet. I also like Aston Villa's Brad Friedel to pick one up possibly albeit the prospect is a bit dim when Villa are away to Blackburn while Petr Cech is worth a shout if you want to go all out in spending on a top keeper as Chelsea figure to lock down Wigan.
There's no better time than to buy low on Shay Given, as his price tag predictably tumbled after yielding four goals in the Manchester Derby, and frankly, that's what he got for celebrating prematurely in front of the Stretford End when City nodded it up in the 90th minute, only to lose it in the last seconds. At any rate, Given was phenomenal last week despite the goals hurting his fantasy score and while I don't see him getting pelted by shots from West Ham, he's good money for a clean sheet. Elsewhere, you have to like Carlo Cudicini, Vito Mannone (as Manuel Almunia is still listed as doubtful), and Tim Howard's chances of snagging a clean sheet. Of that lot, I like Cudicini the best as his chances of a clean sheet letdown aren't as great as Mannone or Howard, especially Howard, in my view. Once again, I'd trot Birmingham's Joe Hart out there even though Bolton have been tricky to shut out.
I reckon it's risky to give Ben Foster a run-out when he has been suspect in his decision making and the United defense haven't been in watertight form just yet. That said, Foster still seems like Fergie's go-to guy at keeper instead of Tomasz Kuszczak, but Edwin van der Sar could return not too far down the road. Even though Birmingham haven't had much luck in finding the net, Jussi Jaaskelainen seems a bit risky for a Bolton defense that has figured to be lackluster. It's nice having Brian Jensen, Brad Hennessey, or Paul Robinson on the cheap, but if you can help it, I'd look to upgrade. Actually, you don't necessarily have to upgrade in cost, but rather go to the bargain pick of the week: Sunderland's Craig Gordon for an ultra-cheap mid-2's price, up against a Wolves side struggling for goals. Kind of self-explanatory why I'd want no part of Robert Green, Thomas Sorensen, David James, Boaz Myhill, and Chris Kirkland while I think Mark Schwarzer is overpriced for the time being and facing an Arsenal side that Fulham would be pressed to keep out.
That about does it for me this week. Check back next Monday for the Premiership recap column and of course, next Friday for another installment of Diving in the Box. Until then, keep your clothes on...
-Ray
