fantasy premier league match roundup – gameweek 13 Saturday

Due to time constraints I’m going to do a briefer fantasy premier league match roundup than previously. Ill still go through every fantasy premier league fixture but it will be a shorter version highlighting key points

Cardiff 0  Arsenal 3

Interestingly Arsenal’s lineup dealt with the double pivot conundrum by putting Flamini on the bench and Arteta the sitting midfielder.  That allowed Ramsey to stay centrally.  He has dropped any pretence of the double pivot and now appears to be on of the flexible 4 attacking midfielders.  Wilshere played on the right  while Walcott is getting match fit.

The Arsenal defence was excellent and its now 4 clean sheets in the last 5

Ramsey after 2 blanks which allowed his few no owners the chance to hope he has burned himself out think that the run is over.  Today saw why he has been so successful.  His ability to drift into the box and his energy on the break were shown with both goals.  I’ve been saying sometime you just have to go with form and this is the best case of that.  Ramsey defies logic but at least he’s not expensive to cover.  Today though he had all the underlying stats back up you need.  He had the most pen box touches and shooting stats 2nd only to Giroud.  He also had good creating chances stats.

Ozil returned to form after 1 assist in his last 4 to gain to assists.  It goes a big way to dispelling the “homer” theory.  Although Arsenal may as well been at home given the lack of pressing Cardiff did.

Giroud owners will have disappointed with no return.  However in my view there was alot to be positive about.  That is  apart from the self imposed “offside” decision which was pretty poor on his part.  He had the best shooting stats

Everton 4 Stoke 0

The Everton lineup had to surprises with Deulofeu starting instead of Mirallas and Osman over Barkley. Oviedo came in for Baines.   Both benchees were excellent in the Liverpool derby match to add to the surprise.  Now both will have concerns after the performance of Deulofeu who could play either on the right in Mirallas’ position or in the “hole” of Barkleys position.  Arnautovic and Huth were injured for Stoke

Firstly the Everton defence was excellent.  Stokes was appalling.

Deulofeu was excellent.  His pace and dribbling ability were fantastic.  He caused panic whenever he had the ball.  A goal and an assist were well deserved.  He also had the best shooting stats and twice as many pen box touches as anyone else.  He almost had 3 times as many as Lukaku and a more advanced average position.  There is a downside though.  He’s classified as a forward in Fantasy premier league.  Even at the friendly price of £5.4m its hard to see him in a fantasy premier league squad given the other options at the moment.

Lukaku also scored again and had the 2nd best shooting stats of anyone.   3 goals in his last 2 games are a great return to form.  Only downside is Man Utd and Arsenal away next.  Its Fulham at home after that if you’re doing any forward planning

Oviedo who came in to replace Baines did it all.  A goal and an assist but no clean sheet.  Yes he’s a midfielder in fantasy premier league.  Only £4.3m mind but not sure he works with that limitation of position and the short term fill for Baines

West Ham 3 Fulham 0

The West Ham lineup didn’t include Ravel Morrison as a continuation of the rotation happening as we hit December.  Not dealing with players injured or out of your team will become harder as we go through December

The West Ham defence was excellent although they were playing a pretty insipid Fulham team.  Fulham didn’t have a single shot on target.  Their most forward striker, Darren Bent had 1 penalty box touch.  As for the Fulham, the defence was terrible.  If you’re giving away the amount of chances they did to one of the poorest attacking teams in the league then you really are completely hopeless.

Diame was the attacking star of the show with a goal.  It was backed u by the best shooting stats and the most pen box touches of any midfielder.  After starting the first 9 he was benched for the next 2.  However he has started the last 2.  Although there are some tricky fixtures its Palace away next and Sunderland H in GW16.  He could be another cheapie midfield option at £4.7m.  However Morrison when he came on was excellent with his direct running and attacking average position and looks a better option to me.

Nolan’s bad luck continues.  He didn’t have as many chances as normal but had at least one good chance to score.  It’s just not happening for him.  Deja vu really from last year.  He may be worth holding to after the Sunderland home game but hat would be my limit if things don’t drastically improve

Newcastle 2 WBA 1

No huge lineup issues in both teams

Remy continued his good form with an assist.  Returns in 4 consecutive matches now.  Also had the best shooting stats as he continues to provide a solid base for those returns.

Cabaye continues to show that he can return with set pieces alone as his armoury.  Now assisted in 3 of his last 5 games.  Swansea A and Man Utd A next aren’t ideal fixtures to buy though before tough.

Its was another game of chances not taken for Sessegnon as he’s failed to return in his last 2.  After City next week there’s still some good fixtures though for the patient

A goal and 2 assists for in his 4 starts to date for £5.0m Chris Brunt  brings him into cheapie midfield consideration.  Also good set piece involvement and fixtures after City away next week.  Maybe more immune to rotation given lack of games played due to injury at beginning of season

Norwich 1 Palace 0

With Tony Pulis joining an upturn in the defensive fortunes of Palace is expected.  Pulis made no changes to the back 4 that’s been lining up recently.  Gabbidon is probably the best £4.0m bet in my mind.  He’s the CB with the best bonus record,  as much as there is one.  The Palace defence had good stats which is hopeful for the future.

£4.6m cheapie midfielder Redmond came into the team and looked reasonably lively.  He could only be an injury stop gap though so for me there are better options

Fer was very disappointing and offered little attacking threat

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0

Those hoping cheapie defender Baker would hold the CB position in the Villa  lineup when Luna returned were disappointed a Clark got the nod.

Sunderland had the best chances notably the open goal to Giaccherini.  Both sides showed defensive improvement though

Its now 7 games with no returns for Benteke.  He still had chances but could not finish.  If  was holding him I would probably wait until after Fulham A in GW15 before selling

Good luck to everyone for Sunday in fantasy premier league GW13

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