Here’s the fantasy premier league news catch up including the Capital One Cup, Kompany, Podolski, Joe Hart, Flamini and price rises and falls

Capital One Clashes

Only of interest due to lineup issues and some form guides for fringe players.

Mata and surprisingly Eto’o started for Chelsea which could mean Torres starting again in the Newcastle game. Still way too much rotation in that Chelsea striker position for me.  Mata scoring probably doesn’t change anything.  Played the whole game so may mean Schurrle starts again at Newcastle

Why Ramsey started is beyond me.  I know Flamini is out and Arteta banned but come one surely someone else could fill in.   I think he’s an untouchable first teamer due to current form apart from rest so why play midweek before a Liverpool game after he’s played so much?

Arnautovic recovered from injury to play against Birmigham for Stoke and score.  Still not convinced.  Its only 1 goal and an assist in his first 5 starts in a pretty uninspiring attacking team where he’s a reasonably expensive price of £5.5m compared to some of the other budget choices.

Fulham played a squad team in their loss to Leicester which can’t have helped the pressure on Martin Jol.  Jol tinkers alot so its hard to know what is the first and what is the 2nd tea.  The defence didn’t exactly cover itself in glory again.

Interesting team from David Moyes in their demolition of a Norwich team with more first teamers than I would have expected.  Vidic and Ferdinand both played and for those holders of budget midfielder Januzaj so did he which has to bring him into question for the juicy away fixture at Fulham.  Hard to leave him out though.  Rafael started which may question his position for the weekend.

Snodgrass went off on a stretcher although Hughton is hopeful the hospital treatment is only precautionary. Rdmond is also a doubt after a game related injury.

Kompany

The words Kompany and injury setback seem to sit together like beans and toast at the moment.  Apparently out for another 3 games due to a setback in training (whatever that means) according to a story in the Daily Mail.   Although its not backed up by any quotes from the Club.  Be very cautious before any thoughts of purchasing before what has to be a nailed on clean sheet at home to Norwich.  Nastasic holders may get another chance with him as I feel if Kompany ever does come back Demichelis could very well hold his place.  It’s always difficult to know when to sell with an injury and when to hold.  Danny Rose has been due to be back every week for the last 5 game weeks it seems.  Return dates for Kompany are just going to be treated with more and more sceptisim in the future.

Joe Hart

With Kompany out you would normally look to Joe Hart as the bastion of gametime security for coverage of the City defence.  However giving 3 points to your main title rivals in the last minute is not the way to play yourself out of a sticky patch.  Pellegrini will definitely leave him out of the Capital One game and may just take it one game further in what should be a certain clean sheet home to Norwich.  To be fair the press momentum  has been on the back of Pellegrini not saying things rather than saying things but I wouldn’t by him at the moment that’s for sure

Podolski

The tweet from him said

 “I’ve been waiting for this moment – back on the pitch!;)”

Not sure when he will be match fit but in any case I think the attacking midfield 3 is likely to be Walcott Ozil and Cazorla.  I think Girouds form is too good for Podolski to be a fill in striker but he could give Giroud some rest in the cup games.

Flamini

Estimated return date is GW12 apparently.  Should leave Ramsey in the double pivot with Arteta who served his red card ban against Chelsea last night.  This is where Ramsey has been at his most box to box productive and is good news.  Maybe not so for holders of the Arsenal defence, although expectations for a clean sheet against Liverpool and Man Utd can’t have been that high anyway.

Price rises and falls

Two £0.2m rises from Lovren and Suarez.  The entire Southamton defence went up interestingly.

A multitude of (all £0.1m) price drops as seems to be the norm.  Interesting ones were Zabaleta, Barkley, Sessegnon, HBA, Eriksen, Nolan, Michu, Eto and Negredo.

Thats it

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