fantasy premier league news of the day – 9 and 10 August 2012

News

Here’s the 2nd article on fantasy premier league news starting with a pre-season game summary

Pre-season games

Everton 4 AEK Athens 1

Tony Hibberts testimonial was publicised for his 25 yard goal but what else can we learn.

Not much from the defence with Jagielka not playing and it being Hibberts testimonial.  Baines is obviously safe as I imagine is Jagielka but they are the 2 most expensive so no bargains appearing as yet.  Its Hibbert vs Neville and Distin vs Heitinga.

The midfield Osman vs Pienaar debate continued with a clear win for Pienaar with 2 assists.  Both are the same price in Fantasy premier league at £6.5m.

Upfront Steven Naismith grabbed a hat -trick in 45 minutes to really through throw some new interest in to the striker debate.  At £6.5m he’s £2m cheaper than Jelavic.

Man U 0 Barcelona 0

Interesting one this.  The defence lined up as Valencia, Vidic Ferdinand Evra.  With Jones and Smalling not going to make the opening game and Evans in  doubt the defence is short on cover.  However the RB position is the only one offering value and its still hard to know if Rafael will get the nod come opening day.  He offers a slightly cheaper route at £5.5m than Evans and Ferdinand at £6.0m and the secure options of Evra and Vidic at £7.0m in fantasy premier league.

The midfield was noticeable for Anderson and Scholes starting over Kagawa.   I have to say that 2 games in a row as sub is starting to make me twitchy and drift away from him.

Upfront there were 2, which was interesting in itself considering the opposition was Barcelona.  Welbeck and Rooney the predictable front 2.   Im sure he will go for 2 upfront starting round 2 but maybe not game 1.

Derby 1 Sunderland 1

Cheapie Killgallon is injured along with Brown and Bardsley so no clues as to the defence opening lineup from this.

Interestingly Campbell again played up front although I will be amazed if a striker isn’t purchased so no need to get excited just yet at having a £5.5m striker in fantasy premier league leading the line within a team with  some reasonable opening fixtures

Martin O’ Neill has cast alot of doubt on Sessegenon and Bardsley starting the season.

Liverpool 3 Gomel 0

Although Liverpool were heavy favourites to go through this game will give a huge hint as to how Liverpool will line up on opening day.

The defence was utterly predictable.  Lucas Shelvey and Gerrard were the midfield 3.  With Aquilani gone and Cole injured some real value has gone in other formats.  I dont see any mileage in Shelvey or Lucas even at their good price.  Upfront Borini started with Suarez and Downing.  Borini is expensve in my mind at £8.0m in Fantasy premier league and with Liverpools difficult opening fixtures best monitored rather than jumping in.

Valencia 2 Spurs 0

Gallas v Dawson at £5.0m vs the £6.5m predictable others is where the value battle is at the moment.  Gallas started although surely as  captain youve got to give Dawson the inside running.

VDV Bale and Lennon ended up the front 3 midfielders continuing the doubt over how far up the pitch Siggy will play.  Defoe looks great value upfront at £7.5m if Adebayor doesnt return.  Spurs have great opening fixtures after GW1

 

Other news

Joe Allen joins Liverpool

I cant get too excited about this.  4 goals and 2 assists in the 31 games plus 5 as sub are a not bad return but an overperformance of pretty ordinary shooting stats.  It should pave the way for Britton to line up as a £4.5m fantasy premier league bargain for Swansea although dont get too excited because in35 odd games he got no goals and no assists.

Luakaku loan to WBA and Rosenburg to WBA

I’m assuming Odemwingie will play which leaves the choice of Luakaku Rosenberg or Long up front although Clarke has played 4-3-3.  Long back to Reading maybe?  Cant see why WBA need 4 strikers plus Fortune.  Both at £6.5m, neither are  hardly cheap and this  just clouds the selection issue.  Give both a wide berth for opening day.

Alou Diarra to West Ham

Despite being impressive in Euro 2012 this is hardly going to change the fantasy landscape.  2 goals and 1 assist last year for Marseille in 28 games plus 6 as sub with only 24 shots with 6 on target, plus a pretty impressive yellow card tally means this is of no interest.  Nolan and Noble are far better bets.

Bellamy to Cardiff

A fringe fantasy premier league player anyway over the last couple of years so it only probably gives Downing more starts for any one who is interested in a player with no goals or assists from last year.

The Whole RVP fiasco

Im bored of it so I dread to think what Arsenal fans are thinking but come on SAF, £15m are you kidding me?  Who’s really messing who around here.  At least admit you’re just trying to steal him at a knock down price rather than try and take the moral high ground.  If he goes to City or Utd it changes everything.  Wet towels, thinking caps, the cone of silence, everything will be needed to work out the implications and effects on our teams.  I’m parking it mentally at the moment

The whole Modric fiasco

If Levy holds out again I will be impressed and if Modric plays the same way as last year I will be even more impressed.  Way too assist based for me and when you’ve got Bale VDV and Siggy you’re not really going to look at someone further back.  Leading creator of chances in the premier league last year so that loss will be interesting to observe on spurs.

See you tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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