Here’s the fantasy premier league match catch up from a few of the pre-season games on Saturday with games involving Aston Villa, Cardiff, Crystal Palace, Hull, Newcastle and West Ham. We’ll be studying the games for form, line up issues and looking for value in players
Aston Villa 3 Malaga 2
Scorers: Benteke 12, 31(pen), Vlaar 21
Well the dream of a £4.0m defender in the shape of Baker may have come to an end as I unfortunately thought it would when Okore started against Malaga. The other 3 are how I expect them to start. The front 3 were as they will start GW1 with Benteke central flanked by Weiman and Agbonlahor. The midfield 3 is the one area that is uncertain. Delph looks like a certain starter at £4.5m while the rest is a bit hard to predict with Tonev looking impressive. However, at £5.0m I’m still looking for players further up the pitch.
Cardiff 2 Bilbao 1
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, John, Kim, Caulker, Turner, Whittingham, Gunnarsson (Cowie 65), Campbell, Bellamy (Mason 65), Smith (Noone 79). Subs not used: Brayford, Lewis, Hudson, Conway.
The line up wasn’t kind to £4.0m RB Brayford who was left on the bench for £4.5m Connolly. The other £4.0m cheapie Ben Turner started though and now looks a good bet to start. Ignore John, he’s just in there as £4.5m Taylor is suspended for GW1. Kim started and looks a good bet for a £5.0m midfielder as again does Whittingham who is now looking a good chance to start. I’m looking at Kim myself though just as he seems to have more gametime security
Caulker and Campbell were the standout performers
Crystal Palace 0 Lazio 1
Hull City 3 Betis 0
The first name every fantasy premier league manager would have been lookig for was £4.0m James Chester who started and played 73 minutes. Good news and in a back 4 as well. You’ve got to think he starts GW1. Koren and Brady both started as £5.0m options. I’m sticking with Koren due to his central position but Brady did get the assist from a set piece. Meyler started as a £4.5m mid option but will only be there until Quinn recovers. Graham got his first goal and he remains a £5.5m option as does Aluko even cheaper at £5.0m. I’d struggle to pick him over Anelka though or even Aluko over Chamakh.
Newcastle 1 Braga 1
Newcastle: Elliot (Krul 46); Debuchy (Taylor 76), Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon (Dummett 46); Ben Arfa (Obertan 88), Tiote (Cabaye 46) Sissoko (Anita 76), Gutierrez (Sammy Ameobi 53); Cisse (Marveaux 76), Shola Ameobi (Gouffran 64).
Sub not used: Gosling.
Goal: Coloccini.
This pretty much looks like the GW1 lineup apart from Elliot and maybe Goufrran instead of Ameobi. Yanga – Mbiwa at £4.5m played the whole game and has to have the edge of Taylor for the CB spot with oloccini. The rest of the defence is far too expensive. Personally I dont rate the defence at all and even £4.5m looks too expensive.
No one looks like theyre worth having in the mid and forward positions except maybe HBA although at £7.0m he’s not cheap. They do have good fixtures after the opening game though and a gamble based on fixtures with HBA would be the only option for me although I really cant see it such is my faith in the team.
West Ham 2 Pacos de Ferreira 1
West Ham: Jaaskelainen (Adrian 71); Demel, Reid, Tomkins (Collins 46), O’Brien (Rat 46); Nolan (Taylor 78), Noble, Morrison (Diame 46); Cole (Vaz Te 73), Maiga, Jarvis
Subs not used: Collison, Diarra
Goals: Morrison 1, Maiga 40
£4.5m midfield goal sensation Ravel Morrison started although with Diame on the subs bench it still leaves some doubt as to whether he will play. I’m still not doubtful he’ll start but I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist the gamble though. On the negative side £4.5m cheapie Collins didnt start, £5.0m Tomkins did although they did have a half each so all is not lost especially as Collis has seen a lot of gametime. Carroll is not going to start but I would rule out Maiga as anything other than short term. Apart from Diame and Cole or Vaz Te it pretty much looks like a GW1 team.
Thats it, Only 6 games to go for Saturday!
Here’s the link to my GW1 fixture ease schedule:
http://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/fantasy-premier-league-fixture-ease-schedule-gw1/