This is a new article focusing on opportunities for value caused by player injuries during the week. For the avoidance of doubt and despite what you may think about the title this is in no way meant to be flippant or insensitive towards a players injury. However the unfortunate reality is that fantasy premier league injuries do give a chance for another player normally cheaper to take their place. An obvious example would be the recent value that Dzeko has given for Aguero’s injury.
Ive structured the article in 3 parts. Firstly those injured this week. I make the heading the injured player and then explain who may benefit. Secondly there’s another section focusing on a few existing value players given their place by injuries. A sort of catch up. Thirdly I talk about some returning players who may effect a current players position. I hope you find it useful. I will probably update it after todays press conferences. You need to bear in mind any DGW34 and DGW37 planning you maybe doing.
Fantasy premier league injuries – those injured this week
Benteke
Out for 6 months after an injury in training. Absolutely terrible for him to miss the World Cup. Tricky one this as when Benteke was injured he was replaced by Kozak who is currently recovering from a broken leg. It’s possible Grant Holt could lead the line. Alternatively Agbonlahor could take the position but he himself is suffering for illness. My guess would be Holt will take the place. At £5.1m and with a DGW37 if you’re looking for a cheap filler so you can invest in your midfield then Holt could be an option. Also he’s home to Fulham in the next game.
Soldado
Hamstring injury with no return date from the Liverpool game. Adebayor is the first choice in any case. There is some conflicting stories on whether Adebayor will return for the Sunderland game. On physio room he still has no return date but there are reports expecting him to be fit. Spurs only real striking option after those 2 are £4.4m striker Harry Kane. The press conference with Sherwood today should clear up the Adebayor position.
Sissoko
Hamstring injury expected back GW35 although hamstring injuries never see a return when you expect to. This should see a starting place for Ben Arfa. His returns per minute haven’t been that bad at all and there’s no doubting his talent. His lack of any defensive appreciation has caused him some problems with Pardew and his starts have been fairly minimal. He’s still quite expensive at £6.4m and his next 3 or so fixtures (allowing for some slippage) aren’t easy
Man Utd (H)
Stoke City (A)
Swansea (H)
Arsenal (A)
Huth
Confirmed this week he will be out for the season. £4.3m cheapie Marc Wilson has been deputising and will continue to do so. He’s easily the cheapest in the Stoke defence. A couple of decent home fixtures.
Fixtures to the end of the season:
Chelsea (A)
Newcastle (H)
Cardiff City (A)
Tottenham (H)
Fulham (H)
West Brom (A)
Barkley
Touch and go to be fit this week after going off with a calf injury. Looks short term then and the Everton attacking midfield is being rotated en masse at the moment anyway. I suspect Osman will take the central position as he had been keeping out Barkley before Barkleys recent return. However continued rotation means theres a lack of options here anyway
Vertonghen
Like Soldado picked up an injury in the Liverpool game. However expected to be fit so no value there. Dawson would be the replacement if Vertonghen doesn’t make it but it looks short term as Kaboul seems to be first choice over him now
Here’s a few existing value punts caused by injuries
Dzeko
A Man City striker at £6.9m is hard to ignore. Aguero is working his way back to fitness and supposedly training. Hard to see him being anything other than a sub at absolute best this weekend. Then the questions is whether Pellgerini goes back to 2 strikers or whether he sticks with Silva behind the striker of recent games. How long Dzeko has is the question. Aguero made noises this week about not wanting to rush back, the world cup etc so he wont be rushing.
Rosicky
Wilshere is out to GW35 and Ozil GW36. Ramsey could be available this weekend but likely to be a sub at best. After the Everton game Arsenal have a reasonable run of fixtures. Rosicky also has the Ox to contend with so there’s little longevity there.
Flanagan
The Liverpool defence maybe a little hit and miss shall we say. Clean sheet at Man Utd, 3 conceded at Cardiff. However, Flanagan at £4.4m is great value. Enrique the once was first choice LB has no return date and has not played since GW11. Cissokho seems totally out of favour and it also seems unlikley that left sided CB Sakho will play there. Mixed fixtures
West Ham (A)
Man City (H)
Norwich (A)
Chelsea (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Newcastle (H)
And here’s a few returning from injury
Chamakh
Could return to lead the line or could play behind a returned Glen Murray in the 6 pointer against Cardiff. What it does mean though is that Ince and Ledley who have played advanced roles will be worried about their places. Ince doesn’t even have a place so he’s even further behind in the pecking order. Can you also play Jerome and Chamakh? Pulis has before but they seem very similar to me.
Nathan Baker
The £3.9m Baker should be fit to replace Clark after missing out last week. He had started the last 8 before last week so he should go straight back into the team.
Scott Parker
Can’t imagine anyones interested but he should return to the team. Likely to replace Kvist. Although anything is possible with this manager.
Yobo
Should be fit to replace Bennett although has some competition from Michael Turner. Home to WBA is probably Norwich’s last clean sheet opportunity so whether its worth it is debateable.
Olsson WBA
Back from suspension and likely to replace Craig Dawson. 3 goals against Cardiff does question the investment in the WBA defence and likely to be only 1 clean sheet to the end of the season anyway.
Thats it hope you found fantasy premier league injuries a useful addition to the articles
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Most injury information from phsyioroom.com