With less than a week to go lets see how the teams for the opening day of 18 august 2012 are shaping up. Injuries are from the Physio room site Updated 18/8/2012
Below are where I think each team is at the moment in terms of potential lineups. THESE ARE LINEUPS FOR THE OPENING DAY AND ASSUME INJURIES WHEN INDICATED BEFORE AUG 18 WILL DO SO. These lineups will help to identify:
(i) Potenial bargains in all formats.
(ii) Where there will be battles for position in teams.
Remember when the fantasy premier league site administrators are uncertain over who will be selected for any position that will be reflected in a lower value. Should someone who the administrators had selection doubts about make a position their own, then there is an opportunity for a bargain for fantasy premier league managers. We will help identify those areas and over the coming weeks review by reviewing key preseason games.
Remember these potential lineups will obviously change markedly until kick off but we will update them regulalry. The injury information is from Physio room or the premier league site.
Last updated: 18/8/2012
ARSENAL
OUT
A Song Knock 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
T Walcott Hip/Thigh Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
L Koscielny Calf/Shin Injury 26th Aug 12
M Arteta Knock 18th Aug 12
A Oxlade-Chamberlain Ankle/Foot Injury 26th Aug 12
T Rosicky Calf/Shin Injury 6th Oct 12
B Sagna Broken Leg 6th Oct 12
E Frimpong ACL Knee Injury Oct 12
J Wilshere Ankle/Foot Injury no return date
LINEUP 4-3-3
Szczesny – Jenkinson Gibbs Vermaelen Mertesacker – Song Arteta Coquelin- Podolski Walcott Giroud
Im going for Gibbs to start at left back at the moment with santos having been played further up the park and still Jenkinson for Sagna. Im not sure where Carzola will play but unless its 4-2-3-1 Im assuming behind the front 3. The only battles in my mind at the moment is right back where I guess Coquelin could play. This can wait until Arsenal are over their nightmare start (17th best opening 6 fixtures) and because of this theres no real value at the moment.
ASTON VILLA
OUT
N Delfouneso Hip/Thigh Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
S Carruthers Ankle/Foot Injury 18th Aug 12
B Holman Knee Injury 18th Aug 12
C Herd Thigh Muscle Strain 18th Aug 12
R Dunne Gilmores Groin 30th Sep 12
M Albrighton Metatarsal Fracture 22nd Sep 12
G Agbonlahor MCL Knee Ligament Injury 15th Sep 12
S Petrov Acute Leukaemia no return date
LINEUP 4-4-1-1
Given – lowton Stevens Vlaar Clark – Nzogbia Bannan El Ahmadi Holman -Weiman Bent
With the 3rd best opening 6 fixtures there’s value everywhere here due to injury and the tinkering of Lambert. Plus lambert has turned them in to a rejuvenated attacking force. In defence Stevens looks great value at £4.0m if you believe Villa will ever keep a clean sheet under lambert although with lowton fit the question is whether Lichaj will take the position if he doesnt line up at LB. There’s a battle at RB between lichaj and new signing lowton both at £4.5m. ive gone for lowton now fit. Clark at £4.5m has shown great attacking instinct at CB.
In the midfield NZogbia has impressed and is the main man at £6.5 and weiman looks great value upfront at £5.5m for those wanting a filler thats not Pogrebnyak. There is a question over whether ireland will play behind bent in a 4-4-1-1- but Ive gone for Weiman. Bent at £8.5m is the talisman and proven prem league goal scorer for those wanting to really fill up on Villa assets. El Ahmadi is another option for a £4.5m filler in Mid.
One word of caution though is the rotation psychopath that is Paul Lambert. Everyone will rotate except perhaps Darren bent and maybe Nzogbia,
CHELSEA
OUT
D Sturridge Toe Injury 19/8/2012
M Marin Hamstring Injury no return date
LINEUP 4-2-3 -1
Cech – Ivanovich Terry Luiz Cole – Mikel Lampard – Hazard Mata Ramires – Torres
Ive gone for the same lineup as the Community Shield although its the game 2 rotation thats the issue. Ashley Cole and Ivanovic are the best options in defence at £6.5m with Cahill and Luiz set to battle out for the position next to Terry with no discount in price to the FBs.
Have to be questions over whether Mata and Hazard will play both GW1 games and Torres much as it pains me is looking like the best captain option. 4-2-3-1 seems to be the formation of choice here. The midfield 3 is the main battleground here but I cant see Oscar starting with the Olympics so close.
5th best fixtures
EVERTON
OUT
M Fellaini Groin/Pelvis Injury 20th Aug 12
D Gibson Hip/Thigh Injury no return date
LINEUP 4-4-1-1
Howard – Hibbert Baines Jagielka Distin – Fellaini Heitinga Pienaar Osman – Naismith Jelavic
I think Moyes will want the defensive strength in the midfield at home to Man U so ive putheitinga although they could go for Gibson which would then create competition for Distin in the back 4. . There are 3 defensive players at £5.5m in Hibbert Distin and Heitinga although you may want to go for Jagielka at £6.0m for more security. I’ve put Naismith in now that Cahill has moved on. Hes reasonable value at £6.5m but game time maybe will see him eased in. Fairly settled side with the only battleground really at RB and CB and maybe one midfield place . Its hard to see much value there as a result.
7th best opening 6 fixtures.
FULHAM
OUT
P Senderos Ankle/Foot Injury no return date
K Frei Knock no return date
A Hughes Ankle/Foot Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
S Davies Neck Injury no return date very doubtful
LINEUP 4-4-1-1
Schwarzer – Reither Hangeland Hughes Riise – Duff Diarra Dembele Ruiz – Rodallega Petric
obviously the big news is Dempsey refusing to play. Hughes assuming he makes it is the only likely £4.5m defender here as Ive gone for Reither over Kelly who’s had the better game time in pre-season. Hangeland at £5.0m is by far and away the best pick though for goals and bonus so pay the extra if you want to back the Fulham defence. Rest of the side looks predicatable apart from who will support petric. Ive gone for Rodallega although it could be kackalinic as a winger with Ruiz supporting. A fantastic pre-season means Petric at £6.0m is a real 3rd striker alternative. Ive rated Fulham as having the 11th best opening 6 fixtures but improving rapidly over the first 10 games
LIVERPOOL
OUT
J Cole Hamstring Injury 18 August 2012
LINEUP4-3-3
Reina – Johnson Enrique Skrtel Agger – Allen Gerrard Lucas – Suarez Borini Downing
The team after 2 competitive games seems fairly predictable. Shame then that Ive rated them as having the i9th best fixtures. Defence seems totally settled and relatively evenly priced. Gerrard is worth monitoring at £9.5m for when fixtures get better as looking quite advanced in the Europa league match this week. Henderson and Carrol all £55m of them in real money look set to miss out. Dont see new winger Assaidi starting this one. also cant see Cole starting at the moment
MAN CITY
OUT
M Balotelli Conjunctivitis 19th Aug 12
J Hart Back Injury 19th Aug 12
M Richards Ankle/Foot Injury Oct 12
G Barry Inguinal Hernia no return date
LINEUP4 -4- 2
Hart – Zabaleta Kompany Lescott Clichy – YYT De Jong nasri Silva- Aguero Tevez
From what Ive read Harts injury doesn’t seem to be serious so Im keeping him in the lineup otherwise it will be Pantillmon. Mancini made some funny comments in the press about the 3-4-1-2 being only as a plan B in games which isnt exactly helpful so Ive drawn the team as a 4-4-2 but really be prepared for anything. What it means is that Kolarov and Clichy become risks and suddenly the best £6.om value is Zabaleta mainly due to Richards injury which is now 10 weeks. Lescott is the safer option in the longer term at £6.5 with great attacking potential and Kompany the Rolls royce option at £7.5m. Im going for Zabaleta myself.
The rest of the team looks predictable and follows yesterdays CS game. Despite a limited game time and being overplayed last year plus the Euros Im going for Silva to start but Im now thinking Nasri will start as well although this wont be replicated in away games in my view. Tevez and Aguero are nailed on in my view and unless you lived on the moon in the last 2 weeks Tevez is outstanding value at £9.0m, more so with ballotelli being injured.
After an easy start its the 14th best fixtures in the opening 6 games
MAN UTD
OUT
P Jones Back Injury no return date
C Smalling Metatarsal Fracture 7th Oct 12
J Evans Ankle/Foot Injury 20th Aug 12
D Fletcher Bowel Condition no return date
LINEUP 4-4-1-1
De Gea – Rafael Evra Vidic Ferdinand – Young Scholes Carrick Valencia – Kagawa Rooney
Value everywhere but predictable starts and game time no where. Welcome to the fantasy premier league world of Man U. Rooney Evra and Vidic are the only safe options and are priced to match.
Ive gone with Young over Nani but thats nothing like guaranteed as is Kagawa over Scholes. Its possible welbeck could sit it out if SAF decides to play 1 up front. its even possible Valencia could play at RB given Rafaels just back from the Olympics although SAF hinted it could be rafael.
Theres value then in De Gea at £6.0m with Rafael being the cheapest defender at £5.5m. Evans could reurn to place ferdy but Im banking on the twitterman to hold his place. I cant see Hernandez keeping out Welbeck at this stage if SAF goes for 2 upfront.
However Ive gone for 1 up front with Kagawa supporting Rooney and Scholes starting with RVP on the bench.
Ive gone for them having the 10th best opening 6 fixtures although they have 3 easy games between rounds 2 and 4 which means Rooney must be in your side for those games.
NEWCASTLE UTD
OUT
H Ben Arfa Knee Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
D Ba Calf/Shin Injury 18th Aug 12
P Cisse Hamstring Injury 18th Aug 12
F Coloccini Calf/Shin Injury 18th Aug 12
C Tiote Calf/Shin Injury no return date
S Ameobi Hamstring Injury 18th Aug 12
LINEUP 4-4-2
Krul – Simpson Santon Taylor Coloccini – Marveux RTaylor Cabaye Gutierrez – P Cisse Ba
Injuries all over the place here in midfield and upfront especially although everyone expected back. Ive taken the 18th august dates at face value. Some short term value in the midfield at £4.5m for Marveaux who seems the most logical replacement and R taylor for Tiote as a defender in midfield, albeit expensive at £5.5m. im holding off new player Anita starting at least this week Cant see a place for the 2 new boys, the “trip off the tongue” duo of Amalfitano and Bigirimana.
9th best fixtures in the opening 6
NORWICH CITY
OUT
E Ward Knock 25th Aug 12
W Hoolahan Achilles Injury 18th Aug 12
S Whittaker Ankle/Foot Injury 25th Aug 12
LINEUP 4-4-2
Ruddy- R Martin Bennett Turner Tierney – Bennet Howson Johnson Hoolahan – Snodgrass – Holt
Ive gone for bennett over barnett at the moment although ward will push him next week. Tierney was the most secure £4.0m but with garrido signed is no longer a cheapie option. The midfield is a little unpredictable and Ive left Pilkington out. No real value there though at the moment so its just a monitor
13th best fixtures opening 6 fixtures
QPR
OUT
B Zamora Knee Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
S Diakite Knee Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
A Traore Ankle/Foot Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
J Mackie Calf Muscle Strain 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
LINEUP 4-4-2
Green – Onuoha Ferdinand Nelsen Fabio – Park Diakate Hoilett Taarabt -Zamora Cisse
Boswinga signs but not early enough to play. just causes a few issues with nelsen if Onouha moves to CB. Fabio at £4.5m offers better attacking options but still has competition from Traore.
In midfield 3 positions of Diakite Park and Taarabt seem secure its just the other Im unsure of at the moment but have gone for hoilett. If you have to pick a midfielder then go for Taarabt for safety . His nightmare season last year sees him good value at £6.0m although Im giving him a wide berth unless he plays further forward. Cisse is a real viable option for the 3rd striking role at £6.5m. I’m a big fan.
16th best opening 6 fixtures
READING
OUT
J McAnuff Knock 18th Aug 12
S Cummings Illness 18th Aug 12
J Kebe Hamstring Injury 18th Aug 12
LINEUP 4-4-2
Federici- Gunter Gorkss Pearce harte – Leigerwoot Guthrie McAnuff robson kanu – Pogrebnyak Le fondre
The defence is far from clear in a single position and in the search for £4.0ms its all a bit uncertain. At RB Ive gone for Gunter with Cummings being out but dont be surprised if this doesnt happen. Mariappa has played there but Ive kept Gunter. CB is 3 people for 2 places and the last 2 pre-season games have made me go for Gorkks and Pearce rather than Mariappa. Gorkks is £4.0m but hes not nailed on. Amazingly Harte seems to have had the recent game time over Shorey so Im going for him. If you want a £4.0m gamble then to me go for Gorkks and hope for the best.
In midfield there are 2 potential fillers in Guthrie and Robson-Kanu at £4.5m. Go for guthrie as the most secure with the best attacking prospects. RK has had a good pre-season but is in the wales squad in mid week and sees kebe coming back.
15th best opening 6 fixtures but have 2 games in week 1
SOUTHAMPTON
OUT
J Cork Ankle/Foot Injury 19 August 2012
LINEUP 4-4-2
Davis – Clyne Fonte Hooveld Fox – Schniederlin Davis Lallana puncheon – Lambert Rodriguez
2 £4.0m defenders here with Clyne being the better attacking prospect but Fonte the more secure. Schniederlin is the £4.5m filler with no attacking prospects. Puncheon could be worth a punt at £4.5m and i see new signing davis coming in. There seems better value than Lambert up front at £6.0m especially as they have the worst of anyones opening 6 games
STOKE CITY
OUT
M Wilson Illness 18th Aug 12
C Jerome Knock 18th Aug 12
R Huth Viral Meningitis 26th Aug 12
J Pennant Thigh Muscle Strain 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
LINEUP 4-4-2
Begovic – Wilkinson Wilson Upson Shawcross – Kightly Whelan Whitehead Etherington – Walters Crouch
The GK position is complete guess work with them sharing pre-season and the very latter games last year. The battleground for places will be at FB. Wilkinson or Shotton or even new signing Cameron who wont play this week due to Visa issues. Ive gone for wilkinson but its far from certain. There is some talk that huth could be back for the opening game but I cant see that and have gone for Upson. Im not sure on the status of popov so have kept wilson in but theres no certainty in the long term
Midfield is tricky and Ive gone for Walters up front with Kightly coming in after an impressive debut. There is some talk that Crouch is injured but this doesnt show up on the site or in physio room. I dont really see any value anywhere although whitehead is a 2 point £4.5m filler. Kightlly as some potential at £5.5m but theres competition potentially from Pennant and Walters should he stay in midfield
18th best opening 6 fixtures so I wont be running to find out any of the answers to the above
SUNDERLAND
OUT
S Sessegnon Ankle/Foot Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
W Brown Knee Injury 25th Aug 12
D Vaughan Inguinal Hernia 1st Sep 12
P Bardsley Ankle/Foot Injury 15th Sep 12
LINEUP 4-4-1-1
Mignolet – Oshea Cuellar Bramble Richardson – Larsson Cattermole Gardner McLean – Sessegnon campbell
With the injury situation clearing up value is becoming hard to find. CBs Cuellar Killgallon and Bramble are all decent value at £4.5m but if Brown comes back who will play. Teachers pet Cuellar is the best bet but its by no means certain which is a shame given their defensive effort last year and the fact that they have the 6th best opening 6 fixtures. Despite the Physio room prediction, the Sunderland official site says Bardsley will be out for some time
Im assuming Saha wont start at this stage and at £5.5m is reasonable value and I would expect him when fit to start ahead of Campbell Sunderland have struggled in pre-season to score so there seems to be better options.
SWANSEA CITY
OUT
G Monk Back Injury no return date
LINEUP 4-3-3
Vorm – Rangel Taylor Williams Chico – Britton Michu De Guzman – Dyer Sinclair Graham
The lineup looks fairly predictable from pre-season. The defence looks over priced though at £5.0m and despite having the easiest 6 opening fixtures is a risk after leaking goals in pre-season
Michu at £6.5m and Dyer at £5.5m look the best midfield options although Michu looks worth the extra cash for better goal scoring potential. Graham has been in sensational form upfront and looks good value at £6.0m given the fixtures
Sinclair must be a doubt after all the speculation during the week
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
OUT
Gomes Ankle/Foot Injury no return date
G Bale Back Injury 18th Aug 12
G Dos Santos Muscle Injury no return date
S Parker Achilles Tendinopathy 23rd Sep 12
LINEUP 4-3-3
Friedel – Walker Assou-Ekotu Vertonghen Kaboul – Sigurdsson Sandro Livermore – VDV Bale Defoe
No more on the Adebayor front so defoe will start. AVB will want to play 4-3-3 with the team pressing high up the pitch.
Cant believe they havent bought a new GK but not great value anyway at £5.5m. The CB spot next to Vertonghen is where the value is and Gallas Dawson or Caulker could all play at £5.0m but Kaboul at £5.5m seems the most likely
In midfield I’m assuming that Modric will leave and not play as the joke of a saga rolls on. I’ve put Livermore there at £4.5m. He could be a short term £4.5m option but do you want to tie up a spurs place in this way. I can see AVB wanting Bale and VDV flanking Defoe which leaves the question over Lennon and Ive left him out.
Defoe at £7.5m with the team having the 4th best fixtures opening 6 fixtures is outstanding value
WBA
OUT
J Olsson Knock 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
J Morrison Ankle/Foot Injury 18th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
J Thomas Knock 18th Aug 12
L Ridgewell Hip/Thigh Injury 18th Aug 12
LINEUP 4-4-2
Foster – Reid McAuley Ridgewell Olsson – Morrison Gera Brunt Mulumbu -Long Odemwingie
I dont see the WBA defence being worth £5.0m on average.
Brunt and Morrison are probaly the quality options in the midfield at £6.0m while Gera at £5.0m has shown attacking intent and is the punt although new signing Yacob could play. Fortune Long Rosenburg and Luakaku will battle it out to play next to Odemwingie although Long looks to have the edge. Longs still not cheap at £6.0m and Odem looks far better value at £7.0m but would you go for him when youve got Defoe at £7.5m or Cisse at £6.5m?
Fixtures not too bad at 8th best over opening 6th. Squad seems over priced to me
WEST HAM
OUT
J Collins Groin/Pelvis Injury 18th Aug 12
J Collison Knee Injury no return date
K Nolan Toe Injury 18th Aug 12
G McCartney Back Injury 18th Aug 12
LINEUP 4-3-3
Jaaskelainen – Demel Collins Tomkins McCartney -Diame Noble O’neill – Vaz Te Cole Maiga
With Cheapie McCartney injured (although Ive taken the return date at face vallue) RB Demel suddenly becomes the focus of our search for £4.0m defenders although Obrien is also valued the same.
Noble seems the best value in midfield with Collison injured and Nolan and injury risk. Big Sam played 3 upfront against Braga but Vaz te seems the most secure at £5.5m as are maiga and Cole.
2nd best fixture over the opening 6 and 2 good fillers available in Demel and Noble if you want to rotate home and away cheap defence and midfield.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
OUT
J McCarthy Back Injury 19th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
I Ramis Hamstring Injury 19th Aug 12 Late Fit Test
J McArthur Back Injury 19th Aug 12
LINEUP 3-2-3-2
Al Habsi – Boyce Alcaraz Caldwell – Figueroa Beausejour – Mccarthy McCarthur Moloney – Di Santo Moses
Despite what’s on Physio room its just been announced that McArthur will be fit. ive gonre for alcaraz over new signing Ramis who will need a fitness test Myiachi will replace Moses only if Chelsea get him.
12th best opening 6 fixtures
