Author Archives: Andrew Corbley

Sarri’s Blue Belgian Puts Cardiff to the Sword

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Eden Hazard

After an exceedingly exciting weekend in the Premier League, only Chelsea remain as unmatched as Liverpool. But while the ladder faced a tough away match at Wembley, the former enjoyed a day out in the sun at Stamford Bridge tearing Cardiff City apart.

Maurizio Sarri’s front three of Willian and Eden Hazard led by Olivier Giroud  all finished the game with success, but it was the Belgian who claimed our Player of the Weekend – finishing with Man of the Match and a tidy hat-trick. Continue reading →

Game of the Weekend: Hammers Batter the Toffees

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Matchweek 5 was a forward’s feast as the English Premier League roared back into action following the end of the first international break. Defending proved too complex a task for back lines around England, with the likes of Leicester, Everton, Cardiff, and Fulham all conceding 3 or more.

My match of the weekend though comes brought to you courtesy of the Hammers of East London who beat Everton 3-1 away at Goodison Park. Highlighting both midfield effort and clinical finishing, West Ham win their first win and points of the season, while earning likely no one other than die hard Hammers fans boatloads of fantasy points.
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Fantasy EPL – Predicted Lineups

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Tottenham vs Liverpool

Tottenham predicted lineup: Vorm, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Trippier, Davies, Dembele, Dier, Eriksen, Moura, Kane
Questionable: Lamela, Son
Out: Loris, Sissoko, Ali

Liverpool predicted linup: Alisson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Milner, Mane, Firmino, Salah
Questionable: Keita, Matip
Out: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lovren

Bournemouth vs Leicester

Bournemouth predicted lineup: Begovic, Frances, Ake, Cook, Smith, Gosling, Lerma, Rico, King, Wilson, Fraser
Questionable: Cook, Smith, Ibe
Out: Pugh Stanislas

Leicester predicted lineup: Schmeichel, Maguire, Morgan, Chilwell, Pereira, Mendy, Ndidi, Ghezzal, Albrighton, Maddison, Gray
Questionable: Iheanacho, Silva
Out: James, Soyuncu

Chelsea vs Cardiff

Chelsea predicted lineup: Kepa, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Kovacic, Kante, Jorginho, Hazard, Giroud, Willian
Questionable: Morata, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek
Out: Fabregas

Cardiff predicted lineup: Etheridge, Bamba, Morrison, Bennet, Manga, Camarasa, Reid, Ralls, Arter, Ward, Hoilet
Questionable: Zohore, Murphy
Out: Gunnarsson, Mendez-Laing

Huddersfield vs Crystal Palace

Huddersfield predicted lineup: Lossl, Kongolo, Schindler, Zanka, Hadergjonaj, Lowe, Billing, Moy, Van La Para, Diakhaby, Kachunga
Questionable: Mounie, Pritchard
Out: Hogg, Sobhi

Crystal Palace predicted lineup: Hennessey, Van Aanholt, Sakho, Kelly, Wan-Bissaka, Milivojevic, McArthur, Townsend, Ayew, Sorloth
Questionable: Benteke, Zaha, Soare
Out: Tomkins, Dann, Wickham

Manchester City vs Fulham

Manchester City predicted lineup: Ederson, Laporte, Stones, Walker, Mendy, Gundogan, Fernandinho, David Silva, Mahrez, Jesus, Aguero
Questionable: Kompany, Silva, Sterling
Out: De Bruyne, Bravo

Fullham predicted lineup: Bettinelli, Le Marchand, Fosu-Mensah, Mawson, Odoi, McDonald, Sessegnon, Seri, Schurrle, Mitrovic, Vietto,
Questionable: Anguissa, Christie, Chambers

Newcastle United vs Arsenal

Newcastle United predicted lineup: Dubravka, Lascelles, Clark, Fernandez, Yedlin, Dummett, Diame, Ki, Kennedy, Perez, Rondon
Questionable: Joselu, Atsu
Out: Ritchie, Shelvey, Manquillo, Lejune

Arsenal predicted lineup: Cech, Mustafi, Sokratis, Nacho, Bellerin, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Mkhitaryan
Questionable: Torreira, Lichtsteiner, Iwobi
Out: Koscielny, Kolasinac

Watford vs Manchester United

Watford predicted lineup: Foster, Cathcart, Kabasele, Janmat, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Pererya, Hughes, Deenye, Gray
Questionable: Success, Mariapa
Out: Cleverly, Deulefeu

Manchester united lineup: De Gea, Smalling, Lindelof, Valencia, Young, Pogba, Pereira, Matic, Lingard, Sanchez, Lukaku
Questionable: Bailly, Herrera, Martial, McTominay
Out: Fellaini, Shaw, Jones

Wolves vs Burnley

Wolves predicted lineup: Patricio, Coady, Boly, Bennet, Jonny, Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jota, Traore, Costa
Questionable: Jimenez, Saiss, Bonatini
Out: Enobakare, Cavaleiro

Burnley predicted lineup: Hart, Mee, Tarkowski, Bardsley, Taylor, Cork, Hendrick, Lennon, Westwood, Wood, Barnes
Questionable: McNeil, Gibson
Out: Brady, Defour, Pope, Walters,

Everton vs West Ham

Everton predicted lineup: Pickford, Holgate, Zouma, Kenny, Digne, Sigurdsson, Davies, Schneiderlin, Tosun, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman
Questionable: Walcott, Baines,
Out: Richarlison, Keane, Jagielka, Mina, MaCarthy, Bernard, Coleman

West Ham predicted lineup: Fabianski, Cresswell, Diop, Balbuena, Fredericks, Wilshire, Sanchez, Snodgrass, Antonio, Andersen, Arnautovic
Questionable: Masuaku, Noble, Chicharito, Yarmolenko
Out: Reid, Carrol, Lanzini

Southampton vs Brighton

Southampton predicted lineup: MaCarthy, Soares, Hoedt, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Lemina, Hojbjerg, Elyounoussi, Redmond, Ings, Long
Questionable: Austin
Out:

Brighton predicted lineup: Ryan, Dunk, Duffy, Bong, Montoya, Propper, March, Bissouma, Knockaert, Murray
Questionable: Balogun, Gross, Bruno,
Out: Izquierdo, Andone
Challenge the best EPL Fantasy Managers at www.fantasy-premier.com

EPL Fantasy Predictions: Matchweek 5

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Tottenham vs Liverpool – Wembley Stadium

This lunchtime kickoff is one you won’t want to miss. While Spurs slipped up against  surprisingly imperious Watford,  Liverpool remained stalwart at the King Power. These kinds of tests away from home prove championship quality, and we think Klopp and the reds are at that level. Salah was Liverpool’s sole scorer against Spurs last season, and this may be a good time to jump on the wagon.

Bournemouth vs Leicester – Vitality Stadium

Two teams commanded by two impressive managers who know how to get results in the Premier League. Chelsea gave nothing away to Bournemouth when the Cherries visited Stamford Bridge before the international break, but we are picking Howe’s men to beat the Foxes who looked uncoordinated in the attack against Liverpool without Jamie Vardy.

Chelsea vs Cardiff – Stamford Bridge

If I were a fantasy Premier League manager I’d be jumping out of my seat to bring in a couple of Sarri’s forwards in for this one-sided looking clash at the Bridge. Pedro is in a good run of scoring form, while Hazard netted for Belgium against Scotland during the break.

Huddersfield vs Crystal Palace – John Smith’s Stadium

Huddersfield did very well to get a point at Goodison Park last matchweek, but Crystal Palace will know they absolutely need to start picking up points sooner or later. We are looking at the height of Crystal Palace to make the difference and snatch a draw from a set piece.

Manchester City vs Fulham – Etihad Stadium

If you’re asking us to pick Fulham over the champions, it’s a real shout. But Wolves held the stellar Citizens attack at bay earlier in the season, and Fulham have shown more in an attacking sense. – especially with Mitrovic’s double for Serbia over the break. We are still going with Pep, singling out Mr. Aguero to continue his good run of form.

Newcastle vs Arsenal – Saint James’ Park

With defense proving as optional as ever under Emery’s brief tenure, Newcastle will feel they could really upset the oddsmakers when the Gunners visit Tyneside. Solomon Rondon will by drooling at the chance to have the home crowd behind him as he runs at the shaky pairing of Mustafi and Sokratis.

Watford vs Manchester United – Vicarage Road

We like Holebas and Pereyra in this one, but goals are coming from everywhere amongst the Watford ranks these days. United meanwhile have had to rely thoroughly on Lukaku. The big Belgian has only 16 in 68 games against the top six, and since Watford have already beaten a top six club, we feel this will be a draw, with Mourinho shutting up shop as he is want to do away from home.

Wolves vs Burnley – Molineux

Nunu Espirito Santo is doing his best to make Molineux a fortress in his first EPL season, and we think this is a good opportunity to nab some clean sheet points from the Wolves defense and GK as Burnley are tied for the second fewest goals scored.

Everton vs West Ham – Goodison Park

Away at Everton will be a difficult place for Manuel Pellegrini to try and affect some positive change around the Irons dressing room, so we are going with Everton and backing Theo Walcott to make the difference.

Southampton vs Brighton – Saint Mary’s Stadium

We like Southampton in this South Coast clash, with Danny Ings looking particularly good for his price. He’s already scored with the Saints this season, even after such an enormous spell out with knee injuries at Liverpool.
Challenge the best EPL Fantasy Managers at www.fantasy-premier.com

 

Lucas and Spurs Provide a Feast For Fantasy Managers

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Our match of the weekend goes to a weekday game at Old Trafford which featured Tottenham Hotspur slipping into an interesting dimension of youthful spirit and togetherness waltzing with mature English grit and determination that has many Lillywhite loyalists dismissing the perception of a two-legged title race. A back four of Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, and Rose did the job as well as was needed, keeping a clean sheet away from home and earning a boatload of points between them.

Further up in the midfield, buyers of Christian Eriksen will rejoice as he puts some much needed returns on the board, assisting the first of Lucas Moura’s goals. Dembele rejoined the starting 11, seeing his stock increase with the first clean sheet of Spur’s season. Elsewhere,  Dele Alli’s number of goal celebration finger displays has now outpaced his goal tally, even though he had a few chances of his own, including a gilt-edge one on one with De Gea who was out of goal.

However the real winners of this week’s Fantasy EPL round were the owners of a diminutive and unproven Brazilian, unto whom the always-vindicated manager of Tottenham Hotspur granted a third consecutive start. Lucas repaid his manager’s trust by taking some of the strain off the shoulders of the normal star man, letting Kane know there would be no need to stay late at the office that night.

He put the poorly-constructed United back line to the sword and finished with a brace. If you haven’t watched his second goal, do yourself a favor; it hearkens back to a time of static center-halves stumbling over their feet trying to stop the speedy superstars of years gone by. More importantly however, it hearkens back to a time when a select group of fantasy managers spent 7 million on an unproven goal-scorer, and were rewarded with a point haul which places the young Brazilian among the best in the league so far.

On the other side, one noticed some obvious and much needed changes from the Brighton game among Manchester United’s starting lineup. Jose opted not to stick with what he bought, but rather what was there when he arrived – replacing Lindelof and Bailly  with Jones and Smalling. I’ll admit I thought Smalling did a good job of marshaling the obvious threat of Kane during what was a resilient first half for United, who looked on the whole, from Smalling, through Pogba, and up to Lukaku as if they were really trying to turn the ship around.

Unfortunately for those who picked the ladder, he missed or was denied every opportunity the enterprising United left-flank provided him. Owners of Luke Shaw, who started brightly at Leicester on the opening weekend, might be puzzled to see the lack of points he accumulated during his third consecutive ninety minute spell. But as unfortunate as the United attack proved, woe unto those who selected the ragged defensive unit which Mourinho trotted out onto the field, who were bested and bullied for most of the second half by the aforementioned tactful and mature Lost Boys of north London.

Manchester United in the meanwhile seem rooted as firmly as ever in the post-Ferguson limbo they’ve been in for years now. Jose Mourinho, who once had players breaking down walls for him, can’t quite get the best from a group  who shouldn’t look this mediocre. I don’t blame Jose for anything more than the football, but even concerning that, it must be an immense challenge when such a giant chunk of world football fans are wondering whether or not you will get the sack before Christmas.

Navigating the waters of the Manchester United squad in relation to lineups and who might score or provide from here on out is above my pay-grade you understand, so I can’t offer much advice for those looking to try. Away from home at Burnley is not an ideal place to start silencing the already enormous amount of critics, but the Special One needs some results to get the fan’s support back – and the quicker the better.

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Fantasy EPL Predictions: Matchweek 4

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Leicester vs Liverpool – King Power Stadium

While Maguire’s 95th minute winner will certainly send the Foxes tail up into this clash against the early league leaders, we think Liverpool will continue building their defensive record this season and claim the win. Fantasy managers who own stock in the Anfield Defense will look ahead with joy, as Leicester will be without Jamie Vardy, whose scoring record against the Reds is remarkable – 7 strikes in 5 games.

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EPL Player of the Round: Big Alex Mitrovic

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Fantasy managers will be selling and buying this weekend, as the Premier League saw 4 red cards, stars drop out of form, and others soar to the top. Looking back on Matchweek 3, the Premier League script writers revealed a teaser of what was to come in the race for premier league glory, as City battled against Wolves at Molineux for a 1-1 draw. Liverpool kept things as perfect as one could hope, with 3 clean sheets and 9 points from three games.

While Saturday’s early fixture saw Sergio Aguero hitting the bar twice and failing to record a goal to further justify his 12.5 million pound fantasy price tag, my Player of the Weekend goes to former Newcastle United turned Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Continue reading →

Talking Points Abound At Cardiff City Stadium Amid 0-0 Draw

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Neil Warnock’s newly-promoted Cardiff City secured their first point of the Premier League season with a 0-0 draw at home against Newcastle United to kick off the weekend, but the number of goals belittled the number of talking points after a fiercely contested 90 minutes.

Midway through the first half after trying to pull one too many tricks out of his bag and losing the ball, Newcastle midfielder Kenedy lashed out, kicking Cardiff City’s Victor Camarasa across the middle of the shin in a move not out of place in a kickboxing match. The referee was standing only a few metres away, but failed to notice the blatant red card offense.

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