EPL, England, Fantasy EPL POSTS
Quiet times for Fantasy Football
Published by Andrew Reilly on March 5, 2009
Are you a soccer fanatic? Do you have strong opinions about the game? Think you have the chops to write about it? Contact Us then...FA Cup action once again takes centre stage in the English Premier League so the Fantasy Football action takes a backseat with only two league games in the upcoming back. Given there was a double header of league fixtures in the past week, it may be a good time to take stock of your line-up and see who is on form but the two games are of interest and with the relegation battle still looming large for many clubs, expect plenty of action as teams strive for much needed points.
Sunderland face Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light with both teams having contrasting midweek fortunes. Sunderland meekly surrendered at Anfield giving the title chasing club less problems than they usually suffer at home whilst Spurs had a 4-0 win. Spurs have exited all competitions and left Wembley with runner-up medals after a penalty shoot-out loss to Man United in the Carling Cup but they can focus on the league so expect Harry Redknapp to drive his team to safety. Both clubs are on 31 points, four points off the relegation zone. If Sunderland are to take anything, the pairing of Jones and Cisse needs to ignite and Andy Reid needs to create something. Reid may be carrying a few excess lbs but he is the best passer of the ball and can strike a mean dead ball so the Irish midfielder may be a worthwhile addition in the hope of assist or two. If Kenwyne Jones or Djibril Cisse are to fire the goals to take the Black Cats to safety, they need someone to supply them and Andy Reid may be the best bet.
Robbie Keane got on the score sheet in midweek and now that his cup-tied omissions are behind him, he could be another Irishman worth adding to your line-up for the week ahead. Sunderland lost a soft goal against Liverpool which may see Craig Gordon return to the starting line-up, although the Scottish stopper hasn’t inspired much confidence when fit this season.
The other Premier League match takes place in midweek when Blackburn Rovers travel to Craven Cottage looking to climb out of the relegation zone. This is Sam Allardyce’s game in hand and avoiding defeat is crucial to the clubs hopes of attaining safety. Jason Roberts has been in infuriating form of late, good one week and then bad the next. Roberts missed a gilt-edged chance against Everton in midweek which was definitely the bad side of the player so perhaps he is due a better day at Fulham. Roque Santa Cruz is liable to Rovers key man up-front but with a lack of support, the striker is doing most of his work bringing midfielders into the game as opposed to taking chances himself.
He will also be facing a Fulham defence who have tightened up dramatically this season with Mark Schwarzer and his defence performing resolutely throughout a tough campaign. The key man at the back for Fulham has easily been Brede Hangeland, who brought Champions League experience and has blossomed into an integral part of the Fulham line-up. A multi-million move in the summer may not be the biggest surprise but for now, Hangeland is a rock that Fulham’s relative security has been built around this season.
** Photo courtesy of Wonker **
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Nabyl Charania on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 2:29 pm
In our guardian fantasy league the games coming up count for the current game week, so picking up Keane is looking like it was a great move!
Al-Nashir Charania on Mon, 9th Mar 2009 10:59 pm
Just want to add that I had Keane and Modric. If only I had Lennon!