The weekends Premier League action is almost on us, and managers will be frantically chewing pencils or tapping their mousepads trying to decide who to start, who to drop, whether to make any transfers… all to get those vital points in your leagues.
So lets look at which teams have especially bad matchups and we suggest to avoid this weekend :
CRYSTAL PALACE (away at Liverpool)
Whilst Liverpool didn’t exactly get hearts racing with a dodgy draw at Watford, Palace managed to fare even worse, with a resounding home thumping by Huddersfield Town, where the whole Palace team combined for a miserable 15 points. When the two clash at Anfield on Saturday, we can see Liverpool coasting to a comfortable win – and whilst its not beyond the realms of impossibility that Palace get on the scoresheet, you would be hard pressed to find any single Palace player to start with confidence. We like steering very wide, very clear of all Palace players this weekend.
SWANSEA CITY (home to Manchester United)
Whilst the Swans battled to a respectable draw away at Southampton last weekend, no one could have been failed to be impressed with United, who swept aside West Ham with contempt, scoring 4, keeping a clean sheet, and looking very powerful in the process. Swansea have finally lost their talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson this week to Everton, and only the most optimistic of Swansea fan’s could declare any confidence ahead of Saturdays clash. We see United again overpowering the opposition and whilst we remain fans of some Swansea players (Mawson, Fabianski), we don’t like them in this matchup.
CHELSEA (away at Tottenham Hotspur)
Chelsea usually have enough to handle Spurs – since April 2010 they have only lost twice in 14 Premier League encounters to their North London rivals – winning 5, drawing 7. But whilst its a reach to suggest they are currently a club in crisis, things certainly do not seem right with the defending Champions currently – and a game against Spurs right now is exactly not what is needed. Cahill suspended, the midfield decimated, and whilst Morata kicked off his Chelsea career nicely, we have to remember that was against Burnley – not Spurs. It may be tough to press the button dropping the likes of David Luiz, Azpilicueta, Courtois, Willian, Morata etc….we feel there are too many questions as yet unanswered and this feels a very bad matchup. Be brave….press the button and bide your time.
Honourable Mentions : Stoke City (Arsenal h), West Ham (Southampton a), Newcastle (Huddersfield a)
GOOD ALTERNATIVES FOR THOSE YOU DROP
Huddersfield Town – riding a crest of a wave, and will be buoyed on by a raucous home crowd in front of the Sky cameras against a Newcastle team that looked a bit unimaginative last time out. Aaron Mooy and Steve Mounie all look attractive propositions at very cheap prices for you to pick up and run with until the Town bubble bursts.
West Bromwich Albion – we didn’t like them at home to Bournemouth last weekend, but once again Pulis came up with the perfect plan and gained the 1-0 victory he is so well known for. Now a trip to Burnley looms, and whilst they will still be on a high from their shock win at Chelsea, we can see Pulis again coming up with the plan that foils Burnley and sees his team do a number on them. We love Ben Foster in goal here – and all their defensive unit. Keep them on your radar for this weekend for sure.
Leicester City – the Foxes scored three against Arsenal and were very unlucky to go down eventually in a pulsating match at the Emirates. If they can repeat that performance against Brighton, who were dogged but limited against a lethargic Manchester City, we feel they can put them to the sword on Saturday. Jamie Vardy looked hot and we love him this week, as well as the whole team here. If you have any Foxes in your squad, get em in.
Honourable Mentions : Bournemouth v Watford (both teams), Southampton (West Ham h)
Join us for more Fantasy previews and discussion here
Add Comment