Gameweek Preview - GW 9

Well, the Rooney saga has ended when all of a sudden he wanted to stay at ManUtd instead of leaving and has signed a new 5-year contract. So, big clubs that have eyes on Rooney can keep their cheque books and looking for other "world class" alternative.

Stoke City vs ManUtd


(He is looking forwards to future with ManUtd instead with other clubs now)

ManU will be playing away at Stoke City this week. Although Stoke's playing hardball defences and hard to break down especially at home, but ManU should have no problem breaking their defences with Nani and Berbatov that are on-form.

Just play your Nani, Berbatov, or if you want to take a bet, Hernandez can be a cheap striking option from ManU as Rooney will be out for another 2-3 weeks.

Looking for cheap ManU defender? O'Shea's your man, as he is rested during midweek's UCL game and mostly will be playing against Stoke City.


Chelsea vs Wolves


This will be a free-pointer game for Chelsea's players. Play all your Chelsea's attacking players; Drogba, Malouda, Essien, even defender Ashley Cole loves to attack from the left flank. Chelsea will definitely take advantage against Wolves after draw at Aston Villa and lost at Manchester City.

As Alex is injured, Ivanovic possibly will be moved to central position and the right back will be open to Bosingwa vs Ferreira (i am backing Bosingwa to start though).


Tottenham vs Everton



VDV is suspended in midweek's UCL game and he should be FRESH in this coming match against Everton. He is in good form since joining Tottenham and adapted well for the BPL games.

He should grab some points against Everton.

Anyone noticed Bale that scored a hat-trick against Inter Milan anyway?

For Everton, I don't think they can make it at White Hart Lane this time.


Liverpool vs Blackburn



Liverpool drew again against Napoli. They are still searching for a win since the game against West Brom.

In this game versus Blackburn, the attacks might not be ignited yet but I think a clean sheet is possible at Anfield. Konchesky will be the cheapest option at only $5.1.

If you are still backing Liverpool to grab their second win, stick with Torres and Gerrard.


Manchester City vs Arsenal



MC is on hot form. Adebayor scored a hat-trick at in Europa league on Thursday night, and he will take this form to play against his ex-employer and ex-teammates.

Tevez's now is the highest goal-scorer in the BPL now. Silva has adapted well too to the squad and to the game (he has the advantage to be chosen over Adam Johnson too). Arsenal's players might find it hard even with the return of Fabregas this week.

Play all your MC's attacking options, but if you have Arsenal's players too, don't hesitate, play them all, they can get something out of nothing sometimes.


Wigan vs Bolton



The only player I can notice in this match up is Charles N' Zogbia. He is a fantasy selection at some time last season. He scored 2 well taken goals against Newcastle last week and he might bring that form to this home match against Bolton, who are not quite good in away matches.

However, Wigan's defence are still prone to goal leakage. Play Elmander, Lee Chung Yong and Petrov if you have them.


Birmingham vs Blackpool


(he is the highest paid player at Blackpool at £10k per week)

I really would like Birmingham to have a clean sheet this game but I just can't ignore Adam's good form recently. I am backing Blackpool to get a goal or two and points from Charlie Adam even they lose at Birmingham.


West Brom vs Fulham

West Brom are in good form aren't they? But Fulham who suffered their first defeat of the season last week might get things right here as I think Mark Hughes will take advantages against 'smaller' team like West Brom who are newly promoted. I am backing Dempsey to grab some points in this match.


West Ham vs Newcastle

Bad news for Newcastle's defenders owner such as Williamson and Perch but West Ham will take the advantage to win this game. Obinna will be the usual suspect to grab points as he will be there whenever West Ham build up attacks.


Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Can't predict this match but a draw is possibly the end result.

Rooney wants out!

(Rooney: Looking for a new club and prospect)

The rift between Rooney and SAF is real and they have not talk for a month. Rooney is injured currently after a training session and mostly will not feature this week's game in UCL and BPL.

It was reported that Rooney refused to sign a new contract extension and once his contract expires in 2012, he is free to go. However, he is also able to buy out the final year of his own contract under the Webster ruling for only £5 million.

Big clubs out there must have been alerted after hearing this news. Even Chelsea's coach Ancelloti has voiced out publicly about his admiration for Rooney and the desire to bring him to Chelsea.

After the international break - GW 8 is coming

OK, put aside the Liverpool saga as it's super frustrating to see a club to fight from within in the Board of Directors. Sale or no sale? Anyway let's just leave these fussy stuff to the management level as we ARE focused on the players and manager (although the instability and internal problems greatly affected the team's performance, but Gerrard is still Gerrard, Torres is still Torres, aren't they?)

Match of the week, the same old Merseyside derby...




Everton vs Liverpool



News: Torres passed the fitness test and will be included in the squad against Everton, Kuyt will be sidelined due to the ankle injury suffered when playing for Holland in midweek. Gerrard will still be leading Liverpool in searching for the tonic to kickstart their season (it's into the 8th game and yet Liverpool still need a so-called "kickstart")


In the last meeting between these two side, the game ended 1-0 thanks to a winning header from Dirk Kuyt despite playing 10-men most of the time at Anfield. But the dynamic Kuyt is out injured for some time as the ankle injury he suffered is quite serious.


However, Liverpool is boosted by the return of Torres and Konchesky. Thanks to the international break that allowed Torres to rehabilitate and recover, but how well he can do as he has just returned once again from injury and yet to find his touch and consistency since World Cup. The burdens are once again on him and Gerrard. (I hold the faith in Torres and did not sell him as I believed that he will recover in time, he still cost $11.6 despite being injured in Blackpool match)


Everton are strong at home (looked at the 3-3 draw against ManUtd, they just won't give up). Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar and Baines all looked good. A hard match to predict and a game worth dying for for both teams.


Hmm...: Try to avoid placing both team's defenders as both team are still shaky and doing badly since the new season began.





Manchester United vs West Bromich Albion



News: Rooney is back and seems there's a rift between him and SAF as he claimed he did not suffer from ankle injuries as told by SAF (everytime when Rooney did not feature)


Although Nani and Berbatov started greatly this season and totally shadowed Rooney (plus all the scandals and medias surrounding him), I put my focus on Wayne Rooney this weekend. His form has dipped greatly with only 1 goal (from a penalty) since the start of the new season. But, he only cost $11.4 now and with the penalty-taker responsibility still with him, why not gamble on him?


I know I know (I did not mention about Nani right?), Nani did greatly for both club (since start of 10/11 season) and country (scored twice and assisted 1 for Portugal against Denmark) and everyone is taunting him to be the new Ronaldo, he has since became a favourite choice in FPL (since Valencia was injured and Nani became indispensable). With the free-kick and corners taking responsibility, $8.6 is the best deal ever for a ManUtd player who is guaranteed a starting place and involved in attacking build-ups.


Hmm...: Captain Rooney this week and expect a surprise in return.



Arsenal vs Birmingham




News: Fabregas is back!


Fabregas is back and only cost $11.8 now. But he still needs time to gain back his touch and consistency. The Spaniard who is also bothered by injury and fragility (oh, the other Spaniard is Torres, who suffers from the same problem), have one of the best average points per game if you did notice (22 pts in 4 games for Arsenal)


But Nasri is out there to voice out and claim that he is better playing in central position than playing out wide, meaning that it will be back to Wenger to decide whether to put back Fabregas into the central position, who has super vision and passing accuracy, or sticking with Nasri in that position, who is so on-form right now (20 pts in his last 3 games playing in central position)


However, Fabregas is still the stud as he will be taking free-kicks, corners and penalties if he is playing, so, in a team like Arsenal, $11.8 is definitely worth it. He is a must-buy when Arsenal have a good run of fixture, but, but... I still need to observe him for a little bit longer. Be patient...


Hmm...: Arsenal are good at home and Birmingham s*cks at away games. Do I need to elaborate further?



Aston Villa vs Chelsea



News: Benayoun will be out for 6 months (WHO CARES!!?)


Drogba can't stop scoring. Malouda is enjoying his football and currently the highest scoring midfielder in BPL. Ashley Cole is the only defender that worth his value in FPL at $7.9... (Bad for those who bring in Alex as he was injured after the game against Arsenal.. HEY!! remember a guy called Ivanovic!?haha)


How many teams that score 23 goals in just 7 games into a new season? You'll be stunned if you looked at the goal differences at the BPL table and compare Chelsea's against all 19 other teams. Don't be surprised if they are tipped to retain the BPL title just after 7 games into the new season.


Aston Villa? Gerard Houllier? Yea yea, they are strong at home, they beat Chelsea 2-1 at home last season, but I don't see that coming again.


Hmm...: Aston Villa's defenders are not worth the value at all this season, except for Luke Young. Marc Albrighton is the best choice to fill in your midfield slot with a price tag of $4.6 if you need a cheap and guaranteed starting place player.



Van Der Vaart... a phenomena?




News: price shooting up!!


Since joining Tottenham, he adapted to English football at a very swiftly. The spot kicks, corners and penalty all belong to him. Why not, at only $7.8, playing in a team of Champion League calibre?


Hmm...: Tottenham will meet some tough teams in the next 4 games, so don't be surprised if he does not deliver. Fulham under Mark Hughes have a total different approach and do not expect to beat them easily at Craven Cottage.

Review for GW 6

Result of CKW's XI prediction:

GK: Foster (7)

D: Dann (5), Konchesky (1), Sagna (4)

M: Parker (3), Malouda (2), Arshavin (5), Gerrard (6) , Nasri (12)

S: Torres (C)[14], Berbatov (2)

Subs: Krul, Jerome, Williamson, O' Shea

Total: 61 pts

Verdict: Another above average week with an average score of 39 pts. Konchesky's was substituted early game due to injury. Aww..

What can be more shocking than Arsenal's loss to newly-promoted West Brom? Biggest shock so far this season.


Arsenal 2 - 3 West Brom



Hey, saw Arsene Wenger's frustration? It's not the loss, it's the hero turned villain acts of Almunia that made him to show such expression. Priceless huh? Almunia made a penalty, saved it and he is suddenly against all the critics. A moment later, 3 goals were conceded and West Brom were in dreamland when they are leading by 3 goals at the Emirates stadium. The 2nd and 3rd goal were definitely Almunia's fault. Even Robert Green can handle the 2nd shot and why was he leaving the GK post and allow Thomas to tap in a simple goal.

Nasri's burden was too heavy to lead Arsenal's attacks as he did pull 2 goals back, but it was already late... too late...

Arsenal's next match was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and without injured goalkeeper Almunia, blunderish Fabianski might be the first choice goal keeper and I can see no reason NOT to captain Drogba next week.


Manchester City 1 - 0 Chelsea



Well, the battle among the rich clubs and rich boys, seems like the richest got the result. Although a narrow one, Tevez's stats against Chelsea was superb. 5 goals in 4 matches against Chelsea. Well, this is a tight game, Mancini (defensive coach/style/tactics) vs. Ancelloti (attacking style/tactics/formation). Obviously the old rivalry among the once compatriots in the Italian national side was brought to an intense level. It's already a common thing to see during their spells with AC Milan and Inter Milan respectively.

ManCity's defensive tactics are obviously succeed in neutralizing all Chelsea's attacks. Trio Anelka, Drogba and Malouda can do nothing when they were totally sealed off from the back by the 2 holding midfielders (Yaya Toure and De Jong) plus incoming defenders from the front when Chelsea are attacking.

A nice counter-attack paid off and Tevez's strike is the only goal that wrapped up the 3 points against Chelsea. A good record thou as ManC's last season double against Chelsea are still fresh in my mind.


Bolton 2 -2 Manchester United



Owen Coyle continues to upset SAF's ManU team away from home like he did against them when he is still in-charge of Burnley. Well, another Bulgarian shines in this game, not Berbatov, but is Martin Petrov which I rated highly during the start of the season. A goal and an assist for the free transfer from Manchester City.

Nani once again showed his magic (1 goal 1 asst 2 bonus pts) and he is still working hard to fill in Ronaldo's boot. Rooney continues to struggle and his form and price continues to plummet too. For those who brought in Berbatov, disappointed huh? Well, his price do increased to $9.1 over the week but you really cant judge his performance by merely one-game's form right?


Liverpool 2 - 2 Sunderland



Does Liverpool have a habit of drawing on the same scoreline when they are dip in form? I remembered two seasons back, they got a draw with 4-4 scoreline at Stamford Bridge and lost 7-5 on aggregate and crashed out from Champions League. The next game they got another 4-4 draw at home to Arsenal with 2 last-gasp goal scored by Torres and Benayoun.

Well, it repeats again. 2-2 against Northampton 2 divisions below them, crashed out of Carling Cup on penalties. Another 2-2 draw against Sunderland. 2 goals and 3 bonus pts for Darren Bent. Thanks to a smart Torres who take the advantage of Turner's backpass to goal keeper which considered as already taken the free-kick (which fat-head Steve Bruce described as unsportmanship) and assisted Kuyt to score the opening.

Thanks to Poulsen a.k.a Lucas ver.2 to give away a penalty and Johnson who failed to be a defender and too obsessed in attackings that let Darren Bent snucked in and scored a header from the right side.

Gerrard did good enough to spare Liverpool's blushes. Torres still struggle to score goals as he is all on his own to create chances and to score goals.


West Ham 1 - 0 Tottenham



Actually this win is predicted as sooner or later West Ham will get their first win anyway and this is a good chance as Tottenham faced defender crisis once again and they need to prepare themselves too for Champions League game in the midweek.

Piquionne did listed himself in the "miss-of-the-season" 2 weeks ago against Chelsea but he did score the winning goal in this match.

Anyway, why Avram Grant always looks sad?


Newcastle 1 - 2 Stoke City



Newcastle's brace in midweek Carling Cup win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but failed to bring that form back to St. James Park. Stoke's record signing Jones continues to score and James Perch's own goal ends it all.

Carroll's price hiked to a high $5.7 so far and is the player with the highest price rise in FPL with +$0.7. I sold him as he did not perform for a few games and sadly after I sold him he grabbed an assist though as he is brought down in the penalty box and Kevin Nolan ($5.7) converted the penalty.

Put Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton (3 bonus pts despite loss), Hatem Ben Arfa ($5.1) and Carroll in your radar as all of them are bargain buy as Newcastle definitely is top flight material.


Blackpool 1 - 2 Blackburn



Adam's form in the BPL and FPL is considered good. You actually can see him in all attacks-build-up of Blackpool as he is involved in most of the attacks. He is the captain and set-pieces/penalty taker as well so he is worth the buy as a cheap midfield option at $5.1.

However, a miscommunication between the Tangerine captain and goal keeperGilks caused an own goal as Adam headed back the ball to the GK expecting he will fetch it but it ended up in the Blackpool's net.

Blackburn's defense are still mean and tough to break. Australian international Emerton scored the winner in the dying minutes.

Is Big Sam being sarcasm as few days back he claimed to have enough materials to coach Real Madrid and being successful and before the match he claimed Ian Holloway to be on par with Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson, and Big Sam defeated Ian Holloway's Blackpool. So what he is trying to tell?


Wolves 1 - 2 Aston Villa



Aston Villa continues to excel under Houllier and Gerard Houllier seems to bring back the best in Heskey (who used to play under him too in Liverpool). Aston came back from a goal down and scored 3 goals against Blackburn in midweek Carling Cup.

Downing and Ashley Young should be put under your radar as you don't want to miss them out from your FPL squad if they winger pairs continue to perform well under Houllier.


Fulham 0 - 0 Everton

David Moyes on the brink of getting sacked? Everton plunged into the bottom of the table. With the calibre like Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill, Howard, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines, Yakubu and Beckford (more like a flop to me, he should stick his foot to League 2 football), Everton still failed to get their first win of the season despite coming back 2 goals down and drew 3-3 against ManU.

For Fulham, bargain striker Dembele is out injured for 2-3 weeks, so, Dempsey should be a good attacking option for Fulham if you wanna have any player from the team.


Birmingham 0 - 0 Wigan

Well, the result is kinda disappointing as Birmingham is normally strong at home, their fortress to win game. They are super duper weak away. They missed a chance to seal a win against Wigan who are dip in form. Birmingham can do better with the attacking options like Hleb, Zigic, Jerome, and Gardner.

Foster and Dann are still the defensive studs. Bargain buys!