Formations and Rankings - Week 13

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Arsenal v Liverpool
Wenger interestingly used Flamini against Liverpool this weekend and by all accounts he was the man of the match. His inclusion due to the absent Rosicky and Ljungberg has given fantasy managers a bargain for this weekend's game against the woeful Newcastle. Liverpool, strangely, decided to attack Arsenal, which gave the Gunners space on the park to strike up their impressive one-touch passing. Interestingly, Liverpool are 5/4 to beat Boro' this weekend. There is some value in that bet I feel.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Flamini




Everton v Aston Villa
The big news from this game is the injury to the ever reliable goalscorer Tim Cahill. He was unfortunately taken out by Lee Carsley and will be out for a while with a twisted knee. Everton, though, were mediocre to say the least. Aston Villa, on the other hand looked solid. The return of Gavin McCann has bolstered the midfield with O'Neill including impressive youngsters as Cahill, Osbourne and Agbonlahor. Cahill was drafted in to play centre-back due to Laursen and Hughes' absence through injury. Cahill could retain his place this weekend if Hughes doesn't recover. Sutton was clearly the key fantasy player on the pitch. He showed he still had class at Birmingham last year, although he lacked delivery at times (Pennant being the exception.) Can the old-timer keep it up? I had a dream about Milan Baros scoring an amazing goal last night, so we will see...

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Sutton

Blackburn v Man Utd
If Man Utd continue to grind out away victories like this one then they are sure to be there or there abouts come the end of the season. Chelsea lacks this away cohesion and it may cost them. Most United players are at a premium at the moment but Ronaldo and Saha look worth their cost having good averages, while Scholes looks the best fantasy gamble for this weekend's encounter with Sheffield United. If Michael Tonge is still missing Scholes should have room to make those famous late runs. Blackburn are certainly missing Savage at the moment and they lack bite without him.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Saha




Sheffield United v Bolton
This should have been an open and shut case from Bolton - 2-0 up and cruising but they, like a few teams who have come to Sheffield, underestimated the resolve of this relatively small minnow of the Premiership and so to their peril. Diouf was good and bad, oh ok, and ugly. Anelka, still not settled into the Bolton style, while the inexperience of Pedersen at left-back was obvious. Warnock's positive substitutions towards the end of the match paid dividends with Kazim-Richards showing some great skill to score.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Kazim-Richards




Wigan v Charlton
Wigan's fine run continues, largely due to Charlton's inept defending this weekend. Long punts by Kirkland caught the Addicks' defence napping, which allowed the pace of Camara and the strength of McCulloch to cause havoc. Charlton, as always, relied upon Darren Bent to drag them through the fight but even he couldn't save Dowie's job. Take nothing away from Wigan here, they deserved victory although, it shouldn't have been as tight. Wigan are scoring goals, which is key and McCulloch was the star pick for value and performance this week. Darren Bent gets an honourable mention too. The question is: with Dowie gone are Charlton stronger this weekend or bait for Reading?
Fantasy Insider Star Man: McCulloch



Chelsea v Watford
Watford were akin to a blind man walking through a mine field this weekend and were duly blown to bits... Chelsea and in particular Drogba were on fire at Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian is coasting along on a magical football rollercoaster at the moment and the world is literally at his feet. His pure strength and aggression make him the most difficult striker to play against in the world in my opinion, only Van Nistelrooy and Totti are up there with him in terms of current form. Chelsea were on top form with Geremi putting in a second brilliant performance of the week and is surely becoming Mourinho's prefered right-back - he was a bargain this week. Ballack once more didn't impress and is certainly out of form. And Watford, well, let's hope they make it out of the changing rooms against Pompey, unlike this weekend.
Fantasy Insider Star Man: Geremi

Portsmouth v Fulham
Fulham keeper Niemi and the woodwork made a pact with the devil this weekend, as the Finn and the upright managed to snatch victory from the hands of Pompey. Kanu and Benjani replacement, LuaLua, eclipsed the Fulham defence and pounded on the Fulham goal but it just wasn't happening. LuaLua was lively and intelligent and fed most play although without a goal to his name if Benjani is fit next week 'Arry may revert to him - so watch out. Campbell put in a good performance but it seems that Johnson may disappear for a big chunk of the season due to an operation, leaving Paramot as I would say "sitting duck" in his place. Fulham were certainly lucky and will find it difficult when they travel to Eastlands this week.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Rosenior

Man City v Newcastle
This was a terrible affair with City culpable of missing chance after chance and the Newcastle players, Emre in particular, looking as if they wanted the season to be over already. Luckily, Joey Barton was on hand to provide the sparse flashes of entertainment. He was lively throughout and was unlucky not to get a goal. Again, he ended the match with a respectable fantasy score - a fantasy point banker if ever there was one. Newcastle are woeful to be honest. Man City, especially the excellent Richards, found them too easy to play against. With Arsenal to come Roeder must be counting down the minutes till he departs. Newcastle could approach the Arsenal match in one of two ways: put 11 men on the goal line; or forfeit the game and only lose 3-0.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Barton

Middlesbrough v West Ham
This was the worst game of the week but at least there was a goal to talk about thanks to Mr Maccarone. Downing was interesting at times but otherwise there is little to harp on about. West Ham may have come away with no points but they certainly are improving from previous away performances.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Downing







Reading v Tottenham
After beating Chelsea the previous weekend most people were expecting Spurs to walk over an out of form Reading team but the curse of the away form hit again, as Spurs capitulated to a 3-1 defeat after comfortably leading 1-0. Individual mistakes were to blame for the lose with Dawson and Berbatov at fault for slack defending. Reading's Little was handy picking up two assists on the day.

Fantasy Insider Star Man: Little