Barclays Premier League enters into a defining phase as Gameweek 26 brings us two clashes which are likely to decide the race for the title from here on. Only for the 5th time in the Premier League, the top 4 face each other in a single gameweek at this stage. With the league at such an exciting position, we are here again with news and suggestions for all the fantasy mangers around the world.
Overview:
The news which has been in the mouths of all the Premier League fans at present is that of Adam Johnson pleading guilty to grooming and sexual activity with an underage girl, that lead to his sacking from his club Sunderland in the aftermath. It looks as if the career of the Englishman who was once seen as a bright prospect for England is on the brinks of getting over.
Meanwhile Leicester City are still perched at the top after having streamrollered Manchester City 3-1 at their own home last week. The loss saw City slip up to the fourth position, six points adrift of the top spot. Tottenham and Arsenal took advantage of this slip too and climbed up to the second and third positions respectively after scripting comfortable victories last weekend.
Gameweek 26 brings us 7 games on Saturday and 3 games on Sunday, which includes two important fixtures involving the top 4 in the league. Manchester United travel to Sunderland in the first game of the weekend. Bournemouth are up against Stoke City, Watford travel to Crystal Palace, Everton face West Brom, West Ham visit Norwich city and Swansea City face Southampton. In the last game of the day, Newcastle United travel to Stamford Bridge against a rejuvenating Chelsea side under Guus Hiddink.
On Sunday, we have 3 clashes scheduled for the day, 2 of which include the first facing the third and the second facing against the fourth placed team. These two clashes are likely going to define the title race for this season as only six points separate the fourth team from the first. In the other game of the week, Liverpool face bottom placed Aston Villa, who have shown signs of improvement of late.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Diego Costa: Sustained a broken nose in training ahead of the clash with Newcastle. Costa will wear a protective mask and is expected to be available.
Kurt Zouma: Set for scans after being withdrawn early during the clash with Manchester United. Ruled out for around six months with an ACL injury.
Dejan Lovren: Forced off during the clash with Sunderland with a hamstring injury.
Joe Allen: Forced off during the clash with Sunderland after sustaining a hamstring injury. Ruled out for a while later on.
Fabian Delph: Ruled out for 6-7 weeks on 12/2 by Manuel Pellegrini after suffering an Achilles injury.
Victor Wanyama: Serving a five-match ban following the red card for dangerous foul play in the 1-0 win over West Ham last week. The regular three-match ban was extended by two matches because this was his third red card of the season. Wanyama will miss matches against Swansea, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Stoke to return to contention against Liverpool.
Adam Johnson: Contract terminated by club on 11/2 after he pleaded guilty to grooming and sexual activity with a 16 year old.
Others: Geoff Cameron, Jeremain Lens, Duncan Watmore, Miguel Britos, Gareth McAuley, Cheikhou Kouyate, Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Adnan Januzaj and Guillermo Varela will miss this week’s clashes.
On Sunday, we have 3 clashes scheduled for the day, 2 of which include the first facing the third and the second facing against the fourth placed team. These two clashes are likely going to define the title race for this season as only six points separate the fourth team from the first. In the other game of the week, Liverpool face bottom placed Aston Villa, who have shown signs of improvement of late.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Diego Costa: Sustained a broken nose in training ahead of the clash with Newcastle. Costa will wear a protective mask and is expected to be available.
Kurt Zouma: Set for scans after being withdrawn early during the clash with Manchester United. Ruled out for around six months with an ACL injury.
Dejan Lovren: Forced off during the clash with Sunderland with a hamstring injury.
Joe Allen: Forced off during the clash with Sunderland after sustaining a hamstring injury. Ruled out for a while later on.
Fabian Delph: Ruled out for 6-7 weeks on 12/2 by Manuel Pellegrini after suffering an Achilles injury.
Victor Wanyama: Serving a five-match ban following the red card for dangerous foul play in the 1-0 win over West Ham last week. The regular three-match ban was extended by two matches because this was his third red card of the season. Wanyama will miss matches against Swansea, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Stoke to return to contention against Liverpool.
Adam Johnson: Contract terminated by club on 11/2 after he pleaded guilty to grooming and sexual activity with a 16 year old.
Others: Geoff Cameron, Jeremain Lens, Duncan Watmore, Miguel Britos, Gareth McAuley, Cheikhou Kouyate, Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Adnan Januzaj and Guillermo Varela will miss this week’s clashes.
Fantasy Premier League Gameweek Captain:
The possible candidates for this week’s captain are Roberto Firmino, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku or Ross Barkley. If the managers fancy a risk they can go with Harry Kane, Alexis Sanchez, Jamie Vardy or Sergio Aguero too as these players are always likely to have a good game on their cards every now and then, irrespective of their opponents.
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Important Tips:
Manchester United face the Black Cats, and given their defensive record it is advised to keep Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney or Juan Mata in your teams, as one of these players is likely to be scoring a lot of points. Bournemouth face Stoke and given Stoke’s recent run of performances away from home we advise to keep one of the Cherries’ defenders in your side. Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith or Simon Francis are ideal candidates. However given the Potters’ erratic form, they might also script a victory contrary to our prediction. If you want to take that risk, you should have either Marko Arnautovic or Bojan Krkic in your teams.
Crystal Palace are up against Watford in a fixture which is likely to end up in a draw. Given Palace’s indifferent form in the last few matches, we advise you to not to go for any of their players apart from Scott Dann, who has somehow managed to be on the scoresheet in the last two matches. Troy Deeney or Odion Ighalo should be the main targets for the managers as they are the likely candidates who will turn up being the hero.
Everton are up against West Brom, and the Toffees’ should have an easy win on their cards. We suggest to keep one or two players among Lukaku, Barkley and Aaron Lennon. Norwich City face West Ham, and Canaries’ stuttering form calls for the inclusion of either Payet or Valencia in your team. Another player for whom the managers can opt for is Michail Antonio who has been scoring regularly for the Hammers. West Ham are likely to keep a clean sheet, so you can also keep one of their defenders or the goalkeeper.
Swansea City face Southampton in a clash which is likely to end up in a draw. Gylfi Sigurdsson and Shane Long are most likely to score goals in this fixture. Chelsea are up against Newcastle and Costa is a man who calls for inclusion with his recent performances. Among the Newcastle ranks we advise the managers to go for Aleksandar Mitrovic or Jonjo Shelvey if they fancy keeping a player from this team.
On Sunday, Arsenal face Leicester City, and considering everything, our suggestion is to bench Mahrez this weekend and let Jamie Vardy play. Also Mesut Ozil should be in your starting XI. Other players who can be included are Marc Albrighton, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. Liverpool face Aston Villa and the man who should be in your team is Roberto Firmino. It is likely that the Kops will turn out as winners and Firmino is the man who is going to be the one with lots of points after the match. Spurs are up against City, and given City’s performances against the top sides this season, keeping a few among Delle Alli, Toby Alderweireld, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen is advised. From City the managers can go for Sergio Aguero if they want.
Meanwhile if managers are looking to make bargains Steven Naismith at £5.0m, Danny Simpson at £4.2m, Charlie Daniels at £4.7m, Delle Alli at £6.0m, Michail Antonio at £5.3m are your possible candidates for doing so.
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