Fantasy Football NEWS

THE FRIDAY FEATURE : Weekend preview ? injuries, suspensions etc.

Published by Robert Nolan on March 6, 2009

Welcome to the latest instalment of the Friday feature. This week is a somewhat reduced programme, with only 1 Premier League fixture, but as most fantasy leagues include points gained in the FA Cup, here we will preview the fifth and sixth round games.

Saturday, 07 March 2009
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland vs. Tottenham, 15:00

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Coventry City vs. Chelsea, R6, 12:30
Fulham vs. Man Utd, R6, 17:15

Sunday, 08 March 2009
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Arsenal vs. Burnley, R5, 13:30
Everton vs. Middlesbrough, R6, 16:00

Sunderland vs. Tottenham
14th placed Sunderland are without Nyron Nosworthy for the only Premier League fixture of the weekend. They also have a doubt over fellow defender Paul McShane, both players suffering from hamstring injuries.

Spurs are just one place ahead of their hosts and could welcome back central defender Ledley King after he was rested for their 4-0 win over Middlesbrough in midweek. Alan Hutton and Jermain Defoe remain on the sidelines through injury.

Spurs will be looking to build on their impressive display on Wednesday against a Sunderland side who fell to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield in their last outing. It should be a tight and well-contested fixture but expect Spurs? extra bit of quality to pay dividends in a narrow away victory.

Key man: Robbie Keane (Tottenham) ? the Spurs skipper ran riot against Boro and could well get himself on the scoresheet once more against North East opposition.

Coventry City vs. Chelsea
Championship side Coventry will be looking to spring an upset against Premier League giants Chelsea in this FA Cup quarter-final. They beat Blackburn in the last round, looking impressive in the process, and should have Leon Best and Clinton Morrison fit to play in attack. Their highly-rated full back Daniel Fox will miss out with a knee problem.

Knee injuries mean Joe Cole and Michael Essien remain absent for Chelsea. Ricardo Carvalho played a reserve fixture in midweek and might return to the Blues? defence, while Nicolas Anelka and Deco are doubtful with toe and hamstring injuries respectively.

The beauty of the FA Cup pairs these 2 teams in a David vs. Goliath clash. Although Coventry beat Blackburn in the last round, Chelsea are a completely different proposition. Expect Guus Hiddink?s men to come out easy winners.

Key man: John Terry (Chelsea) ? Looks likely that they will keep a clean sheet and Terry is always a threat at set pieces to get himself a goal.

Fulham vs. Manchester United
Fulham have no injury concerns ahead of their FA Cup clash with the Premier League leaders. Giles Barnes may not feature as he is still looking for match fitness following his loan move from Derby.

Owen Hargreaves remains out of the Manchester United squad with his knee injury. Rafael da Silva joins him on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle against Blackburn two weeks ago. They have no further injury worries.

Fulham were unlucky in their 1-0 defeat at home to Hull on Wednesday. But they?ll have to play even better to get anything against a Manchester United side who have won their last eleven Premier League matches. You cannot look past an away victory.

Key man: Nani (Manchester United) ? Maybe a one week wonder for the fantasy football but Nani is a Fergie cup favourite and could score a few points this weekend.

Arsenal vs. Burnley
This game is a round behind the others, still a fifth round fixture due to an earlier postponement involving Arsenal in an earlier round. Arsenal might welcome back Theo Walcott after his long absence with a shoulder injury. Eduardo may also make a return. They will be without Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure, Mikael Silvestre, Emmanuel Adebayor and Tomas Rosicky.

Championship Burnley are enjoying a successful season. They reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and are handily placed in 7th in the league. They will be missing defensive duo Michael Duff through suspension and on-loan Rhys Williams as Middlesbrough don?t want him to be cup-tied.

Arsenal got back to winning and scoring ways against West Brom on Tuesday night and with Walcott and Eduardo possibly returning, they should have too much for a hard-working Burnley team.

Key man: Samir Nasri (Arsenal) ? the French midfielder has been in good form of late and his creative powers could shine against lower league opposition.

Everton vs. Middlesbrough
The Toffees? side is still battered by injuries. Victor Anichebe, Mikel Arteta, Tony Hibbert, Nuno Valente, James Vaughan and Yakubu will all be missing, whilst Jo is cup-tied.

Boro are missing defender Chris Riggott and midfielder Didier Digard with knee injuries. Striker Jeremie Aliadiere is doubtful having picked up a knock in the 4-0 thrashing by Spurs on Wednesday.

Everton are very strong at home, despite all their injuries and a lack of strikers. It looks like Tim Cahill may be employed yet again as an emergency forward, although he did incredibly well last time. Boro have to pick themselves off the floor after a poor showing against Tottenham, so expect an improved performance by them, and possibly a surprise away win.

Key man: Tuncay (Middlesbrough) ? The Turkish international is always a threat although he?s likely to play wide rather than as a central striker, but can always get a goal and/or assists for your team.

Hope you find the feature useful. If you have any suggestions that you would like to see in the ?Friday feature? in future weeks, please get in touch on paulharper82@hotmail.com. It just leaves me to wish you a great weekend, and good luck for your fantasy football team!

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