Fantasy Football NEWS

THE FRIDAY FEATURE: Weekend Previews, Injuries, Suspensions & Predictions

Published by Robert Nolan on April 2, 2009

Welcome to the latest edition of ?Friday Feature?. Premiership action resumes after a gap of two weeks on account of internationals. After an impressive display by Liverpool over the past two game weeks, the race for the championship is back on, and the fortunes of various teams this weekend will probably have a significant role to play in the outcome of the season. Here, we will preview all the 10 scheduled games for your benefit, highlighting the injured players and those to watch out for.

Blackburn vs Tottenham: Saturday 4th April, 12:45 PM
Blackburn:
Injuries – Emerton, Grella, Reid, Santa Cruz
Key Player – Jason Roberts
Tottenham:
Injuries – Jermaine Defoe
Key Player – Luka Modric

After a dismal start to the season, Tottenham have shown some grit, and are on the comeback trail. One would expect them to come back at least with a draw, if not the victory. But one can never really be sure…

Arsenal vs Manchester City: Saturday 4th April, 3 PM
Arsenal:
Injuries – Fabregas, Rosicky, Walcott and doubts over Diaby.
Key Player – Robin van Persie
Manchester City:
Injuries – Hamann, Johnson, Petrov, Benjani, doubts over Bridge and Ireland.
Key Player – Shaun Wright-Phillips

Following some strong statements by manager Arsene Wenger, you?d expect a victory for the Gunners. But with a number of key players injured, Man City may have a decent outside chance. Also, with Champions League fixtures coming up, Arsenal?s attentions may be focussed elsewhere…

Bolton vs Middlesbrough: Saturday 4th April, 3 PM
Bolton:
Injuries – Davies, O?Brien, Var Te
Key Player – Kevin Davies
Middlesbrough:
Injuries – Digard
Key Player – Stewart Downing

Middlesbrough desperately need a victory to get out of the relegation zone, but it isn?t too likely that they?ll get one this weekend at the Reebok Stadium.

Hull City vs Portsmouth: Saturday 4th April, 3 PM
Hull City:
Injuries – Gardner, Bullard, Boateng, doubts over Cousin
Key Player – Geovanni
Portsmouth:
Injuries – Traore, Diop, doubts over Pennant
Key Player – Peter Crouch

This is a pretty evenly matched contest between two lower mid table teams. Hull, who?ve failed to replicate last season?s dream run, will enjoy the home advantage which may work to their favour.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea: Saturday 4th April, 3 PM
Newcastle:
Injured – Kadar, Nacho and Xisco
Key Player – Obafemi Martins
Chelsea:
Injured – Ferreira, Joe Cole, Deco, Anelka, doubts over Bosingwa
Key Player – Drogba

Newcatle are having a nightmare of a season, fighting to avoid getting relegated. This should be a comfortable victory for the Blues. After Guus Hiddink took over the reins of the fallen champions there has been a wind of change, and finally Drogba is getting back into his sublime scoring form. Let?s hope we get a good show.

West Bromwich Albion vs Stoke City: Saturday 4th April, 3 PM
West Brom:
Injuries – Barnett, Miete, Clement, Miller
Key Player – James Morrison
Stoke City:
Injuries – Sidibe
Key Player – Rory Delap

West Brom are bang at the bottom of the table, and they need a real miracle to have any chance of surviving in the premiership. Stoke are not too better off themselves, just 3 points above the relegation zone. I feel Stoke should manage to secure the victory though…

West Ham United vs Sunderland: Saturday 4th April, 3 PM
West Ham:
Injuries - Carlton Cole, Gabbidon, Behrami, Collison, Ashton
Key Player -
Sunderland:
Injuries – Russell Anderson, doubts over Tainio.
Suspensions – McCartney
Key Player – Malbranque

West Ham have enjoyed a good run of form, and currently lie in a position to challenge for a UEFA Cup spot. Sunderland, on the other hand, are barely above the relegation zone. One would expect this match to be interesting, but an easy West Ham victory in the end.

Fulham vs Liverpool: Saturday 4th April, 5.30 PM
Fulham:
Injuries – none
Key Player – Danny Murphy
Liverpool:
Injuries – Degen
Key Player – Steven Gerrard

Title challengers Liverpool find themselves exactly where United were a couple of weeks ago. Same opponents, same venue. Can Fulham do to Liverpool what they did to United? I doubt it, but United will surely thank them if they manage to. Liverpool will do everything in their power to gain even an inch on the champions. Whatever the case, the clash at Craven Cottage will surely be one to look forward to.

Everton vs Wigan Athletic: Sunday 5th April, 3 PM
Everton:
Injuries – Arteta, Yakubu, Anichebe, Vaughan
Key Player – Joleon Lescott
Wigan:
Injuries – Zaki, doubts over Sibierski
Suspended – Cattermole
Key Player – Maynor Figueroa

This is one of the more interesting clashes of the weekend. Wigan find themselves in 7th place, just 7 points behind 6th placed Everton. Both teams are evenly matched, and Wigan will look to gain some ground on their better placed rivals. But I?ll give the home team a slight advantage, and a possible victory..

Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Sunday 5th April, 4 PM
Manchester United:
Injuries – Hargreaves, doubts over Anderson
Suspended - Vidic, Rooney, Scholes
Key Player: Dimitar Berbatov
Aston Villa:
Injuries – Laursen
Key Player: Gabriel Agbonlahor

Clearly the best match of this weekend. After a dominating run truly worthy of champions, the Red Devils have lost track in the past couple of weeks. With a number of big name players out through suspension, they look listless. Aston Villa, too, have slipped up after keeping Arsenal out of the top four for a considerable time period. With United gunning for a hat-trick and Aston Villa hoping to play in the Champions League for the first time in their history, there?s all to play for! I?ll predict a United victory though…

Well, so here?re the weekend fixtures lined up for you. Have a great weekend, enjoy your football, and Happy Fantasy!

************

So you think you know your football? Well then how about a wager?! Head over to Coral and place a bet, if you have the (foot) balls! And you can cash in on some Coral Discount Codes on your way.

Readers Rating: