Fantasy Football Weekend Preview

While most football fans will be licking their lips at the weekend ahead, fantasy football managers are probably wishing it wasn’t so competitive.

It may be a fantastic feast of football, with the country’s top four teams clashing on the same day, but that means thousands of fantasy teams will contain players who are likely to cancel each other out.

Those of you who have picked players from ‘lesser’ teams are probably in with the best chance of bagging the most points this week.

Anyhow, that won’t dampen our spirits! Here’s the weekend preview…

Saturday

15.00 unless stated

Birmingham v Reading

Birmingham were unlucky at Newcastle last week, after looking likely to gain a valuable point for most of the game. This is the start of a nice run of games for them (Bolton away, Boro home, Fulham home are their next three games) and they can kick it off with a win here.

Prediction: Birmingham 2 - 1 Reading… YTM Player to watch: Daniel de Ridder

Derby v Middlesbrough

Here it is. Derby’s big chance to grab another victory! It seems an eternity ago when they beat Newcastle, and since then it’s been nothing but misery. Middlesbrough will provide them with the opportunity to do it again, but Gareth Southgate’s men have their tails up after somehow beating Arsenal. Let’s be honest though, these are two teams to avoid.

Prediction: Derby 1 - 1 Middlesbrough… YTM Player to watch: Stewart Downing

Man City v Bolton

Man City’s faultless home record will probably extend to 9 wins in a row. Sven’s men have made Manchester a fortress, and grind out results for fun. They welcome back Elano, which is a massive boost, but Bolton have no injury concerns at all.

Prediction: Man City 2 - 0 Bolton… YTM Player to watch: Micah Richards

Portsmouth v Tottenham

If the current Portsmouth trend is continued, this is nailed-on for a 0-0. Not when Tottenham are in town, though. Spurs always score and they always concede (OK, that might not be factually correct but it seems like it), and this one must have goals. Bale’s injury is a bitter blow to Tottenham, but their adventurous style can be rewarded against stubborn Pompey.

Prediction: Portsmouth 1 - 2 Tottenham… YTM Player to watch: Dimitar Berbatov

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Roy Keane’s men have disappointed this season, with more expected of them. Villa have been flying under the brilliant guidance of Martin O’Neill, but this will be tight. Villa are missing Petrov, while Sunderland are without Nosworthy, Richardson and Edwards.

Prediction: Sunderland 1 - 1 Aston Villa… YTM Player to watch: John Carew

West Ham v Everton

Everton have the upper hand after beating the Hammers in a midweek Carling Cup tie. They’ll do well to repeat the dose, in what is a very evenly matched game. West Ham have no fewer than 11 injuries, most of which are to key players. It is testament to their squad that they have performed credibly this season.

Prediction: West Ham 1 - 1 Everton… YTM Player to watch: Mikel Arteta

Wigan v Blackburn

Blackburn are fast-becoming the Premier League’s most inconsistent team. A mauling at home to Aston Villa was followed by a brilliant win over Newcastle, only for them to flop at home to West Ham last week. There is a sneaky suspicion from this observer that they are more effective away from home. Expect a decent performance from Bentley and co.

Prediction: Wigan 0 - 2 Blackburn… YTM Player to watch: David Bentley

Fulham v Newcastle (17.15 - Live on Setanta)

Newcastle finally got back to winning ways last week. That’s not to say they are out of this troubled patch of form, and Fulham will be tricky to get past. There is a strong likelihood of goals in this game, with two very leaky defences on show. Those of you making transfers should seriously consider the likes of Martins and Healy.

Prediction: Fulham 2 - 2 Newcastle… YTM Player to watch: David Healy

Super Sunday

The ones you’ve been waiting for…

Liverpool v Man Utd (13.30 - Live on Sky Sports)

The most important game in English football - year in, year out. Form tends to go out of the window with these games, with the winner usually ending up as the team who keeps their cool. The referee will also have a big part to play, as will Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. If Liverpool’s big guns decide to turn it on, I would question United’s ability to keep them in check. Gerrard tends to rise the occasion against United, and he can boss it again.

Prediction: Liverpool 2 - 0 Man Utd… YTM Player to watch: Steven Gerrard

Arsenal v Chelsea (16.00 - Live on Sky Sports)

Chelsea’s resurgence continues week after week with everyone seemingly dismissive of them. If Drogba was fit, would have tipped them to send out a huge warning to the others with a big result at the Emirates. However, they are simply a far more ineffective team without their star striker, and they could be blunt with Shevchenko and/or Kalou likely to lead the line. Arsenal could welcome back Fabregas and Van Persie, but Chelsea’s resistance will be there for all to see.

Prediction: Arsenal 1 - 1 Chelsea… YTM Player to watch: John Terry

Good luck and enjoy the weekend,

Matt H @ YTM