Week 10: IEFSA Fantasy League Preview 2017/18

The lowest score in the IEFSA Primary League last weekend leaves my side looking up from the bottom of the table. My opponent @TAMc10 scored a rather good 161 points. Not the highest score of the week (that honour went to @jwl_15) but good enough to move him up to eighth place.

This gameweek the clear prejudice from the IEFSA/Fantrax fixture computer against my side continues, as I must face @RotoZdroik. Last weekend he lost a tight high scoring encounter, that surely must leave him a bit sore. I did score one of my highest scores of the season against @RotoZdroik in Gameweek 3, in a game I lost. My side has only managed to outscore Adam’s in one week so far this season. With this in mind, let’s look in on how my team is preparing for this match-up…

@RotoZdroik’s Team

A below par Sigurdsson performance cost Adam the win last week. The Icelander and his Everton side should have an easier time of things against Leicester on Sunday. They surely can’t ship five goals again can they? Now that Ronald Koeman has been shown the door at Goodison, Gylfi Sigurdsson might be deployed in his favourite position for a change, which would help @RotoZdroik. Another Everton player in his squad is Idrissa Gueye. The Senegalese midfielder was red carded last weekend but served his suspension in midweek and is available again. To complete his set of Toffees, we have Phil Jagielka at the back. With David Unsworth selecting the side at the moment, you would believe that Everton should improve at the back in the coming weeks.

"I heard Pep call us 'that Romelu Lukaku team'"    "I'll show him!"

The biggest providers of points for this side are from his top goal scoring Forward, his Midfield, and the man in goals. Between the sticks is Huddersfield’s Jonas Lossl, who averages over 17 points per game, Midfield trio of Steven Davis, Leroy Sane and Mario Lemina average double figures every game, while Forward Romelu Lukaku (thanks to his seven goals this season) averages over 18 points per game.

What I Need To Happen

If Lukaku can be shackled by the Spurs defence at Old Trafford in the early kick off that would be a great start for my side. If Serge Aurier found himself on the Spurs team-sheet too that would be fantastic! The rest of my Defence have tough fixtures this week. Michael Keane must head to Leicester. While Steve Cook, if he can get back in the Bournemouth team, hosts a free scoring Chelsea side.

Let’s pretend I give myself some hope this week with a full set of players starting for their clubs. To be able to give @RotoZdroik at least a token contest, I will need to score some goals. My top scorer Tammy Abraham is maddeningly inconsistent, but has to head to an Arsenal side who are no strangers to inconsistency. Maybe this could be the week they get plunged back into crisis on the back of a Swansea win and an Abraham hat-trick?

I'm dressing up as Tony Pulis this halloween

Predictions

A diabolical three from nine predictions last weekend, as a number of teams turned over their more fancied rivals. This Gameweek should be just as tough to call, with the game of the round being third and fourth (@jasonuk17  - @RotoWireAndrew) facing off in the Secondary League. To follow all the action, make sure you are tuned in to @THE_IEFSA and @GarryIrwin on Twitter.

Here are this week’s predictions. Good Luck Everyone and Happy Halloween.

@TRKingston over @nikarg

@FuzzyWarbles over @TAMc10

@jwl_15 over @EPL_MOstradamus

@wrigavin over @FantasyYIRMA

@SportsByGotti over @BenDinnery

@cjradune over @TomSunderland_

@jasonuk17 over @RotoWireAndrew

@jforquer11 over @SmokeyLoogy

@DFS_Hambazaza over @nealjthurman

Week 9: IEFSA Fantasy League 2017/18 Preview

My side achieved their highest points total of the season in Gameweek 8, but unfortunately ran into the team who posted the highest total of the round in @TRKingston. That defeat leaves my side bottom of the table with only one win in eight games. There were a few silver linings in that defeat though. Tammy Abraham netted a brace in a Swansea win over Huddersfield, while Nick Pope kept up his good form with over twenty points against West Ham. The writing was on the wall for my side though when Ciaran Clark didn’t make the Newcastle line-up and I was forced to play with a man short.

Probably harder to miss from there. But they all count.

This week the IEFSA/Fantrax fixture computer has thrown up a very interesting match-up. My side will be playing the side directly above them. The only thing separating our sides are points scored. And while I would have beaten his side last weekend, he has outscored me every other Gameweek apart from the opening weekend. For the winner, a chance at perhaps climbing up to eighth in the table. For the loser, rock bottom, and a long season ahead. Which side am I playing you ask…

@TAMc10’s Team

A number of fresh injury and rotation worries for @TAMc10 going into this Gameweek. But perhaps the return of both Alexis Sanchez and Shinji Okazaki are imminent, as each of their sides look to bounce back from disappointing results. Shane Duffy went off inured in Brighton’s last game, and with them playing Friday night against West Ham, maybe it’s too soon for his return. Either way, @TAMc10 will know in plenty of time in order to reshuffle his pack and perhaps bring in Laurent Koscielny if needed. It would be a particular blow for Tate if Duffy was to miss out as he has been his highest scorer this season.

The Leicester players get a second manager sacked in two seasons

@TAMc10 could field a whole side of players with fixtures away from home. The only players on his roster who would benefit from some home comforts would be Atsu at Newcastle and Sandro at Everton. With Atsu the more likely of the two to get into the starting lineup. Tate could call on Mark Noble on Friday night too. The West Ham midfielder actually has a higher points per game average than Atsu. If he is put in the Friday night starting eleven for West Ham, that’s definitely something for @TAMc10 to ponder over. In goals will be the Leicester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel. The Foxes have not been enjoying the best start to the season, and just sacked their manager, but the Dane still averages over 17 points per game. Leicester will be traveling to Wales to face Swansea on Saturday, putting Schmeichel in direct opposition to my Forward Tammy Abraham.

What I Need To Happen

I will need Abraham to continue his goal scoring exploits, as he looks like the only player capable of finding the net in my squad at the moment. My second top scorer, Ciaran Clark, should earn a recall to the Newcastle defence, and I’m basing that on nothing more than the fact they let in two goals from Manolo Gabbiadini last time out. My next biggest goal threat is Joe Allen, who has registered one assist this season. He looks to be returning from his head injury suffered during the international break, and his Stoke side badly need him after they were mauled by Man City in his absence last weekend.

Nick Pope recently signed a new three year deal with Burnley.

As mentioned, Nick Pope has been a bright spot over the last number of weeks, as Burnley are flying high in seventh. The Clarets have only lost one game and conceded six goals in the first eight games. Unfortunately, it looks like that run will end abruptly with a trip to Manchester City this weekend. City scored seven in their last game and could have Sergio Aquero returning to their side to boot. I may have to lean on my defence for points this week if the goals dry up. Serge Aurier is back from suspension for Tottenham which could help. (Though I wouldn’t hold my breath on him getting back in the Spurs first team right away)

Predictions

The only thing ruining a perfect round of predictions last weekend was a tie game. A tie game!! @jasonuk17 and @SportsByGotti couldn’t be separated, probably in an effort just to spite me. I wouldn’t put it beyond either of them! Remember to follow this week’s games, keep tabs @THE_IEFSA on Twitter and also @GarryIrwin for a closeup look of a fantasy managers slow mental breakdown.

Here’s this week’s predictions. Good Luck Everyone.

@TRKingston over @jwl_15

@EPL_MOstradamus over @FantasyYIRMA

@FuzzyWarbles over @nikarg

@RotoZdroik over @wrigavin

@cjradune over @jforquer11

@SmokeyLoogy over @nealjthurman

@RotoWireAndrew over @TomSunderland_

@jasonuk17 over @BenDinnery

@SportsByGotti over @DFS_Hambazaza

Week 8: IEFSA Fantasy League 2017/18 Preview

Did you all enjoy the international break? I sure did, because it meant my side went unbeaten for another week! YES, in Gameweek 7 my plucky group of misfits managed to get one over @EPL_MOstradamus by seven points. Another superb performance from Burnley keeper Nick Pope (29.9 pts) and the late drafting in of Defender Christian Kabasele of Watford who contributed 9.8 points, helped my side break into triple digit scoring for only the third time this season. Kabasele was brought in at the expense of Brighton’s Jose Izquierdo (who then went ahead and started his first game of the season against Arsenal!). Couple this with @EPL_Mostradamus’s Roberto Firmino turning out to be his side’s lowest contributor, after I had previously mentioned that the Brazilian could easily outperform my whole side.

Nick Pope with another clean sheet against Everton moved Burnley up to sixth

Every green shoot gets quickly trampled underfoot by the IEFSA/Fantrax fixture compiler though. The victory didn’t move my side from the bottom of the table as @TAMc10 also had a big victory; A good chunk of my squad returned injured from the international fixtures meaning I will struggle to get a full roster of players this week. And who will I have to face this gameweek? Oh, it’s just table topping @TRKingston, who has won six games straight, and has scored 400 points more this season than I have. Thanks IEFSA/Fantrax!

@TRKingston’s Team

Todd has eight outfield players who have scored more points this season than my highest scorer (Tom Ince of all people). The only player who has under-performed for @TRKingston so far has been Yohan Cabaye, but everyone in a Crystal Palace shirt has under-performed this season. It also looks like Todd can play a whole outfield eight of players that will be playing at home this weekend. His only new injury worry has been the one suffered by Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi while away with the German squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

Diego Tardelli was in the latest Brazilian squad but not Richarlison?? #TiteOut

Some of Todd’s best performers have been the triple Man City set of Otamendi, Fernandinho and David Silva. Together they average nearly 65 points per game. None of these players are his top goalscorer though, for that you have to look at the inform Richarlison at Watford. The Brazilian has scored three goals this season and has made a habit of scoring important late goals recently.

What I Need To Happen

A week is a long time in football and now facing into Gameweek 8 my side has picked up several injuries. Most worryingly of all Joe Allen has a head injury and will miss Stoke’s next fixture away against Man City. More tragic than this though, is that the football world has been robbed of having Joe Allen play at a World Cup yet again. The Welsh side missed out on any chance of a trip to Russia after finishing third in their World Cup qualifying group. Also injured on international duty was Renato Sanches. The Swansea Midfielder should be at Russia next summer with the Portugese squad. But to do that, he surely must be playing regularly for the Swans no? He more than likely won’t be able to take the field this Saturday at three o’clock against Huddersfield, meaning the rest of my squad will have to drag their working limbs onto the pitch and earn enough points to be competitive this weekend.

Joe Allen joins, Dzeko, Robben, Bale, Alexis Sanchez etc. who won't be going to Russia 2018

I need goals now more than ever. The average points my players pull in every week is not enough to win the usual match-ups. A goal or two could be crucial. Especially since a goal or two is the sum of what my side has managed all season. Ciaran Clark – one goal. Top scorer, Tammy Abraham – two goals. Luckily Abraham gets to the chance to find the back of the net against Huddersfield this week. The Terriers conceded four goals in their last Premier League game, and they haven’t scored in nearly a month.

Predictions

Six correct predictions from nine last time out. A lot of high scoring meant a number of upsets. 12 points separate top from bottom in the Secondary League. That is also the league with the tie of the round. The top two, and highest scorers, in the league face off when @jasonuk17 meets @SportsByGotti. Remember to follow @THE_IEFSA on Twitter for all the latest goings on in both Primary and Secondary leagues. Plus, for the inner workings of the inevitable changes to my side, follow @GarryIrwin.

Here are this week’s predictions. Good Luck Everyone.

@RotoZdroik over @TAMc10

@FantasyYIRMA over @nikarg

@FuzzyWarbles over @jwl_15

@wrigavin over @EPL_MOstradamus

@jasonuk17 over @SportsByGotti

@cjradune over @BenDinnery

@TomSunderland_ over @nealjthurman

@RotoWireAndrew over @jforquer11

@DFS_Hambazaza over @SmokeyLoogy