The new season begins this weekend on Fantrax for the IEFSA Fantasy
League. After last year’s respectable midtable finish, I will be hoping to mount
a challenge for the title this time around. I wrote about the thinking behind the squad I drafted earlier in the week. But now it’s time to run a preview
over the opening fixture. I lost more games than I won in finishing ninth back
in May, so I know how important a win and a good start will be for 2016/17.
That opening fixture pits me against @TRKingston. Todd has
put together a fairly balanced squad, but will I be able to get the better of
him and start the season with a victory? This year also sees the league expand
to 20 teams, and Todd is one of the managers competing for the first time and
had to put his team together from scratch. In the first twenty picks of the
draft, Todd went out and secured three players for his team. He clearly means
business.
@TRKingston’s Team
Todd’s first move in the draft was to acquire David Silva of
Man City. The Spaniard had 11 assists last year in a mostly injury hit season.
If he can stay injury free and recapture the form which saw him score 12 goals
the season before, then the $52 that was paid for him will seem like shrewd
business. To complement Silva in Midfield, the next signing in the draft was
Yohan Cabaye. Pulling the strings in the Palace side, Cabaye is doubly
important because @TRKingston’s side also features Connor Wickham up front. At
the moment he is the only fit Forward that Alan Pardew can call upon, and any
goals at Selhurst Park this weekend will surely come through him.
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| Valdes will have Ben Gibson getting a Carles Puyol haircut soon #Influence |
Between the sticks we see Middlesbrough stopper Victor
Valdes. ‘Boro had the best defence in
the Championship last year. Valdes wasn’t part of that squad, but if anything
his experience will help them tighten up enough to compete in the Premier
League. Even if he doesn’t grab a load of clean sheets, his saves should gain plenty
of points. In front of Valdes we have Liverpool new boy Joel Matip, Spurs left
back Danny Rose, and Burnley’s Ben Mee.
What I Need To Happen
Even if it benefits Todd’s Ben Mee, I will hope that Burnley
can keep a clean sheet at home to Swansea. I have Tom Heaton in goals and Michael
Keane at the back. My other two players at the back are in direct opposition to
@TRKingston’s defenders. Rose will be up against Baines. While Matip will face
Bellerin. So if the home sides can score in the matchups of Everton V Spurs and
Arsenal V Liverpool, then that will help me a lot. Some of our other players
will face off too, this time in the Monday night game between Chelsea and West
Ham. Todd’s Mark Noble is probably more assured of a starting place than Pedro.
If I’m behind going into Monday, it could be tough to pull it back.
As I’ve always said, it’s goals that decide these fantasy
games more often than not. My Midfield
might not be able to compete goalwise this week though. With Mkhitaryan probably a
week or two away from starting for Man United, Mirallas having to find his place
under new manager Ronald Koeman at Everton, while Joe Allen is hardly known for
his goalscoring exploits. I’ll be looking to my Forward to score the goals to
take me to victory. And the forward to do that, while ruining the first game of
the Pep Guardiola era at Man City, will be Fabio Borini… hmmm come to think of
it, I’m starting to think that Marko Arnautovic overcoming his hamstring injury
would be a better option for my nerves, my team, and my prospects of victory.
An Arnautovic goal or two past Valdes on Saturday would be a great start to the
season.
Predictions
It will be tough to predict how sides will start out the season
(but that won’t stop me from trying!). Please remember to follow these guys
on Twitter to keep track of all @THE_IEFSA action. Plus they give the best
advice on your fantasy strategy and up to date football news, day in, day out. Also, give some
positive vibes to Fabio Borini on Twitter, he caries the hopes of my season on
his shoulders!
@BenDinnery over @nikarg
@wrigavin over @FantasyYIRMA
@RotoZdroik over @nealjthurman
@TAMc10 over @RotoWireAndrew
@cjradune over @SmokeyLoogy
@jwl_15 over @TomSunderland_
Good Luck Everyone
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