Post-Match Analysis: Gameweek 19

King Fabby stunned Boxing Day's fixtures with his significant impact on crushing Villa 3-0! Do you own him?

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Fantasy Scoresheet

Results of my score prediction.

Final Score [Prediction]

*Correct outcomes are bolded.

BIR 0-0 CHE [0-1]

FUL 0-0 TOT [1-0]

WHU 2-0 POR [1-0]

BUR 1-1 BOL [0-0]

MANC 2-0 STO [2-0]

SUN 1-1 EVE [0-0]

WIG 1-1 BLA [2-1]

LIV 2-0 WOL [2-1]

ARS 3-0 AST [0-1]

HUL 1-3 MANU [1-1]

1 Perfect Result(s)

2 Correct Goal Difference(s)

2 Other Correct Outcome(s)

5 Incorrect Outcome(s)

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Fantasy Commentary

My view towards matches this week.

Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa

Arsene Wenger's side recorded a sensational victory as captain Cesc played for 27 minutes giving everything needed especially two goals to crush Aston Villa by 3 goals.

It was a game expected to be tight and it was tight at the first half thanks to resolute defence by Villa especially Richard Dunne and Stephen Warnock. Nevertheless, the away side were unable to create any clear cut chances.

The fans were happy as the gunners' ace Fabregas was introduced in the second half. And the game very much became one-sided after that. Just like what I heard from the commentators: "Arshavin is activated since Fabregas presence." Pressure was greatly imposed on Dunne and co and it didn't make it long for the first goal.

Dunne committed a foul just outside of penalty box and Fabregas didn't waste any time to struck in a beautiful curve passing Brad Friedel to collect his 11th goal of the season.

Since then Villa seemed to be unable to recover from the pain and Arsenal got their second without much fuss and it's again from Fabregas! King Fabby was then subbed out to avoid any more injuries inflicted to him due to the recurrence of his hamstring before Diaby scored his second goal in two games to increase the gap into three goals.

Well, since Fabregas is 99% doubtful for next game and doubtful for the game against Portsmouth as well, Arshavin will be the hot plate in gameweek 20. The cheap plate Diaby is a hot prospect too.

Cesc is God.

The Rest

Chelsea slipped yet another two points to put themselves on doubt for title as United is now two points behind them whereas Arsenal is four with one game advantage. Joe Hart was the happy man as Capello may now consider him to be the #1 goalkeeper of England now.

Fulham kept another clean sheet to keep Redknapp's challenge for Champions League tough, while Zola secured a much needed victory to take his side out of relegation zone and stick Portsmouth on the bottom.

Burnley, Wigan and Everton shared one point with Bolton, Blackburn and Sunderland respectively, while Manchester City and Liverpool both secured a two goal win over their opponents.

Rooney scored one and made two as United claimed three points over Hull with much style.

He's looking good to head for South Africa.

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Fantasy Report Card

Results of my fantasy line-ups.

GW19's One-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever of the gameweek.

Carlos Tevez (9 pts)

Scored a brilliant goal and claimed three bonus points.

Five-Gamers

Wayne Rooney (GW15-19)

Final Score: 33pts

Points per Game: 6.6pts

Score 15 points this week to file up my first five-gamer closure nicely.

Didier Drogba (GW16-20) [17 pts - provisional]

Yet another disappointing gameweek.

Carlos Tevez (GW17-21) [17 pts - provisional]

Refer to this week's one-gamer.

Ivan Klasnic (GW18-22) [2 pts - provisional]

Somehow lost his form. Should be my worst five-gamer in making.

Andrey Arshavin (GW19-23) [3 pts - provisional]

Not really impressive this week.

GW19's Best Line-Up

My preferred squad of the week.

Jensen(3)

G Cahill(2) --- Scharner(2) --- Alexander(2)

Dempsey(3) --- Duff(3) --- N'Zogbia(8) --- Milner(2)

Rodallega(8) --- Torres(2) --- Tevez(C)(18)

---Subs (unused in order): Given(6), Kranjcar(4), Dunne(1), Pantsil(5)---

Captain: Tevez

Total Score: 53

Best Possible Score: 61

Team Value: £93.6m

Starting XI Value: £71.2m

Verdict: Bad but not to the extent of terrible. No Rooney and no Fabby. =(

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Fantasy Times

The latest premier league news to enrich your day.

Section omitted this week.

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Fantasy Awards

Some rewards and punishments to players who performed and did not perform this week.

Fantasy Top-Gun Award

Wayne Rooney (15 pts)

Manchester United won almost solely because of this wonder kid.

Fantasy Christmas Dramatic Hero Award

Francesc Fabregas

He showed us what a leader is all about.

Pre-Match Analysis: Gameweek 19&20 (Christmas Special)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the fantasy gamers worldwide! Is a Boxing Day fixtures a good news for you?

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Fantasy Predictor

My predicted results of matches this week.

GW 19

BIR vs CHE [0-1]

FUL vs TOT [1-0]

WHU vs POR [1-0]

BUR vs BOL [0-0]

MANC vs STO [2-0]

SUN vs EVE [0-0]

WIG vs BLA [2-1]

LIV vs WOL [2-1]

ARS vs AST [0-1]

HUL vs MANU [1-1]

GW20

TOT vs WHU [2-1]

BLA vs SUN [1-0]

CHE vs FUL [2-1]

EVE vs BUR [2-2]

STO vs BIR [0-0]

WOL vs MANC [1-2]

AST vs LIV [2-1]

BOL vs HUL [3-1]

POR vs ARS [1-3]

MANU vs WIG [5-0]

STO vs FUL [1-2]

ARS vs BOL [4-0]

Note: GW20 predictions may be updated later depending on latest news. Check again daily!

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Fantasy Focus

Analysis of big showdowns this week.

Section omitted this week.

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Fantasy Line-Ups

My recommendations to strengthen up your fantasy team.

GW19's One-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever of the gameweek.

Carlos Tevez (£8.5m)

I think he will only get better under Mancini with the Italian's offensive approach.

GW19's Five-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever in the next five games.

Andrey Arshavin (£10.8)

Great games sandwiched between the fixtures against Villa.

GW19's Best Line-Up

My preferred squad of the week.

Jensen

G Cahill --- Scharner --- Alexander

Dempsey --- Duff --- N'Zogbia --- Milner

Rodallega --- Torres --- Tevez(C)

---Subs (in order): Given, Kranjcar, Dunne, Pantsil---

Captain: Tevez

Second Captain Choice: Torres

Team Value: £93.6m

Starting XI Value: £71.2m

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GW20's One-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever of the gameweek.

Andrey Arshavin (£10.9m)

Unfortunately Fabregas is expected not to be fit due to recurrence of his hamstring problem. So, let's stick with Arshavin who was quite quite on last game.

GW20's Five-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever in the next five games.

Bobby Zamora (£5.7m)

He's finding ways to squeeze himself into the world cup squad.

GW20's Best Line-Up

My preferred squad of the week.

Sorensen

Vermaelen --- Shawcross --- Evra

Barry --- Duff --- Arshavin(C) --- Milner

Rooney --- Zamora --- Tevez

---Subs (in order): Kuszczak, Eagles, Dunne, Givet---

Captain: Arshavin

Second Captain Choice: Rooney

Team Value: £101.7m

Starting XI Value: £81.6m

Note: GW20 predictions may be updated later depending on latest news. Check again daily!

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Fantasy Times

The latest premier league news to enrich your day.

Section omitted this week.

Post-Match Analysis: Gameweek 18

A lot of pre-Christmas surprises this week featuring Mark Hughes! Be prepared!

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Fantasy Scoresheet

Results of my score prediction.

Final Score [Prediction]

*Correct outcomes are bolded.

POR 0-2 LIV [1-2]

AST 1-0 STO [2-0]

BLA 0-2 TOT [1-2]

FUL 3-0 MANU [1-0]

MANC 4-3 SUN [3-0]

ARS 3-0 HUL [2-0]

WOL 2-0 BUR [1-1]

EVE 1-1 BIR [2-1]

WHU 1-1 CHE [1-2]

WIG vs BOL [Delayed]

0 Perfect Result(s)

0 Correct Goal Difference(s)

5 Other Correct Outcome(s)

5 Incorrect Outcome(s)

Verdict: A shocking gameweek!

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Fantasy Commentary

My view towards interesting matches this week.

Portsmouth 2-0 Liverpool

Another great blow inflicted to the Merseysiders as they lost to the league bottomers by two goals at Fratton Park, which means that Avram Grant still preserves his unbeaten record against Liverpool.

It was yet another pathetic game for the reds. Torres still looked to be unfit, Gerrard was nowhere to be claimed as a threat, Glen Johnson is never the same person as the beginning of the season after recovering from an injury and lots more.

What's worse? The manager Rafael Benitez. He shockingly deployed Andrea Dossena to be the starting left wing and hell, he was definitely a meaningless rotation. What is Rafa expecting from him when he can only scored the fourth goal in a match anyway? It's not like the Liverpool currently is able to score more than two goals.

And his decision to buy Aquilani is proved to be bad. Really bad. Just a short game against Wigan and the Italian is sidelined again! Certainly much to be thought about.

Just one more thing: Mascherano made my day as my friend actually bought him in his fantasy squad just before this game! Pity him~

Scored a -2 in this gameweek.

Fulham 3-0 Manchester United

I am pretty shocked with this emphatic defeat although I know that Fulham will win this most probably. Zamora was again surprised me with one goal, one assist and another chances which nearly gave him his second. No wonder Hodgson is urging Capello to add this English into the World Cup squad - 26 points from his last three games.

Meanwhile, Manchester United had already lost five - they had never won the league with more than five defeats. Much worrying me is their inability to score any goals in all the matches they lost. Ferguson will surely have much to think if he wanted to overtake Liverpool to get 19th top league title in next May.

Will Andy Johnson lost his place?

West Ham United 1-1 Chelsea

Chelsea yet again suffered the consequences without Essien and fully fitted Drogba as they only managed to level 1-1 with West Ham thanks to a penalty. In fact, West Ham was the better side for the day.

Nothing much from this game, but the referee was so pathetic. Lampard actually needed to take penalty three times just to score one goal! This stubborn official just stuck with the rule so much. Why should he care about people crossing over the line when Lampard had actually struck in the penalty? It's not like Lampard was missing and their early runs will make the game unfair.

He just like to get into the headlines maybe.

Great mentality.

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Fantasy Report Card

Results of my fantasy line-ups.

GW18's One-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever of the gameweek.

Carlos Tevez (7 pts)

One penalty and one bonus. Not bad.

Five-Gamers

Wayne Rooney (GW15-19) [18 pts - provisional]

His side totally got dominated by Fulham.

Didier Drogba (GW16-20) [15 pts - provisional]

Affected by injury I suppose.

Carlos Tevez (GW17-21) [8 pt - provisional]

Another sweet day for him.

Ivan Klasnic (GW18-22) [0 pts - provisional]

Game delayed.

GW18's Best Line-Up

My preferred squad of the week.

Friedel(6)

Pantsil(6) --- Dunne(9) --- Vermaelen(6)

Lampard(7) --- Milner(5) --- Arshavin(6) --- Eagles(4) --- Milijas(8)

Saha(5) --- Tevez(C)(14)

Automatic Substitution:

Pantsil for G Cahill

---Subs (unused in order): Jensen(3), Klasnic(X), Scharner(X)---

Captain: Tevez

Total Score: 76

Best Possible Score: 78

Team Value: £100.3m

Starting XI Value: £80.8m

Verdict: A very good result considering the low average gameweek score this week due to the lost of firepower of big guns. This team actuall score more than double of the average score!

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Fantasy Times

The latest premier league news to enrich your day.

Goodbye Hughes, Hello Mancini

Mark Hughes was unable to comment about the match after the sensational victory against Sunderland as he was finally sacked by Al-Mubarak! In fact, he actually coached the game with quite a bad facial gestures as you can see.

To be fair, even though Hughes wasn't bringing Manchester City to the best, at least he wasn't managing the club badly. To sack at this time is a little bit too early for me. But nevertheless, done is done.

Roberto Mancini is the man to replace the job. So let's see how far he can go with this ultimate rich club.

And yea, will Benitez be the next man?

Where's his next destination?

Bad Refereeing

To make things simple, let's just see the following list:

• Lee Mason directed a red card to Mascherano, which is his third for Liverpool this season. Another biased judgement by him.
• Louis Saha's obviously onside goal was misjudged offside.
• Upson's great tackle on Sturridge somehow was sentenced as a penalty to Chelsea.
• Lampard had to take a penalty for three times due to referee's desire for media attention.

That's the obvious ones I could remember. Bookie effect? FA manipulation? Or simply accidents? That's up to your judgement.

Beat the bookie. =)

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Fantasy Awards

Some rewards and punishments to players who performed and did not perform this week.

Fantasy Top-Gun Award

Craig Bellamy, Vassiriki Diaby (14 pts)

Bellamy: a spectacular performance to fortify his starting place; Diaby: his second time being crucial for the victory of Arsenal this season.

Fantasy Humiliation Award

Rafael Benitez

A formation full of stupidity by him.

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Finally, MERRY CHRISTMAS! =)

Pre-Match Analysis: Gameweek 18

Now I only realized Fantasy Cup had been started on last gameweek! Have you qualified for that?!!

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Fantasy Predictor

My predicted results of matches this week.

POR vs LIV [1-2]

AST vs STO [2-0]

BLA vs TOT [1-2]

FUL vs MANU [1-0]

MANC vs SUN [3-0]

ARS vs HUL [2-0]

WOL vs BUR [1-1]

EVE vs BIR [2-1]

WHU vs CHE [1-2]

WIG vs BOL [1-2]

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Fantasy Focus

Analysis of big showdowns this week.

Fulham vs Manchester United

Prediction: 1-0

I'll still back Ferguson even if his squad is without eleven first team players if he is to play at Old Trafford. What if they'll travel out of Manchester? I think even the most loyal fans of United will doubt about that.

Apart from the injuries, there are still a couple of reasons which reinforce my point of view that Fulham will win:

• The cottagers had just qualified for the next round of UEFA Europa Cup, which is an obvious morale booster;
• Manchester United don't have quite a good record against team with rock solid defence. Apart from Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Burnley all have tough defences.

Unless Sir Alex Ferguson comes up with a miraculous formation or Ryan Giggs is able to feature to provide the creativity needed, otherwise the red devils may even have difficulty in scoring goals. With these I will back Hodgson to win this time.

Subbed out at 59 min 55 sec last game!!

Manchester City vs Sunderland

Prediction: 3-0

Manchester City will set to restart their campaign when they face Sunderland at their home ground this weekend. Manchester City's unbeaten streak came to an end after a humiliating 3-0 defeat to their Champions League position competitor Tottemham Hotspur, while Sunderland is on an outstanding poor form having only getting five points from their last six.

I think City should dominate the game with three goals or more to release their frustration after having failed to break Tottenham's defence. Carlos Tevez is the man to be noticed as this little beast is hitting his top form. Sunderland who is having a too awful form is just too far away to be trusted.

Grab him fast!

West Ham United vs Chelsea

Prediction: 1-2

It'll be very merry at London as West Ham hosts Chelsea at Upton Park. In normal circumstances, I'll predict Chelsea to win easily... but wait! The 2-1 victory against Portsmouth was only the first in their last five! And their African core players Essien and Drogba are both on the red cross!

But they are quite lucky as West Ham is undergoing a very awful run of form without their attacking ace Carlton Cole. And who knows if Lampard will finally score some giant points with the absence of the Ivorian beast? It might be silence before Lampy's storm.

Have you sent your condolences?

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Fantasy Line-Ups

My recommendations to strengthen up your fantasy team.

GW18's One-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever of the gameweek.

Carlos Tevez (£11.6m)

He'll unleash his rage.

GW18's Five-Gamer

The highly expected top achiever in the next five games.

Ivan Klasnic (£6.0m)

On fire with easy opponents coming up.

GW18's Best Line-Up

My preferred squad of the week.

Friedel

G Cahill --- Dunne --- Vermaelen

Lampard --- Milner --- Arshavin --- Eagles --- Milijas

Saha --- Tevez(C)

---Subs (in order): Jensen, Klasnic, Scharner, Pantsil---

Captain: Tevez

Second Captain Choice: Milner

Team Value: £100.3m

Starting XI Value: £80.8m

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Fantasy Times

The latest premier league news to enrich your day.

UEFA Champions League Draw

David Beckham may make a return to Old Trafford after AC Milan was drawn to face Manchester United on the round 16 of Champions League. He'll be loaned to Milan again from LA Galaxy next year.

Besides that, we'll also see Mourinho to make a visit to his former employer Chelsea with his Italian champion Internazionale Milan.

But can those two people make a revenge with a so inferior Italian side?

"Take my boot you @#&* Fergie!"

Post-Match Analysis: Gameweek 17

Another gameweek was over and our fantasy favourite Cesc Fabregas is now injured? Will you sell him out of your team?

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Fantasy Scoresheet

Results of my score prediction.

Final Score [Prediction]

*Correct outcomes are bolded.

SUN 0-2 AST [0-0]

BIR 2-1 BLA [1-0]

BOL 3-1 WHU [2-0]

MANU 3-0 WOL [3-0]

BUR 1-1 ARS [0-0]

CHE 2-1 POR [4-0]

LIV 2-1 WIG [2-0]

TOT 3-0 MANC [2-2]

1 Perfect Result(s)

3 Correct Goal Difference(s)

2 Other Correct Outcome(s)

2 Incorrect Outcome(s)

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Fantasy Commentary

My view towards interesting matches this week.

Manchester United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Mick McCarthy made my day as Wolves rotated even more than Manchester United during the match at Old Trafford. The dream theatre which had only made the host lost five times in last few seasons caused Big Mick to actually hide all their first team midfielders and attackers. As for the home side, Giggs was injured and is still doubtful for the upcoming match.

With these kind of rubbish squad, it was never been that easy for United as Rooney scored the opener through the spot and Nemanja Vidic finally scored his first league goal this season. In addition, Berbatov made a brilliant first touch again to send a beautiful pass for Valencia to claim the third for the Red Devils. Easy one for them.

Left Right: Mick McCarthy

Burnley 1-1 Arsenal

Just as I expected, Arsenal was drawn by Burnley. The first half was rather exciting with Eagles nearly opened the deadlock when Almunia had to punch the ball to reflect off the woodwork due to Vermaelen's mistake.

But just minutes later, Arsenal led the game with Fabregas bagging the goal after getting rid of McDonald and Carlisle. However, the gunners joy didn't last too long as Vermaelen made another mistake to allow Graham Alexander to level from the spot.

Then there's a shocking scene: Arsenal's captain Fabregas was limped off with an injury!

With this, the gunners' offence was degraded and the second half became rather silent for both sides. So the score ended 1-1.

5 goals this season with 4 from the spot.

Tottenham 3-0 Manchester City

Manchester City lost their chances of creating the longest premier league unbeaten streak after being outclassed by Tottenham with three goals at White Hart Lane. Mark Hughes couldn't be happy before the match with the absence of three key players: Lescott, Bellamy and Wright-Phillips.

Their absence, especially Bellamy, was proven to be a major blow for them as Niko Kranjcar thumped in the first for Spurs after a great teamwork with Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon. It was Peter Crouch who made the assist again as Defoe scored his 13th league goal of the season.

And it wouldn't be any worse for the England's Real Madrid as Kranjcar scored his second of the night at stoppage time to claim 15 points on the fantasy gameweek's score.

"Where is my position?!!!"

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Fantasy Report Card

Results of my fantasy line-ups.

GW17's One-Gamer

Didier Drogba (Not Featured)

Absent with an injury.

Five-Gamers

Wayne Rooney (GW15-19) [16 pts - provisional]

A goal and three points bonus. Convincing.

Didier Drogba (GW16-20) [13 pts - provisional]

Absent as mentioned above.

Carlos Tevez (GW17-21) [1 pt - provisional]

Still four more games to come. Stay patient.

GW17's Best Line-Up

Hart(2)

Cahill(11) --- R Johnson(2) --- Dunne(8) --- Vermaelen(2) --- Evra(6)

Lampard(C)(18) --- Bowyer (2) --- Huddlestone(4)

Rooney(9) --- Tevez(1)

Automatic Substitutions:

Cahill for Giggs
Huddlestone for Drogba

---Subs (unused in order): Jensen(4), Reid(2)---

Captain: Drogba

Emergency Captain (Value): Lampard

Total Score: 65

Best Possible Score: 70

Team Value: £101.6m

Starting XI Value: £81.4m

Verdict: Quite a good result thanks to the absence of Giggs and Drogba which allow Cahill to come out.

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Fantasy Times

The latest premier league news to enrich your day.

Nistelrooy to Anfield?

The former Manchester United's scoring legend Ruud van Nistelrooy may planned to come back to English Premier League after a frustrating season having to position behind of Benzema, Higuain and Raul on the battle for Los Galacticos' forward.

Several clubs have already been related to him to offer him a job that can guarantee him playing but it is now rumoured that Liverpool has the highest odds of getting the Dutch. Well, it's rather reasonable as:

• The reds needs a high profile striker with great scoring touch like Nistelrooy to solve their attacking problems;
• Nistelrooy wants a revenge on Ferguson hence Anfield is the best option for him;
• Only clubs like Liverpool can afford his high salary.

Well, it's just my personal guess but, if we can see Nistelrooy vs Owen in the league's second leg in Old Trafford, why not? It'll be full of sparks.

"Dear Michael, don't ever think that you're the only one who dare to betray your mother club. You'll never walk alone."

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Fantasy Awards

Some rewards and punishments to players who performed and did not performed this week.

Fantasy Top-Gun Award

Niko Kranjcar (15 pts)

Two goals, a clean sheet and three points bonus. Luke Modric may feel threatened now.

Fantasy Humiliation Award

Mick McCarthy

He didn't even fight for any points at Old Trafford.