Pre-Match Analysis: Gameweek 2

Gameweek 1 is immediately followed by gameweek 2, and this is such a big mess - 8 TEAMS ABSENT FOR THIS GAMEWEEK! OMG! What should I do? Good luck if you didn't read the fixtures well. One of the good time to use wildcard though.

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18 Aug 09

Sunderland vs Chelsea (Stadium of Light, 7.45pm)

After a hard game with Hull, the Blue Lions is expected to have a tougher challenge to visit to Sunderland. Can Drogba again scored a couple of goals? Or is Bent the hero who'll punish Ancelotti's squad?

Key injuries (Chelsea): Zhirkov (doubtful)

Expected score: 1-1

Fantasy heroes: Bent

Wigan Athletic vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (JJB Stadium, 7.45pm)

After a great first game, Wigan is set to have two consecutive wins, while Wolves will try to prevent two consecutive defeats. Can Wolves score their first premier league goal in this match?

Key injuries (Wolves): Kightly, Ebanks-Blake (doubtful)

Expected score: 1-0

Fantasy heroes: Rodallega

19 Aug 09

Birmingham City vs Portsmouth (St Andrews Ground, 7.45pm)

Two of the weaker teams who battle. Can Birmingham retain the pride of promoters by punishing their potential rival of relegation? Well, I expect the Blues to win rather than Pompey, if not a draw.

Key injuries (Birmingham): Ridgewell, Murphy

Key injuries (Portsmouth): Finnan (doubtful)

Expected score: 0-0

Fantasy heroes: Hart

Burnley vs Manchester United (Turf Moor, 7.45pm)

I feel sorry to Burnley, but a small defeat is already a good result for them.

Key injuries (Man Utd): Vidic, Van der Sar, Ferdinand

Expected score: 0-2

Fantasy heroes: Rooney

Hull City vs Tottenham Hotspur (Kingston Comms Stadium, 7.45pm)

The Tigers have a good game days before, despite losing to Chelsea. Can they repeat that kind of form at home and possibly defeat Tottenham?

Expected score: 1-2

Fantasy heroes: Lennon

Liverpool vs Stoke City (Anfield, 8.00pm)

Revenge is a must for the Reds as Stoke drawn them last season, which caused them to lose some precious points to clinch the title. A hard game for them though.

Key injuries (Liverpool): Aurelio, Aquilani

Expected score: 1-0

Fantasy heroes: Benayoun

Note: Time are stated in local England time.

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Predicted Stars of the Week:

1. Rooney - Too good to be missed out, especially when Man Utd is playing against Burnley. I expect at least one goal or assist and 3 bonus points from him, if not more.
2. Bent - With Chelsea's still adjusting to their diamond midfield formation, Darren Bent might have the chance to sneak into their defense and give a lethal blow to them.
3. G Johnson - The Liverpool's new no 2 is currently the player with best form of the team. Who knows if he stands out and helps the Reds to claim their first 3 points?

Recommendations from the Pundit:

1. Benayoun - 70% confident. He has such a great impact on the game after Rafa substituted him for the game. Liverpool's survival for title challenge will highly depend on him before the return of their key players such as Aurelio and Aquilani.
2. Milner - 50% confident. He'll not score much points - at least for the next two games against Liverpool and Fulham. Their absence of playmaker was too lethal.
3. Yobo - 40% confident. Hmm, the pundit asked us not to be so serious about this week's recommendations, and so don't trust much. Jagielka is a exceptional defender in Everton who noone currently in the healthy Everton's squad has the calibre to replace him. Still, a clean sheet against Burnley on their next fixture is not a hard thing though.