After a whirlwind semester abroad that feels like a dream and a crazy final week, The Blogger is back. Between more dining choices, lower prices, worse weather and lack of football culture, feelings are mixed about the change. This is as happy as I've ever been though, no denying that. Thanks to all my friends in Korea for patiently putting up with the stadium tours, and Ryan in particular for his photographs.
| Ryan and Aki present to you - The 2002 South Korea squad (can't really see them, huh? :P ) |
Half the season gone and the Premier League remains frustratingly impartial - 3 bad weeks could put Hull bottom, 3 good weeks could put Newcastle top. Too much wheat, too little chaff. Don't you just love it?
The January wildcard is just a couple of days away, but that doesn't mean you have to play it immediately. If you have a good team now, it might be more prudent to wait before pulling the trigger.
Hope your FPL team is doing well.
Gameweek 20 fixtures
Swansea vs Man City
Arsenal vs Cardiff
Crystal Palace vs Norwich
Fulham vs West Ham
Liverpool vs Hull City
Southampton vs Chelsea
Stoke City vs Everton
Sunderland vs Aston Villa
West Brom vs Newcastle
Man Utd vs Tottenham
Arsenal vs Cardiff
Crystal Palace vs Norwich
Fulham vs West Ham
Liverpool vs Hull City
Southampton vs Chelsea
Stoke City vs Everton
Sunderland vs Aston Villa
West Brom vs Newcastle
Man Utd vs Tottenham
Player Picks
Forwards
Luis Suarez (13.3) - After disappointing returns at City and Chelsea, the Uruguayan should be quick off the blocks at home to Hull, and back to being captain material.
Alvaro Negredo (9.8) - City have two home games in the next three gameweeks, and getting only 36 minutes on the weekend should assure his owners and prospective buyers of his game time. His price will only keep shooting up.
Marouane Chamakh (4.8) - Only for the seriously desperate, no doubt, but the least he can do with all the home games in the wildcard period is provide value for money.
Midfielders
Eden Hazard (10.2) - Despite only one striker reaching 3 League goals, Chelsea are just 2 points off top spot. The form of Hazard has been key in making them tick without contributions from up front. He's been playing a lot of minutes in a short period, but it is more likely he will get his rest in the cup than at St. Mary's.
Yaya Toure (10.0) - Rested against Palace and will be the alpha male in midfield again given Silva's suspension. If you haven't the money, Nasri (8.4) is also an option.
Kevin Nolan (6.5) - Is finally coming to grips with playing as West Ham's "striker". Trips to Fulham and Cardiff before a home game look promising.
Chris Brunt (5.0) - Priced very favourably, assisted twice against West Ham and should be on set pieces.
Ki Sung-Hyeung (4.8) - Dead cheap and is playing support striker for a recovering Sunderland team.
Ki Sung-Hyeung (4.8) - Dead cheap and is playing support striker for a recovering Sunderland team.
Defenders
Matija Nastasic (5.1) - Nastasic is a cheap route into the defence of a City team in imperious form and with good home games coming.
Laurent Koscielny (5.3) - Injury saw his owners and his price drop, and like Nastasic he is now considerably cheaper than his defensive teammates heading into a good run of fixtures.
Joel Ward (4.1) - Crystal Palace face Norwich, Stoke and Hull at home in the next four weeks. Plus, he's cheap.
Kolo Toure (4.5) - Liverpool boast the best home defence in the league and Sakho's injury should see Toure deputise, even if only for a game or two.
Laurent Koscielny (5.3) - Injury saw his owners and his price drop, and like Nastasic he is now considerably cheaper than his defensive teammates heading into a good run of fixtures.
Joel Ward (4.1) - Crystal Palace face Norwich, Stoke and Hull at home in the next four weeks. Plus, he's cheap.
Kolo Toure (4.5) - Liverpool boast the best home defence in the league and Sakho's injury should see Toure deputise, even if only for a game or two.
Goalkeepers
Wojciech Szczesny (5.8) - Will be a popular pick as Arsenal embark on a great run of fixtures.
Julian Speroni (4.5) - Price, and the aforementioned schedule for Palace.
The Blogger's Team
| Waiting on the wildcard. Have had Guzan since forever! |
