Hello everybody and welcome back to the Gameweek 15 preview in the Hive FPL. You can all breathe a sigh of relief as Haaland is back this weekend after a software update ruled him out of the last game. But after some last minute coding he seems to be back to his normal self which means he will score 50 points minimum against Fulham this weekend. Last Gameweek was a tough one without him and I think many suffered except for the cunning few who have paraded their team on Discord with glee. 😄. So let us make a start on the preview this weekend. There are a few interesting games to say the least. Chelsea vs Arsenal and Tottenham versus Liverpool. Interesting fact is that none of the top six teams have won against each other away from home so far this season which is mad. So a Spurs and Chelsea win are on the cards eh??
Point to note the world cup is only a couple of weeks away so you will see players looking after themselves this week and next week. The Argentina squad are dropping like flies for some reason
https://twitter.com/pokeefe1/status/1587860385750814721?s=20&t=Gm_R62PUHOhjCLD26_GQIw
- pokeefe1
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We have 5 games on Saturday. Let us have a look in more detail......
Wolves versus Brighton looks to be going Brightons way after their demolition job on Graham Potters Chelsea last weekend. Wolves cannot score at the moment and the draw with Brentford last week with a textbook Diego Costa headbutt red card thrown in do not have Wolves in a great place at the moment. Plus they are managerless. I expect Brighton to continue their run here with the likes of Troussard continuing his good run of form.
Nottingham Forest need to win this game badly at home and they may just do it as well. The team are finally beginning to gel but they are coming off the back of a Liverpool win and an Arsenal hammering last week. They need to show character and the fans need to help them at home. This will be an interesting one.
Leeds had a great win last week against Liverpool so they would really need to back this up if they are serious about premiership survival. It is all well and good beating Liverpool but the Bournemouths are the teams that Leeds should be beating. On saying that Leeds have been class this year. And no this is not a typo. They played Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal off the pitch. It's just against the lower league teams that they have a problem. Leeds will easily survive and hopefully the bad run is over for Jesse Marsch. He is playing young players and they look great. I really hope they do well this season. Bournemouth were two goals up against Spurs last week but capitulated. This has happened 3 times now so they need to sort this out. Leeds win here.
City against Fulham is a game where you think that City will walk the game and win all day long but then disaster happens and Fulham sneak a goal. I doubt this will happen here. I reckon they may have a field day but I may just have a sneaky €2 bet on a 1-0 Fulham win which is around 200/1.
Everton are getting better under Lampard but Leicester weren't bad against Man City last week either so this will be an interesting clash and what now is a scrap for survival even at this point of the season. Rodgers is no idiot and he will be setting Leicester out for a win here. Everton are in slightly better form however and one Everton fan I spoke to at the Palace game claimed it is the first time in years he is going to Goodison without feeling dread.
This is going to be a great game with goals. Chelsea coming off the back of a hammering and Arsenal flying high. This is billed as the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang derby and he will be baying for blood after Arsenal forced him out the door last year. Potter still hasn't got to grips with Chelsea yet and playing Sterling at wing back against Brighton was a bad call. He is still finding his way so Arsenal will be confident. This is an early kick off on Sunday which will take the fizz out of Stamford Bridge. Surely Arsenal will fancy their chances after losing just one game this season. Chelsea's back line is dodgy and Reece James is injured.
It is the return of the "Good Ebening", Unai Emery returns after a great spell in Spain with a point to prove.
United are on a great run of form so this game will be a good one as both new managers need a win for different reasons. It is only 5 days since Unai took the reigns so it is still too soon to instill his ideas on the Villa team. United on the other hand are starting to gather pace and it is clear which direction Ten Haag is going with them. I expect a United win here but not an easy one.
Newcastle are flying it and they haven't even started spending the massive money yet. They are doing it differently and buying the right players unlike City who signed Robinho for massive money to make a statement. Newcastle are more calculated with their approach and will look to bring in a few more heads in January. I cannot see anything other than a win here for the magpies. Souuthampon have only one win in 5. I would be interested to know if anyone on the Hiveflp has a Southampton player in their team. Oh Wait. I do. My sub goalie. Gavin Bazuna.
David Moyes was seething that he did not get more from the United and Liverpool games recently. He looked pissed and he will channel this against a Palace side that don't like leaving home. Now they do not have far to go on Sunday but there are terrible away. That said, Palace can be dangerous. A real tough one to call this. Soucek and Rice are playing similar roles that Moyes needs to sort out. West Ham are not bad though and much better than the table presents. A West Ham win here or a close draw.
The final game of the afternoon. Spurs versus Liverpool.
Spurs have been notoriously slow to start games and some are putting it down to Conte telling the players to sit back and relax in the first half to save energy and then pick the opposition off in the second half. Something the tweet below points out which I found hilarious.
https://twitter.com/ndyGerlis/status/1587557451112796160?s=20&t=Gm_R62PUHOhjCLD26_GQIw
- ndyGerlis
Source
Conte loves an attacking team so he can counter with the likes of Kane and Sonny but Sonny needs an operation on his eye socket so he will be out for this game. Liverpool need a win badly and they are panicking at this stage. So this game may have everything and I am looking forward to this kicking off. I think both teams would take a draw here and it will more than likely end that way.
With Chelsea vs Arsenal, Spurs vs Liverpool I will be the Man City's and the Man United's that will deliver the points this week although Chelsea and Arsenal will be high scoring. It will be great getting 100 points in to cement your position before the world cup.
Best of luck to all contestants this week. Choose your team wisely.