Fantasy Friday 2

Last week's results were full of surprises as Norwich drew with Everton and Villa beat Arsenal. This week, however, sees the first of many big games this season as champions Man U host Mourinho's Chelsea in what promises to be a close encounter. Alongside supporting your real team this week though, it is also time for the last minute transfers and adaptations to your fantasy team as you hope to leapfrog friends in multiple online leagues. As last week (but hopefully more accurately) I will list players who I think will or will not perform this week.

Possible Successes:

1. Joleon Lescott (Man City V Cardiff):
This week does not have many expected one sided games apart from this one, so if possible you should have multiple City players in your team. It is likely that City will keep a clean sheet so the whole defense should get a lot of points but Lescott is the cheapest of the lot at 5.5m and with captain Kompany out injured for a month, he is guaranteed his spot in the side for at least 4 weeks - and in that time City play Hull and Stoke, two sides with weaker frontlines.

2. Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (Norwich V Hull):
The Striker, bought this year from Sporting Lisbon, started his canaries career with a goal last week and could back that up with more against promoted side Hull who conceded two against Chelsea (though it could have been many more). He will lead the line and act as a target man for through balls and crosses, allowing him to have many chances at goal. Furthermore, next week Norwich host Southampton who, though they have bought well, have one of the weaker defenses in the league.

3. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal V Fulham):
Giroud's goal last week was perhaps the only positive for Arsenal against Villa, and he followed that up with another in midweek, continuing his astonishing run of form that has quietened (if not stopped completely) the doubters who want Arsenal to sign another striker. This run started in preseason and is yet to end, giving hope to gunners fans that the French man could finally reach expectations. This week Arsenal play Fulham who, though are not bad, are one of the teams Arsenal will hope to beat convincingly - especially if they want to keep up with north London rivals Tottenham in the race for the Champions league.

Possible Failures:

1. Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea V Man Utd):
Despite scoring a monster 15 points last week and avoiding a ban or fine for the disputed challenge on Benteke that should have seen him sent off, Ivanovic will still be facing the champions at Old Trafford, and rarely do Utd not score at home, particularly with RVP on prolific form. He will also be under the watch of many fans adding heaps of pressure to his shoulders and will be playing a more defensive role than usual as Chelsea hope to keep Man U at bay and get the three points they need.

2. Simon Mignolet (Liverpool V Aston Villa):
After saving a penalty last week and ending with 15 points, Mignolet is the most owned keeper, but this week he faces a free-scoring Villa who scored three against Arsenal and one (should have been two) against Chelsea. Again, Villa will be led by a three man attack including young star Benteke, ex-England international Agbonlahor and Austrian Weimann who all work well together and will be expected to at least generate the chances to be taken that could result in a couple of goals against the reds and Mignolet.

3. Brede Hangeland (Fulham V Arsenal):
Arsenal looked in great touch in Europe scoring three and creating much more. They will also be looking to bounce back from a shocking defeat on the opening day and looking to register their first points of the season, and with on-form Giroud leading the line, and the cottagers missing starting keeper Stekelenburg through injury it would be assumed that they will score many goals this week, which isn't good for people with Fulham star Hangeland who will lose out on points this week.

So yet again, Good luck with your team!

P.S this week I will be starting another weekly installment on Tuesday where I recap the weekends sporting action, including the football and the Belgium GP