Fantasy EPL resumes this weekend following the intentional break and there are injury concerns for Liverpool with the most notable being Pepe Reina:
The goalkeeper picked up a hamstring complaint while on international duty with Spain and the Reds will monitor the problem ahead of the Royals’ visit to Anfield. Rodgers told his pre-match press conference: “We’ll wait another 24 hours to see how he is. It’s nothing overly serious – he felt just a slight twinge in his hamstring at half-time in the game.
Reina has come under intense scrutiny this season for a number of gaffes and a string of less than “Reina-level” performances. He has recorded 12 saves and one cleansheet in seven tries this season. The Premier League opposition have not been particularly difficult and Pepe has just 12 saves. He has also committed two errors that led directly to goals and a third that was a shot. Norwich has scored five in seven, but two came against LFC. Similarly, Sunderland have scored less than a goal a game, but did put one past the Spaniard. At this time, we can not invest in GK, or rely on any of Rodgers’ squad for clean sheets. Defender Glen Johnson can be owned on the strength of his attacking prowess.
Elsewhere, it is Nigel Adkins with several injury questions ahead of gameweek eight:
Nigel Adkins confirms Gastón Ramírez and Frazer Richardson will miss this weekend’s game at West Ham. #saintsfc
— Southampton FC (@officialsaints) October 18, 2012
Neither of those players have much fantasy EPL impact, but the following Tweet contained a bit of relevant info:
However, the gaffer is hopeful @nathaniel_clyne will be fit for the trip to Upton Park. The defender has trained this week. #saintsfc
— Southampton FC (@officialsaints) October 18, 2012
Ramirez is modestly creative — as indicated by Opta stats via EPL Index — with seven chance created. We’re staying away, even if healthy. However, we still like Adam Lallana (15 chances created) and Rickie Lambert (14) despite the absence of the midfielder. The fantasy EPL implication of Clyne’s health are greater as 5% of fantasy EPL managers have invested in the £4.0m-rated defender. The Hammers have scored in each of their three home fixtures, with five goals in those matches. A cleansheet may not be on the cards, but Clyne should be fit enough to start and prevent fantasy EPL sides from scoring a zero.
A few interesting words from Andre Villas-Boas that have us continuing to believe in Steven Caulker:
Finally, team news: “We are okay nothing new, long term is the same. Benoit making good recovery. Naughts & Jake threatening for a position”
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 18, 2012
Caulker is priced £4.7m in Fantasy Premier League. Fantasy EPL managers have not bought him despite consecutive 90′ outings, a goal and a cleansheet to his credit. The Chelsea fixture in GW8 is not a good bet for the cleansheet, but there is an increased chance in the following two against Southampton and Wigan.
Finally, there are other injury concerns – most notably MCFC’s David Silva who came off after 13′ in their match v. France – and the news that John Terry will not appeal and will begin his suspension. Terry will be absent for the Premier League fixtures against Spurs, Man Utd. and Swansea. In his place, we expect to see Gary Cahill but we’re not investing in Roberto Di Matteo’s defenders with the slate of upcoming fixtures presenting infrequent cleansheet chances.
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[...] Rodgers could be without Pepe Reina and will be without Fabio Borini until the New Year. We covered Reina at length here, and he will face a late fitness test. Regardless of passing the test, we’re not interested [...]