Game-week 29:
A note to every EPL Fan: This week there are just 5 matches. That’s right, Just 5.
That’s just half of the total number of matches. All take place on 8th March.
So for this week, I’ll mention players to watch out in each match.
Match 1: Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion:
Manchester has been the talk of the league and thus week after week, everyone expects them to reduce the deficit against the top 4. Since fewer teams are playing, this gives them additional chances of reducing the deficit.
From Manchester, Wayne Rooney would be the one to look out for with 10 goals and 11 assists.
He proves via his stats itself, how effective he can be to his team at these times.
Patrice Evra has always been a danger for every team with his defensive + attacking style.
Also, Michael Carrick’spresence in the team has been rock solid and yes, the experience counts.
Even though he might not assist or score, but you can always expect him to be there for united.
From West Brom, it would be Victor Anichebe.
His last 180 minutes of football has resulted in 2 goals and an equal number of assists.
So, if he is given more game playing time, then I see no reason why he can’t be the one to ride his team home with 3 points.
Match 2: Fulham vs. Cardiff City
The irony in this match is that both teams are in the bottom 3.
Thus their main aim would be to push the other one down enough and swim out of the relegation zone!
Fulham has never been so down the table and thus it has affected the morale of most of their players.
With Ruiz and Berbatov out on loan, Only Darren Bent has been their decent striker but his performance too hasn’t been up to the mark.
From Fulham, Steve Sidwellcan be the one who can orchestrate the play and make sure they go home with 3 points. He has converted 6 goalstill now which by far makes him the highest goal scorer.
Kieran Richardsonhas also been showing us glimpses of his brilliance and we can see the results.
Apart from the Chelsea match, his last 3 games have resulted in 3 assists and 1 goal.
That’s good news for Fulham who desperately need points.
From Cardiff, the return of Kenwyne Jones has given them some advantage but he needs to deliver.
Also Frazier Campbellwho has 5 goals & 2 assists has to be regularly on the scoring charts.
David Marshallwho has over 110 saves in 29 matchesshows how much Cardiff as a team has been tested.
With Cardiff losing many matches, their chance to be in the premier league next season depletes per week.
Match 3: Southampton vs. Crystal Palace
The Saints sit comfortable in the top half of the table with consistent points flowing in.
On the other hand Crystal Palace has been hanging on to a thread as they prepare to be pulled down to the relegation zone in few weeks.
From the Saints, the duo of Rickie Lambert & Jay Rodriguez will be the one to look out for.
They have accounted for 18 goals and 10 assists in 28 games. That’s like at least one chance per match has been created by them. Impressive!
Also, they have another duo of Fonte & Lovren who have been phenomenal all season. With Luke Shaw getting the England call up, the Saints would have their morale boosted.
From Palace, Jason Puncheon who has 3 goals & 2 assists to his name can make an impact.
Also, Marouane Chamakh is their top scorer with 5 goals & 1 assist, but that’s poor and thus he will need to step up if his team has to stay away from the bottom 3.
Thomas Ince made an explosive start to his 4 match campaign with Palace with 1 goal & assist in his 2nd match. There are high chances he will repeat his antics soon.
Match 4: Stoke City vs. Norwich
Stoke & Norwich both are on a rocky boat, with one of them sure to fall in the pit with bad performances. For now they do have a small cushion, but not for long if they keep losing.
For Stoke, they will miss the presence of Charlie Adam (7 goals & 3 assists) who has been banned up to 29th march i.e. he will be losing 3 games. He has been in prolific form and thus Stoke will have a tough time changing their strategy.
Peter Crouch with 6 goals & 4 assists has been their player to bank upon. Thus in the absence of Adam, he will have to guide his team home with valuable points.
For Norwich, with Leroy Fer out with an injury & an unknown return date, Robert Snodgrass & Nathan Redmond will have to fill in with their performances.
Gary Hooper has scored 5 goals & 2 assists which will have to increase next match, if he wants his team to be away from the relegation zone.
Match 5: Chelsea vs. Tottenham
It’s indeed the Super weekend match of this game-week.
The battle has changed though.
Chelsea would want to maintain their lead atop the table, whereas the Spurs would want to reduce the gap between them and the top 4.
From Chelsea, Eden hazard with 12 goals & 10 assistswould be anyone’s guess to be the match winner for Chelsea.
Branislav Ivanovic & Gary Cahill have been a strong hold in the blues defense thus resulting in less goals conceded.
Andre Schurrle’srecent hat trick has given Chelsea more advantage over their rivals.
From Tottenham, Emmanuel Adebayor with 8 goals & 5 assists in his last 12 matchesis the best pick.
Roberto Soldadowho scored in the last match might be in contention to score again.
Tottenham will miss Eriksenas he was their prime play maker.
With Lennonnot providing quality performances in recent games, it gets tough for Mr. Sherwood to continue winning games.
Lets see how this game-week shapes up the league.
Please Note– Stats have been taken from http://fantasy.premierleague.com/