Week 13: Outs, Doubts, Ins and Wins

Ill start briefly with the incredible thing that happened to me last night: I was lucky enough to attend one of the most anticipated matches in all of South America - The Super-classico: River Plate vs Bocas Juniors! This was not only a derby match between two hated rivals, but it was the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana hosted at River Plate's Estadio Monumental. With the first leg at the Bombadero finishing 0-0, both sides had all to play for. The atmosphere inside the stadium was abosultely electric! After passing through what seemed like endless security check points along the 8 block walk to the stadium, we were greeted inside by a sell out 60,000 Plate fans in full voice. Flares, banners, a sea of White and Red washed over the stadium. The ultra fans climbing up and over barbed wire fences, chanting and bouncing, with fireworks firing off as the teams entered the stadium. It was all such an incredible spectacle. Of course, as foreigners and non members, this was a particularily a rare treat, as it is isn't common to be able to attend these matches. Away support isn't even allowed in each rivals stadium due to the threat of violence.

The match started out in frantic fashion with Bocas earning a dubious at best penalty in the first 30 seconds. But a poor kick and resulting save saw River Plate advance with more confidence from the restart. With increasing pressure, Plate were able to seize the lead 10 minutes later with a beautiful shot into the bottom left corner. The stadium absoultely errupted. More flares, smoke, and furious embrace insued. River Plate were dangerous throughout, and with the ease of pressure after Bocas earned a red card in the final minutes, triumphed over their biggest rival to reach the Copa Sudamericana final. Buenos Aires was certainly buzzing for one team, as Plate supporters took to the streets in full voice until the wee horus of the night! Truly an amazing experience! (PS: Just don't ask me how much the ticket was haha!)

Ill get some pictures up when I can, if not by the the LIVE chat.

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Lets take a look at the break down for our Injuries and Suspension post:

Out: Fantasy-relevant players who have been confirmed out for the week, either through injury or suspension

Doubt: Players facing the dreaded late fitness test, rotation concerns and those who are out of form/favor

In: The likeliest replacements for the Outs & Doubts

Win: Fantasy player to watch / my hunch pick of the week

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Arsenal

Out: Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny, Mathieu Debuchy, Jack Wilshire, Mikel Arteta

Doubt: Theo Walcott (fitness), Olivier Giroud (fitness), Szczesny

In: Danny Welbeck, Mathieu Flamini, Martiniez (maybe)

Win: Alexis Sanchez

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Aston Villa

Out: Christian Benteke (suspended),  Fabian Delph, Senderos, Ron Vlaar

Doubt:

In: Jores Okare

Win: Agbonlahor

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Burnley

Out: Matthew Taylor, Sam Vokes

Doubt: Duff

In: Scott Arfield (maybe)

Win: Kieran Trippier

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Chelsea

Out: N/A

Doubt: N/A

In: N/A

Win: Diego Costa

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Crystal Palace

Out: McCarthy, Dobbie, Hunt,, Murray, Williams

Doubt: N/A

In: Chamakh

Win: Mile Jedinak

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Everton

Out: Antolin Alcaraz, John Stones, Oviedo

Doubt: Gareth Barry, Leighton Baines, Darren Gibson, Pienaar, Naismith, McCarthy

In: Kevin Mirallas, Eto'o (maybe), Sheamus Coleman, Leon Osman

Win: Kevin Mirallas

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Hull City

Out: Gaston Ramirez (suspended), Maynor Figueroa, Ince, Dudgeon, Robert Snodgrass, Hernandez

Doubt: N/A

In: N/A

Win: Livermore

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Leicester City

Out: Hammond, Upson

Doubt:  N/A

In: N/A

Win: Ulloa

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Liverpool

Out:  Mamadou Sakho, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan

Doubt: Mario Balotelli, Jose Enrique

In: Rickey Lambert

Win: Raheem Sterling

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Manchester City

Out: David Silva, Aleksandr Kolarov, Edin Dzeko

Doubt: N/A

In: Mangala (form)

Win: Sergio Aguero

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Manchester United

Out: Daley Blind, da Silva

Doubt: Phin Jones, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Ramadel Falcao (fitness)

In: Michael Carrick

Win: Wayne Rooney

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Newcastle

Out: Gabriel Obertan, Siem De Jong, Davide Santon, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon

Doubt: Abeid, Taylor, Coloccini, Tim Krul,  Cheikh Tiote, Riviere

In: Sammy Ameobi

Win: Ayoze Perez

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Queens Park Rangers

Out: Richard Dunne (suspended), Faurlin, Adel Taarabt

Doubt: Rio Ferdinand

In: Joey Barton

Win: Charlie Austin

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Southampton

Out: James Ward-Prowse, Jay Rodriguez, Artur Boruc, Jos Hooiveld

Doubt: Davis

In: N/A

Win: Tadic

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Stoke City

Out: Robert Huth, Peter Odemwingie, Andy Wilkinson, Victor Moses

Doubt: Wilson, Phil Bardsley, Begovic, Cameron, Pieters

In: Muniesa, Bojan Krkic

Win: Bojan Krkic

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Sunderland

Out: Patrick Van Aanholt, Billy Jones, Emmanuele Giaccherini

Doubt: N/A

In: N/A

Win: Steven Fletcher

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Swansea City

Out: Richards, Tate, Perez, Fernandez

Doubt: N/A

In: N/A

Win: Gylfi Sigurdsson

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Tottenham Hotspur

Out: Holtby, Kyle Naughton (suspended), Kyle Walker

Doubt: Adebayor, Capue, Chadli, Kaboul, Rose, Townsend

In: Harry Kane, Erik Lamela

Win: Harry Kane

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West Bromwich Albion

Out:  Jonas Olsson, Yacob (suspended)

Doubt: Morrison

In: N/A

Win: Saido Berahino

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West Ham United

Out: Poyet, Ravel Morrison, Modibo Maiga, Winston Reid (suspended)

Doubt: Downing, Sahko, Valencia, Kouyate, Noble, Song

In: Zarate

Win: Andy Carroll

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There you have it folks! Another injury and suspensions post wrapped up! My current squad is unchanged from the Barn Door work that I did last game week: Courtois, Trippier, Bertrand, McNair, Hazard, Di Maria, Tadic, Fabregas, Rooney, Sanchez, Costa w/ bench of Ben Arfa, Kelly, Moore, Gazz. But it is likely to change as I hate the bench optins I have. My biggest concern is Eden Hazard's form at home vs away. Hazrad just hasn't been the same player away from home and Sunderland have been a bit of a bogey team for Chelsea in years past. Considering that Chelsea only beat a 10 man West Brom at home 2-0, I am not expecting this match to be an away side blow out. My options are to drop Hazard/Ben Arfa to upgrade to Sigurdsson/Barton and move Tadic to the bench. I am also considering getting Martinez in from Arsenal as my back up keeper if Szczesny looks to be out for a few matches. A lot to think about from now until kick off!

How are your teams shaping up for Week 13? Who are your highlighted players for next game week?

Cheers!