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I apologize for the lateness of the Injuries/Suspension post, I've been buried under a pile of paperwork since returning from my last contract in Alaska. Basically all this week I have been pouring over every line of my data, checking the numbers against the vessel's copy, the computer copy, and my own hard copy. Very exciting right! All of our data needs to be picked over to make sure all entries are correct, a very labor intensive process to say the least! Okay enough of that, let's get started!
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Arsenal:
Out: Abou Diaby, Akpom, Coquelin, Djourou, Gibbs, Miyaichi, Park, Walcott, Wilshere
Doubt: Gnabry, Monreal, Ozil
Win: Lucas Podolski - a move even better if you picked up the German international on the barn door after his 2 goal salvo against West Ham. There is still too much doubt over Ozil's fitness, so better to wait until next week.
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Aston Villa
Out: Benteke, Delfouneso, Gardner, Herd, Kozák, N'Zogbia, Okore
Doubt: None
Win: Grant Holt - hard to like the move given the riches of striker options this week, but a certain dark horse pick.
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Cardiff City
Out: Brayford, Hudson, Maynard, Noone
Doubt: John, Jones
Win: Steven Caulker - one of the bright spots of the Cardiff squad this season, always a threat from the set pieces and a decent clean sheet shout home to Stoke.
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Chelsea
Out: Chalobah, De Bruyne, Hazard, McEachran, Romeu, Van Aanholt
Doubt: None
Win: Salah - A Chelsea attacker is a must for this week and Salah fits the bill. With too many doubts over which striker starts (Ba, Eto'o, Torres) and Hazard on the sidelines, the Egyptian winger looks a strong candidate to get amongst the points home to Sunderland.
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Crystal Palace
Out: Campaña, Garvan, Hunt, Kébé, Price, Ramage
Doubt: Bolasie, Chamakh, Dikgacoi, Mariappa, Ward
Win: James Puncheon - He's been Crystal Palace's savior as of late and 2 more goals in the double week mean the winger is in fine scoring form. If you kept him at any discount, another roll of the dice against West Ham doesn't look a bad move.
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Everton
Out: Duffy, Gibson, Koné, Oviedo, Pienaar, Traore, Vellios
Doubt: Jagielka
Win: Lukaku - He can't score against the teams he should which means he'll back a brace this weekend against Utd. Everton will need the big Belgian at his best for their top four hopes to stay alive after defeat to Crystal Palace last match.
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Fulham
Out: Berbatov, Briggs, Cole, Dempsey, Duff, Etheridge, Holtby, Hughes, Mitroglou, Ruiz, Taarabt, Tunnicliffe
Doubt: None
Win: Hugo Rodellega - Not much to love from the relegation strugglers, but Hugo has been in scoring form as of late.
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Hull City
Out: Brady, Dudgeon, McGregor, McShane
Doubt: None
Win: Tom Huddlestone - Not exactly the match up you'd want, but a consistent point earner given his free kick duties.
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Liverpool
Out: Coady, Coates, Enrique Sanchez Diaz, Fernandez Saez, Ibe, Ilori, Reina, Robinson, Wisdom
Doubt: Sturridge
Banned: Henderson
Win: Suarez - obviously, clear cut captain this week.
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Manchester City
Out: Nastasic, Rekik, Touré
Doubt: Navas, Silva
Win: Sergio Aguero - the Argentine striker is back after being afforded limited minutes during the double. I don't expect him to take long to get back to scoring form.
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Manchester United
Out: da Silva, Evans, Johnstone, Lingard, Oliveira, Powell, van Persie
Doubt: None
Win: Wayne Rooney - passed fit and should take the lone forward slot along with penalty duties. Should you feel a bit worried, Juan Mata provides an excellent second option.
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Newcastle United
Out: Abeid, Ameobi, Ferguson, Obertan, Santon, Sissoko, Tavernier, Taylor, Vuckic
Doubt: Ben Arfa, Debuchy, Remy
Win: Loic Remy - the Frenchman has been an excellent performer for much of the season and his return to fitness is a huge boost for a faltering Newcastle side. All indications say he is fit, whether or not he starts is up to Pardew, but something tells me it would be foolish to leave his talent on the bench.
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Norwich City
Out: Murphy, Rudd, Surman, Yobo
Doubt: None
Win: Robert Snodgrass - Not the match up you want AT ALL, however the Scot is playing at the top of the midfield diamond just behind the strikers. One of his wicked free kicks may just be what the Canaries need to boost any chance of taking points off Liverpool.
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Southampton
Out: Davis, Fox, Mayuka, Osvaldo, Ramírez, Rodriguez, Sharp, Yoshida
Doubt: None
Win: Ricky Lambert - with Jay Rodriquez out for the rest of the season, Lambert should return to lead the line and take penalties.
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Stoke City
Out: Butland, Etherington, Huth, Kightly, Ness
Doubt: Adam, Assaidi
Win: Steven Ireland - filling the role left by Adam, Ireland is playing just behind the strikers, although you just feel this is going to be a tight defensive match.
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Sunderland
Out: Adilson Cabral, Diakité, Fletcher, Graham, Ki, Moberg-Karlsson, NDiaye, Vaughan, Westwood
Doubt: Bridcutt, Cuellar
Win: Connor Wickham - opened his account for the season with 2 goals against City. Can he score again to help keep Sunderland up?
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Swansea City
Out: Bartley, Donnelly, Monk, Tate
Doubt: Cuesta
Win: Wilfred Bony - the Swans striker shouldn't have much trouble bullying the Newcastle defense.
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Tottenham Hotspur
Out: Assou-Ekotto, Capoue, Carroll, Defoe, Falqué, Fredericks, Lamela, Vertonghen, Walker
Doubt: Dawson, Guimarães Cordeiro, Soldado
Win: Adebayor - the Spurs striker is much cheaper than Christian Erikson and should lead the line against Fulham. Regardless, one or both should be considered this week.
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West Bromwich Albion
Out: Anelka, Gera, Sinclair, Thorne
Doubt: Morrison, Olsson
Win: Sessegnon - can't love the match up, but Sess did get back to scoring ways. A solid dark horse pick.
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West Ham United
Out: Borriello, Collison, Maiga, Morrison, Spence
Doubt: None
Win: Andy Carrol - always an intimidating presence and threat with his head. If he can get the right service, Carrol will be a threat for any team to handle.
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Well there you have it ladies and gentlemen. How have your teams come along? Who are you tipping to score big this week?
My current side looks like: Lloris, Kabul, Stones, Kompany, Erikson, Salah, Gerrard, Ramsey, Aguero, Podolski, Suarez (capt) Bench: Garcia, Bertrand + Fillers. Fairly happy with it, but paying a lot for Gerrard/Erikson. I am tempted to draft in Hart at his cheaper price and fit in Adebayor in Podolski's place. Much to think about until the deadline!
Cheers