Game Week 37: Wednesday/Thursday Live Chat

Hey folks, hopefully you’re at the local watering hole with a beverage ready to enjoy the midweek fixtures. There’s nothing better for taking away the Wednesday blues. While you enjoy that beverage, let me ask: Is your double game week glass half full or half empty (or overflowing)? Many of us were left disappointed after the weekend games, but a second chance has come to turn the frowns around.

Let’s have a look at the fixtures...

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Wednesday

Leicester vs Arsenal

Claude Puel has his team in the top half, but recent performances cast doubt upon his future. The West Ham game is where many a fantasy manager would have expected his foxes to earn points. I attended the reverse fixture on opening day, and although Leicester lost 4-3, the Arsenal defense could not cope with Jamie Vardy. His owners will hope for a repeat of his two-goal performance.

The Gunners put on a five-star show against Burnley, and owners of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will want more of the same today.

Chelsea vs Huddersfield

What a difference Olivier Giroud has been for Chelsea, the man with the well coiffed hair has been vastly more effective than the man who does his girlfriend’s hair. The Stamford Bridge team still have an outside chance at a Champions League place with a win, so expect lots of attack from Antonio Conte’s men... whom Conte has promised to rotate today (uh-oh).

Southampton’s victory yesterday jumped them over Huddersfield on goal-difference, putting the Terriers in Swansea’s desperation cross-hairs. Huddersfield need one point from their final two games to maintain Premier League status, but it’s not going to be easy againstEurope-sighted Chelsea today... or this weekend’s Gunners aiming to deliver a final-match win to Arsene Wenger as a going away present. The Terriers’ draw at Manchester City was unexpected and precious, so the team will be confident.

Manchester City vs Brighton

Owners of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling will be at the bar today, drinking for joy or drinking for sorrow is still to be determined.

A win today would lift Brighton into the top-half of the table, amazing for a team many predicted would go straight back down. The win against Manchester United has them poised for a Manchester double. Would you have put $5 on it in the preseason?

Tottenham vs Newcastle

Spurs cannot afford any more slip-ups following the West Bromwich Albion result, and Chelsea can smell blood in the water. Mauricio Pocchetino has to get his team up for this; they wouldn't want to move into a new stadium without Champions League football. Triple Captain Harry Kane owners will be biting nails watching this one.

It’s all about what’s next for Newcastle. The future of Rafa Benitez and the ownership is a mystery. Ayoze Perez is on a late season tear, so the Tottenham defense should be on guard because he can derail their European aspirations.

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Thursday Fixture

West Ham vs Manchester United

Against Leicester, the Hammers secured top flight status, so the fans will be in good cheer for this one. Like Newcastle, the future of the manager is now the big question, but Moyes has postponed negotiations until the season is in everyone’s rear-view mirrors.

Jose Mourinho was angry after the Brighton loss. He will demand a much better performance in this one. Romelu Lukaku is not walking through the door for the remaining two league fixtures, so it is up to the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to show they deserve to be played up top. Many a manager invested in players like Pogba and Rashford for the double game week and would like to see dividends.

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Position 252 in the Beat the Bloggers FPL league will only be improved with performances from my triple captain Jesus and others like Kane and Vertonghen. On whom are you pinning your hopes to earn you the points you need? Talk with us now in the penultimate match-day live chat!