Week 3 - 2022/23 Fan League

Week 3 Fan League results can be seen below

Wolves 0-2 Man City
Nkunku (Benzema), Raphinha
Wolves just didn’t turn up.

Man Utd - Leicester
Leicester started on the front foot, with the confidence they had the better players. Their fluid front four was causing early problems for United, Upamecano dragged into midfield to track runners and help the midfield two, where he wasn’t too comfortable. James and Theo pushed forward, their technical ability on the ball saw them further aid Leicester’s domination on the ball, but United did have threat on the break with wing backs and wingers - who stayed high and not tracked back. This compromised United’s defensive ability as well as having that counter threat. United had tactics for their CMs to help the wing backs defensively if needed, and it was needed with Leicester’s full backs technically strong and pushing high, however this just created more space for the Leicester midfield three, who were already outnumbering and manouvering United’s middle. Nadz you have pace in those wide areas, but I do worry about centrally as your wing backs aren’t the strongest in interior zones so I think it would be hard for you to grab hold of the ball for long.

Going into the slots Man Utd had home advantage, Leicester had a set of tactics I felt would come out on top when putting the teams together and also stronger personnel. Both subs gave the teams new options, Nadz though, if losing I would sooner see a CB sacrificed before a CM for De Ket, this would really leave Valverde with a tonne to do, especially against a midfield three.

Man Utd 1-2 Leicester
Martinelli (Kulu) - Sterling (Rodri), R. James (Felix)

Liverpool 0-2 Aston Villa
Lewandowski (Pavard), Zaha
Liverpool didn't turn up.

Watford vs. Newcastle
Both teams aiming to control the game from the off. Watford, fuelled by their home fans and intense players, grappled control early, but Newcastle experience and overall quality saw them dictate the tempo for the most part. Watford though, had a direct front three that caused big problems defensively for Trent and Scally. Watford’s tactics were more specific about each player and how they could impact the game and opposition. With Newcastle’s stronger side, it made the slots pretty even going in.

Watford 1-1 Newcastle
Correa - Mane (Diaz)

Chelsea v Arsenal

Tottenham 1-0 Brentford
Kane (Messi)

Two teams with the same formation up against each other. Spurs at home and with the much strong personnel it was just too much for Brentford today. Tottenham's technical superiority allowed for them to keep a devastating front three in the final third doing what they do best and ultimately the goal came from that.