Gameweek 2 - FPL

West Brom 2 v 1 Stoke City
Costa, YFC - Mane

An interesting game at the Hawthorns with the home side coming away with the victory. Some great attacking talent on show from both sides, Coman was a miss for the home side with Lozano largely ineffective however the overall balance with strength in both defence and attack tipped the scales in their favour. Stoke have some exciting forwards and will cause real problems to any side however they really struggled defensively. Costa bullied his way through the Stoke defence to fire home the opener with the lead soon doubled as Carrasco turned young McQueen inside out before slotting home number two. Sanchez was largely quiet in the CF role as Boateng did a superb job marshalling him all afternoon which often saw him dropping deep to become more involved in the game. The visitors did however find a way back into the game with Coutinho playing a sublime ball through to Mane who raced past Mendy to fire home what was ultimately to prove a consolation.

Swansea City 0 v 0 Hull City

A game where defence ultimately conquered attack in what was a real tussle at the liberty stadium. Swansea have made some great acquisitions to strengthen their backline and didn’t give the likes of Berardi or Dybala a sniff. Alonso dictated the play in the middle of the park however Gueye rarely offered much going forward and Meyer was well marshalled by Mascherano. Hull will likely be disappointed by their failure to really test Horn in the Swansea goal and may look to bring in a little cutting edge on the flanks as their wide men really failed to get into the game. The visitors did however do a great job of limiting the threat of the always dangerous Kane who’s goal bound effort late on was superbly blocked by Rugani in what was ultimately a game of few clear cut chances.

Watford 1 v 0 Crystal Palace
Bernadeschi

An early strike from Bernadeschi proved the difference in what was another close game. Some great work from the much maligned Belotti saw him draw a foul from Varane in only the 5th minute of the game. From the resulting free kick Pogba’s thunderous effort came crashing back off the woodwork with Bernadeschi the quickest to react and prodding home the rebound. Some great work in the transfer market has seen the home side strengthen significantly in the middle of park and they were able to control the game. The visitors are however solid at the back and did will to keep the Watford attack at bay. They will however be disappointed by the lack of goal threat going forward, the likes of Rashford and Jesus are exciting youngsters however they were to get little change out the Watford backline and may look to bring in a top striker to compliment the creativity offered by Cazorla in midfield.


Bournemouth 2 v 2 Burnley
Messi (2) - Alli (2)

A great encounter whereby the away side may count themselves a little unfortunate not to come away with all 3 points. Bournemouth have some fantastic individuals however in terms of overall quality it was the visitors who looked the stronger as they dominated the midfield battle. Burnley deservedly took the lead as the inform Alli evaded the challenge of Rabiot before firing in the opener from the edge of the box and was soon to double his tally as he ghosted past Vallejo in the Bournemouth box to nod home a Draxler cross. For all the endeavors of the away side it was ultimately the decision to play van Aanholt up against Messi which proved their downfall. As the home side pushed forward to find a way back into the game they looked to their talisman and he ultimately delivered. He gave van Aanholt a torrid time all afternoon and pulled his side back into the match with a superb solo effort. With the visitors desperately attempting to cling on for all 3 points Thiago’s perfectly weighted through ball exposed the poor positioning of the full back once again with Messi racing onto the ball and delightfully chipping over the onrushing Reina to earn his side a share of the spoils.

West Brom vs Stoke City

Stalemate in the middle led for this to be a relatively dull affair. None of the flare players in the centre managed to make much happen, and were forced into passing backwards or sideways whenever they got into imposing positions. WBA have a good pair of centre backs, who targeted Sanchez and kept him quiet all night, with most of the Stoke threat coming from Hazard. Costa was, once again, the difference, with Tah struggling to deal with his raw physical attributes.

WBA 1 - 0 Stoke
Costa (Iniesta)

Middlesbrough undoutedly have a strong first eleven, but the the home team today just outclass them on the day. They have an incredibly dangerous attacking front three, and with Dembele and Veratti behind them they have players with the legs to back that up. Carrick dictated the play, as he managed to hold the ball under very little pressure. When Boro did get breaks they attacked with pace, but it just wasn't enough

Sunderland 3 - 1 Boro
Ibrahimovic (Ribery), Ribery (Ibrahimovic), Ronaldo (Ibrahimovic)
Aubameyang (suarez)

Watford vs Crystal Palace

This was a tough game fought between two top teams. Whilst Crystal Palace tried to play their game narrow, they found themselves being pulled out wide far too often. Yaya was a player exposed in midfield, and struggled against Pigba and Kessie, but Cazorla and Busquets worked well as a partnership behind him. Maybe a more conventional AM would suit Palace better.

Watford found a lot of joy down the flanks, but lacked a clinical finisher in the final third so their many chances went wasted

Watford 0 - 1 Crystal Palace
Busquets (Cazorla)

Bournemouth vs Burnley

Both sides tried to stamp their authority on the midfield here, which worked in the favour of Burnley more, with Nainggolan and De Rossi dominating Thiago. Messi up against Van Aanholt proved to be a problem for Bournemouth too, with the Argentinian beating the left back every time. Bournemouth could do with an improvement here and in goal.

Bournemouth 1 - 0 Burnley
Messi (Lahm)

West Brom vs Stoke

for me this is a battle of who comes out on top between Stokes attack and Sandwell's defence, I think the midfield is pretty even, But Stoke for me have the best attacking I've come across and bring more "big hitters" to the game...JYAF no offence to you but I give you a loss by 2 goals - not because I don;t rate your team but because of the "rounding issues" it's need a 2 goal margin for the side I want to win to have a chance of it

WBA 1 - 3 Stoke
Costa
Sanchez x2, Hazard

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Sunderland vs M'boro

a plastic geordie derby today and the attacking talent on display meant that this would be a game to savour Kante and Vidal has it all it really does, even though Verratti and Dembele would hold their own, wold be a proper midfield battle - both sides have good defences, but would both concede a few based on the quality of the opposition strike-forces.

Sunderland 2-2 Boro
Ronaldo,Ibra
PEA,Suarez

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Swansea vs Hull

Pools panel result away win

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Watford vs Palace

genuinely 2 of my favourite sides, both well balanced and some interesting match-ups....Belotti as everyone knows is 100% world class...Jesus could well get there, I think myself Toure at AM could work, he don;t need to get back, carries a goal threat and can keep Pogba quiet...I really do like Watford's defence, almost as much as I like my own I couldn't split these two so I copped out

Watford 2-2 Palace
Belotti,KDB
Rashford,Yaya

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B'Mouth vs Burnley

anyside with Messi in is always going to have a chance, when you give him Thiago and Firmino to play off as well, it's gonna be fun
Burnley have a strong defence and in Radja and DDR they have as solid a pivot as any but it lacks forward movement. Their front four is tasty though

B'mouth 2-1 Burnley
Messi,Firmino
Aguero

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West Brom 2 - 1 Stoke City
Costa, Iniesta ; Sanchez

The away side had the stronger attack, but the home side had a much stronger defence. The dm pairing of Casemiro and Strootman added real strength in front of the West Brom back four, and gave Iniesta great freedom to trouble the away side. Stoke had more of the ball, and had more players likely to create something but with the home fans behind them WB just had enough for the win.

Sunderland 1 - 1 Boro
Ronaldo ; Suarez

The away side looked the stronger overall side, but at home and with Ronaldo Sunderland are always in with a chance. Kante and Vidal are a great partnership and if they had more of an attacking midfielder in front of them Boro would have got my vote. The home side's trio kept the ball well, and they don't perhaps need goals with their front trio, but could do with a cm that will go beyond to create more for me. Boro's wingers tied Valencia and Rose up in knots defensively.

Swansea 1 - 1 Hull City
Kane ; Dybala

The home side had the majority of the ball, with the quality of Alonso and out numbering Hull's cm they had the better of much of the game, but the away side's defence held up well. Both sides could improve on their rw. Two strong defences both with good cover in midfield. With Swansea at home I may have given them the win if they had a bit more quality in attack to support Dembele and Kane.

Watford 1-2 Crystal Palace
Belotti ; Correa, Jesus

The away side won this game by getting on top of the midfield battle. Watford had the greater threat in the final third but they didn't have enough of the game to make the most of this. The home side had great quality in their trio but their lack of a disciplined defensive midfielder cost them against CP's trio that were great in possession of the ball and dominated. I'm also not convinced Roberto would be a good option at rb for a team playing in a different style to Barca. The away team should improve their options in attack.

SUN vs MID

2 sides with very good attacking qualities and very close but I think the away side just edge it for me. The influence and experience of Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic and Ribery is all well and good but the front 4 of Middlesbrough is devastating and the away sides defence stands a much stronger chance of holding out. High scoring game however which could make all the difference.

Score: 2-3

SWA vs HULL

Both of these 2 sides cancel each other out for me. Both teams look evenly matched for me, I'd say Hull just shaded the game because they have that extra bit of quality in the middle of the park but not enough going forward in this sense to get that all important goal and Swansea were also very huff and puff going forward but nice and solid at the back. Both teams couldn't find a way through in the end.

Score: 0-0

WAT vs CP

Much like the game above, both teams are very well evenly matched. Both have very good defences as well which made it difficult for one another to break through the opposition defence. They both did in the end but it couldn't separate the sides. Palace maybe just lacking that killer instinct up top and Watford just needed a bit more in the wide areas for me. A score draw nonetheless.

Score: 1-1

BOU vs BUR

A game which saw again another high scoring game but again, another draw. Messi gave van Aarnholt a new one to the frustrations of Burnley there but Aguero also gave the home sides defence the run around. In the end, it was both of them players quality who showed, other than that really though, both teams just cancelled each other out.

Score: 2-2

West Brom v Stoke

I like the WBA side but I feel there isn't enough quality service getting to Costa. And with Iniesta being in a 4-3-3 since forever, playing him #10 in a 4-2-3-1 is underutilising him IMO. Stoke have a brilliant front 5 which would cause problems for any team in this league, but may be found out defensively against better attacks.

West Brom 2-3 Stoke
Costa, Carrasco; Sanchez x2, Mane

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Sunderland v Middlesbrough

Both have very strong sides, yet both have their faults. Like Sunderland playing Ribery on the wrong wing/at all (delete where applicable). Like Middlesbrough playing the best striker in the world at AM/SS instead of alongside Aubameyang. I even suggested the 4-2-2-2 to TAB last week! I can see both sides scoring, and I can see both sides conceding. Score draw for me.

Sunderland 2-2 Middlesbrough
Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic; Aubameyang, Reus

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Swansea v Hull

Swansea should differentiate which Dembele is playing, and which is on the bench. Maybe via the mystical world of the first initial... Hard to separate these two sides based on the teamsheet, I felt that Mascherano and Marchisio are a great pairing in this game and I'm not quite sure Swansea had the right balance in midfield, but equally I don't see Snodgrass being a major threat for Hull. I feel Swansea would have had more joy in a 4-2-3-1 with Gueye and Alonso alongside each other and Meyer at #10, but I'm not sure Hull did enough to force the win against Swansea's improved defence. Score draw for me.

Swansea 1-1 Hull
Kane; Dybala

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Bournemouth v Burnley

Despite the presence of Messi both sides look quite even at first glance. For Bournemouth I feel like they need more physicality in their midfield, plenty of creativity but an enforcer in there would give protection. Not sure about Firmino as the striker, he can play there but I don't think he plays best there. The Messi dilemma rears it's head again, playing RW for Barcelona is one thing, but he needs to be the focal point in this team and out wide he isn't that. Burnley don't quite have the same big name presence but they are a lot better balanced, 3 out of 4 defenders very good, solidarity and familiarity in midfield and very good attackers in their best positions. I can see Burnley edging this late on.

Bournemouth 1-2 Burnley
Messi; Aguero x2

So Nadz has asked the assistant to do this week's predictions...



West Brom vs Stoke

I really like the balance of the West Brom midfield, and Boateng and Costa at CB and ST respectively makes them a strong side. Lozano is the obvious weakness, I know he's scored some goals in Mexico but it's not enough to rate him. I'd have played Asensio AM in a diamond. Stoke look fantastic going forward but their back four and DM isn't good enough. McQueen's had a couple of decent games but is 'unproven' <shudder>. And I've never reallu liked Nacho. So I'll go West Brom because I prefer their overall balanced side.

West Brom 2-1 Stoke
Strootman 16, Costa 66; Sanchez 40


Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
Sunderland's side is set out very defensive minded in the middle of the park, which may be a good strategy considering they are playing a Middlesbrough side which is extremely attacking. I think there's a mistake in playing Suarez in that position. He surely must be the striker? Ronaldo is an obvious gamechanger and Ibrahimovic will score, but for Sunderland their centre halves are not good enough compared to other teams in the league, as good as they were for Portugal in the Euros. I'll go for a Middlesbrough win but don't play Suarez AM again please?

Sunderland 2-3 Middlesbrough
Ronaldo 5, 29; Reus 20, Suarez 60, 72


Swansea vs Hull
I think Swansea have a decent side, Gueye is extremely under-rated (I have him on another league) and as I mentioned before, a top centre back in Hummels and striker in Kane will always give you a chance. I would look to upgrade the wingers, Thorgan and Dembele are both decent players but not quite at the level from some of the teams. Hull also need to upgrade Snodgrass and Sane I'm not sold on. The Serie A rest of the team is very good, I'm not sure Berardi is the main to partner Dybala upfront, I'd have a think about possibly mixing up the attack somehow. And Mascherano should be at CB for me nowadays, perhaps would have worked better as a back three with Rugani and Chiellini? Overall it's a tough game to call and I don't want to call it.


Swansea 1-1 Hull
Gueye 59; Chiellini 41


Watford vs Crystal Palace
I know Sergi Roberto has been playing RB for Barcelona, but I'm not sure on that. Iwobi and Bernadeschi, again are decent players but not top players which is required in this league. The Crystal Palace side is a good side all round, no weaknesses but for me needs that one world class attacking player. And Jesus isn't yet that. Because Watford have Pogba and De Bruyne who can change a game, I'll give them the win, just.


Watford 1-0 Crystal Palace
Iwobi 90+5

West Brom v Stoke

An even game, but my preference just goes to that stoke side, but feel a one goal game wont affect the averages

West Brom 0-14 Stoke
Tah x13, Sanchez


Sunderland v Boro

I think sunderland have a decent balance, just ultimately let down by the keeper today, boro for me are the side to beat this year, could do with strengthening most of the wide areas, also feel suarez is wasted in that position.

Sunderland 0-1 Boro
Aubameyang


Swansea v Hull

two evenly matched teams today and i couldnt pick between them, for swansea i would say my only advice would be to get in a more experienced head in than thorgan, feel you have a little too much inexperience in those attacking positions between him meyer and ousmane, for hull, get in a number 10, and youre golden for me

Swansea 0-0 Hull


Watford v Palace

Watford for me had that little bit more about them in the attacking areas to get them over the line today, if i were to make suggestions, id make iwobi my next target to improve on, maybe a slightly less obvious pick, id go to a conventional 433 formation, kdb showed he could fit that well until pep dicked about with formations, and it naturally puts pogba further up the pitch. Palace, the back 7 im mostly happy with, mandanda id be umming and ahhing about, the front 4 is my current concern, id either get in a playmaker to replace yaya, really take advantage of that fluid front 3 or move to a 433 and get a creative midfielder in, there is also some concern about your front 3 for me

Watford 1-0 Palace
Belotti


Bournemouth v Burnley

another tight game, but the ball got absolutely radjad and swung the game for burnley, bournemouth just got totally swamped in the midfield today which ultimately lost the game for them, for burnley, id be upgrading shaqiri pronto

bournemouth 1-0 burnley
Radja

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