Gameweek 7 - FPL

Hull City 1-0 West Brom
Bernardeschi

This was a close game due to both side's formations and defensive quality, but Hull sneaked it in the end. West Brom need to improve on Roberto, who is not a good RB imo. Hull look strong all over the pitch, but Digne remains a concern. I feel Hull's midfield and wingers just had too much today for the visitors.

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Middlesbrough 2-1 Crystal Palace
Aubameyang ------ Cazorla
Hazard

Middlesbrough look a solid side as ever and edged this game. Palace's front three will challenge most sides, but they were not strong enough in midfield or defensively to challenge Middlesbrough. The home side should look to improve on their midfield, as both are not very creative players and the balance seems a bit off. However, with the attacking talent they have creativity isn't exactly lacking. Going forward, they just had too much for the visitors, whose midfield pairing is not good enough for me compared to the rest of the team. Cazorla had some joy against de Rossi, though.

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Stoke City 1-0 Burnley
Mane

Stoke look a much more solid side now with the smart acquisition of Martinez, and had enough today to win the game. This formation was brave by Burnley but I don't think it came off. There wasn't enough protection to nullify Stoke's menacing front 4, which ultimately cost them the game. For Stoke, the full backs remain a worry for me but Burnley couldn't exploit them today as both Mertens and Draxler looked to come inside too often. Burnley need a rethink, a 4-2-3-1 a much more natural formation and need to improve Alves.

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Swansea City 1-2 Watford
Kane -------- Costa
---------------- B Silva

Swansea are improving week by week, but Watford are looking ever more the team to beat in the league. Swansea now look solid defensively. My next area of improvement would, unfortunately, Lubo, be Meyer, who I don't think is comparable yet to some of the AMs in the league (Watford with Silva on the bench...). Watford are strong, but think de Sciglio can be improved on using Silva.

Hull City 1 v 0 West Brom
Bernadeschi

Very close game where the home side just had the edge in terms of attack, with the strength out wide ultimately proving a decisive factor. Whilst Dzeko was nullified by the strong West Brom cb pairing Bernadeschi gave Roberto a torrid time. Coman wasn’t really able to take advantage of Hull’s main weakness in Digne whilst both sides were pretty even in the middle of the park. Roberto would be my main player to improve on for West Brom whilst Digne stands out in what is an otherwise very strong Hull team.


Stoke City 2 v 1 Burnley
Reus, Coutinho – Aguero

Stoke continue to strengthen at the back and now look a much better outfit all round as a result. Central midfield would be my main area of concern and they could possibly have some difficulty at full back against some of the top wingers in the league. Going forward they look as devastating as ever with Reus giving Alves a torrid afternoon. Burnley remain solid in defence and the back 3 did a superb job in nullifying Suarez who had a surprisingly quiet afternoon. They do however appear to be lacking a solid holding central midfielder with Coutinho giving far too much space to operate. In attack however they do have goals and whilst I maybe wouldn’t settle for the current formation, they will undoubtedly prove a dangerous side for any opponent. The late acquisition of J.Martinez proved a decisive factor as the home side just had enough in defence to edge the 3 points.

Sunderland 2 v 2 Bournemouth
Robben, Kimmich – Messi, Thiago

Difficult to separate these two in what was another entertaining game. Sunderland continue to strengthen and I like the look of the side, the 3 behind the striker in particular look a real danger for any opponent. Jesus was well shackled by the experienced Bournemouth cb pair however Robben gave Bertrand a difficult afternoon. I’m not totally convinced on the balance of the Sunderland midfield pivot as both players like to get forward, this was rewarded today by a well taken goal from Kimmich however I would probably look to bring more of a defensive midfielder to stop them being exposed by some of the more attacking midfields in the league. Bournemouth look a real strong outfit with minimal weaknesses. Firmino’s form IRL has tailed off a little and he wasn’t able to expose the lack of pace of the home side’s cb’s, he does however dovetail well with Messi and Costa so it would not be an area of major concern, just something to keep on an eye if Bobbies form does not pick up. Rabiot is probably the only other player I’d look at, more so in terms of his positioning as I feel his strength lies in his defensive game rather than attack and sitting alongside Wanyama might be a better fit. All in all a cracking match in which neither side could be seperated.

Swansea City 1 v 2 Watford
O.Dembele – Costa, B.Silva

Swansea will consider themselves unlucky not to take anything from this game, however in truth it was more the quality of the visitors that just edged this rather than any deficiencies in the home side. Dembele continues to thrive in his attacking role and gave Pepe a tough afternoon. It’s getting more and more difficult to pick faults in this Swansea side as they have created a nice balance, however in such a pivitol role of linking the attack and defence Meyer is a player that could probably be improved. Against the like of Kante and Pogba he failed to make any real impression. Watford continue to strengthen and Costa looks a solid acquisition, dare I say it, the previously missing link that spearheads an exciting attack. The defence is an area that could however be improved with Pepe, De Sciglio and Reina all players that I'd give consideration to strengthening. The strength of the Watford squad as a whole is extremely impressive and they just had enough quality to edge their opponents.

Hull vs WBA

N/A

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M'Boro vs Palace

Interesting game this - I like both teams, both with areas to improve on but masked by having bona fide match winners, Boro's front 4 is j!zz worthy but not sure on the 2 DM's, Palace have Ibra and CR7 so will always carry a goal threat.

M'Boro 2-2 Palace
PEA, Hazard
Ibra, Ronaldo

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Stoke vs Burnley

I really like Burnley's back 5, have FB/WB envy pretty bad. Stoke seem strong all through the side but I think Suarez up against Burnley's back 3 is a tall order.
Stoke 0-1 Burnley
Aguero
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Sunderland vs B'Mouth

2 very well matched sides, think mostly they'd cancel each other other each out, with Messi making the biggest impact against Ghoulam, not sure if either side has the right man up top to play the lone striker role, an entertaining enough game though

Sun 1-1 B'Mouth
Robben
Messi

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Swansea vs Watford

tough game this for Swansea up against my personal favourite, Lubo has done well the last 2 weeks by improving at LB, he's getting there little by little, could maybe use a natural second striker to partner Kane. watford are just strong right through, a long term partner for Roma maybe, but Pepe is still quality in the here and now

swansea 1-2 watford
KAne
Costa, Bernardo

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

Hull City v West Brom

Two very good sides, both strong throughout although still have reservations about Roberto at RB for West Brom. Hull take the game to West Brom with Dybala at #10 it's basically two up top, and their bold approach gets the win by the odd goal in 5.

Hull City 3-2 West Brom
Dybala, Bernardeschi, Dzeko; Belotti, Carrasco

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Stoke v Burnley

Stoke signing Javi Martinez was a great decision, solidified their defence a lot. Burnley need a better 3rd CB than Ake but their back five doesn't suffer too badly. Score draw for me as the attacking prowess is very strong on both sides. On a side note I'd play Mertens left side to get the best from him.

Stoke 2-2 Burnley
Suarez, Reus; Aguero, Mertens

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Sunderland v Bournemouth

Both sides very strong and only the world class ability of Messi separates what otherwise are two very equal sides. Both sides have a great balance but I'm not sure Ghoulam has the defensive awareness to keep Messi at bay for 90 mins, although no LB can IMO. I see both sides creating chances but with Messi playing it's the difference maker.

Sunderland 1-2 Bournemouth
Pedro; Messi x2

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Swansea v Watford

Swansea have come a long way but Watford have probably the best side in the league and while I personally would prefer to see Pogba, Kante and Iniesta in a midfield three, their side throughout has too much quality for Swansea. Swansea's side will pick up wins against other sides this season but it's a step too far this week.

Swansea 1-2 Watford
O.Dembele; Costa, B.Silva

Hull City 1-1 West Brom
Dzeko; Carrasco

Hull - Think that side lacks a creator personally, the front 4 all seem to be finishers, and marchisio bit of a box to box guy

West Brom - think coman sticks out a little bit, clearly got potential, but stagnated a bit and lets the side down for me



Middlesbrough 2-0 Crystal Palace
Sanchez, Hazard

Boro - the full backs the weakness for me, not really sure on the 2 dms either

Palace - i just feel that back 7 isnt of sufficient quality to keep that boro attack quiet

Sunderland 0-2 Bournemouth
Messi x2

Sunderland - think its a good side, just lacks the deciding factor of bournemouth

Bournemouth - would still say the keeper would be the only real weak point



Swansea City 0-1 Watford
Costa

Swansea - Id personally go for a more proven midfielder than tielemans

Watford - cant find too much wrong with the side now youve replaced de scig, so if im being picky, id say reina would be the guy id replace next

MID vs CP

Middlesbrough's attacking force was superior in this one in which both teams have very strong attacks. I think the home sides defence just allowed them to win the game. Crystal Palace could look for an improvement at the back and in the midfield potentially whereas Middlesbrough would be to improve at full back and maybe on De Rossi as well.

Score: 2-1

STO vs BUR

The home side again just edge this one for me. Stoke have a very well balanced side overall if I do say so myself and Burnley as well also have very good players, but for me just need 1/2 more players in order for their team to be a top team. For Stoke, no obvious weaknesses but I'd possibly say the full back areas and for Burnley an improvement on maybe Ake, but keep hold of for the future and Heaton as well.

Score: 2-1

SUN vs BOU

I like both sides but I do feel the away side just edge it for me. Sunderland's defence has a great balance of experience, quality and youth and the away sides defence also heavily experienced which meant they had enough to thwart the attacks of the home side. For Sunderland, I'd maybe look for somebody else in that midfield alongside Vidal and Kimmich personally. For Bournemouth, again, it's just watching the progress of Lahm and other defenders in the future and maybe adding some more depth to their midfield.

Score: 0-1

SWA vs WAT

2 very much improved sides that really do cancel each other out. Swansea have improved massively recently and that can be seen. I like their formation, it suits most of their players with a good balance of experience and youth in that team. With Watford, again all around well balanced, good experience and youth alongside each other at throughout the team but neither had enough to sneak the win for me. For Sunderland, I'd try to replace Alonso purely because of age and not convinced by Dembele as a striker, he's far more effective out wide and for Watford I'd look for a new GK and maybe Iniesta in a 4-3-3 formation.

Score: 1-1

Hull vs West Brom
Really don't rate Mascherano especially in midfield. Also just a small note but put Dybala higher up (4-4-1-1 at least but preferably 4-4-2). I think West Brom need a star man in attack but Godin and Boateng at CB just about claws them a draw.

0-0


Middlesbrough vs Crystal palace
Middlesbrough have a great attack no question but players like de Rossi and lichtsteiner need upgrading. Palace have a few weaknesses and on this occasion get a narrow loss.

2-1
De Bruyne, Hazard; Ronaldo


Sunderland vs Bournemouth
Decent side across the Sunderland team with no obvious weaknesses but it's all decent players with nobody top drawer. Bournemouth have that star quality about them but are weaker overall. I'll go for a draw

Sunderland 1-1 Bournemouth
Alli; Rabiot


Swansea vs Watford
Like the idea of Dembele upfront but the midfield for me is too weak, and would be bosses by Kante and Pogba. I only see this going one way

Swansea 1-3 Watford
Van Dijk, Costa Costa Costa

Hull City v West Brom

Hull City need to improve their full backs, both struggled today, but both teams have strong spines. Always going to be a draw.

Hull 0 - 0 WBA
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Middlesbrough v Crystal Palace

Boro have a strong all round team, with top defence and attack. Palace struggled throughout

Boro 2 - 0 Palace

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Stoke City v Burnley

Stoke have a strong side, but struggled to dominate the midfield.

Stoke 0 - 1 Burnley

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Sunderland v Bournemouth

Pretty even game with both sides cancelling each other out.

0-0

Hull 1 - 1 West Brom
Dybala ; Belotti

Two sides that are very solid and strong defensively, going forward I didn't think there was enough on either side to really separate the two teams. Although Dzeko has always scored goals i think he'd struggle against the WB cb pairing. The away side should look to improve in cm for me.

Boro 3-2 CP
Sanchez, Hazard, Auba ; Ronaldo (2)

Ronaldo and Ibra will always get goals for CP, but the home side were stronger in defence and midfield and so I had to give the win to what is a very strong Boro team.

Stoke 2 - 1 Burnley
Suarez (2) ; Aguero

The home side's attack is class and Javi in at cb makes the team a lot stronger for me. I didn't think the away side's formation would take advantage of Stoke's weaknesses at fb or dm and so although they have quality all over had to go for Stoke this week.

Swansea 1 - 1 Watford
Kane ; Costa

Swansea have improved a good bit for me recently and did enough for a draw here in a solid side. The away team are strong all over but going forward I wasn't sure they could get the better of Swansea enough to get the win. For the home side to start picking up wins in this formation I still feel a world class attacking midfielder would make a big difference for the team.