It was a week for sadness and remembrances here in Philly and over there at the home of the Premiership.  All Philadelphia sports fans were saddened at the loss of their beloved baseball announcer Harry Kalas; while in Liverpool, and all across England, the 96 who lost their lives 20 years ago in the Hillsborough disaster were solemnly remembered.  Fortunately, we had a great battle between Aston Villa & Everton on the weekend and at midweek a classic Champions League match between Chelesa and Liverpool to lift our spirits.  It was a match that both sides could be proud of and wont’ be soon forgotten.  With the knowledge that the games continue, as does life, we move on to Gameweek 33.

As usual; our “Fantasy Zolo” league code is 694916-134116 to join our private league.  Select “Leagues” under your Fantasy Menu and then enter the code and you are good to go.

Thoughts on last week

Goals, Goals, & more Goals! 4 for Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal and let’s not forget the great 3-3 draw between Aston Villa and Everton that was back and forth for both sets of supporters.  Not a bad week for the “Special One” either with 9 points and a goal from Kranjcar and 6 points from Alonso.  Very Nice!  Crouch…meh…no one’s perfect; Fantastic, yes; perfect, no.

This week (Gameweek 32)

We always must keep fixture congestion in mind.  With those great Champions League matches at midweek behind us, we need to look to the FA Cup matches this weekend.  Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton & ManU square off for Cup semi-finals on the weekend and have rescheduled Premiership fixtures on Tuesday & Wednesday that are part of Gameweek 33.  Managers must be careful with their starters on these squads as many regulars will be rested for the Premiership matches.  For example, Arsenal seems to have consolidated their 4^th spot & Champions League position and the “Voyeur” Wenger could run out his reserve team kids against Liverpool thus totally ruining many fantasy team selections.  In a very strange fixture quirk Portsmouth have 2 matches this week while Wigan gets the week off.  This definitely should factor into your starters this week.

Players to watch:

• Niko Kranjcar:  I was right last week so with 2 matches this week, I recommend him again for you numpties who don’t listen the first time. 
• Peter Crouch:  The “seaside scarecrow” sets a record this week with his third straight recommendation.  He needs to come good in his 2 matches this week with 2 robot dances.  You have been challenged stick man!. 
• John O’Shea:  The ManU do everything man will see some time against Pompey this week due to squad rotation.  He’s a good value and a nice conservative play.
• Nicklas Bendtner :  The young Danish striker should get the start for Arsenal due to squad rotation against Liverpool.  The real question is what squad does Liverpool field now that they are out of the Champions League but still are in form for the Premiership title. 

Players to drop/sit:

·        Stephen Gerrard:  The Liverpool midfielder has been ruled out for the match with Arsenal with his lingering injury.  This gesture was purely Rafa’s decision.  It remains to be seen what other “gestures” he makes with his team.  Hopefully, Rafa’s next “gesture” won’t offend Blackburn’s newly nicknamed “Big Softee” Sam Allardyce. 

·        Emmanuel Adebayor:  The in form Arsenal striker should be rested on the bench after his work for the Gooners in the FA Cup match on Saturday.  I doubt the “Voyeur” will risk him as a second half sub with Champions League matches looming. 

·        Cristiano Ronaldo:  With the Premiership title still on the line, “Meester Alex” could surprise me but I doubt the ManU midfielder/winger will start on Wednesday against Pompey.  ManU are very deep and Ronaldo was rested for 70 minutes last week in advance of their Champions League match. 

·        Wigan:  Not the entire city, although that may be a good idea.  This week for some reason they are on the outside looking in.  But they do still have that “makeup” fixture with ManU on May 13^th.  Hopefully they will have their lipstick ready, they may need it.

My Moves:

My team is SoBphillyHarchester*. You can search for my team and take a look at it, I don’t mind, and see if you can find some ideas that may help your club.

• A double change for me.  West Ham’s Carlton Cole has been dumped as he appears done and has been replaced with Bolton’s Kevin Davies.  To afford that move, Arsenal’s injured Clichy gets dropped and I replaced the defender with Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross.
• More juggling is needed this weekend and I go defensive, so as requested, my starting XI is Schwarzer, Lescott Hangeland Jagielka Konchesky Shawcross, Taylor Lampard(C), Davies Beattie Arshavin

Next week:

Next week?  Now that everyone’s taxes are filed, it is all rainbows and lollipops.  Don’t tell that to “Meester Alex” who seems to be more concerned with handbags and gestures right now that he may be making an appearance on QVC next week.  Thanks for reading…Be good.