TFF chit chat 21st, 22nd and 23rd January

[morganb]

FRIDAY 21ST JANUARY

Watford 20:00 Norwich City

This weekend's set of fixtures kicks off this Friday at 8pm and features Watford and Norwich City. A bottom of the table clash between 17th place Watford and Norwich who are in 18th position. Dennis is the pick of the bunch for Watford but Ismaila Sarr is due back in training this month. For the Canaries, Gilmour is out, Aarons a slight doubt.


SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY

Everton 12:30 Aston Villa

Saturday's early game is at 12:30pm and is Everton versus Aston Villa at Goodison Park. Everton are under different management now Rafa has been shown the door. Everton have recently welcomed back Richarlison from injury. El Ghazi ineligible. Aston Villa have been revitalised under Steve G and the arrival of Phil Coutinho looks a shrewd loan signing.

Brentford 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers

There are three 3pm games, the first of which being Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Bees come into this game after only winning one game in their last five. Toney scored his first goal in ages last time out. Wolves are in good form, only dropping 5 points from a possible 15. Marcal and Neves expect to be available.

Leeds United 15:00 Newcastle United

The second of the 3pm matches is at Elland Road between Leeds United and Newcastle United. 15th versus 19th with both teams picking up points in their last couple of games (Leeds wins, Newcastle draws). Jack Harrison is in sparkling form for Leeds. Still no Bamford. A Newcastle win could lift them out of the relegatio zone. Clark could be back for the Magpies.

Manchester United 15:00 West Ham United

Next up at 3 o'clock is Manchester United against West Ham United. The Red Devils played and won in midweek - Bruno Fernandes is in good form and United run of games doesn't look too bad. Cavani, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka and McTominay could all be back. West Ham are 4th but lost last weekend. Bowen is playing well. Soucek could be back but Benrahma is still at AFCON.

Southampton 17:30 Manchester City

Saturday's late match sees Southampton taking on Manchester City at St Mary's. The Saints suffered a defeat last Saturday but Ward-Prowse has been picking up points recently. Walcott and Elyounoussi could be back after illness. Man City are top of the League and playing well. Mahrez still at AFCON, Zinchenko should be available.


SUNDAY 23RD JANUARY

Arsenal 14:00 Burnley

There are three 2pm games on Sunday, the first of which takes place between Arsenal and Burnley. Both sides had games postponed last weekend but Arsenal got a game on Thursday in the Carabao Cup. Xhaka suspended for the Gunners. Partey is back from AFCON early but subsequently got dismissed in the Cup. Burnley last played in the FA Cup on the 8th Jan and Wood has left for pastures new. Cornet still at AFCON.

Crystal Palace 14:00 Liverpool

The second of the 2pm matches is Crystal Palace v Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Palace recorded a draw against Brighton last Friday night and currently sit 8th. There are quite a few at AFCON which has allowed Eze and Olise a run of games. 2nd place Liverpool won on Thursday in the Cup (Jota with a brace) and are still without Salah, Keita and Mane.

Leicester City 14:00 Brighton & Hove Albion

Our other 2pm game is Leicester City against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Foxes played on Wednesday and managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Daka and in-form Maddison scored for Leicester. Vardy injured and Iheanacho at AFCON. The Seagulls are draw specialists and rotated their line-up last time out - benching Maupay and Trossard in midweek. Mac Allister one to watch.

Chelsea 16:30 Tottenham Hotspur

And finally, at 4:30pm is a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea are still unable to keep clean sheets, probably impacted by the injuries to Chilwell and James. No new injuries to report. Spurs played on Wednesday and managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - Bergwijn the unlikely hero. Kane also on the scoresheet.

[murf]

TFF's latest transfer usage numbers:

Top 100 - 30.98 transfers used
Top 1,000 - 27.74
Top 10,000 - 25.46

So if you have at least 15 left then there is no excuse for not climbing over the coming weeks!

[raoul]

Crikey. I'm below average usage. That's cheered me up!

[murf]

Crikey. I'm below average usage. That's cheered me up!

All 3 averages? If not then they are queuing up behind you

[Canaryfan]

I wonder if Coutinho is a bandwagon waiting to happen? Villa out of the FA Cup but after the next Cup weekend they have so decent looking fixtures and a couple of rearrangements to fit in.

[Jester]

I wonder if Coutinho is a bandwagon waiting to happen? Villa out of the FA Cup but after the next Cup weekend they have so decent looking fixtures and a couple of rearrangements to fit in.

I think he's too expensive. Didn't do so well in Spain or Germany - in fact looking at his stats, he wasn't as productive at Liverpool as I remember him being...
The game last week was probably not a good reflection either. Lots of hype of course, only came on for 20mins or so (pressure off?) and his goal could have been scored by Geoff Boycott's mum.
Mega points fest this weekend then!!!!

[happyhoppy]

TFF's latest transfer usage numbers:

Top 100 - 30.98 transfers used
Top 1,000 - 27.74
Top 10,000 - 25.46

So if you have at least 15 left then there is no excuse for not climbing over the coming weeks!

If there weren’t such huge differences in the numbers of games teams have played I’d say 15 is ok but sort of feels like 20+ is needed to cater for the chaos to come. Plus any cup ops.

[murf]

Finally a match where the away team actually have to change their kit rather than choose to.

But......Norwich, what were you thinking - my eyes! Help, my eyes are burning, this is horrendous. Who would ever buy a replica of that?

[Spinynorman]

Cracking start from Dennis.

[Spinynorman]

Got Dennis in all of my teams.

[happyhoppy]

Gallagher to Dennis entering my top 3 transfer disasters compilation.

[Spinynorman]

Gallagher to Dennis entering my top 3 transfer disasters compilation.

Ouch! At least with me it was mostly Reece and James.

[Joey Navinsky]

I've had a really good run lately, bringing Bowen, Fernandes and Kane in at just the right time. Dumping White for Dennis tonight didn't quite work out though!

[murf]

Got Dennis in all of my teams.

I didn't have so I bought him into my 5th one earlier.

Useless git only gets a 1 game ban so I don't even have an excuse to sell him.

[Canaryfan]

Got to love Flashscores - Dennis was booked twice for "Roughing"!

[LenH]

Sounds worrying! I had him as well but most others around me did so no real biggie I suppose.

Now, can I resist not swapping Rudiger for a City def later today and wait till back after the cup is the question.

[murf]

Now, can I resist not swapping Rudiger for a City def later today and wait till back after the cup is the question.

Good question. Also got Alonso in some - could just sell one but who is most likely to play in the Cup?

[LenH]

Yeh, that is definitely the question. Could say Chelsea will go strong but still doesn't help.

I think if Laporte starts today I might just have to go for it.

[murf]

Yeh, that is definitely the question. Could say Chelsea will go strong but still doesn't help.

I think if Laporte starts today I might just have to go for it.

Didn't realise Chelsea play after City - its a 'no' from me. Chelsea at home plus possible cup game beats Citeh away to Southampton who are unbeaten at home in a while.
Form always beats fixtures but I can never look past fixtures!

[murf]

Anyone fancy a gamble on Richarlison or Coutinho? - both start

Druncan Ferguson makes five changes to the Everton side that was beaten at Norwich last weekend for his first game back in caretaker charge.
Jonjoe Kenny, Mason Holgate, Richarlison, Yerry Mina and Andros Townsend all return to the side.
Allan, Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman are among the substitutes. There is no place in the squad for January signings Vitaly Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson.
Everton XI: Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Mina, Godfrey, Doucoure, Gomes, Townsend Gray, Richarlison, Calvert, Lewin.
Subs: Begovic, Keane, Allan, Coleman, Gordon, Gbamin, Rondon, Dobbin, Onyangho.

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard makes two changes from last weekend's draw against Manchester United, with Philippe Coutinho making his first start for the club after scoring off the bench last weekend.
John McGinn also returns with Danny Ings and Morgan Sanson dropping to the bench. France full-back Lucas Digne starts against his former club.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Ramsey Buendia, Coutinhooooo, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Targett, Sanson, Young, Ings, Hayden, Hause, Chukwuemeka, Iroegbunam.

[LenH]

Yeh, that is definitely the question. Could say Chelsea will go strong but still doesn't help.

I think if Laporte starts today I might just have to go for it.

Didn't realise Chelsea play after City - its a 'no' from me. Chelsea at home plus possible cup game beats Citeh away to Southampton who are unbeaten at home in a while.
Form always beats fixtures but I can never look past fixtures!

Yeh, fair points. I'll see what I feel like at 5.25pm today!

Back in the UK for a quick visit so having all day to make decisions and see kickoffs is wonderful. If only for one weekend.

[Spinynorman]

Nasty little incident there at the end of the first half.

[Darbyand]

Teams put a Bowen in for a Lanzini

[Jester]

One Bowen better than two Lanzinis....!!

[happyhoppy]

Lanzini has got to be worth a shout with double points that said he’ll probably get sent off or miss a pen and get -10….

[murf]

I see Maguire starts after I dropped him for Dennis in one team last night. One of my worst teams though so probably not enough of a murf reverse jinx to ensure a United CS. Think that team still has Dalot and Bowen so anything can happen.

[murf]

Dull day so far.

All 0-0. I was looking for a cheap defender from the 3pm games in one team as part of a double swap. I bought a midfielder instead....

EDIT Cue goals from Moutinho and Shelvey (obviously not in my teams).

[murf]

Yeh, that is definitely the question. Could say Chelsea will go strong but still doesn't help.

I think if Laporte starts today I might just have to go for it.

Dias in for Stones. Only change so Laporte starts.

[Darbyand]

Rashford (Cavani)

[LenH]

Yeh, that is definitely the question. Could say Chelsea will go strong but still doesn't help.

I think if Laporte starts today I might just have to go for it.

Dias in for Stones. Only change so Laporte starts.

I think I'm cracking. They have so many more games over next few weeks (after the break) it has to be fire and forget.