The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 11

Sometimes this little past-time hobby obsession of ours can seem simple. The path to success this week looks wide open and lined with beckoning super models dishing out free doughnuts: you’d be crazy not to follow it.

Thousands already have. Over 200,000 Fantasy Premier League managers have invested in bigger mirrors in their Fantasy dressing rooms to accommodate Marouane Fellaini’s expansive afro. Similarly, there’s another 35,000 who have joined the Michu party late, welcoming the Spaniard into their ranks with a sheepish and apologetic smile. What took you so long?

As for Luis Suarez, it’s perhaps understandable why we’ve been so reluctant to deal with the tattered baggage he brings. Seven goals this season, however, and suddenly almost 50,000 of us have forgotten all that and are flirting with frustration by opening our doors to the volatile Uruguayan.

That’s almost 300,000 transfers this week – perhaps 10% of active FPL managers, who have taken this route to success; it’s hard to deny that such acquisitions make sense.

Fellaini blew up at the Cottage and will now be thrust up top against a Sunderland side that has shown frailty in the air and conceded more goal attempts than any other side from set-plays. There’s no stronger attacking force than Everton in the league right now – Fellaini looks primed to deal damage.

Michu goes to Southampton and is likely to be leading the Swansea attack against a defence yet to keep a shut-out and who have conceded more opportunities in the box than any other team. The Spaniard earns his crust in the penalty area and the odds on Michu emerging from the weekend with further profits look strong to say the least.

As for Suarez, while he faces a stern test at Stamford Bridge, a cauldron awaits him which seems tailor made for him to come to the fore. Suarez will likely line up in opposition to John Terry, a scenario that surely cannot pass without incident. Will that bring Suarez further returns? Let’s just say I’m not expecting a quiet game.

While this all sounds signed and sealed, we know all too well that the Fantasy football Gods can conspire to deal us cruel fates. All three of the aforementioned players, whilst proving hugely tempting targets, are just one booking away from a suspension. How many of the trio will topple from the tightrope and leave the 300,000 with a Gameweek 12 juggling act? How punishing can this game be? We’ll find out in 48-hours.

Thankfully there’s little to concern us amongst this morning’s press. In the main, the predicted lineups all put a comforting matey arm around us. Demba Ba turns up in every one of the Newcastle lineups, the United team-sheet passes without real incident and there’s even some positive signs, with Guy Demel returning to the Hammers defence in the lineups submitted by the Independent, Daily Mail and the Guardian.

Tottenham’s trip to City on Sunday draws some conjecture from the press boys, with Emmanuel Adebayor retaining his starting role in a 4-4-2 in the Guardian, the Times and the Mail, while another three of the morning papers – the Sun, the Independent and the Times, all recall David Silva to the City teamsheet.

Silva’s return, along with the possibility that Theo Walcott will catch fire against Fulham, could be key events this weekend. These are potential heavy-hitters who could yet disrupt the establishment and force a rethink. That would open up new diversions and have us veering off from what already seems a well-trodden path.

For now though, I’ve grabbed my free doughnut. I just hope a few fluttering yellows don’t force me to choke on it.