Afternoon all, we thought this week we’d put some meat on the bones of the injury report. If you believe everything the managers tell you, its a CRISIS at the Etihad, with Savio, Grealish, Doku, Walker and KDB all out this weekend, added to long term absentees Bobb and Rodri and doubts over Gvardiol and Akanji. Does this mean major roles for fringe players like Ake, Nunes (nice if you play DMs) and McAtee and a chance to trump your opposition managers by picking them up, if only for a week. Or does this make a Citeh cleano and goal fest all the more unlikely, especially when you consider the uncharacteristic (only) 1-0 win v Saints after taking a 5th minute lead? Bournemouth are always good for a goal too. Having said all that, it would be little surprise if Pep’s overplaying the “I’ve got no players” card and we see a couple of the injuries appear on the team sheet. Meantime, stick to the City bankers if you have the choice.
Elsewhere, notable injuries to Van De Ven (out indeterminately) plus a doubt over Romero must make Spurs defence a huge risk versus a busy Villa side at full strength. Newcastle vs Arsenal looks intriguing at the best of times, but with Gordon and Isak doubtful being balanced by the likelihood that the Gunners could have a makeshift back 4 with Calafiori out, and Gabriel and White doubtful, and Kiwior seemingly not trusted. Maybe a role for newly added player in our game, Lewis-Skelly (FB), keep a watch on the team news over the next 24 hours in this game for sure
In the other top 4 side, Liverpool, the 4 strikers into 2/3 place conundrum for Fantasy League managers might be a little easier to resolve, with Jota‘s injury being more serious than hoped, at least until the end of the (yawn) 3rd international break of the season. Gakpo or Nunez, or both?
Finally the cynic in me says, it’ll be interesting to see how many of Man U’s injured and doubtful players make a quick recovery now that ETH is gone….!
