Gameweek 8 - FPL

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West Brom 1-1 Watford
Belotti : Sane

Defence v attack and it's the defence that rules the roost. West Brom look solid at the back and do well in limiting the threat of Costa. Roberto however sticks out as a weak link and Sane has a lot of joy on the flank. Watford are a solid outfit with very few weaknesses. A Pepe replacement and Reina are the only real areas of improvement as a late Belotti strike sees the points shared in this one.

Bournemouth 1-1 Swansea
T.Silva : M.Dembele

The defensive set up from the visitors pays off and ultimately stifles what is a very potent attack. Firminos lack of form would be a worry and in truth the Brazilian was guilty of missing a couple of clear cut chances. A T.Silva header powers the home side in the lead however Swansea have a bit about them a responded well. I like the decision to play M.Dembele up top and the Frenchman repays his mangers faith with an equaliser. O.Dembele is however too good to leave on the bench and I would find a way to incorporate him in the team or trade him to strengthen elsewhere.

Sunderland 1-0 Burnley
Pedro

Burnley are a work in progress however Sunderland appear the more finished article as they took the 3 points. In a game of few chances Alves v Pedro was ultimately a mismatch as the Spaniard took advantage of the full backs attacking desire by finishing a neat counter attack and scoring the only goal of the game.

Crystal Palace 1-2 Stoke
Ronaldo : Suarez (2)

Cracking game full of attacking talent. Stoke have done well to improve defensively and just edge the match in terms of overall quality. Pulisic can be improved upon and I feel the Palace centre halfs would struggle to contain the prolific Suarez. Ronaldo always carries a threat and pulled his side back in game however they just couldn't find an equaliser as the Stoke defence held firm.

WBA vs Watford

There's just something about this Watford side that really impresses me, I think for all the attacking quality they have it's Kante that's most crucial for them, just gives them balance. needs a bit more depth though long term. Albion are ticking along not sure on the flanks though, defensively or offensively

WBA 0-2 WAT

Costa, Pogba

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B'Mouth vs Swa

Swansea continue to improve I like the formation and think it would do well enough, probably enough to stifle B'mouth for long periods of the game. On the other hand the home team have some lovely ball players and would certainly dominate possession just not sure on Bobby Firmino as the focal point of the attack -that said the trident would treat us to some fantastic passages of play.

B'mouth 1-1 Swa
Messi
Kane

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Burnley vs Sunderland

This Burnley ticks along nicely, doesn;t get the plaudits like some of the other teams but they have elite players in that side and it will do some damage, although for me there's question marks over Rashford and maybe Draxler. Sunderland have a strong side a really strong side and Vidal vs Nainggolan sees 2 of my 3 fave Cm's going for it. Burnley won't concede many and I think they see this game out

Bur 1-0 Sun
Aguero

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Palace vs Stoke

2 of the very best front 4's is always going to be a high scoring affair, I prefer Stokes back-line so they most likely win by the odd goal

Palace 2-3 Stoke
Ibra,Ronaldo
Suarez, Coutinho,Reus

West Brom 0-1 Watford
Costa

the slightly better quality overall of the watford side won the game for them in the end, west brom did occasionally threaten, but it was mostly a defensive job for them today, and the back 5 was almost enough to keep it a draw


Bournemouth v Swansea City
Firmino

the quality out wide punished swansea today, bournemouths full backs are good enough going forward to cause problems, for swansea, i think it was a mistake to drop ousmane, personally, i think with a slight tweak to switch to a 3421 with ousmane and siggy behind kane would be the best short term solution


Burnley 1-0 Sunderland
Aguero

The teacher bested the student today in this clash of the city strikers, burnley were just better overall for me today and are only a top keeper and am away from being title challengers.


Hull City 0-1 Middlesbrough
Aubameyang

i think the lack of a bona fide worldie in that front 3 is the only thing that separates hull from the top 3 or 4 in the title hunt, the boro front 3 on the other hand is up there with the best in the league

West Brom 1-2 Watford
Belotti ; Costa, Sane

Watford's cm trio won them the game, here as it was where the home side feel down. You could say Iniesta hasn't been at his best when he has played, but that's probably down to the injuries themselves and lack of fitness, would be silly to question his quality, and Pogba has flopped in big games but I'm a fan of the trio. The front 3 as well, all press well, and have good mix there. I'm not a fan of Azpi at left back, never have been, can't stand the thought of having an overlapping fb cut back, to go backwards on his right more often than not. The home side have a strong defence, and attack but I think the cm trio could be improved on, and against Watford's that was the difference. Keita I'm not sure if he's at the level to be starting in this league yet, I've possibly not seen enough though.

Burnley 2-2 Sunderland
Aguero, Mertens ; Robben, Jesus

I couldn't seperate the sides here, two strong teams that both fall down in a couple positions.
I'm a fan of the home side's defensive setup with two strong cms and attacking fbs. I think Rashford at rw isn't a fit, and would personally prefer a more natural CAM playmaker with the pace out wide.
For the away side Jesus stands out, unlucky that he got injured as he looked like he would set the league alight but unfortunately never got that chance.

Crystal Palace 1-1 Stoke
Ronaldo ; Suarez

CP's strengths were stronger than Stoke's, but their weaknesses were greater as well as overall the Stoke side has quality right through it. Defensively I think the away side is stronger, questions over the fbs defensively, but with hardworking wingers in front its not much of an issue for me.

Hull 1 - 2 Boro
Dbyala ; Hazard, Sanchez
The front quartet of the away side wins the game here for Boro. Bender next to Casemiro I'm not sure about as a pairing, and the home side have two stronger players here for me. Both offer a great screen in front of that four though. The away side's defence is strong, but its simply the difference in attack that wins it for Boro for me.

West Brom v Watford

Two very good sides, Watford have the edge in some key positions but it's only marginal IMO, the big issue is Roberto at RB, it's the difference today although I know he's already been released by JYAF. Would have been better playing him in midfield and releasing Keita if I'm honest. Either way the marginal differences plus Sane tearing Roberto a new one means a narrow away win.

West Brom 1-2 Watford
Belotti; Costa, Sane

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Bournemouth v Swansea

I like the balance of both teams, unfortunately for Swansea, Kane isn't Messi. I can definitely see Swansea creating chances but I can't see them keeping Bournemouth at bay at the other end. Bournemouth better in key areas leading to an entertaining home win. May be worth trying to get both Dembele's in the starting XI in future.

Bournemouth 3-2 Swansea
Messi x2, Thiago; Kane, M.Dembele

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Burnley v Sunderland

Both sides fairly equal but unfortunately the Sunderland defence needs strengthening urgently, Barzagli is on his way out to pasture, also Jesus cant be relied on upfront right now. Aguero and Mertens the difference maker in an otherwise tight game. Burnley slowly getting better and better. Both need to make subtle changes, like a new RW for Burnley or a new partner for Sule for Sunderland.

Burnley 2-1 Sunderland
Aguero, Mertens; Alli

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Hull City v Middlesbrough

Game of the week, both incredible sides, both cancelling each other out somewhat but with the attacking power on display, it turns into a brilliant encounter. A scoreline harsh on the defences but such is the strength of the relative attacks that's how it goes sometimes. A high scoring draw for me.

Hull City 3-3 Middlesbrough
Dybala, Bernardeschi, Dzeko; Sanchez, Hazard, Aubameyang

BOU vs SWA

The experience and quality all over the pitch gives Bournemouth the win. Ousmane Dembele needs to be playing for Swansea, maybe the formation that Chelsea play with him and Sigurdsson or a more pacey AM so that they can break would be more efficient for me. Bournemouth just look better all over the pitch but again, maybe looking to replace 1 or 2 that are at the beginning of the end.

Score: 2-0

BUR vs SUN

The home side again do just have enough to overcome Sunderland today. I like the central areas of the Burnley side, especially the defence is very solid, attacking full backs or even wing backs can leave them vulnerable in wide areas at times as they don't have a proper protective player in front of that back 4 but going forward, they have a world class finisher. Maybe look to get a holding midfielder in. Sunderland have a good balance of experience and youth which would serve them well in the future as well. I'd look to improve on Burki and Barzagli in the future though.

Score: 2-1

CP vs STO

The away side just edge this one for me because of they just have the better overall team. Crystal Palace have an absolutely lethal left side of the pitch, only Howedes who doesn't make that up (including Ibra as well). But their right side is no patch in comparison to the left wheras Stoke have an excellent forward line, not as strong in midfield or defence imo but still a very solid team. Maybe look to improve on a couple of old players, but other than that, good side.

Score: 1-2

HULL vs MID

Really like both sides, very difficult to separate them but for me, the away side just edging it. The excellent attacking threat and spine to Middlesbrough's team just edges it. All of Hull's players suit the formation and they are all very good players, but just not enough up front. I'd look to improve on Dzeko and Digne for Hull and certainly the full backs for Middlesbrough.

Score: 1-2

West Brom vs Watford
Stronger defensive unit with West Brom but more quality in the Watford attack. A tough game to call so I'll give a draw.

West Brom 1-1 Watford
Dembele, Costa

Bournemouth vs Swansea
I like the Swansea set up but they should have played Ousmane over Moussa upfront. With Messi and Costa in the Bournemouth attack they will score.

Bournemouth 1-0 Swansea
Costa

Crystal Palace vs Stoke
Dante and ndidi stand out as obvious weaknesses in a strong Palace team. I'm not a fan of Martinez myself, and Gundogan and Gabi need a physical player in the midfield for me. Tight Palace win

Palace 2-1 Stoke
Zlatan x2, Coutinho

Hull vs Middlesbrough
I told Hull last week to play Dybala upfront or at least 4-4-1-1 but that advice hasn't been heeded so I'm just going to mark down again. That aside, I do feel Middlesbrough have the stronger side especially in attack. Not a fan of Mascherano or lichtsteiner on either side. Tough game to call

Hull 0-1 Middlesbrough.
Aubemayang

West Brom 0 v 3 Watford

Watford have one of the best teams in the division, with it gelling excellently. West Brom created chances, but lacked a clinical edge.

Burnley v Sunderland

Both teams could do with a better keeper, as Heaton definitely isn't up for the task. Both have strong defences that I struggle to see being broken down.

Crystal Palace 1 v 0 Stoke City

I really like the Palace attack, but improvements could be made in midfield. Stoke could do with a better RB than Peres, which is where the difference came.

Hull City 2 v 4 Middlesbrough

Hull have a strong side, but Dybala was playing too deep for me. Boro have a top side, although it could be seen as slightly top heavy. High scoring affair.