Gameweek 11 - FPL

Stoke City 1-0 West Brom
Mane

Stoke will be thankful that Suarez is soon back, but this formation did enough today. West Brom have a strong defence, but think the front 3 of Stoke would have caused them problems. Stoke's back 3 look solid, but CM remains an issue. Unfortunately, West Brom's midfield wasn't really strong enough to completely exploit this.

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Hull City 1-0 Swansea City
Marchisio

Both sides have strong defences which led to a low scoring game. However, I feel that Hull had just enough quality to edge this game. Their front 3 were well-marshalled by Hummels and van Dijk, but Hull had the stronger midfield for me and Marchisio ghosted past Gueye to get the game's only goal. Swansea need to improve Gueye, and Hull need to improve Locatelli.

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Crystal Palace 1-2 Watford
Ibrahimovic ----- Aguero
---------------------- Aguero

I'm not entirely sure why Marky got rid of Valencia recently for Lichsteiner and feel like there is room to cash in on his subs to improve his starting XI. Watford continue to improve and are every inch the team to beat, and that midfield trio of Kante, Kroos and de Bruyne is perfectly balanced. However, it was Aguero who ran riot today against Benatia and Felipe who struggled all game. Going forward, Palace are always going to score and Ibrahimovic out-muscled Pepe for a late consolation.

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Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth

Burnley have undoubtedly the strongest defence in the league after their recent transfer activity, and their attack is also looking promising. However, I am also a fan of Bournemouth's defence, and the formations for me cancelled each other out entirely which led to a drab, boring game. These teams could not be separated.

Stoke vs West Brom
I would have liked Mane and Reus wider as they could have given Hector and Aurier more problems - as Godin and Boateng is an outstanding CB pairing. I prefer the West Brom midfield but overall this is a game I'm unable to decide.

Stoke 1-1 West Brom
Coutinho; Godin


Middlesbrough vs Sunderland
Defensively I question the back five of Sunderland, with the strength Middlesbrough have in their attack I can only see goals for Middlesbrough. Obviously Vidal and Modric in the middle gives them a chance, but at the other end Middlesbrough look solid defensively, so for me there's only one result I can give.

Middlesbrough 3-1 Sunderland
Nainggolan, Hazard, Hazard; Vidal


Hull vs Swansea
Mascherano for me shouldn't be playing in midfield - and is past his best. The rest of the Hull team is solid, but I would argue that a diamond may have been better to suit their forwards. Swansea have a solid side, I'd have dropped Alonso for Kimmich and played Thorgan. Or could a wing back system be considered as this would get the bets out of Antonio? All in all, it's a close game but a Hull win.

Hull 1-0 Swansea
Dzeko


Crystal Palace vs Watford
Kroos-Kante-De Bruyne-Aguero alone is a good reason to give Watford the win. But looking at their side defensively, Zlatan and Ronaldo would certainly ask a few questions and get some success. Sane and Bernardo Silva are decent players but I prefer the Palace attack as a four compared to Watford's - but I would have started Castro for sure.
Tough game to call so I'll let others pick a winner.

Crystal Palace 2-2 Watford
Ronaldo, Ronaldo; Aguero, Kroos

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

Stoke vs West Brom

Just feel west brom are missing a proven focal point to their attack, I quite like the rest of set-up, just they don't have the required amount of fire-power to put this game to bed, Stoke for me have goals across the front three, and whilst not adventurous the midfield two keep it nice and tight - fairy comfortable home win I'm afraid

Stoke 2-0 WBA
Mane, Coutinho

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Boro vs Sunderland

The two biggest sides in the North-east face off this afternoon in a nice open game, dominated by 2 very good midfields....Boro for me need to look at bringing in a new LB whilst Sunderland may have to reconsider Barz in a flat back-four..all things considered I struggle to split the teams

Boro 1-1 Sunderland
PEA
Belotti

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Palace vs Watford

so many juicy one on ones in this game, both defences as strong as they are, will take a beating in this game, dominated by such potent strike-forces. I think Watfords K's hold the midfield and their front four is deadly but Palace hold their own and get a deserved share of the spoils

Palace 3-3 Watford
Silva,Ronaldo,Ibra
Aguero x2, KDB

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Burnley vs B'mouth

I really like Burnley's defence but god it was tested today, not just by a strong Bournemouth attack but I think a midfield of Alli and Iniesta leaves Casemiro far too much to do. I'm still not sure on Bobby Firmino as the focal point BUT I'll interpret the front three being fluid ad in that sense yes I can see ample enough movement, and we all know about Messi's goal threat

Burnley 1-2 B'mouth

Costa
Messix2

Stoke City v West Brom

Two solid defensive sides ensured this was a low scoring affair. Stokes change in formation suited them well and kept the visitors at bay whilst reverting to two up top help cover the void left by Suarez. CM still remains their primary weakness however they will invariably be much stronger next week when their main man returns. For West Brom I feel they could look to add a few more goals to their side. They’ve built a solid defence and combative midfield however just seem to be lacking an architect in midfield whilst a prolific front man that would transform the team. In a game of few chances it was the strength of the Stoke attack that swung the result in their favour.

Stoke City 1 - 0 West Brom
Mane


Hull City v Swansea City

Not quite sure the formation suits the personnel for Hull and I’d of liked to see Dybala play more central. Equally Locatelli stands out as a weakness in what is an otherwise very strong side. I like the addition of Kimmich for Swansea and they look very solid defensively now they are back to a full compliment. No stand out weakness although I feel they could maybe add more of a goal scoring threat from central midfield and I don’t see Antonio having much joy against Marcelo who’s attacking threat caused real problems down the left. Equally Swansea’s main threat came from their left hand side with Kurzawa and Dembele as the neither side could be separated in a score draw.

Hull City 1-1 Swansea City
Marcelo : Kane


Crystal Palace v Watford

Two sides who strengths lie in attack led to a high scoring affair. Watford’s cm trio is second to none however they were given a good test by a similar set up by the home side. De Bruyne and Kante v Silva and Bakayoko would be a good battle to watch although Kroos is head and shoulders above Cazorla as the German dictated the game. Palace look as though they could improve the defence which looked frail on occasions however going forward they had the upper tie in this hand as Ronaldo destroys Valencia. Entertaining affair in which the shares are spoiled.

Crystal Palace 3 - 3 Watford
Ronaldo x 2, Ibrahimovic : Aguero, Sane, Kroos


Burnley v Bournemouth

Burnley’s defence is outstanding although this does mean that Heaton sticks out as an immediate area of improvement. They also have a solid midfield trio although as always there is a debate as to Iniesta’s best position. GK aside I would say out wide is somewhere I would look to strengthen for Burnley as Bournemouth certainly had the superiority in this area. Bournemouth are a very good outfit with only Carrick and Lopez as positions to potentially improve. In truth both sides are very talented and will be hard to beat for any team in the leagur. If Burnley were a little stronger out wide this would have potentially tipped the tie in their favour however due to the sheer quality throughout both sides they were impossible to separate.

Burnley 1 -1 Bournemouth
Alli : Douglas Costa

MID vs SUN

A high scoring game but one where the home side just edge it on this occasion. The wingers of Sunderland tore shreds out of the 2 full backs of Middlesbrough here but through the middle and going forwards themselves, the home side were deadly and Sunderland couldn't live with it. Sunderland maybe need to look to bring a couple of younger legs into the team and Middlesbrough need to sort out the full back positions.

Score: 3-2

HULL vs SWA

The away side are improving, but this game was one by the legs and the quality in midfield really. Hull look the better side for me in the middle of the park and whilst there aren't a huge amount of goals in the home side, they took their chances well. For the away side, against a stronger midfield and an Italian defence blessed with rigidity and quality, they found it difficult to create. The home side maybe need that one forward player to make a difference whereas the away side maybe need another midfield player to make a difference.

Score: 2-0

CP vs WAT

The away side get the job done here with an efficient performance. Good experience and quality in the home side, but very top heavy, the left side being way better than the right. It has goals in the side, but not enough to deal with Watford who had just about enough to see the game through. Another RB, GK and a CB to replace Pepe soon is needed I think, but everywhere else they have enough to contain and cause problems for Watford.

Score: 1-2

BUR vs BOU

A tight game where neither could be separated here. Burnley have a good spine and a defence that is difficult to break down for sure, but they lack a real sense of width with no natural wide men, but still good quality. Would certainly look for more natural width and another GK. For the away side, very good going forward, but they were up against a top defence which held them back a little bit. Good at keeping the ball with the midfield and dominating the game, but not enough to get the win here. Again, a new GK is needed as well as maybe a replacement for Carrick very soon.

Score: 1-1

Stoke 1-0 West Brom
Reus

I like the Stoke formation, and with Suarez back next week they'll be even better. West Brom seem to have a lack of strength going forward and against Stoke's back five they struggle to break them down. A low scoring home win for me.

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Middlesbrough 3-3 Sunderland
Sanchez, Hazard, Aubameyang; Vidal, Belotti, Robben

Congratulations on making people care about a Middlesbrough v Sunderland game Amazing attacking threats throughout leads to a high scoring game, Boro could have won it but I feel the Sunderland defence and midfield does enough to earn a draw.

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Hull 2-2 Swansea
Dzeko, Locatelli; Kane, O.Dembele

The fact both sides have identical systems plays into Swansea's hands, they are weaker in some areas but the 4-3-3 is their best use of those players and even though Hull have the better players I can see Dembele, Kane and Alonso being very influential. Tino needed to be a bit more creative today to get the win and sticking Dybala at LW was lazy, even though hes good enough there he's wasted somewhat.

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Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth

This game seemed more about if Burnley's defence could contain Messi and if Bournemouth's could contain Costa. I see neither team having much joy against each other's solid defence and I'm not calling it dull but I would say it was an entertaining nil nil as Bailly, Silva, Ramos and Bonucci fought for the MOTM award. Having said that, if Bournemouth had considered playing Messi AM (against Casemiro instead of Azpilicueta) then they could have won it.

Stoke City 0 v 0 West Brom

Both these teams set up to be hard to beat, but, in my humble opinion, that acted out today, as they were left in a bore no-score draw. Both teams need to invest in a more natural leader of the line. Stoke looked to have nobody willing to take that job, and Jesus spent too much of his time in the channels, leaving West Brom with no presence in the attacking third.

Middlesbrough 1 v 0 Sunderland

Middblesbrough have a very strong attacking team, and that sheer force helped them to the win today. Buffon is a top keeper, and was always going to keep himself a clean sheet.


Crystal Palace 0 v 0 Watford

Crystal Palace needed a win today, and were unlucky that one wasn't forthcoming. Watford set up well and strongly, with a good spine to deny the opposition
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Burnley 0 v 0 Bournemouth

Still not a fan of Heaton in goal for Burnley, but he kept a clean sheet here due to Firmino still playing as the out and out striker that I don't think he is when not surrounded by Mane and Coutinho. Costa and Messi are top notch players on the flank, and that attacking trio could use someone with a bit more of a physical presence in the middle.

Middlesbrough 2-0 Sunderland
Auby x2

Boro - cant really fault the side at all, only minor gripe are the full backs, but that is being really picky

Sunderland - there are dozens of better keepers to get than adler, a massive liability


Hull City 0-1 Swansea City
Dembele

Hull - youve spent a couple of weeks campaigning for dybala at no 10 and then go and stick him out on lw, think the midfield can do with a rejig, locatelli operates a bit too deep to be effective in that role

Swansea - dont think you need gueye and kimmich both in that midfield, would look to replace one with a more offensive option


Crystal Palace 0-2 Watford
Aguero, Pepe

Palace - dont see alot wrong with the side, just felt the watford side was stronger overall, would look at replacing felipe first

Watford - not alot wrong at all, would look at valencia personally


Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth

Burnley - get a better keeper than heaton

Bournemouth - get a better keeper than lopez, feel he is the one link stopping you from being a title challenger

Stoke 2 - 1 West Brom
Reus, Mane ; Jesus

Two strong sides defensively. But Stoke had the stronger attack and this won them the game. I think the formation benefited the wbs for Stoke, and that it took away any areas that might be seen as a weakness as such. For the away side I think they need more creativity in midfield.

Boro 2-2 Sunderland
Sanchez, Hazard ; Robben, Vidal

Two very strong sides that I found it difficult to seperate. I think the away side win the important midfield battle here and that keeps them in the game as Boro were the stronger in attack, and there was little between the defences.

Hull 1 - 0 Swansea
Dybala

A tight game, I opted for a narrow home win. I think the home side have the edge in defence and midfield here, but did think Swansea had the better front trio. Dybala I still think would have an impact from there, but wouldn't be as involved as you'd want him to be. Locatelli and Antonio would be the two players that seemed below the level of the rest on the pitch.

Crystal Palace 2-3 Watford
Ronaldo (2) ; Aguero, Silva, KDB

The home side have the stronger attack, but the away side had the better defence and so this game for me was won in the middle of the park. I can see Watford dominating most games with that trio, and with two hard working wingers they are a strong unit that look likely to be on top of most games.