Fans league Gameweek 18

Wolves 2-1 Leeds
Chelsea 1-2 Sheffield Utd
B’mouth 1-1 Arsenal
Leicester 1-1 Soton
Newcastle 2-1 Spurs


Wolves vs Leeds

------------------------- Martinez --------------------------
Pavard ------- Romero -------- Skriniar -------- Sandro
----------------- McTom -------- Soucek ------------------
A.Correa ------------- Maddison --------------- Grealish
-------------------------- A.Silva ----------------------------

Vs

------------------------Pope

Castagne---Soyuncu---Hermoso---Hernandez

----------------------Phillips

---------------SMS-----------Foden

Ocampos------------------------------Depay

-----------------------Kane

The box-to-box midfielder is more likely to be found on the side of the pitch where the full-back that is less efficient in the attacking third plays to provide balance on both flanks, I liked that Fan, as my one gripe about one FB go and one stay is always about balance and the lack of a switch ball I liked the rest of the tactics, think the sides balanced and could work – the double pivot are samey but not in a bad way, give a good platform to build from, Maddison and Grealish I like a lot and Correa is a good wing option to.

Lubo I like the 4-3-3 I think the defence looks stronger with White out… the midfield 3 have a good mix you know my thoughts on Phillips but tis all opinion, SMS and Foden are top quality. Front three has pace and power, but for me I’d find space for Chiesa. I liked the tactics and the game-plan I think it’d work well
Slots – 12/8/5 Fruity – D/H/H

Wolves 2-1 Leeds
Grealish (Maddison) Soucek (Sandro)
Kane (Ocampos)



Chelsea vs Sheffield Utd
--------------------------- Oblak ----------------------------
W-Bissaka ----- S.deVrij ----- Bastoni ----- NMazrouai
-------------- F.de Jong --------- Locatelli ---------------
--------------------------- B.Silva ---------------------------
-------- Mbappe ------- Haaland ------- Neymar --------

Vs

------------------Dubravka
Lamptey, Luiz Felipe, T. Silva, Grimaldo
-------------Kovacic, Gallagher
---Mahrez-------James---------Mertens
--------------------Suárez

Two very similar formations with both sides packed full of attacking talent, not sure on chelsea’s full backs and a revitalised Mahrez could get some joy out of the Ajax RB. Other than that Chelsea’s side looks as balanced as it has for quite some time.
Welshy has built a really strong side, Lamptey looks full of potential, and Luiz Felipe is possibly the best centre-half in Rome. Gallagher is certainly one for the future, not quite there yet but Kovacic is a quality player, and your front-four need no comments really.

Slots – 12/7/5 Fruity – A/A/H
Chelsea 1-2 Sheffield Utd
Haaland (Bernardo)
Suarez (Mahrez) James (Mertens)


Bournemouth vs Arsenal

-----------------Rodak
Molina--Ibañez—Botman---Olivera
--------------Zubeldia
--------Domínguez---Gonçalves
Antony------------------------------Suárez
------------------Núñez

Vs

-------------------- B.Leno --------------------
Mukiele --- Kounde --- K.Zouma -- Tierney
------------------- T.Partey -------------------
---------- Gundogan --- Coutinho -----------
B.Saka -------- Aubameyang ------- Gnabry

I like the balance and fluidity if both of these sides, both line ups are blessed with blistering pace…B’mouth have the one that got away in Goncalves that looks like a sharp investment now. LC’s tactics as always look and feel spot on Jet like what you’re doing with the side even if it is a bit too arsenal I think the side works today and helps you press home your advantage but not sure I’d go with that midfield trident away against your rivals.
Slots 10/12/5 Fruity – D/A/H

B’mouth 1-1 Arsenal
Goncalves (Antony)
PEA (Saka)

Leicester vs Southampton
————————————— Allison ———————————
R.James ——Marquinhos —— Laporte —— D.Alaba
——————————Thiago —— Goretzka——————
————————————B.Fernandes —————
—————————————————————————————
Sterling ——————— L.Martinez ————— S.Mane

Vs

----------------------------------Ramsdale-----------------------
-------------Fofana----------Demiral---------Badiashile---------
-------------------------------------Ndidi------------------------------------
-----------------------Valverde-----------Lo Celso------------------------
Bailey---------------------------------------------------------------Richarlison
--------------------------Isak------------Rashford----------------------------

It’s a big enough ask going to filbert street with a 5 slot disadvantage for form and being the away side. To then face them up without any defensive width, and giving speed merchants like Sterling and Mane a free-run is risky to say the least. I really do like how youthful that Soton back three is and will be a great back-line as they mature, I just think they’re up against it today.
Rof’s tactics again are well thought out, I can visualise how he wants the game to play out and the tactics convey this nicely. Leicester have a really good strong squad and may have enough in the tank to hold off a charging spurs side for the title.

Nadz I like the flamboyant way the sides lined-up and the front line can do damage, the centre-backs are good and the midfield can hold it’s own, I just feel that you give away too much initiative with the wingers you have not being great defensively and obvs the lack of defensive width.

Slots – 14/7/5 fruity D/A/H

I have no idea how Saint’s get a point, Nadz ignore my feedback

Leicester 1-1 Saints
Mane (Martinez)
Rashford (Isak)

Newcastle vs Tottingham

——————- Stegen
— Fabinho - Hummels - Virgil
Trent - Llorente - Barella - Angelino
————— Salah - Olmo
——————— Vardy

Vs

--------------------- Mendy -------------------
Cancelo --- De Ligt --- Ramos -- Reguilon
----------- Casemiro --- N.Kante -----------
J.Sancho ------ De Bruyne ------ E.Hazard
---------------- A.Griezmann ----

Spurs come into bang in form, Newcastle have picked up their form as well so this is a clash that’s destined to be 0-0. Ludy can’t the title but he’s playing the role of kingmaker just lately.

2 very different lay-outs and I like both of them. The defensive shape and rigidity of Newcastle cushions a lot of Spurs attacks, Tab manages to shoe-horn in a lot of fire-power in a formation I generally hate on.

Redcard goes to Dani Olmo (playing for the fizzy drink team is a valid reason no?)

The other week it was space instigators? This week we have this nugget “Verticality is key to our system, it is of paramount importance. Our players will look for the vertical pass in the first instance. Obviously this is not always possible which means some lateral passing will come in"

Ludes I like your formation and tactics

TAB – I liked the respect you showed ludy, and the compliments of his midfield oozing with class, I do think your midfield of Kante and Casemiro would hold that ground, and I agree it then enables you to get that front-four onto the pitch.

Slots – 13/8/5 Fruity – H/A/H

full-time Newcastle 2-1 Spurs
Vardy (salah) Salah (Barella)
Griezmann (KDB)