The start of the new season wasn’t the expected firework many had hoped for. Only Manchester City have shown they are really serious though it was a home game and the opposition was promoted Swansea. Tevez didn’t play but new boy Aguero came on in the second half and ‘killed’ the Swans. David Silva once more was the ‘brain’ of the team and scored as well. City’s defence made no mistake and we can expect many clean sheets this year.

The other glittering team was Bolton Wanderers burying Queens Park Rangers on their own turf. Four-nil is a surprisingly high score and Chris Eagles and Ivan Klasnic are a low priced option for any fantasy team. For the coming 3 games it will not be easy for Coyle’s men facing Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in a row.
Fulham vs Aston Villa, Newcastle vs Arsenal and Stoke vs Chelsea had disappointing nil-all draws. Newcastle’s Barton was again in the center of a bust up when Arsenal’s new striker Gervinho got sent off.
Liverpool shared the points with Sunderland in a 1:1 draw and so did Wigan and Norwich. No new heroes came forward in those 2 games.
Wolves gained a rare away win at Blackburn where Fletcher solely put away the home side. Blackburn will have a difficult season.
Manchester United had to work hard to overcome West Bromwich in the Midlands. An own goal towards the end of the game sealed the Baggies fate. It came at a price for the Champion: Ferdinand, Vidic and Rafael are out for at least 4 weeks.
Tottenham vs Everton had to be postponed not to the excitement of fantasy managers having Spurs/Everton players in their team.

Preview GW2

We all get a second chance on transfers in GW2 – no points will be deducted which means ‘unlimited transfers’.

Let’s start with the goalkeepers:

Chelsea’s Cech is out for 4 weeks so his replacement Hilario at 4.5 million is an absolute bargain – considering they are playing West Bromwich at the Bridge.
Swansea’s new keeper Vorm is the actual No2 in Holland and at 4.0 million he is another bargain. The Swans are playing Wigan at home.
Aston Villa’s Shay Given (5.0) is a suspect for a clean sheet when they play Blackburn at their home ground.
Another candidate for a clean sheet is Everton’s Howard. QPR will have problems to score in Liverpool.

Defenders:

At the high end of the price scale is Baines (EVE, 8.0) but he is likely to deliver good points this week. A cheaper Everton option is Jagielka at 5.5
If you are prepared to spend big all Chelsea defenders are having a good chance for a clean sheet.
For less money Aston Villa’s defenders are worth a consideration. Dunne (5.5) and Warnock (5.0) could fit your budget.
Fulham’s defence is strong led by Hangeland (6.5); less priced are Hughes (5.0) and Senderos (4.5). Not to concede though will be tough in Wolverhampton.
Manchester United’s young generation of defenders could shine after Ferdinand, Vidic and Rafael are out. Three out of Smalling (5.5), Phil Jones (5.5), Fabio (5.0) and Evans (4.5) are expected to play along Evra in United’s back-line when they are facing Tottenham.

Midfielders:

Among the expensive players who could shine this game-week are Cahill (EVE, 9.0), Silva (MCI, 9.5), Nani, A.Young (MUN, 10.0), and maybe Lampard (CHE, 12.0) will find his boots again. Arsenal is playing Liverpool at the Emirates so I’m not expecting high scoring midfielders from those teams.
Fulham’s Dempsey (8.5) scored twice in their Europa Cup game yesterday; Aston Villa’s N’Zogbia (7.5) is keen to show his value and facing Blackburn at home he is also a good choice as captain. Wolves Jarvis (6.0) is a cheap but great choice.
Eagles (BOL, 5.5), Walters (STO, 5.5) and Moses (WIG, 5.0) could turn out to be real bargains.
Tottenham have great midfielders (V.d.Vaart, Bale, Modric) but playing at Old Trafford their chances for gaining points aren’t really good.
Midfielders of promoted clubs Norwich and Swansea are bargain offers who could earn you points this week. 

Forwards:

City’s Aguero (11.0) had an immediate impact at his debut. Rooney (12.0) can score in every game; Van Persie (ARS, 12.0) and Suarez (LIV, 9.5) are great strikers but facing each other this weekend. Chelsea’s Torres (11.0) and Drogba (10.5) are a danger for West Brom’s defence. Bent (AVL, 10.0) is another high priced striker who could shine this game-week.
In the lower price bracket Wolves Fletcher (6.5) is a top choice, so is Bolton’s Klasnic (6.0) and Swansea’s Graham (5.0).