Week 28 - Update

Before starting on the Premier League team & injury news, I realised I'd failed to mention anything about the Carling Cup final in my player picks post this week, so I'll do so now. Arsenal face Birmingham at Wembley on Sunday, where the first silverware of the season will be won and lost. The Carling Cup is often ridiculed, but with only 3 domestic trophies available each season it's a fantastic opportunity for the players to seal some genuine glory for their club and their fans. Being at Wembley for Spurs' victory over Chelsea in 2008 is in my top 3 football experiences ever, so it is not to be sniffed at in my opinion.

Team news for the occasion? Well, Arsenal are without Theo Walcott after it was confirmed his ankle sprain will keep him out for "2-3 weeks", and it appears their captain Cesc Fabregas will also miss out, although it's not straightforward. Wenger says the hamstring injury will keep him out for 1 or 2 games, but Cesc (and his fitness trainer in particualr) still think he has a chance. I doubt it, but it'll be interesting to see how that one plays out over the next 48 hours. Birmingham have slight doubts over Jerome, Jiranek, Ridgewell & Hleb, but are confident they'll all be available. 

Now back to the league, and of course it's a double-week for Manchester United, so their news is the most important to fantasy players. Ferguson revealed this morning that Ryan Giggs is available and back in the squad after missing Marseille, but Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Park Ji-Sung and Anderson are all sidelined. Rio should be fit for Chelsea but seeing as Smalling has been outstanding in his absence, I don't think it would be a disaster if the England captain didn't make it. I think Giggs will start twice & Berbatov once, but feel free to disagree. By the way, I heard a great stat earlier; since Wigan returned to the top flight they have met Manchester United 12 times (11 league & 1 cup), lost all 12 matches, with an aggregate score 39-4 to United!

Manchester City look likely to continue with the Balotelli, Dzeko, Tevez three pronged attack as they face Fulham at Eastlands. There are clear signs that Dzeko is starting to settle in England, and he's at an incredibly tempting price under £7m for this match. Vincent Kompany is rated a slight doubt, but Milner is after tight hamstring kept him out on Thursday. Not a lot of news on Fulham other than Bobby Zamora - he could make his first start since his leg break last year.

Liverpool have a few worries ahead of their trip to West Ham. Carroll remains unavailable, Gerrard is only 50-50, while Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson & Daniel Agger are all doubts, but Luis Suarez will lead the line for the reds. For West Ham, Upson could return but Obinna, Dyer, Keane, Stanislas and Collison stay out. The Hammers should hand a league debut to Thomas Hitzlsperger after his impressive performance in the FA Cup.

Since I mentioned him in my player picks on Wednesday & showed he was in my team, I see a number of readers in the comment section picking him in their own teams while asking "Who is Hitzlsperger?" or "Why do you think Hizlsperger will play?". He's a player with a monster shot and he should be on some set pieces, but it is a slight risk/hunch as it's a tough game. If you don't know anything about him or have doubts then please don't pick him just because I have, I don't want him to let you down!

Aston Villa will be without Collins, Cueller & the suspended Makoun while Blackburn are missing Hoilett and have a doubt over Chris Samba. Ryan Nelsen will captain the side despite the tragedy of the earthquake in Christchurch - his home town.

Moyes has told the press conference that Cahill, Fellaini, Anichebe, Saha and Rodwell are all struggling to be fit for the game vs Sunderland. With Everton in a relegation fight I imagine some of them will play through the pain, but we have no idea who, so it's probably best avoiding them all. Craig Gordon is the only new injury doubt for Sunderland.

The best of the rest: Steven & Ryan Taylor are back for Newcastle but Lovenkrands is a doubt leaving Nile Ranger as the only fully fit striker - Bolton have no new injury worries - Kevin Doyle is fit but Stephen Hunt remains out for Wolves - As we all know (but to reiterate) Charlie Adam starts a 2 game suspension - Matty Etherington is a doubt which increases Pennant's value.

That's pretty much it. I still haven't clicked save, but I'm almost certain to drop Van Persie, so it could very well be this

Van Der Sar, Kolarov, Smalling, Evra, Hitzlsperger, Silva, Giggs, Nani, Carew, Suarez, Rooney

Still can't decided over Suarez or Dzeko - I may flip a coin.

Please remember Week 28 is the semi-finals of The Blog Cup, 50 teams reduced to 20 for the final in Week 32 - good luck if you're still in it!

Not long to go - how's your team looking?

Cheers,
AM

p.s. Sorry if you're having trouble with Chatroll. It's been shit for weeks now but there is no decent alternative that doesn't require an admin at all times, so we're stuck with it I'm afraid. I'm in contact with them & they say they're expanding their load handling/bandwidth, but we shall see.