There's plenty of previous games to study for this Blue vs Red clash
Fletcher, Nani, Brown, Scholes and Park and possibly Vidic are the stand out picks based on the last 3 games for United. Evra hasn't been scoring as he used to. Carrick and Gibson are doubtful and could be a substitution risk if they do start. Hernandez needs at least a goal and an assist to be worth it so should be picked only if you're confident he can achieve that.
De Jong, Zabaleta and then a centre back and a central midfielder (both the latter depending on the line-up) would be the conservative choice for City. However if you think there will be several goals about then Tevez, Silva and Johnson score reasonably enough to only need a goal or an assist to be worthy of your 5. Somewhere in the middle of the conservative choice and the goalscoring choice lie Milner and Barry and could make a good compromise.
Both goalkeepers are unlikely to feature in a winning top 5 as either would need at least 6 or more saves to feature. Avoid unless you think the game will be incredibly open with plenty of shots on target.
A solid 5 would probably look like De Jong, Zabeleta, Tevez, Fletcher and Scholes but there will be at least 13 players on the pitch tonight that all could make a strong case for inclusion.
Good luck!
BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Stoke/Birmingham
Normally tips on Stoke matches are easy to give: don't pick any Stoke players. They haven't had a single player in the top 5 point scorers in their last 3 Picklive matches (although they did manage 1 in the game before that!). However, tonight is slightly different as they're playing Birmingham who have had just 1 player in the top 5 in their last 2 matches.
I would suggest 3 from Birmingham and 2 from Stoke unless you strongly fancy one team to dominate or score 2 or more goals. Ferguson, Carr and Dann are the picks for Birmingham unless you fancy Gardner to score in which case you should include him. Hleb would be worth a risk if you think he can play for longer than 60 minutes.
For Stoke it's trickier. I would suggest two from Etherington, Collins, Huth and Wilson. Jones needs to score at least one to make up the points so you should pick based on your hunch on that.
Because both teams usually score poorly on Picklive it could be worth looking at the goalkeepers. Begovic would only need to make about 4 saves to edge into the top 2 or 3 Stoke players (assuming no goals, assists etc.). Foster would probably need 5 to make the same impact on the Birmingham list. But note, although that sounds like a low amount of saves it doesn't happen as often as you think.
This could be one of the lowest Picklive games ever and I doubt the jackpot will fall tonight. Now I've said that we'll probably end up with a 5-5 thriller.
Good luck!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
I would suggest 3 from Birmingham and 2 from Stoke unless you strongly fancy one team to dominate or score 2 or more goals. Ferguson, Carr and Dann are the picks for Birmingham unless you fancy Gardner to score in which case you should include him. Hleb would be worth a risk if you think he can play for longer than 60 minutes.
For Stoke it's trickier. I would suggest two from Etherington, Collins, Huth and Wilson. Jones needs to score at least one to make up the points so you should pick based on your hunch on that.
Because both teams usually score poorly on Picklive it could be worth looking at the goalkeepers. Begovic would only need to make about 4 saves to edge into the top 2 or 3 Stoke players (assuming no goals, assists etc.). Foster would probably need 5 to make the same impact on the Birmingham list. But note, although that sounds like a low amount of saves it doesn't happen as often as you think.
This could be one of the lowest Picklive games ever and I doubt the jackpot will fall tonight. Now I've said that we'll probably end up with a 5-5 thriller.
Good luck!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Monday, 8 November 2010
Sevilla/Valancia: an apology and a new dawn
The late switch tonight has left us without tips tonight. Sorry!
But excitingly, on Sunday, we'll be unveiling our latest new signing. Can't say much more about it yet but he'll bring bags of La Liga experience to the team. So, hopefully next time there's a late switch to a Spanish game we won't be caught with our pants down.
Good luck tonight!
BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
But excitingly, on Sunday, we'll be unveiling our latest new signing. Can't say much more about it yet but he'll bring bags of La Liga experience to the team. So, hopefully next time there's a late switch to a Spanish game we won't be caught with our pants down.
Good luck tonight!
BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Could you be writing this?
FC Roger are looking to sign a correspondent with La Liga experience or at least someone who can write about Spanish matches without constantly referring to Tapas or the Costa del Sol.
If you fancy tapping out a few paragraphs once a week to provide the wonderful Picklive public with some tips then just drop us an e-mail on footballclubroger@gmail.com
No experience necessary.
And if you're looking for tips for tonight then try Ramos, Luis and then 3 from Real...
If you fancy tapping out a few paragraphs once a week to provide the wonderful Picklive public with some tips then just drop us an e-mail on footballclubroger@gmail.com
No experience necessary.
And if you're looking for tips for tonight then try Ramos, Luis and then 3 from Real...
Liverpool/Chelsea
There's lots of background material to draw on for this match. There are 11 previous Picklive matches listed for Liverpool and 10 for Chelsea. Plus there's all my insight and critique on this here very blog.
I'm expecting a big turnout for the Big Game this afternoon and most probably a split pot. That's because the highest scorers tend to be the same for these two teams. Gerrard plus a full-back plus whoever's at the base of the midfield for Liverpool; Cole, Essien, Malouda and Mikel for Chelsea. At least Joe Cole and Essien are doubtful as it may make choosing slightly easier.
So it'll probably be a goal, assist, card or substitution that decides the winner. Players like Gerrard and Ashley Cole are rarely subbed in games like this so should be considered a safe bet. But then most people will probably be picking them so it might be worth trying someone else?
But who? Centre-backs often do well for these teams so it might be worth including one. Goalkeepers have had a mini-resurgence recently, not least with Ashdown for Portsmouth yesterday who was top-scorer in that match.
Tips: Gerrard, Lucas, Johnson, Ashley Cole and Mikel would normally be my tip but I'll tweaking that to try and find an edge on what will be a tight Big Game.
Good luck!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
I'm expecting a big turnout for the Big Game this afternoon and most probably a split pot. That's because the highest scorers tend to be the same for these two teams. Gerrard plus a full-back plus whoever's at the base of the midfield for Liverpool; Cole, Essien, Malouda and Mikel for Chelsea. At least Joe Cole and Essien are doubtful as it may make choosing slightly easier.
So it'll probably be a goal, assist, card or substitution that decides the winner. Players like Gerrard and Ashley Cole are rarely subbed in games like this so should be considered a safe bet. But then most people will probably be picking them so it might be worth trying someone else?
But who? Centre-backs often do well for these teams so it might be worth including one. Goalkeepers have had a mini-resurgence recently, not least with Ashdown for Portsmouth yesterday who was top-scorer in that match.
Tips: Gerrard, Lucas, Johnson, Ashley Cole and Mikel would normally be my tip but I'll tweaking that to try and find an edge on what will be a tight Big Game.
Good luck!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Cardiff/Swansea
Last time Cardiff were on Picklive, Jay Bothroyd scored a very useful 71 points. He has scored in the last four of Cardiff's matches but I mentioned his reckless streak last time and today he is suspended for the game.
Swansea have not conceded a single goal in the league in October (5 games) and Cardiff have scored more goals than any other team in October (14 goals). I might risk picking Swansea goalkeeper De Vries as he will have plenty of work to do but is on top form and could end up as Swansea's top scoring player if the team fails to score on the pitch.De Vries is the 2nd best goalkeeper in the Championship according to the ACTIM index.
Cardiff pose a potent goal threat even without Bothroyd - Chopra has scored in the last 2 games and Bellamy and Keogh are not short of goals. My top pick last time Cardiff were on Picklive, midfielder Peter Whittingham, has scored four in the last four - two of which were penalties.
My pick will be to have three or four from Cardiff but Scott Sinclair from Swansea will be in my team. I love a free scroing midfielder and Sinclair has 11 goals this season already and more attempts on goal. Because of this, I cant see any value in the Swansea strikers although Emnes has scored a few recently. Midfielder Nathan Dyer will also be up there in the points.
Cardiff's best five players the last two times they were featured on Picklive were
v Sheffield United. 8th August
Hudson 84
Whittingham 69
McNaughton 67
Blake 65
Gyepes 61
v Leeds United. 25th October
Bothroyd 73
Naylor 68
Hudson 58
Bellamy 52
McNaughton 51
Good luck!
by Warriors
(Robin Warr)
Swansea have not conceded a single goal in the league in October (5 games) and Cardiff have scored more goals than any other team in October (14 goals). I might risk picking Swansea goalkeeper De Vries as he will have plenty of work to do but is on top form and could end up as Swansea's top scoring player if the team fails to score on the pitch.De Vries is the 2nd best goalkeeper in the Championship according to the ACTIM index.
Cardiff pose a potent goal threat even without Bothroyd - Chopra has scored in the last 2 games and Bellamy and Keogh are not short of goals. My top pick last time Cardiff were on Picklive, midfielder Peter Whittingham, has scored four in the last four - two of which were penalties.
My pick will be to have three or four from Cardiff but Scott Sinclair from Swansea will be in my team. I love a free scroing midfielder and Sinclair has 11 goals this season already and more attempts on goal. Because of this, I cant see any value in the Swansea strikers although Emnes has scored a few recently. Midfielder Nathan Dyer will also be up there in the points.
Cardiff's best five players the last two times they were featured on Picklive were
v Sheffield United. 8th August
Hudson 84
Whittingham 69
McNaughton 67
Blake 65
Gyepes 61
v Leeds United. 25th October
Bothroyd 73
Naylor 68
Hudson 58
Bellamy 52
McNaughton 51
Good luck!
by Warriors
(Robin Warr)
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Derby/Portsmouth
Two exciting games from the Championship featured on Picklive this weekend. First up, it's Derby v. Portsmouth.
Both teams are doing well in the league. It's been a game of two halves for Portsmouth already this season, Gary, with no victories in their first 8 games, and 6 victories in their last 7 games (the other match being a draw away to Championship whipping boys Middlesborough).
Derby are above Portsmouth in the league but their recent form, while good, is less impressive than Portsmouth. The outcome is difficult to predict but my money is tentatively on a Portsmouth victory even though Derby are this season's top scorers at home.
Both of these teams have been Picklived before and the highest scoring players for Derby were Brayford (64 last game), Leacock (64 also) and Savage (54). John Brayford (Defender) also is OFFICIALLY the 24th best player in the Championship according to the ACTIM index.He has one goal and 3 assists so far this season too. Leacock is another Derby defender I will be strongly considering for today's game and his average score on Picklive for both Derby's featured games make him worth looking at. It seems Derby's best players are defenders. If you fancy dabbling in the Derby midfield then may I reccomend Paul Green and Tomasz Cywka? Green is the highest placed Derby player in the ACTIM index (21st) and has the most number of assists in the Derby team (6). Cywka I am more cautious about suggesting but he is highly rated and likes to have a go at goal (3 goals this season). If it is goals you are after, look no further than striker Kris Commons; 7 goals in the lague this season (from a total of 43 shots) and 2 assists.
Portsmouth's best players the last time they were on Picklive were Lawrence (91 - 2 goals, Kitson (69 - 2 goals) and Brown (59 - 1 goal). However, I am not reading too much into this as this was against a very poor Leicester. In the Picklive match before that, the best two players were Ritchie and Wilson; however, this was a cup match against lowly Stevenage so I would not read too much into that either as they probably wont play.
Portsmouth's stand-out player is undoubtedly midfielder Liam Lawrence and he will probably be in everyone's picks (if playing of course). He is Portsmouth's highest scorer (due to being Portsmouth's regular penalty taker) and scored a massive 91 points last time Portsmouth were featured on Picklive. However, he did get 2 goals in this game which was a 6-1 demolition of Leicester. Lawrence also has most assists (4) to his name. The current ACTIM 3rd best midfielder in the Championship.
If playing, I may well be tempted by Sonko in defence. He scored in Portsmouth's last match and by all accounts had a good game. Strikers Kitson (4 goals) and Nugent (3 goals) will probably not make my team but if I had to pick one, I would go for Kitson as he has one more goal but has played fewer games. Nugent has had more attempts on goal however, and more than anyone in the Portsmouth squad.
I will be considering midfielders Hayden Mullins and Michael Brown. Both have 2 goals in the league (Brown has one also in the Carling Cup) and I fancy them to do well today.
Good luck!
by Warriors
(Robin Warr)
Both teams are doing well in the league. It's been a game of two halves for Portsmouth already this season, Gary, with no victories in their first 8 games, and 6 victories in their last 7 games (the other match being a draw away to Championship whipping boys Middlesborough).
Derby are above Portsmouth in the league but their recent form, while good, is less impressive than Portsmouth. The outcome is difficult to predict but my money is tentatively on a Portsmouth victory even though Derby are this season's top scorers at home.
Both of these teams have been Picklived before and the highest scoring players for Derby were Brayford (64 last game), Leacock (64 also) and Savage (54). John Brayford (Defender) also is OFFICIALLY the 24th best player in the Championship according to the ACTIM index.He has one goal and 3 assists so far this season too. Leacock is another Derby defender I will be strongly considering for today's game and his average score on Picklive for both Derby's featured games make him worth looking at. It seems Derby's best players are defenders. If you fancy dabbling in the Derby midfield then may I reccomend Paul Green and Tomasz Cywka? Green is the highest placed Derby player in the ACTIM index (21st) and has the most number of assists in the Derby team (6). Cywka I am more cautious about suggesting but he is highly rated and likes to have a go at goal (3 goals this season). If it is goals you are after, look no further than striker Kris Commons; 7 goals in the lague this season (from a total of 43 shots) and 2 assists.
Portsmouth's best players the last time they were on Picklive were Lawrence (91 - 2 goals, Kitson (69 - 2 goals) and Brown (59 - 1 goal). However, I am not reading too much into this as this was against a very poor Leicester. In the Picklive match before that, the best two players were Ritchie and Wilson; however, this was a cup match against lowly Stevenage so I would not read too much into that either as they probably wont play.
Portsmouth's stand-out player is undoubtedly midfielder Liam Lawrence and he will probably be in everyone's picks (if playing of course). He is Portsmouth's highest scorer (due to being Portsmouth's regular penalty taker) and scored a massive 91 points last time Portsmouth were featured on Picklive. However, he did get 2 goals in this game which was a 6-1 demolition of Leicester. Lawrence also has most assists (4) to his name. The current ACTIM 3rd best midfielder in the Championship.
If playing, I may well be tempted by Sonko in defence. He scored in Portsmouth's last match and by all accounts had a good game. Strikers Kitson (4 goals) and Nugent (3 goals) will probably not make my team but if I had to pick one, I would go for Kitson as he has one more goal but has played fewer games. Nugent has had more attempts on goal however, and more than anyone in the Portsmouth squad.
I will be considering midfielders Hayden Mullins and Michael Brown. Both have 2 goals in the league (Brown has one also in the Carling Cup) and I fancy them to do well today.
Good luck!
by Warriors
(Robin Warr)
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