It's always difficult writing tips for teams you know nothing about let alone when you don't even have an inkling as to which way the match will swing. Wimbledon are top of the Blue Sq Premier, a full league above Ebbsfleet which suggest quality should out tonight. But then it didn't work out that way in the initial tie. Plus Ebbsfleet are on a 15 match unbeaten run. And to add to all that the possession in Kingsmeadow was almost even.
So, the first conclusion is that it would probably be wise to go for a 3/2 or 2/3 split. The bookies have the Wombles down as strong favourites but, while I can see them winning, I can't see them dominating the possession.
If you fancy goals tonight then Willock (10 goals this season), West (9 from the right wing) and Kedwell (12) would fit the bill nicely. If centre backs suit you (because they'll be occupied by those strikers??) then Lorriane edges Easton for me for the Fleet and Yakubu seems to have the quality for Wimbledon.
There were doubts about Sammy Moore and Carew for tonight but should be strongly considered as they'll be in the heart of the action in midfield if they start.Wellard, Hatton & Gregory should also be considered if they start in the centre of the midfield for Wimbledon. Blackman & Jackson could be useful scorers if they start in the full-back positions for the Wombles. Note that Wellard, Blackman & Jackson could be a bit of a substitution risk.
Bit of an inbalance towards Wimbledon above so maybe consider Marwa, described as a 'tough-tackling attacking midfielder' - perfect for Picklive.
As with any Picklive game you're not sure about it's worth spreading your risk across central midfielders and the respective back fours. From what information I can glean I would include Sammy Moore who seems a bit of a talisman. If you fancy goals then add in Willock, West or Kedwell.
Good luck!
BensBulls
(Ben Wraith
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
England/France
The England team is in and at least there's a bit of time for research, each player's Picklive (club) page is linked below:
Foster
Jagielka
Ferdinand
Lescott
Gibbs
Barry
Milner
Henderson
Gerrard
Walcott
Carroll
England's last three games are here: Montenegro, Switzerland and Bulgaria
It's interesting to note that in those three games Gerrard plus the back four took 12 of the 15 'top 5' spots.
My recommendation here is start with the back four plus Gerrard and then try and make a case Barry, Milner and Henderson respectively. And this is where the substitutions come in. Who will play the most minutes?
France on the other hand have three well known and stand out Picklive players; Sagna, Nasri and Malouda. It's difficult to look past these three without access to more Picklive stats or a deeper knowledge of the France team.
So, tips: Pick as much of the England back four as you can, pick Gerrard if you think he'll make it past 60 minutes and 1 or 2 of the French trio named above. That is unless you have any hunches re: substitutions or an in-depth view of French football!
Good luck!
Ben
Foster
Jagielka
Ferdinand
Lescott
Gibbs
Barry
Milner
Henderson
Gerrard
Walcott
Carroll
England's last three games are here: Montenegro, Switzerland and Bulgaria
It's interesting to note that in those three games Gerrard plus the back four took 12 of the 15 'top 5' spots.
My recommendation here is start with the back four plus Gerrard and then try and make a case Barry, Milner and Henderson respectively. And this is where the substitutions come in. Who will play the most minutes?
France on the other hand have three well known and stand out Picklive players; Sagna, Nasri and Malouda. It's difficult to look past these three without access to more Picklive stats or a deeper knowledge of the France team.
So, tips: Pick as much of the England back four as you can, pick Gerrard if you think he'll make it past 60 minutes and 1 or 2 of the French trio named above. That is unless you have any hunches re: substitutions or an in-depth view of French football!
Good luck!
Ben
Argentina/Brazil
Apologies for the silence yesterday, planes and trains got in the way (but not cars)...
A brief overview before the line-ups are announced:
A pleasingly difficult one to pick for this match between two great footballing nations. A cursory glance at the Argentina squad reveals such Picklive powerhouses as Demichelis, Zanetti, Heinze, Zabeleta, Mascherano and Messi. It's a good job that Cambiasso and Tevez are out... And for Brazil; Alves, Alex and Lucas are the kind of rock-solid picks Picklive dreams are made of. Most fives will be made up of those players I guess but if you fancy a bit of a gamble then maybe di Maria or Pastore could do well, the latter particularly after a hat-trick at the weekend.
International friendlies are always going to be difficult as there will probably be a lot of substitutions around. This will add a huge slab of randomness to proceedings and these tips. Finding an edge either relies on luck or assuming something about a player e.g. Ronaldinho didn't play at the weekend so, if he starts, may be worth a gamble as he would be more likely to finish the 90 then someone who played on Sunday.
Tips: I would pick Messi, 3 solid players like Silva, Lucas, Mascherano, Demichelis and/or Zanetti. And finish it off with Alves or take a punt on someone like Pastore.
A brief overview before the line-ups are announced:
A pleasingly difficult one to pick for this match between two great footballing nations. A cursory glance at the Argentina squad reveals such Picklive powerhouses as Demichelis, Zanetti, Heinze, Zabeleta, Mascherano and Messi. It's a good job that Cambiasso and Tevez are out... And for Brazil; Alves, Alex and Lucas are the kind of rock-solid picks Picklive dreams are made of. Most fives will be made up of those players I guess but if you fancy a bit of a gamble then maybe di Maria or Pastore could do well, the latter particularly after a hat-trick at the weekend.
International friendlies are always going to be difficult as there will probably be a lot of substitutions around. This will add a huge slab of randomness to proceedings and these tips. Finding an edge either relies on luck or assuming something about a player e.g. Ronaldinho didn't play at the weekend so, if he starts, may be worth a gamble as he would be more likely to finish the 90 then someone who played on Sunday.
Tips: I would pick Messi, 3 solid players like Silva, Lucas, Mascherano, Demichelis and/or Zanetti. And finish it off with Alves or take a punt on someone like Pastore.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
The MIlan Derby (from Milan)
Milan is buzzing ahead of the derby tonight despite the grey drizzle across the city. Inter fans have been out in force all day, as have the riot police. Much of the newsprint has been taken up with news that Inzaghi could be out for the season but the 'Derby of Change' could be critical for both teams tonight. Milan are second two points of Lazio (who beat Napoli earlier today) and could go top with a win tonight. Inter are a further 3 points back in fifth.
Sneijder was the stand out Inter player in the two games against Spurs with 93 and 121 points. Eto'o, Lucio and Zanetti were the next strongest players and Coutinho weighed in with a 96 in the game at the San Siro. I'm not considering anyone outside of those 5.
For Milan a lot rests on whether Pirlo starts. He racked up 29 points in 34 minutes in his last Picklive appearance for Italy. Expect a similar scoring rate if he plays tonight. Passing stats from the Champions league flag up Bonera, Seedorf and Nesta as possibilities. Zambrotta and Gattuso are also close.
The bookies are finding this game hard to call and a draw is a distinct possibility. For that reason I'm suggesting 3 from Inter and 2 from Milan. Sneijder and Pirlo are dead certs and then any 3 from the 9 mentioned above. Easy!
Buona fortuna!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Sneijder was the stand out Inter player in the two games against Spurs with 93 and 121 points. Eto'o, Lucio and Zanetti were the next strongest players and Coutinho weighed in with a 96 in the game at the San Siro. I'm not considering anyone outside of those 5.
For Milan a lot rests on whether Pirlo starts. He racked up 29 points in 34 minutes in his last Picklive appearance for Italy. Expect a similar scoring rate if he plays tonight. Passing stats from the Champions league flag up Bonera, Seedorf and Nesta as possibilities. Zambrotta and Gattuso are also close.
The bookies are finding this game hard to call and a draw is a distinct possibility. For that reason I'm suggesting 3 from Inter and 2 from Milan. Sneijder and Pirlo are dead certs and then any 3 from the 9 mentioned above. Easy!
Buona fortuna!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Chelsea/Sunderland
A short post for this match as Chelsea are well known on Picklive and so should be predictable and Sunderland are unlikely to trouble the top 5 too much.
Sunderland first, Henderson is the only player who has featured in their last three top fives (1st, =1st & 1st) and has been the highest scorer (of the match) once and joint first in another. But even he couldn't trouble the top 5 overall in the hammering they got at Newcastle. After Henderson 8 Sunderland players have made up the 12 possible places in the Sunderland top 5. This turnover makes it very difficult to predict or tip any other Sunderland players even if their scores deserved it (which they don't).
Essien, Mikel and Malouda are the top 3 Chelsea players but with Essien suspended the latter two should be first on your list. Ashley Cole has scored 66 and 58 in the last two games and is a solid choice. Chelsea centre backs have been the biggest scorers in the last two games though. Terry and Alex scored 97 and 71 respectively against Liverpool whilst Ivanovic scored 83 (including two goals) against Spartak Moscow. Outside of those mentioned I can't see much value unless you're confident the strikers will score. Ramires hasn't impressed yet, Zhirkov has impressed only in the two games against Spartak Moscow and Kalou simply has to get a goal to trouble the top 5. Gordon could be worth a punt but only if you fancy Chelsea to get at least 7 shots on target.
So, my tips: Mikel & Malouda and then three from the Chelsea back four and/or Henderson.
Sunderland first, Henderson is the only player who has featured in their last three top fives (1st, =1st & 1st) and has been the highest scorer (of the match) once and joint first in another. But even he couldn't trouble the top 5 overall in the hammering they got at Newcastle. After Henderson 8 Sunderland players have made up the 12 possible places in the Sunderland top 5. This turnover makes it very difficult to predict or tip any other Sunderland players even if their scores deserved it (which they don't).
Essien, Mikel and Malouda are the top 3 Chelsea players but with Essien suspended the latter two should be first on your list. Ashley Cole has scored 66 and 58 in the last two games and is a solid choice. Chelsea centre backs have been the biggest scorers in the last two games though. Terry and Alex scored 97 and 71 respectively against Liverpool whilst Ivanovic scored 83 (including two goals) against Spartak Moscow. Outside of those mentioned I can't see much value unless you're confident the strikers will score. Ramires hasn't impressed yet, Zhirkov has impressed only in the two games against Spartak Moscow and Kalou simply has to get a goal to trouble the top 5. Gordon could be worth a punt but only if you fancy Chelsea to get at least 7 shots on target.
So, my tips: Mikel & Malouda and then three from the Chelsea back four and/or Henderson.
Everton/Arsenal
Everton are a mixed bag. Their last four matches have seen 1 (Baines), 1 (Arteta), 3 (Arteta, Pienaar & Jagielka) and 4 (Arteta, Fellaini, Baines & Distin) of their players in the top 5 overall. Neither venue (AAHH) nor result (DWDL) for those four matches give us a clue to how they will turn out in this match.
In contrast, Arsenal's record reads 5 (Koscielny, Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner & Djourou), 5 (Nasri, Song, Sagna, Denilson & Clichy), 5 (Song, Nasri, Wilshire, Clichy & Fabregas) and 3 (Clichy, Nasri & Wilshire).
Neither Clichy nor Nasri started the first match listed and Denilson didn't start the last two. Those 3 plus Fabregas would be my recommendations if they start. However, in their last match against Wolves Nasri didn't start and Denilson replaced Wilshire after 67 minutes. Interestingly Song has made the most passes for Arsenal this season and is a good option if one or more of the others don't start.
Arteta is clearly the strongest player for Everton (69 point average over 4 games) followed by Baines (48) and Pienaar (46). So certainties for my 5 will be Arteta, Fabregas and Clichy if they all start as they should last the full 90 minutes and are clearly the highest scorers on average. One thing to note is that Gibbs is being considered for this match and so could come on as a sub late on, which could bite into Clichy's points total.
After those 3 I would tend towards Nasri and Wilshire and run the risk of a late sub or two. If you don't fancy them then Denilson, Song, Sagna, Eboue should be considered if they start or Baines or Pienaar if you want to add a second Evertonian.
Good luck!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
In contrast, Arsenal's record reads 5 (Koscielny, Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner & Djourou), 5 (Nasri, Song, Sagna, Denilson & Clichy), 5 (Song, Nasri, Wilshire, Clichy & Fabregas) and 3 (Clichy, Nasri & Wilshire).
Neither Clichy nor Nasri started the first match listed and Denilson didn't start the last two. Those 3 plus Fabregas would be my recommendations if they start. However, in their last match against Wolves Nasri didn't start and Denilson replaced Wilshire after 67 minutes. Interestingly Song has made the most passes for Arsenal this season and is a good option if one or more of the others don't start.
Arteta is clearly the strongest player for Everton (69 point average over 4 games) followed by Baines (48) and Pienaar (46). So certainties for my 5 will be Arteta, Fabregas and Clichy if they all start as they should last the full 90 minutes and are clearly the highest scorers on average. One thing to note is that Gibbs is being considered for this match and so could come on as a sub late on, which could bite into Clichy's points total.
After those 3 I would tend towards Nasri and Wilshire and run the risk of a late sub or two. If you don't fancy them then Denilson, Song, Sagna, Eboue should be considered if they start or Baines or Pienaar if you want to add a second Evertonian.
Good luck!
by BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Barca/Villareal
Barcelona have not beaten Villarreal at home in the last three seasons, losing 2-1 in 2007/2008, drawing 3-3 in 2008/2009 and drawing 1-1 last season. In fact, Villarreal were the only team in La Liga last season to avoid defeat at Camp Nou last season.
It does seem that Villarreal are a bit of a bogey team for Barcelona. However, they did win away at Villarreal 4-1 in May.
Both sides have featured in only one picklive match this season. Barcelona had a freak 1-0 defeat at home to Hercules at the start of the season and Villareal won 2-0 against Atletico at home.
Barcelona are probably the best team for accumulating picklive points with the way they play and the large amount of possession they always seems to have. My debut picklive match was Barcelona-Arsenal. I remember predominately picking Xavi, Iniesta and Messi – a tactic that seemed to work! Xavi is the best picklive player, he averaged 98 points in the 7 games he played for Spain in the summer – hence the ‘Xavi rule!’ Iniesta is another high-scoring picklive player and should feature in all BG teams. Busquets usually does well as the holding midfielder. Messi has scored at least once in six of Barcelona’s last 7 matches in all competitions so it would be hard to leave him out of the side. Dani Alves likes to go forward and would be a good alternetive to Messi if you don’t think there will be many goals. Pique and Milito are out so Abidal or a player from Barca B will partner Puyol on his 500th Barcelona match.
Villareal players scored well in their single picklive match this season. Cazorla topscored with an impressive 84. Cani got 80 but helped with a goal and an assist. Bruno (77) and A Lopez (69) also broke the 60pts barrier. Don’t think Cazorla/Cani the wingers will do so well tonight. Bruno or A Lopez might be the better picks. Centre-backs (Marchena / Gonzalez) could do ok as well.
There seems to be plenty of goals though in Barcelona-Villarreal matches with 23 goals in the last six (3.8 per match). Barcelona have scored 12 goals in their last four matches and Villarreal 9 in their last four. There should be quite a few goals tonight and I would recommend going with a fairly attacking-minded BG team. Only Ronaldo (11) has scored more goals than Messi (8) and Rossi (7) in La Liga. Nilmar is also having a good season with six goals. David Villa has five goals to his name this season. Although Rossi and Nilmar are in decent form, I can’t see them scoring many points. Rossi had only 42pts against Atletico with a goal! Messi should be included and Villa if you think there will be a few goals.
I will be going with four Barcelona players. Most likely Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Messi – I think a lot of people will go for these four on the BG though. Maybe going for David Villa could give you an edge if it’s a free-scoring match and Alves would be a solid pick. For my Villarreal player it’s going to be between Bruno, A Lopez, Marchena and Gonzalez!
All the best!
Grunny27 (Simon G)
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