Season 27 Week 18 processing...

Welcome to week 18. 

This is the week of the World Cup Final so I am looking forward to running that game especially and it's a difficult one to call, Spain against Argentina, Geoff Fields against Richard Allen, two very good sides, two very good managers, Spain playing wingers with the on form Diego leading the line but with an ageing defence or free scoring Argentina with Messi, Aguero and Di Maria all on top form and banging in goals. I would have to make Argentina favorites just because of the form of their attack but I hope it will be close and exciting with one or two twists for me to watch. Good luck to you both.

Reset is underway...

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Fixtures: 
 Arsenal v Liverpool Chelsea v Westham
 Charlton v Watford Man City v Plymouth
 Fulham v Villa Leicester v Birmingham

TEAM DETAILS PREMIERSHIP

Arsenal v Liverpool Likely Lineup; 
Forster:GK,Sagna:RB,Koscielny:CL,Cahill:CR,Shaw:LB,Schneiderlin:AR,Flamini:AL,Giroud:ST,Berahino:S2,Ozil:TM,Nasri:DY
Gulacsi:GK,Fabio:LB,Klavan:CL,Coates:CR,Gunter:RB,Huddlestone:AM,Aquilani:PM,Zaha:RW,Slimani:CF,Tevez:TM,Moses:LW

This game will be huge in the relegation battle! I for one would certainly be happy with a Draw. However Arsenal seem to be in form at the moment scoring 6 goals against Chelsea isn't easy and they certainly made it look so. Ozil and Nasri seem to be creating plenty and scoring plenty for there manager. How will the midfield pan out? They look to have kept there dual anchormen in midfield. I imagine they'd do the same against Tevez. Who seem to be keeping up with his scoring Jamie might have had a nervous few minutes after going behind early in the game. However it seemed as if Tevez was doing all the work. Aquilani has been quiet of late. Maybe not enjoying playing second fiddle to Tevez. Liverpool will be hoping the Home side go for the attack as it seem's to allow more space for Liverpool to run into with the Wingers and get behind the defence.. Due to form i'd expect Arsenal to take the points here.

Key Matchups; Schneiderlin Vs Tevez. Huddlestone Vs Ozil. 


Chelsea v Westham Likely Lineup;
Mcgregor:GK,Filipe:LB,Vlaar:CL,Lovren:CR,Kelly:RB,DeJong:AM,DiMaria:DL,Falcao:ST,Afellay:TM,Remy:S2,Anderson:DR
Siegrist:GK,Christie:RB,Thompson:LB,Song:AM,Collins:CL,Dann:CR,Collison:DY,Mcgeady:PM,Cole:CF,Jarvis:RH,Taarabt:LH

Chelsea seem to have fallen out of form as of late, Maybe they got themselves secure and now they are thinking about being on the beach.. Speculation around DiMaria is he's subject to a bid to take him away from Stamford Bridge will this be his final game for the Blues? Will the Blues look to strengthen there Defence? Had the better chances in there previous match however football is a game of who scores the most and well there leaking goals at the back and there forwards seem to need to practise there finishing. Sunday training required i think! Westham seem to be steady under Stu, however his absence will be missed from the dugout they might not be getting the points on the board but Westham have needed a face lift for a while now and hopefully Stu has already sat down with Transfer targets and explained his vision for the club! However it'll be too soon for this game and i fully expect Chelsea to take the 3 points..

Key Matchups; Afellay Vs Song. Mcgeady Vs DeJong.



Charlton v Watford Likely Lineup;
Mignolet:GK,Cesar:RB,Kolarov:LB,Henderson:AM,Luiz:CL,Willian:DL,VanDijk:CR,Lallana:DR,Coutinho:TM,Mane:ST,Firmino:S2
Lloris:GK,Clyne:RB,Rose:LB,Stones:CR,Kompany:CL,Dier:AM,DeBruyne:RH,Pogba:DY,Rooney:TM,Kane:CF,Bale:LH

Massive game this week for Tom.. He might not be able to take the crown for himself this season but how would he feel if he saw Jamie be crowned champion? Extra motivation to take some points.. Tom introduced VanDijk into the starting lineup which he clearly see's as the future CB to lead the club to glory, Leaked a goal vs Westham i'm sure that's down to Team Understanding once he builds his partnership up with Luiz. Tom will feel more relaxed. How will it pan out this week for him though? Will Lallana and Willian move out wide to try and holt Bale and DeBruyne ? Or will they leave that task to the fullbacks Kolarov and Cesar? Watford also struggle to keep a clean sheet allowing Tevez to score early in the last game even though few chances were created. However Bale and DeBruyne managed to turn the style on and provide the ammunition to take the game.. This game is going to be a peach, both teams like to score and neither seem to mind letting one or two in at the back. All to play for this week for Watford and Tom will have the pressure taken off him with his eyes already on next season.. Too close to call for me. 

Key Matchups; DeBruyne Vs Kolarov. Cesar Vs Bale. Rooney Vs Henderson. Dier Vs Coutinho.


Man City v Plymouth Likely Lineup;
Hart:GK,Cresswell:LB,Lescott:CL,Smalling:CR,Richards:RB,Sane:DL,Drinkwater:DY,Dzeko:CF,Carroll:ST,Aguero:S2,Gundogan:DR
Cech:GK,Bellerin:RB,Gibbs:LB,Fernandinho:AM,Ramsey:DR,Vermaelen:CL,Welbeck:ST,Wilshere:TM,Vardy:S2,Delph:DL,Alderweireld:CR

Another huge game in hemsoft this week would be this one... Even if Watford do slip up City will have to be fully focused to be able to take all 3 points in this game. City went and smashed the world record for a player on Leroy Sane no doubt he will be in line to make his debut this week. Will he be able to have the impact that Geoff has envisaged for his side? Will he impact the run in? City seem to be having a clear out.. is that to boost the coffers or is the squad in need of a trimming down? It's not always just whats happening on the pitch that can affect the game and no doubt Geoff will be wise to this. However Plymouth have remained silent in what there doing and just keep on turning up and getting the results. Wilshere and Fernandinho again running the show for Plymouth. Brum struggled to impose the ISF tactic on the FAS tactic employed by Argyle. They will be high on confidence going into this game and have full belief that they can take something from this game. I expect a very tight game here.. Can Geoff make the home advantage count?

Key Matchups; Dzeko Vs Alderweireld. Wilshere Vs Drinkwater. Aguero Vs Vermaelen.

Fulham v Villa Likely Lineup;
Reina:GK,Davies:LB,Walker:RB,Mangala:CR,Ranocchia:CL,Schweinsteiger:AM,Sandro:BW,Negredo:CF,Sanchez:ST,Cisse:S2,Toure:DY
Butland:GK,Coleman:RB,Brady:LB,Mccarthy:BW,Bruma:CL,Keane:CR,Silva:TM,Eriksen:DR,Allen:AM,Bony:CF,Chamberlain:DL

This might not be a classic big game in term of who wins the title this season but it sure will have a impact on who gets Relegated! Fulham boss will be hoping that his team can show there experience this week and make it count! With the sale of Sane it see's the return of Sandro to the Lineup with a slight tweek going to ISB to hopefully stop Silva. Will be hoping that Sanchez can get himself more involved this week and lead the team to glory! Negredo is still to get off the mark for the Cottagers however as long as he keep assisting the goals the boss will remain happy! However the switch to FAL does worry me, but hopefully the partnership of Mangala and Ranocchia will be able to handle this as they only have 1 CF to mark. Blessing for Fulham this week is that Coquelin is Injured and will require a switch in midfield for the Villans. Villa seem to be relishing the switch to FAL. Surprised to see Silva given his Debut so soon.. Hopefully his team understand isn't quiet Perfect and allows a few loose balls. But even if Silva isn't ready to step-up up Chamberlain showed last week he is. Having more the one way to hurt an opponent is always key to winning matches. The Fulham boss has given his team a little Extra incentive this week to take the points.. But still believe the Away side will be victorious..

Key Matchups; Schweinsteiger Vs Silva. Ranocchia Vs Bony. Sanchez Vs Bruma.

Leicester v Birmingham Likely Lineup;
Jansson:GK,Briggs:RB,Buttner:LB,Cambiasso:AM,Demichelis:CL,Chiriches:CR,Valencia:RW,DeJong:DY,Adebayor:CF,Dawson:CC,Gnabry:LW
Krul:GK,Rafael:RB,Clichy:LB,Wanyama:CL,Evans:CR,Herrera:DY,Nani:DR,Hernandez:ST,Fellaini:CF,Jovetic:S2,Payet:DL

Leicester Boss might currently injured but this has given him time to reflect on his teams performances, he's aware they haven't been good enough! However which direction will he go.. He mentioned something about a BUS last week, is that a indication hes going to trial the new BUS formation or will he still try and play some sort of football? Suppose he's got nothing to loose and will be making plans for his season in the championship.. Also with a eye on replacing the retired Demichelis. How will the Brum boss lineup this week? He tweaked things to play a BW which didn't seem to have the desired effect last week. Maybe ISB is a bit more ridged in personnel needed to implement correctly? No doubt we will see Brum return to there more efficient 3 DY in midfield. Which did so well for them in the first few games. Brum will have no real concern this week and looking to take all 3 points. But will Andy have other ideas? 

Key Matchups; Cambiasso Vs Herrera. Fellaini Vs Demichelis.

Best read of the week. Thanks Phil.

Thanks Phil another very interesting review...

Still entering all the orders, lots to do again this week, so i expect the league games to kickoff no sooner than Wednesday afternoon, more to follow...

data entry all finished I will start running the games in the morning but I'm not sure how long it will take now as this is only the second week of running this smaller setup, but I'm confident it wont be 7 hours of the old setup, so league games should be able to kickoff tomorrow about 1200 hours, maybe a bit later.

Friendly games have finished.

Reserve, Youth and Schoolboy games underway...

Running the International games now...

League games will definitely kickoff at 1200 hours today.

League game reset finished...

African Nations Cup

Nigeria 2 Algeria 1

This was a very close game with both sides playing some flowing football but Dave's Nigerian side just sneaked home against Rob's Algeria, Iheanacho with both their goals.

World Cup

Spain 4 Argentina 3

This was a cracking game that could of gone either way but experience won out at the end of the day as Spain nullified the double threat of Messi and Aguero successfully. An excellent campaign for Geoff after giving up his beloved Serbia to manage the spanish giants.

World Youth Cup

Spain Under21 4 England Under21 3

Another cracking game and a historic double for the Spanish as they grab both european trophies under the guidance of Geoff.

South American Cup

Peru 0 Chile 2

Geoff's third international side just ran out of steam towards the end of this competition with players unrested since the beginning, one of the biggest problems for smaller nations, but it was never in doubt and John Horwell deserved his trophy in the end.

Asian Cup

Australia 0 South Korea 5

A real tonking for the aussies as Dave Brothers lifts his second International trophy.

Good luck to everybody this week as the referee gets this week's league games underway...

Wednesday 1 Ipswich 0 babel freekick on 4 minutes.
Napoli 1 Bologna 0 Hamsik.

Monaco 1 Lille 0 Gignac on 5 minutes.

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 1 Tevez on 7 minutes.
Man City 1 Plymouth 0 Dzeko penalty.
Genoa 0 Inter 1 Coman.

Two crucial Premiership games today with City off to a good start and Geoff said before the game that he was confident Charlton could hold Watford and help his side out, well Geoff, we will find out in the next ninety minutes...

Chelsea 1 Westham 0 Di Maria on 8 minutes.
Charlton 1 Watford 0 Coutinho penalty.

Another penalty, will it be crucial...

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 1 Tevez on 7 minutes.
Man City 1 Plymouth 0 Dzeko penalty.
Genoa 0 Inter 1 Coman.

Two crucial Premiership games today with City off to a good start and Geoff said before the game that he was confident Charlton could hold Watford and help his side out, well Geoff, we will find out in the next ninety minutes...

Glad he is.....

Zaragoza 0 Betis 1 Yarmolenko on 9 minutes.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Chelsea 1 Westham 0 Di Maria on 8 minutes.
Charlton 1 Watford 0 Coutinho penalty.

Another penalty, will it be crucial...

Watford always like to go behind and then come out all guns blazing....great start though.

Anderlecht 1 Antwerp 0 Legear on 10 minutes.
QPR 0 Palace 1 Bolasie.
Napoli 2 Bologna 0 Hulk.
Tromso 0 Viking 1 scorer tbc

Melbourne 1 Wollongong 0 Verre on 11 minutes.