We start episode 12 with an away match against Swansea. This is a potential banana skin as I regularly play poorly against the Swans. A strong lineup is needed to avoid any slip ups as it this stage even one could be costly.
Lineup chosen is; Alisson (GK), Kolasinac (LB), Ajer (CB), Koulibaly (CB), Hysaj (RB), Tielemans (CM), Goretzka (CM), Asensio (CAM), Balde (LW), Williams (RW), Poulsen (ST). Below are the highlights.
A really frustrating 0-0 draw. The only saving grace was that Everton lost and Man Utd drew. So despite the draw and poor performance I’m actually now three points clear at the top. Next time I am unlikely to be as lucky.
We take a break from league action next for the FA Cup semi final against Stoke. I got the lighter of the draw with Man City v Man Utd in the other semi. The Lineup I went with was; Alisson (GK), Kolasinac (LB), Ajer (CB), Koulibaly (CB), Toure (RB), Tielemans (CM), Goretzka (CM), Asensio (CAM), Balde (LW), Williams (RW), Poulsen (ST). Below are the highlights.
In the end I was disappointed to only win 2-1. The scoreline flattered Stoke, who were dominated for large parts of the game. Things are sitting pretty just now. We’re through to the FA Cup final against Man City, in the quarter finals of the Europa League against Spartak Moscow and still three points clear in the league with six games left. The March TOTM is below.
I have taken the decision to keep simulating in the Europa League. If I get through the quarter finals I will play the semi and final. The lineup I chose is; Ospina (GK), Kolasinac (LB), Fosu-Mensah (CB), Mustafi (CB), Hysaj (RB), Tolisso (CM), Xhaka (CM), Mkhitaryan (CAM), Bergwijn (LW), Williams (RW), Mbappe (ST). It was the away leg first and it ended 1-1, so not a disaster of a result.
Three days later it’s back to league action and a home tie against Newcastle. I seem to remember them giving me problems at St. James Park so I need to be fully focused going into this one. Plus they have won their last FIVE away games. Sane is back so that’s a big boost. The lineup I have chosen is; Alisson (GK), Lukaku (LB), Ajer (CB), Koulibaly (CB), Toure (RB), Tielemans (CM), Goretzka (CM), Sane (CAM), Balde (LW), Thauvin (RW), Poulsen (ST). Highlights below.
Another solid performance in a difficult game. Raced to a 3-0 lead in the first half and saw the game out. Poulsen, the definite player of the season got all three goals. Tielemans is cementing himself as a starter in central midfield and it was another good showing for Thauvin, getting two assists after his form had dipped in recent games. This game week got even better after looking at the other results. Everton lost 4-2 at home to Chelsea and Man Utd lost 3-0 at home to Liverpool. This leaves me 6 points clear at the top of the league, which might be needed as my run in is Stoke (h), Crystal Palace (a), Spurs (a), Everton (h) and Man Utd (a). That’s without even factoring in the FA Cup final against Man City and if I get deeper in the Europa League.
Speaking of the Europa League, I’ll finish this episode by simulating the second leg of the quarter finals. It’s 1-1 from the away leg but hopefully home advantage and the away goal will see me through. The lineup I have chosen is; Ospina (GK), Lukaku (LB), Mustafi (CB), Fosu-Mensah (CB), Toure (RB), Tolisso (CM), Xhaka (CM), Asensio (CAM), Balde (LW), Williams (RW), Lacazette (ST). Well that was tight! A 1-0 home win and 2-1 win. The semi final draw has been made. It’s Arsenal v Porto and Schalke v Bayern. Pretty happy to have avoided Bayern and Schalke won their quarter final 8-1 over the two legs so I maybe dodged a bullet there too!
That’ll do it for episode twelve. I’ll be back soon with episode thirteen and then I am going to try and livestream the final few games of the season. Until next time hit me up on Twitter @VizualDze or in the comments!
VdZe