Fantasy Football Week 25 Preview

Chelsea booked themselves a place at Wembley in the Capital One Cup final where they will meet the winners of tonight’s second-leg clash between Tottenham and Sheffield United.

Spurs have a one goal aggregate lead after last Wednesday’s win at White Hart Lane and will be hoping to add to it tonight to book their place in the show piece final.

The winning goal for Chelsea came courtesy of Branislav Ivanovic in the 94^th minute that saw the Serbian defender head home a set-piece cross from William to give the Blues a 1-0 lead and a 2-1 win on aggregate to put them through to the final.

After the match Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said that he thought his side had done enough over the two legs to win.

“I think we were the better side over the two games.”

“Performance-wise, we were outstanding. Again tonight, some of our play was very good and we created chances.”

“I sit here with pride. There’s disappointment we haven’t got through, but Chelsea arrived at the top of their game when they came to Anfield last week and we were outstanding and should have won that game.”

The match was not without controversy however following on from an argument in the tunnel between Jordan Henderson and Diego Costa a week earlier, the Spanish striker appeared to stamp on not one but two players during the game and got away with it leading the Liverpool boss to say:

“These things happen in the game but I think anyone watching it would not like to see what we’ve seen Diego Costa do.”

“Not just on Martin Skrtel but on Emre Can, a young player who was clearly stamped on.”

“You don’t want to see that. There’s no need for it. You can easily land somewhere else without having to directly land on an opponent’s ankle.”

“It’s disappointing to see that on the replay and he was probably very fortunate the referee and the linesman didn’t see it.”

He may have got away with it on the pitch but as referee Michael Oliver told the FA that he did no see the incident; the Brazilian born player has now been charged and is facing a three-match ban.

Elsewhere before you pick your Premier League Fantasy Football players for week 25, we must tell you that Cesc Fabreaga is doubtful for the Manchester City match after limping off against Liverpool following a collision with teammate John Terry.

Filipe Luis was also withdrawn from the game complaining of a calf injury while goal scorer Ivanovic suffered a cut foot. The Blues boss had this to say of his injured players.

“Luis (calf) was also withdrawn late on, while goal scorer Ivanovic suffered a cut foot.”

“Branislav was able to continue but the others weren’t.”

“Filipe Luis came off with a calf problem and Fabregas reported a tight hamstring. Fabregas said he wasn’t yet injured but that he would be soon if he continued.”

We’ll have to wait and see how the trio recover over the next 48 hours but they will all be doubts for this weekend’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester City, while those of you who have Costa in your team may also want to consider taking him out due to his impending ban.

Liverpool meanwhile take on West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday welcoming back striker Daniel Sturridge, who has been out since late August with a thigh injury.

Missing from the game will be Mamadou Sakho who was substituted last night after complaining of a bad back, but in could come summer signing Dejan Lovren, who is fit again after his own injury issues having not started a game since December 17^th against Bournemouth.