Every competitive fantasy football manager needs a stats advantage.
For years, I've used a combination of a variety of statistical sources: pre-game match reports, ESPN, Sky and other Premier League websites, the official fantasy game, as well as Opta Sports and dozens of other smaller players as well as bookmakers like titanbet and even the old tried and true Wikipedia.

Tevez is a stud, not a dud
That break seemed like it lasted forever. Boxing Day fixtures, the New Year, then a bit of FA Cup action, some snow mixed in between, and now we're back to the Premier League this weekend...
I. Tottenham @ Liverpool: One of these two teams most certainly will not make the Top 4.

Morocco's most valuable export
Liverpool are close, but is the deal finalized? The web is atwitter with news about Bordeaux's star striker Marouane Chamakh moving to Liverpool - but reports are still conflicting.
Some reports have the Moroccan moving this month while others report the transfer will be sealed this summer.

In-form Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has been granted leave to return home to Argentina for the birth of his child.
Tevez has been in superb form, and with Manchester City playing twice this past Fantasy Premier League gameweek [still ongoing], many astute managers played it safe and gave Carlos the armband.

Look at Nani and Anderson in the background, now that's passion
This preview is going to be very quick. Lots going on here but at least I managed to squeeze in a fantasy footie related interview this week over at 11kicksblog.com, so check it out if you so desire. I'll pop back into the comments section tomorrow to add some more insight and answer questions, and I'll be on Twitter too over the next few days, but let's get right to the action.

He didn't make England's World Cup Team after a disappointing season for Aston Villa last year (though he certainly could have been an improvement over some of the players Capello sent out onto the pitch) but 2 years ago Young was the hottest young property in the league.
His blistering pace, trickery, and crossing was superb - if not always consistent, and he looked like a star in the making who would be on top of his game as an England international for years to come.

Chamakh, Jovanovic, and others make their Fantasy Premier League debuts

Here we go. It's like Christmas in July. A day after the World Cup Final, The Official Fantasy Premier League game opens its doors to the masses. How many millions will sign up this season, in a World Cup year?

Of course, as you certainly are aware, this post really isn't "breaking news," the day after Spain win the World Cup.
But to us lovers of fantasy football - those "math geeks," statistics nerds, tactical geniuses (and dunces) at this fantasy premier league blog it certainly is breaking news.

He only shaves every third day because, well, he's Dimitar Berbatov
We looked at the age old strikers quandary yesterday - a classic fantasy football issue that has shaped and influenced our thinking for years now, and today let's take a brief look at a striker floating between the "affordable" and "expensive" buckets for the first time ever, yup, it's "Dimitar Dimitar Berbatov.

Arsenal's tricky Russian Andrei Arshavin is set for a spell on the sidelines after being substituted in the match against Liverpool yesterday with a hamstring problem.
This has been the year of the hamstring injury in the Premier League.
Darren Bent did his.
Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard did theirs.

Can Dimitar step it up without Wayne? I think so
Didier Drogba has a hernia problem but should still play this weekend. Everton's stud Mikel Arteta is doubtful with a groin problem in what looks like an easy fixture at home to West Ham. And fantasy superstars Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas are certainly out as their teams chase the title.

Here it is. The news you've all been waiting to hear.
We have partnered with 11Kicks and today are officially launching our own innovative and revolutionary Never Captain Nicky Butt Fantasy Football Challenge.
You can play the brand new fantasy footie game by clicking on this link or by clicking on the new "Fantasy Football" button in the top right corner of our home page.

Let's preview The Premier League's upcoming weekend / week but first, don't forget to check out 11kicks' amazing work creating the platform for the first ever Never Captain Nicky Butt Fantasy Challenge. Sign up today to check out the latest and greatest fantasy footie game to hit the market- by our buddies 11kicks - and play in our very own Never Captain Nicky Butt environment.

Chelsea went four points clear of Manchester United today with a tight 1-0 win at home over Bolton but it wasn't your usual fantasy footie suspects who did the damage...
Thousands of fantasy managers were keeping a close watch on the Chelsea match after Fernando Torres didn't appear for Liverpool on the weekend due to an injured knee.

To trust The Sun or not to trust The Sun. That is the question.
According to the British paper, Chelsea have today made a $77M offer for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Is a Drogba - Torres partnership in the works at Stamford Bridge?
What about the poisonous Frenchman Nic Anelka?

Why are you smiling John? You've scored 7 goals in your last 65 matches
Here's a quick one from the fire-sale that is the Portsmouth Football Club.
John Utaka is heading back to the Premier League.
I write this not because I recommend you purchase Utaka in the Fantasy Premier League, but just because I wanted to call out Utaka's reasoning for returning to the English top flight:
"I would like to stay in the Premier League.