Another big week on the Premier League calendar, one which pits two top four contenders Tottenham and Liverpool against one another at White Hart Lane, both teams coming into the game on the back of very different results. The Saturday early kick off sees winless Manchester United travel to newly promoted Burnley. Also, Chelsea have their first big test of the season going to Goodison Park to face Everton and old boy Samuel Eto’o. However, these could be the games to avoid as they are so hard to predict so let’s have a look at players that can fill a spot in your fantasy teams this weekend and those you should get out.
Tyne Wear Budget Defensive Options
Sunderland have a strong set of fixtures coming up, playing 4 favourable games in the next five starting against a disjointed QPR. QPR have yet to score and at only £4.5m Vito Mannone could well return a few clean sheets, however another option for the Sunderland defence is Patrick van Aanholt, also only at £4.5m he has already returned an assist and if he can get forward like Danny Rose did against QPR more can be expected.
Staying in the North-East, Paul Dummet at Newcastle is only £4.0m and looks to have made the left back spot his own, they host Crystal Palace for Neil Warnock’s first game. Newcastle don’t face any of last season’s top 7 until GW9 so there should be a few clean sheets for the Geordies.
The Inevitable Point Scorer
Dusan Tadic, £7.5m, has done everything but get points so far, he has formed a dangerous partnership down the left hand side with Ryan Bertrand and has supplied many crosses and chances for his team mates, in particular, Graziano Pelle. Pelle got his name on the scoresheet for the first time in the League Cup this week and if he starts to put some of the Tadic crosses away both will rack up the points.
A new mid priced midfielder option that has arisen is that of Nacer Chadli, £6.0m, his two goals last weekend should surely cement his place in the team alongside Lamela and Eriksen. Chadli has revealed he has been told to get in the box because of his height and strength by Pochettino, so we could well see more goals for the Belgian international. He is certainly a good differential at that price.
Manchester United’s Angel?
Angel Di Maria comes in at £9.5m a price which has surprised a few, many expecting double figures, it is certainly an attractive price for one of the world’s best players. However, with questions over how he will fit into the system or how the system will fit around him it is unclear if he will change the fortunes of the misfiring Manchester side immediately. Maybe more importantly for fantasy managers there are still questions if he will play this weekend due to work permit clearance, an issue which is still delaying the debut of Marcos Rojo.
Premium Strikers
No one striker has set himself apart to become a must have-yet- due to different issues. Costa now has injury doubts which could be long term but managers should hold off and see what Mourinho says in his press conference at lunchtime today.
Jovetic, £8.1m, gave his manager and fantasy managers a real headache with his two goals against Liverpool on Monday. With Sergio Aguero, £12.0m, scoring off the bench two games running and Dzeko picking up a knock it really is unclear who will be starting each game for City. This week Jovetic and Aguero are likely to be the partnership at home to Stoke, a fixture they must fancy to score. If you have the money Aguero is certainly the long term option, but if not in the short term Jovetic certainly offers good value, especially this weekend. A potential option is to have Jovetic this weekend and then change to Adebayor for Tottenham’s game against Sunderland.
Get Them Out
The obvious man that many managers will try and get out is James Chester because of his red card last weekend, however if you are a manager who has a strong bench then it could well be worth keeping hold of Chester. With them out of Europe and still a strong set a fixtures when he returns he is still very good value, cheaper than Dawson or Davies.
Palace most likely will be a shadow of the team they were under Pulis so I would say get rid of last season’s bargains such as Speroni and Joel Ward. Aston Villa face Hull this weekend but after that they face each of last season’s top 5 back to back so it could be time to get rid of Alan Hutton after this gameweek.
Swansea are playing well with two wins out of two and the players that seem to be benefitting are the midfielders, however, their main man Wilfried Bony, £8.5m, seems to be struggling and with Gomis looking good off the bench there are better options around for now, the likes of Adebayor, playing in an attractive Tottenham team, looks a stronger choice at the moment.
Everton’s tough start is not relenting with Chelsea, Liverpool and United in the next 6 games, it is time, if you were brave enough to start with Jagielka or Distin, to sell. Coleman and Baines could still well get assists and goals but there are better options for less money than the two centre halves.
Remember to join The Boot Room fantasy league, the code is 275208-73981 and see if you can knock me off the top of the table.