This week saw some very impressive scores being registered, as well as some very poor ones. Many of the players from the ‘template’ scored again this week particularly amongst forwards, with popular bandwagons Graziano Pelle, Jamie Vardy and Romelu Lukaku all doing well. There were also several bandwagons emerging amongst defenders and midfielders, the two areas where this week’s article will focus.
Marcos Rojo (5.4)
Rojo has played the last three league games for United, where they have managed to keep a clean sheet in each. He also managed to pick up an assist against Everton in Gameweek 9 and has looked a strong attacking option after being fielded in place of injured Luke Shaw down the left hand side.
Manchester United’s defensive form this season has been excellent. They have managed a total of seven clean sheets this season, conceding only eight goals, the joint lowest in the league. Furthermore, they have conceded few chances in the box, few big chances and the least number of shots outside the box of any club.
There have been issues raised over Rojo’s game time; however it looks like he is first choice at left back while Shaw continues his long road to recovery. He is also a much cheaper route into the United defence than Chris Smalling (6.5) and offers more security than the injury prone Phil Jones (5.2)
Fixtures: WBA (H), wat (a), lei (a), WHU (H), bou (a), NOR (H), sto (a), CHE (H)
Verdict: Rojo looks a good pick given United’s fixtures. They look strong at the back and he has a great attacking potential. He will get his fair share of the Fantasy Premier League bonus points, especially in low scoring games. I wouldn’t say he is 100% nailed on, but he is first choice currently and at 5.4 looks very good value.
Mesut Ozil (8.7)
Finally, this season Ozil has shown the quality we know that he has. He currently has a goal and nine assists to his name, and has registered points in each of the last five gameweeks, including three double figure hauls.
Whilst his goal scoring stats remain poor, Wenger has urged him to score more goals this season and he has said himself that it is an area he is trying to improve upon. Nevertheless, nine assists is very very good. He has created the most chances of any player this season, beating West Ham’s wizard, Payet. He has also managed the most successful passes in the final third this season and has created a chance every 18.6 minutes; better than any other player.
We have known what Ozil is capable of for some time, after he started his first season in the Premier League with a bang. However, he has since failed to replicate that form. With a goal or assist in five consecutive games, and him averaging a goal or assist per game this season, Ozil looks a good option once again.
Fixtures: TOT (H), wba (a), nor (a), SUN (H), avl (a), MCI (H), sou (a), BOU (H)
Verdict: Ozil looks a very good pick indeed. Arsenal have some great fixtures which could see him get even more attacking returns. If his goal scoring stats get better, then he will only improve as an option. The issue lies with the other midfielders; most of us already have strong midfields so it is tough to get him in. If you’re looking for a bit of a ‘differential’ to help you rise up the ranks, Ozil could be the man.
Alberto Moreno (4.8)
With Joe Gomez now sidelined for an extended period of time, it seems that Moreno is now nailed on. Priced now at 4.8, this full back looks extremely good value. Under Klopp, Liverpool have been more solid, conceding only two goals in five games under his management. Moreno offers outstanding attacking potential too and will have one hand on the bonus points in low scoring games.
Over the last four games, Moreno has managed six goal attempts and created the second most chances of any defender (7). Moreno has made the second most crosses over this period too. It’s worth noting that these games were against Chelsea, Southampton, Spurs and Everton; pretty tough fixtures indeed.
Moreno has been frustrating to own in the past, however, with Klopp now in charge, Liverpool have looked more solid and in control. Moreno has been able to attack down the left hand side, taking chances for himself and making them for others. He has already managed an assist this season and I would expect him to pick up some more attacking returns in the foreseeable future.
Fixtures: CPL (H), mci (a), SWA (H), new (a), WBA (H), wat (a), LEI (H), sun (a)
Verdict: Moreno looks excellent value at 4.8m. If Liverpool can keep some clean sheets over the next few games he will be a great investment. He could well pick up some attacking returns too and given his low price, he is the perfect 3rd/4th defender.
