The player rankings in the right menu have now been updated to take into account the next five weeks of fixtures in the Premiership. As promised, I’ll be monitoring these tables on a daily basis, with another complete refresh after this weekend’s games. Read on for a quick garbled summary of this weeks movers and shakers…
Cech soars to the number one spot in the keepers category on the basis of 6 games over the next 5 gameweeks. The Chelsea defence should be as strong as ever with Terry’s return and although Cech could be rested with the Champions League in mind, it looks unlikely. Reina holds on to second spot with his double gameweek this very week and Howard shoots up the table on the back of four consecutive clean sheets. Almunia is a new entry now his status in the Arsenal goal is confirmed. Hart drops several places on the back of last night’s display from the City defence which was put to the sword by Everton.
In defence Carragher tops the table on the back of the double gameweek. Lescott jumps to the number two spot having earned 4 straight clean sheets and notched his sixth goal of the season last night. Terry is a new entry – boosted by 6 games in 5 like Cech – although rest and rotation could be an issue. Distin’s fixtures look good with 3 home games in 5, while Hutton offers the best value, and smallest risk of rotation in a Spurs defence that has 6 games in 5 like Chelsea. Wheater gets a slight climb on last week with Reading at home to come next. In contrast Dunne drops with City’s morale taking a hit last night. Samba is a long shot for points with favourable fixtures and a goal overdue.
In midfield Gerrard holds firm with his double gameweek this coming week. Ronaldo keeps second spot despite having one fewer game. Lampard climbs to third with 6 games in 5, although rest is a factor here. Petrov drops out on the back of his 3-match suspension. Jenas climbs with 6 games in 5. Downing is a new entry and goes in high with Reading coming next. Ljungberg drops despite the double gameweek, with rest a factor. Bullard also drops with United coming next.
Up front Torres takes the top spot with the double gameweek. Adebayor holds on to second with Berbatov breathing down his neck with 6 games in 5. Yakubu climbs with his form as does Santa Cruz with favourable fixtures. Benjani drops like a stone with the Petrov supply gone for three games. Drogba is a new entry with the prospect of 6 games in 5 weeks but rest and rotation is a factor. Jones is the outside bet here with 3 home games in 5 to come for Sunderland.