Saturday has brought rich returns for many, with a whole cast of popular Fantasy targets earning assists and goals and clean sheets hard to come by once again. Here’s the quick Stock Check on Saturday’s events so far…

On the Up

Juan Mata
The Spaniard continued his rich run of form, pocketing a brace and an assist that takes him three goals and five assists since his return to the lineup following his rest period. Available for 8.9 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), a full 1.4 cheaper than team-mate Hazard, everything points to Mata as the stronger option for those recruiting from the Chelsea midfield. Hazard’s vast ownership have more to ponder, however…

Eden Hazard
The Belgian delivered two more assists to take him to eight for the season, although his owners will doubtless be coveting Mata after his White Hart Lane explosion. The straight swap, with Mata a cheaper option, looks attractive but such a transfer is perhaps tempting fate. It’s United at home next for Chelsea’s playmakers.

Gary Cahill
There’s no doubting his goal threat – he’s known as one of the best finishers amongst the ranks of defenders on offer and today’s half volley demonstrated that once again. Cahill is perhaps a short-term option with his starts far from secure, but with Terry out for two more matches, he offers the cheapest route to the Chelsea back four for those who fancy them against United and Swansea.

Jermain Defoe
Defoe continues to earn starts and continues to score goals. He moved on to five league strikes for the season and at 7.8 in the FPL, Defoe is offering very strong value. The threat from Emmanuel Adebayor remains, with the Togo striker getting impatient but, on this form, Defoe will surely retain his place and offer a route to Tottenham’s attacking returns.

Robin Van Persie
Surely given the armband by his owners, Van Persie showed his consistency again with a goal and assist return to offer further justification of his hefty price tag. The Dutchman takes the fretting out of the captaincy decision for his owners and, crucially, offers that attacking coverage in the United lineup that continues to require goals to cover cracks at the back.

Wayne Rooney
But perhaps Rooney is viable alternative? He has so far kept pace and suggested that he can offer a strong alternative to Van Persie. There’s still the question of his deeper role with the Dutchman leading the line, particular away from home, but Rooney’s brace and assist in the win over Stoke will surely lead to investment for those unable to stretch to the Van Persie’s price tag.

Michu
Outstanding in the opening weeks, there has been a decline in his ownership before his goal in the 2-2 draw with Reading. There was further investment this week and they were rewarded with the sight of Michu leading the Swansea attack with Danny Graham dropped to the bench. Sticking to the script, the Spaniard delivered again – his sixth goal of the season. Four bookings and tough fixtures are a concern but, if he plays as the lone striker, there’s surely more goals to come.

Emmerson Boyce
Deployed in the wing-back role, Boyce at last delivered on his potential with a strike to claw Wigan back into the game at the Liberty Stadium. With clean sheets so scarce, Boyce is a cheap option with attacking menace and good fixtures to come.

Raheem Sterling
A first Premier League goal for the young flyer will now surely let the cat out of the bag for the masses. Available for a bargain price across the games, Sterling looks more and more nailed on for starts as the weeks roll by.

Mark Noble
Returns were overdue with today’s two strikes from dead-balls always on the cards. Noble has now revived his fortunes as a budget midfield option and we will surely see the masses take notice and make big investment after a recent price drop.

Kevin Nolan
The competition for midfield places in our squad is fierce but Nolan’s consistency, at Upton Park in particular, is looking irresistible. Feeding off Andy Carroll’s knock-downs, Nolan has delivered four strikes so far this season and will likely enjoy a further price rise in the FPL. With the assist for the Hammers’ final goal, Nolan enjoyed another profitable afternoon.

Adam Lallana
With Gaston Ramirez out of the equation through injury, Lallana underlined his potential as a mid-price option in the Saints midfield with his first goal of the season to accompany his four assists so far. He has strong fixtures, but competition in our midfield may keep him on the periphery.

John Arne Riise
The value of set-pieces was truly highlighted in today’s games, with Fulham’s left-back another benefactor. Riise’s corner for Baird’s strike was the Norwegian’s fourth assist of the season and his third in consecutive games. With a third Fulham clean sheet under his belt today, Riise will surely start picking up suitors.

Going Down

Sergio Aguero
Rested to the bench against Sunderland and again for today’s trip to West Brom. The Argentine has picked up investment of late but Roberto Mancini is clearly showing more caution with his prized striker around Champions League ties. Ageuro played his part from the bench with an assist but Edin Dzeko’s goals underlined the options available to Mancini.

Pablo Zabaleta
He’s been outstanding this season and has provided a viable route to Man City’s defence. Today’s decision to rest him following his international exploits and with a Champions League tie with Ajax beckoning, highlighted that, now that Micah Richards is fit, Zabaleta will have the risk of rotation hanging over him.

Shinji Kagawa
The Japanese playmaker was out of the matchday squad, with Sir Alex Ferguson no doubt mindful of his international exploits in the week. With Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young both fit and Wayne Rooney paired with Robin Van Persie, Kagawa’s starting role is far from secure and he continues to decline as an option.

Luis Suarez
Having delivered a world-class hat-trick at Norwich, Suarez followed it up with just a single assist from home matches with Stoke and Reading. That truly highlights the frustration associated with owning the Uruguayan. The one consolation so far is that, barring Defoe and the United pairing, strikers have so far struggled in the Gameweek.

Danny Graham
With just a single goal in seven league starts, Graham dropped out with Michu assuming the striker’s role. Luke Moore is also in the mix for the lone striker position and Graham’s stock is now beginning to plummet.

Rickie Lambert
Dropped to the bench for the second time this season, subbed just after the hour mark against Fulham – Lambert has looked worthy of his place in the top flight but is struggling to earn pitch time to fulfill his potential. Is he a rotation risk for every away trip? It’s looking that way.

Alex Kacaniklic
Praised by his manager prior to today’s game, the signpost was erected and Martin Jol duly dropped the Swede to the bench to allow for Mladen Petric’s return. Fulham employed a 4-3-3 at home to Villa and, in that system, Kacaniklic looks to offer diminished potential, particularly with Karim Frei and Damien Duff competing for starts.