With the first international break almost upon us, Fantasy managers have one more set of fixtures to navigate before bracing ourselves for a two-week domestic hiatus. We’re backing City to bounce back from Sunday’s shock result at Cardiff, while a north London derby also catches our eye, with goals looking on the Emirates’ menu:
Artur Boruc gets the nod between the sticks again as Southampton make their way to Norwich. The Saints stopper has conceded just once in his two matches so far and with the Canaries failing to break down 10-man Hull at the KC Stadium last weekend, an away clean sheet could well be on the cards.
One of only three sides yet to concede a goal thus far, West Ham’s chances of further defensive returns are boosted by a home clash with Stoke tomorrow afternoon. James Collins offers the cheapest route into Sam Allardyce’s backline and up against a Potters side that notched 13 times on the road last term, he’ll be confident of extending that clean sheet streak.
Culpable for a couple of goals in City’s shock defeat at Cardiff last weekend, Pablo Zabaleta has the perfect chance to make amends. The right-back welcomes Hull to the Etihad in the Gameweek’s early kick-off and with a 10 point haul in his first home clash of the season, Zabaleta’s raids down the flank are likely to trouble the Tigers from start to finish.
With 19 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points over his two games thus far, Seamus Coleman has been quick out the blocks for Everton. The right-back has already racked up a goal and assist this term and his raiding runs down the flank offer the chance of further attacking returns should the Toffees fail to keep out Fraizer Campbell and co.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is our final defender as Newcastle prepare for the visit of Fulham. While the Magpies continue to falter up front, they welcome the Cottagers on the back of a home clean sheet against West Ham last time out and, priced kinder than any other defensive team-mate in FPL, the January signing looks a solid option for tomorrow’s St James’ Park showdown.
Subject of our Technical Area article earlier this week, Theo Walcott earns his place ahead of Sunday’s north London derby. As Arsenal prepare for the visit of Tottenham, it’s worth noting that the last five showdowns between the pair at the Emirates have harvested 30 goals – a high-scoring affair could well be on the cards, then, with the Gunners winger looking in the mood to open his account for the campaign.
Having signed off the previous season with a home hat-trick against Reading, Kevin Nolan was quick off the mark in Gameweek 1 as West Ham eased past Cardiff. The Hammers skipper is afforded another chance to notch in front of his own fans as Stoke roll up this weekend and with Andy Carroll remaining in the treatment room, Nolan is likely to carry the hosts goal threat against the Potters.
With a goal and assist in his first couple of matches, David Silva has already picked up the points under Manuel Pellegrini. Subject of a Members Monitor article earlier this week, the Spaniard has offered a far greater goal threat so far this term and with starts assured, has earned himself a huge Fantasy bandwagon this week ahead of a home clash with Hull.
With goals expected at both ends of the pitch at the Emirates, we can hardly overlook Roberto Soldado. The Spaniard has notched in both league appearances since arriving from Valencia – albeit from the spot – and his lethal eye for goal could come to the fore once again as Andre Villas-Boas’ side look to extend their 100% start to the season at the expense of their bitter rivals.
We’ve opted for Sergio Aguero as our City forward of choice this weekend. Edin Dzeko vindicated our decision last weekend by notching against Cardiff but with replacement Alvaro Negredo also grabbing a goal in the 3-2 defeat, Manuel Pellegrini may decide to freshen up his frontline. Having returned to full fitness, Aguero was handed the full 90 minutes against the Bluebirds and with a goal and pair of assists to his name, has played a part in more of his side’s six goals than any team-mate so far.
He may have drawn a blank against Chelsea on Monday evening but we’re backing Robin Van Persie to return to form in Sunday’s Anfield encounter. With question marks over Kolo Toure’s fitness, Liverpool may struggle to maintain their clean sheet run – if there’s one man Brendan Rodgers won’t want to face with a depleted defence, it’s United’s number one forward.
Joel Ward is a real cut-price option at the back as Palace prepare to welcome Sunderland to Selhurst Park. The visitors have hardly been prolific so far, registering a single goal over two matches, and coming in at just 4.0 in FPL, the Eagles defender offers a real budget-friendly option at the back this weekend.
We’re opting for Jason Puncheon as the winger prepares to make his home debut for Palace. Up against a Sunderland side with a single win in their last eight away matches, the on-loan wideman will be looking to return to the form that saw him rack up five goals and six assists for Southampton last time out.
Unlikely to make the bench once again, Rickie Lambert will be hoping to get amongst the goals again after a blank against Sunderland last weekend. The Southampton striker had eight efforts on goal against the Black Cats last Saturday and squares up to a Norwich side that have yet to keep a clean sheet – with spot-kicks and a share of set-pieces to fall back upon, there’d be no surprise to see him on the scoresheet in tomorrow’s Carrow Road encounter.
