We keep faith in a 4-3-3 formation this weekend after 10 teams delivered clean sheets last time out. Southampton, Chelsea and Liverpool all provide us with a pair of players apiece, while Sundayβs match at Old Trafford supplies us with a couple of in-form contenders before we brace ourselves for yet another international interruption:
Artur Boruc gets the nod as Southampton prepare for the visit of Hull City. Mauricio Pochettinoβs side have chalked up a clean sheet in each of their last four at St Maryβs and with the visitors drawing blanks in three of their five road trips, defensive returns look on the menu once again for the Pole, who is joint-top scoring keeper in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.
A home game with Newcastle brings Jan Vertonghen into consideration. The Belgian has racked up 27 points in the last three Gameweeks since moving to left-back and with seven clean sheets in the opening 10 league fixtures, Andre Villas-Boasβ backline has been particularly resilient. The Tottenham managerβs tinkering further up the pitch enhances Vertonghenβs potential β he may have produced just one assist so far but is 22 points ahead of any midfield team-mate in the FPL standings.
John Terry is drafted in ahead of Chelseaβs home game with West Brom. The Baggies have scored just once in their last two road trips, suggesting a first clean sheet in six could be on the cards for Jose Mourinhoβs side, whilst Terryβs threat in the box has been particularly impressive in recent weeks and has delivered a goal and assist already.
Having recovered from the illness that kept him out of Sundayβs game at the Emirates, Glen Johnson welcomes Fulham to Anfield this weekend. Whether in a 3-4-1-2 or 4-4-2, Johnson arguably offers the greatest security of any of Brendan Rodgersβ defenders β with the Cottagers having failed to score in three of their last four road trips, the Reds look a strong shout for a clean sheet, while Johnsonβs raids down the right offer hope of attacking returns.
A trip to struggling Palace brings Leighton Baines into the reckoning. Everton have conceded one in the last three, whilst their hosts have found the net on a single occasion over the same time period β as always, the left-backβs set-piece duties and delivery from the flank boost his appeal ahead of the Selhurst Park showdown.
With doubts still hovering over Eden Hazardβs starting role after the Belgian was omitted from the midweek Champions League match with Schalke, weβre opting for Oscar for Chelseaβs home game with West Brom. The Brazilian has been his sideβs most consistent performer at the Bridge and has scored in three of five appearances in front of the Blues fans β Hazard, on the other hand, has scored in just one of Chelseaβs home games so far ahead of the visit of West Brom.
Adam Lallana gets the nod for Southamptonβs home clash against Hull. The Saints skipper has produced a goal or assist in four of his last six appearances and, up against a Tigers side that have conceded twice in all but one of their road trips so far, could be poised to pick up the points again before the schedule turns a little tougher.
Man of the moment Aaron Ramsey cannot be ignored as Arsenal travel to Old Trafford. Wednesdayβs winner in Dortmund continued the Welshmanβs relentless pursuit of goals – itβs now 11 for the season in 17 games across all competitions for the Gunners midfielder. Ramsey has shown a consistency that has proven a rarity amongst midfield options this term β with attacking returns in seven of his 10 league appearances, heβll be confident of picking up the points against a United side that have failed to register a clean sheet in any of the last six.
Runaway leader in this weekβs Captain Poll, Luis Suarez will be licking his lips at the thought of a home game with Fulham. The Cottagers have managed a single clean sheet in nine games and with 23 points in his two Anfield appearances since returning from suspension, the Uruguayan could have a field day against Martin Jolβs strugglers.
A trip to struggling Sunderland offers Sergio Aguero the platform to continue his sensational form. Seven goals and five assists in the last five highlight his recent displays and, up against a side that have conceded in every game this season, the Argentine could be set for his fifth set of double figures thus far. While David Silvaβs injury absence is a bitter blow for Manuel Pellegrini, itβs worth noting that the Spaniard was sidelined for the 4-1 win over United back in Gameweek 5 β Aguero still managed two goals and maximum bonus that day.
Weβre expecting goals at both ends of the pitch in Sundayβs Old Trafford encounter and draft in Wayne Rooney for the home side. With five goals, three assists and 11 bonus points in his last seven league outings, the United forward has struck a rich vein of form under David Moyes and will fancy his chances of plundering a backline that have managed just one away clean sheet (at Palace) so far this season.
Ashley Williams warms the bench as Swansea prepare for the visit of Stoke. The Swans may be toiling up top but have been particularly resilient at the back, with just a single goal conceded in the last three league games. Williams, at 4.8, has earned six bonus points from three clean sheets so far.
Unitedβs Adnan Januzaj also makes the squad for the visit of Arsenal. The youngster looks set for a fourth start in five after being rested from the midweek match against Real Sociedad and trickery on the flank has already harvested two goals and a pair of assists in six appearances under David Moyes.
Jay Rodriguez is our budget striker pick for the Saintsβ home clash against Hull. The former Burnley man has finally found the form that made him such a pre-season favourite around these parts β with three goals, an assist and seven bonus points in the last four Gameweeks, heβs proven superb value at just 5.8.
