We roll out the third, and final, instalment of our player recommendations for the next four to six Gameweeks this evening. Having run the rule over the Defence and Midfield, we cast our analytical eye over the options up top – unsurprisingly, a pair of in-form South Americans prove immovable objects:
Luis Suarez retains his place at the top of this week’s refresh after plundering the points in last week’s Merseyside derby. Seven games into his comeback from suspension, the Liverpool forward has failed to deliver the points just once, averaging an incredible 10.4 points per game in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL). With a trip to Hull and three Anfield appearances in the following four (NOR, WHM, CAR), many will be tempted to hand the Uruguayan the armband for the foreseeable future as his irresistible form shows little sign of letting up.
Daniel Sturridge drops down after being omitted from the Reds’ XI for first time last weekend. Granted, he emerged from the bench to head a late equaliser, but given Brendan Rodgers is clearly prepared to protect his ongoing leg problem, Sturridge’s appeal has been somewhat dented as Suarez continues to outgun him.
Sergio Aguero sits just behind his fellow South American in second spot after racking up a fifth set of double figures in ten starts last weekend. With Manuel Pellegrini prepared to go on the offensive, Aguero’s star continues to rise – a home game with Swansea looks like yet another chance to produce the goods, while the visit of Arsenal and Liverpool will hold little fear for a player who has averaged over 11 points per game at the Etihad. With trips to Fulham and West Brom also on the agenda, Aguero and side-kick Alvaro Negredo look set to maintain their superb recent form – at 9.1 to Aguero’s 12.2, the latter offers a kinder route into City’s attack and has scored or assisted in each of his last five home appearances.
Over in the red corner of Manchester, United also supply us with a couple of contenders. Wayne Rooney leads the way, with Robin Van Persie still a doubt as a result of an ongoing groin problem. Rooney has three sets of double figures in the last four and has now scored or assisted in nine of his 11 league appearances under David Moyes, with four assists in the Champions League rout at Leverkusen highlighting his current level of confidence. Van Persie, nonetheless, has still impressed in his last few outings – the Dutchman netted in each of his previous four league appearances and, if he can prove his fitness, could well be poised to take advantage of a run which hands him three home games (EVE, NEW, WHM) and trips to Villa and Hull after Sunday’s visit to the Lane.
Few frontmen can boast a better record than Newcastle’s Loic Remy in recent matches. The on-loan Frenchman has now netted eight times in the last eight Gameweeks and, with home games against West Brom, Southampton and Stoke, in addition to trips to Swansea and Palace, the 8.1-priced Remy continues to look outstanding value for those Fantasy managers unwilling to load up on three big-hitters up top.
A brace against Southampton brought Olivier Giroud back onto Fantasy radars. Granted, his goals were somewhat fortuitous – the first came courtesy of an Artur Boruc error, whilst he was handed the chance to notch from the spot after first and second choice takers Mikel Arteta and Mesut Ozil were withdrawn late on. While Arsene Wenger has hinted at rotation over the next three matches ahead of the final Champions League match against Napoli, Giroud surely looks exempt as the Gunners travel to Cardiff before facing back-to-back home games with Hull and Everton.
Seven goals and an assist in eight appearances for Everton sum up the impact of Romelu Lukaku. After notching in one of the previous four, the big Belgian was back with a bang when it mattered most – putting two past Liverpool in the Merseyside derby and serving up a 13-point haul for his Fantasy owners. Up next is a home game with Stoke and, whilst trips to Arsenal and United look tricky, he’ll hold little fear, having also scored against the likes of City this term. From Gameweek 16, his following four (FUL, swa, SUN, SOU) suggest a price hike will be on the cards for Lukaku, who currently sets you back 7.9 in FPL.
Christian Benteke has now gone five games without a goal since returning from injury but with a home game against Sunderland up next, his owners will be hopeful of a return to form. With Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann climbing off the bench against West Brom to signal their return from injury, Benteke looks set to line up in his favoured 4-3-3 against the travel-sick Black Cats and with games against Fulham, Palace and Stoke also on his agenda over the next six, there’s every chance he’ll rediscover his scoring touch before long.
