With an unwelcome international break looming, we have the opportunity to see out the weekend with some Mondogoal winnings to compensate for the lull in Premier League action.
If you’re new to the game, Mondogoal is a brand new daily and weekly Fantasy Football pursuit which, in addition to the Premier League, covers all the major top-flight leagues – Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer (MLS). You can play games for each one, or even global contests that span across all the leagues. You’ll also be able to enter contests for the Champions League and the Europa League in midweek.
Be sure to revisit our strategy guide for some tips on getting started before looking at Saturday and Sunday’s matches to help you home in on some prime picks for your contest line-ups.
Saturday’s Picks
Man City’s Etihad meeting with Stoke inevitably dominates our thinking and we have to consider filling up on members of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad. Given City’s firepower, the goals should flow with one or both of Stevan Jovetic (12.1m) and Sergio Aguero (10.2) claiming a spot in our frontlines. The latter can still be considered a risk given that the City boss may yet start him on the bench against the Potters but the Argentine has already demonstrated that he needs little pitch time to wreak havoc.
In midfield, David Silva is perhaps the safest option at 12.4 – he’s averaged 9.94 Mondogoal points so far, surpassing both Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, and yet he’s the cheapest of that trio. At the back, Pellegrini’s selection remains a lottery, though Aleks Kolarov, having sat out the win over Liverpool, is tempting as an attacking full-back option at 10.3. Joe Hart, at a very reasonable 6.1, appears to the safest and cheapest route to City’s clean sheet potential, however.
While Mondogoal managers will invest heavily in City’s assets, Man United remain a major risk given their form and the potential banana skin trip to Burnley. Antonio Valencia, at just 4.7 in midfield, looks an option to free up funds but there appear to be stronger alternatives across the other positions this weekend. Newcastle’s squad look to be offering good value at home to Crystal Palace, while the West Ham and Southampton clash also provides a cast of strong Mondogoal targets.
I’m expecting the Magpies to profit from the recent upheaval at Selhurst Park and claim their first goals and points against Palace. While Remy Cabella and Siem de Jong catch the eye as midfield assets, Emmanuel Riviere looks outstanding value up front at just 5.5. At the back, there’s real value on offer from Newcastle’s full-backs with Paul Dummett and Daryl Janmaat available for 6.4 and 6.6 respectively.
West Ham’s date with Southampton is more difficult to call, with a score draw looking the most likely outcome. I like the look of Mauro Zarate up front for the Hammers – the Argentine is available for 9.6, despite producing a 15.44 point return with his stunning goal in the win at Palace last time out. In opposition, Dusan Tadic looks on the brink of strong points returns and can be acquired for just 6.9 in midfield.
Finally, Sunderland’s trip to QPR is another encounter that promises goals given the fragility of the defences on show. The Black Cats’ Seb Larsson has caught the eye so far, chipping in with 10.5 points per game. Available for just 7.5, he’s another prime midfield pick who could find further joy via his set-piece delivery at Loftus Road.
Sunday’s Picks
Once again, Liverpool face a testing road trip that puts some doubt over the merits of jumping on their Mondogoal assets. Both Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling have the potential to deliver at White Hart Lane but Mauricio Pochettino’s side are yet to concede a goal and, despite the attacking talent on show, we may well be set for a squeaky and tense encounter. Tottenham’s Nacer Chadli offers an intriguing option in midfield having amassed 20.68 points with his brace against QPR – the Belgian raider is available for just 8.0 going into Sunday’s contest.
Arsenal arrive at the King Power Stadium without Olivier Giroud to lead their attack and, subsequently, this could bring Alexis Sanchez firmly onto the radar as a midfielder deployed in a central attacking role. The Chilean struck to seal the Gunners’ Champions League progress on Wednesday night and, even at 12.1, looks an option worthy of consideration. Aaron Ramsey, with back-to-back goals and 149 successful passes, remains a shoo-in alongside him, even with his hefty 16.4 price tag, If you’re backing an Arsenal clean sheet, Mathieu Debuchy looks the best route available – the attacking French full-back can be acquired for a reasonable 7.0.
Finally, while Aston Villa’s clash with Hull City looks light on attacking potential, at the back there are a pair of budget options that offer value for both our weekend and Sunday contest line-ups. Alan Hutton looks to have cemented the right-back role for Paul Lambert’s side and has delivered 8.26 points per game to this point. Meanwhile, opponents Hull are sure to call on Andrew Robertson who has also impressed in the left wing-back role with seven tackles won so far – he looks a bargain for the Villa Park visit at just 6.9.
