The international break brings with it a pall of boredom for fans of the English top-flight and the dread that their favourite player might just end up injured.
And for those mixed up in the stressful world of Fantasy Premier League (FPL), it makes matters worse for one injury could cause mass panic for legions of aficionados,
Every FPL manager has a high opinion of themselves and that’s why The Statesman is at hand to deliver a comprehensive article for the coming gameweek so you don’t suffer the ignominy of finishing last.
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked in Green indicate an increase in Base Price.
Prices marked in Red indicate a decrease in Base Price.
Goalkeepers
Petr Cech
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Chelsea (A), West Brom (H), Brighton (H), Watford (A)
Price: 5.5
Score: 6
Ownership: 5.4%
Why yes: It may seem like doom and gloom at the Emirates, but the Gunners can only get better from here on out. Bournemouth aren’t in great shape at the moment and Cech should be able to keep his first clean sheet of the season.
Why no: Arsene Wenger is still undecided on his defence and that won’t help his goalkeeper one bit. Cech is expensive, and the likes of David de Gea (Man United) and Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) are safer bets in his price range.
Ben Foster
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Fixtures: Brighton (A), West Ham (H), Arsenal (A), Watford (H) and Leicester (A)
Price: 4.5
Score: 15
Ownership: 17.9%
Why yes: A relative steal considering his price and the fact West Brom are flying high in 5th. Brighton are yet to score in the Premier League and against Tony Pulis’ well-marshalled Baggies side, look likely to extend their barren run to four games. Overall fixtures look pretty decent.
Why no: West Brom defenders like Ahmed Hegazi and Allan-Romeo Nyom are on fire themselves and are definitely worth a look at.
Defenders
Ryan Bertrand
Team: Southampton
Fixtures: Watford (H), Crystal Palace (A), Man Utd (H), Stoke (A) and Newcastle (H)
Price: 5.5
Score: 15
Ownership: 15.5%
Why yes: The Saints have begun life under their new manager in an auspicious fashion, unbeaten with two clean sheets so far. Bertrand may seem expensive considering Southampton are a mid-table club, but the left-back provides points on both ends of the pitch. Pretty straightforward fixtures ahead.
Why no: Is the most expensive player across their back-four, all of whom are worth having. At his price, you could get a defender from Chelsea or Manchester United too.
Phil Jones
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Stoke (A), Everton (H), Southampton (A), Crystal Palace (H) and Liverpool (A)
Price: 5.1
Score: 19
Ownership: 5.2%
Why yes: It may seem a bit of United overdose at the moment, but nobody can deny the Red Devils are the team to beat. Three consecutive clean sheets isn’t a small feat and there’s no reason why United can’t keep more in the weeks to come. Jones is starting for the moment and among the cheapest from United’s four-man defence.
Why no: Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia are the only confirmed starters in the current United defence and with Jones’ injury history, one can never be sure when he’ll be missing in action.
Midfielders
Robbie Brady
Team: Burnley
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A), Huddersfield (H), Everton (A) and West Ham (H)
Price: 5.5
Score: 11
Ownership: 1.1%
Why yes: Winger or fullback, Brady can play either position with ease. The Clarets have begun the season in fine form and against a tottering Crystal Palace, should have no problem in securing three points. His set-pieces are excellent and their fixtures look pretty good, on the whole.
Why no: Considering the fact that the Irishman is utilised as a defender on many occasions, it does negate his goalscoring/assisting chances.
Alexis Sanchez
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Bournemouth (H), Chelsea (A), West Brom (H), Brighton (H), Watford (A)
Price: 11.9
Score: 2
Ownership: 2.5%
Why yes: Sanchez is back in town and from his recent social media activity, looks like he’s going to be focused on Arsenal this season. Bournemouth aren’t going great guns at the moment and Sanchez and co should be able to bounce back from their Liverpool debacle.
Why no: Is extremely expensive and it remains to be seen whether the Chilean can really put aside all the stuff that went on in the summer. To make matters worse, the current Arsenal side look shorn of confidence right now.
Forwards
Alvaro Morata
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Leicester (A), Arsenal (H), Stoke (A), Man City (H) and Crystal Palace (A)
Price: 10.1
Score: 24
Ownership: 13.5%
Why yes: Diego Costa who? Morata has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and looks set to build on his tally of 2 goals and as many assists in the weeks to come. Leicester’s defence isn’t the best and should Morata score against the Foxes, expect his price to shoot up.
Why no: Isn’t cheap by any means and while the going is good at the moment, the season might just be a long one for the defending champions. The returning Eden Hazard in midfield is a worthwhile option as well. Fixtures are a little tough.
Javier Hernandez aka Chicharito
Team: West Ham United
Fixtures: Huddersfield (H), West Brom (A), Spurs (H), Swansea (H) and Burnley (A)
Price: 7.1
Score: 16
Ownership: 28.5%
Why yes: The ‘Little Pea’ scores wherever he goes and while Huddersfield are in form, there’s no reason why Chicharito won’t score even if his team seems to be stuck in second gear. An excellent mid-price option as a third forward.
Why no: The Hammers are rooted at the bottom of the table and Huddersfield are third at the moment. Hernandez may be an excellent poacher, but there’s only so much a forward can do when the rest of his side aren’t on the same wavelength.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST.