The Premier League is the most-watched football league in the world for the English top-flight never ceases to entertain.
Games, more often than not, have a chaotic ending, with a spate of cards, last-minute winners/equalisers almost a given.
For Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, however, the uncertainty can wreck the weekend.
And to assuage your worries, The Statesman is at hand with its weekly article on which player is worth your hard-earned virtual money!
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top 4 contenders.
Prices marked in Green indicates a rise in Base Price.
Prices marked in Red indicates a fall in Base Price.
Goalkeeper
Ben Foster
Team: West Brom
Fixtures: Watford (H), Leicester (A), Southampton (A), Man City (H) and Huddersfield (A)
Price: 4.5
Score: 24
Ownership: 16.5%
Why yes: Foster remains one of the under-appreciated keepers in the English top-flight and the Baggies are known for their miserly defence. An excellent second keeper, if nothing else.
Why no: Their recent form is quite patchy and should you already have a West Brom defender, Foster can be skipped.
Jordan Pickford
Team: Everton
Fixtures: Burnley (H), Brighton (A), Arsenal (H), Leicester (A) and Watford (H)
Price: 5.0
Score: 18
Ownership: 8.5%
Why yes: Everton are showing signs of rising up the table and with some relatively easy fixtures ahead, should be able do so with a few clean-sheets as well.
Why no: Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka are all doubts for Sunday’s clash with Burnley, which may force Ronald Koeman into starting some youngsters. Pickford isn’t cheap and there are other options who are safer alternatives.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fixtures: Huddersfield (A), Bournemouth (H), Liverpool (H), Man Utd (A) and Crystal Palace (H)
Price: 5.4
Score: 20
Ownership: 3.2%
Why yes: With Serge Aurier suspended, Trippier is guaranteed to start against Huddersfield and if Spurs have proved anything this season, it’s that they always play better away from home.
Why no: Expect Spurs to rotate heavily this season as they compete on four fronts and recent games indicated that Mauricio Pochettino was favouring Auerier over Tripier. The Lilyhwites have some tough fixtures towards the end of October and teammate Ben Davies is more secure option as well.
Antonio Valencia
Team: Manchester United
Fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A), Huddersfield (A), Spurs (H) and Chelsea (A)
Price: 6.6
Score: 41
Ownership: 12.5%
Why yes: As majority of FPL managers have flocked towards Eric Bailly and Phil Jones (who is a major doubt this week), Valencia has been handsomely rewarding those who put their faith and money on him.
Why no: Valencia is the most expensive United defender by a fair margin and the Red Devils have some difficult fixtures lined up. Bailly, Jones and Daley Blind are cheaper options while David de Gea in goal is a worthy pick as well.
Midfielders
Eden Hazard
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: Man City (H), Crystal Palace (A), Watford (H), Bournemouth (A) and Man United (H)
Price: 10.5
Score: 3
Ownership: 3.0%
Why yes: It’s time for Hazard to shine and against an injury-wrecked City defence, the Belgian wing wizard should be able to wreak havoc. The diminutive winger is playing in a slightly advanced role these days and that piece of information will be music to the ears of FPL managers. At the moment, is a great differential.
Why no: City have improved defensively this season and Hazard, who is extremely expensive, he did play almost the entire 90 minutes in the Blues’ 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in mid-week. If you already have Alvaro Morata (forward) in your team, it would be a big risk to have both Blues players.
Kevin De Bruyne
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Chelsea (A), Stoke (H), Burnley (H), West Brom (A) and Arsenal (H)
Price: 10.0
Score: 26
Ownership: 17.1%
Why yes: The player who makes City tick, is slowly but surely becoming an FPL must-have. KDB will be among the top performing midfielders (FPL and otherwise) come May, that much is guaranteed.
Why no: Without Sergio Aguero (Who reportedly broke his ribs in a car accident), De Bruyne’s assists tally may not be as exponential as previously expected. Teammates David Silva and Gabriel Jesus (forward) are putting in impressive shifts as well.
Forwards
Alexandre Lacazette
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Brighton (H), Watford (A), Everton (A), Swansea (H) and Man City (A)
Price: 10.3
Score: 30
Ownership: 11.4%
Why yes: Arsenal are recovering from their disastrous start and Alexandre Lacazette is odds-on to continue his fine goalscoring record at the Emirates against Premier League newcomers Brighton. The French forward was rested for Arsenal’s Europa League trip in mid-week and as a bonus, the next four fixtures for the Gunners should be a cinch.
Why no: Lacazette is extremely expensive and with plenty of options in his price-range (Morata, Jesus, to name a few), it would be difficult to justify his inclusion over them.
Jay Rodriguez
Team: West Bromwich Albion
Fixtures: Watford (H), Leicester (A), Southampton (A), Man City (H) and Huddersfield (A)
Price: 5.8
Score: 14
Ownership: 1.3%
Why yes: The wild-card pick of the gameweek, Rodriguez extremely unlucky to not score against Arsenal last week. The 28-year-old looks in good shape and if he keeps up the effort, is bound to score sooner rather than later.
Why no: Watford are flying high in the league (sixth) at the moment and it remains to be seen if Rodriguez can score regularly for a side that are not known for goals, rather a lack of them.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST.