Robin van Perise, Michu and Eden Hazard among my picks for this weekends games.
After a week where fantasy scouts would have done well to stack up their defensive line, it could well be back to a high-scoring 26th round in the EPL fantasy. Let me dive straight into the thick of things and I cannot help but saying that Robin van Persie could well be on his way to carving out a few for himself. Goals. Assists. Or both. It’s been two Premier League games since he last scored – he was rested for one FA Cup game as well – and for a striker who has already netted 18 times this EPL season, I find it difficult to see him not score this weekend.
The second reason worth considering is that the Red Devils play Everton next at Old Trafford. Everton may be fifth on the table but since September 3, they have kept only two clean sheets in all competitions – against Southampton and Swansea.
Add that to the fact that Wayne Rooney has admitted to having passed on the penalty-scoring responsibilities to van Persie and we could be looking at a better week for the Dutchman’s fantasy bosses.
Oh and did I tell you that he is a personal favourite too!
If you are one of those cost-conscious owners you could look at Swansea and Michu for their game against QPR. True that the Rs haven’t conceded too many in recent times – keeping four clean sheets in five Premier League games – but it could just be a matter of time before the dams burst.
The Rangers have to look at getting out of their bottom spot and to do that they will need to start winning games. A more aggressive mindset could lead to a few gaping defensive holes that Swansea could look to capitalize.
Swansea themselves haven’t scored in five of their last six games and Michu’s goal-drought could be a plausible reason behind this. They have the class to break that hoodoo and get moving.
My third pick for the week will be Eden Hazard who returns from his three-match suspension to try and lead Chelsea out of their recent troubles. Hazard’s three-game could well have been a blessing in guise for the Belgian, who has already appeared in an exhausting 35 games for Chelsea this season apart from seven internationals for his country.
A fresher Hazard could wreak havoc against a beleaguered Wigan Athletic side, which is currently at the 18th spot in the table and have kept only three clean sheets in the entire season. They have also conceded 47 goals this season, with only Aston Villa having allowed more to seep through their defence.
While cost could be an issue, Liverpool is only one of two teams to play a couple of games – Swansea being the other – and I wouldn’t mind looking at Steven Gerrard as one of my mid-fielders.
Leighton Baines may not have helped Everton keep too many clean sheets but he’s one of the defenders you can rely on to get you points through assists and goals. He had had a tough few games where he did not contribute too much but a couple of goals against West Bromwich Albion and a late assist for Felliani in the 3-3 draw against Aston Villa means that he looks to be back in form.
Stoke went down to Arsenal 1-0 last week but gave a glimpse of their staunch defence through most part of the game. They play Reading who have scored in each of their last eight games across competitions thanks to Jimmy Kebe and Adam le Fondre’s striking capabilities but the Stoke backline could be a different kettle of fish.
Asmir Begovic’s excellent recent form puts him as my goal-keeper for the week then. Let me know your thoughts guys!
Here's summing up my picks for the weekend games:
Goalkeeper: Begovic
Defender: Baines
Midfielder: Michu
Forward: van Persie
