We are now all looking towards Game-week 5 and how we can gain any advantage to climb those league places. Here is what we expect to see in the upcoming Game-week:
QPR vs Stoke City
QPR will be looking to bounce back with a win against Stoke after being humiliated by Manchester United, and what better chance than at home to Stoke City. Stoke on the other hand will want to build on their 4 points from 4 games and build a gap between themselves and the bottom 3. After dominating the game against Leicester in terms of shots (27 to Leicester’s 8) and still losing to Leicester’s only shot on target, Stoke will be looking at what can give them that push to get them over the finish line and kill off games.
STAR MAN – Leroy FER
A tough fixture to pick a player that will shine but from recent performances, we feel it may be Fer that makes the differences. He has got himself into some very advanced positions for QPR since his move from Norwich and looks confident with the ball. If QPR do bag a goal or two here, the Dutchman may well be involved.
Aston Villa vs Arsenal
After a lacklustre performance from Liverpool and a steady defence, Aston Villa earned a victory at Anfield. Some may say a shock result but you have to go back to 22nd May 2011 to last find a home victory in the fixture (at Anfield or Villa Park). Arsenal put in a great performance against fellow title contenders Man City at home in game-week 4. Wilshere showed more of what he can do and Alexis had a great game. Injury worries mount on Wenger though as Debuchy will be out for some time.
STAR MAN – Alexis SANCHEZ
Arsenal’s new main man Alexis Sanchez was very impressive against Manchester City and we expect to see this continue. The Chilean international possesses the confidence and talent needed by a player in his role and could be vital in this game against Villa.
Burnley vs Sunderland
Burnley have earned themselves 2 hard-fought-for points after draws with Manchester United & Crystal Palace lately and will be looking for their first win of the season against the Black Cats. Arfield may be kicking himself after not making the most of his penalty chance in game-week 4. Sunderland are also in the same boat as they are also looking for their first win. Draws against West Brom, Manchester United and Spurs, with an unlikely loss to QPR, means they are on 3 points.
STAR MAN – Patrick VAN AANHOLT
A strange choice you may say but hear us out. Fantasy football wise, he may be due big points this weekend as he hopes to keep a clean sheet against a struggling Burnley side. If any of you have seen Sunderland’s latest displays, you may notice the ex Chelsea defender gets very high up the field and supplies a lot of balls into the box. Keep an eye on this one as he may bag himself an assist and a clean sheet.
Newcastle vs Hull City
With Newcastle sitting firmly at the bottom of the Premier League table, they must view this game as a must-win. If not, serious questions will be asked of the players and manager. Hull on the other hand will look to build upon their draw and good performance against West Ham.
STAR MAN – Remy CABELLA
Alan Pardew will be hoping that Newcastle can return to putting in a similar performance to the one on display against City, despite the defeat that day. One man who was instrumental in that performance was Cabella. He has looked confident in his role at his new club and will hopefully start to prove his worth against Hull City.
Swansea vs Southampton
Swansea will be looking to pick up where they left off before the Chelsea game and get another win on the board against a decent looking Southampton side. Despite their dominant first half performance against the Blues, they were unable to keep up their 100% win record and will be hoping to return to winning ways this coming game-week. Southampton will be going into this game on the back of an impressive display against a dismal Newcastle in their 4-0 victory. Graziano Pelle made his way into the game-week 4 dream team and will be hoping to add to his goal tally against the Welsh club.
STAR MAN – Gylfi SIGURDSSON
The Icelandic play-maker will be looking for a return to bagging assists and goals after Swansea’s defeat in game-week 4 and although he wasn’t involved for either of their goals against Chelsea, we imagine he is due a return already to his fantasy point scoring ways.
West Ham vs Liverpool
West Ham’s new signing Enner Valencia scored during the international break for Colombia and produced a stunning strike from near enough a standing position in their 2-2 draw against Hull. The Hammers will be hoping they can put in a similar display and take points off of Liverpool. Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Aston Villa but they should expect a similar performance from the Hammers when they visit Upton Park, a solid defence which they have shown on many occasions.
STAR MAN – Raheem STERLING
After a poor performance last weekend, Liverpool will look to their youngster to brighten things up whilst Daniel Sturridge is out. Brendan Rodgers may regret leaving Sterling on the bench for so long against Villa but we are sure he will start the England talent this game-week to give Liverpool that extra edge going forward.
Leicester vs Manchester United
This fixture see’s the ‘new’ Manchester United face the ‘newbies’ of the Premier League. Leicester will try to come away with any form of points here with Manchester United’s key men too much to handle on paper… but then again, games aren’t won on paper. Leicester will be looking to continue the kind of performances they have shown against tough opposition when they face United at the King Power stadium.
STAR MAN – Angel DI MARIA
The Argentine has had a bright start to his Premier League life, with a goal and an assist in his first game at Old Trafford. He shows electric pace when the ball is at his feet, surprisingly more so than when the ball isn’t at his feet, and he will be looking to be the main play-maker for United. Surely his form will continue if van Gaal opts to continue with the diamond formation.
Tottenham vs West Brom
After 2 wins out of 2, Spurs went on to being thumped by Liverpool and drawing to Sunderland, leaving them on 7 points. Spurs will want to return to their early season form with a victory against West Brom. The Baggies have earned themselves 2 draws in their first 2 games and have lost their other 2 fixtures. They will want to improve on this form but it will be a tough ask against Spurs at home.
STAR MAN – Eric LAMELA
With Lamela becoming much more of a regular this season than before and putting in some good performances to warrant that choice, we are backing him again to shine for Spurs.
Everton vs Crystal Palace
Everton host Crystal Palace, who will look to cause an upset and build on their two points from the opening 4 fixtures. Everton on the other hand will look to use all their fire-power and propel themselves into the top half of the table after a few difficult fixtures to start the season.
STAR MAN – Kevin MIRALLAS
With the Belgian bagging 2 goals in Everton’s opening 4 games, we only expect to see this continue and why not against Crystal Palace?
Manchester City vs Chelsea
This week see’s arguably the two league favourites go up against each other. This has all the makings of a cracker with hopefully attacking line-ups from both teams, and we expect to see goals here. Chelsea last season adopted the “Park the Bus” tactic at the Etihad with a Branislav Ivanovic goal proving to be the difference, but with their new attacking transfers in Costa & Fabregas, we may see a more balanced set-up from Mourinho’s men.
KEY MAN – Diego COSTA
7 goals in his first 4 Premier League games. Need I say more? It may be the toughest fixture but if Chelsea are able to secure themselves a victory, it will place them 6 points above any of the “big title contenders”. If there are Chelsea goals, which we imagine there will be, it will be through this man.
