Well, I’d say that was probably a mixed bag. Two clean sheets, two blanks, two midfield contributions, two blanks, and three goals from my two forwards. All in all, 61 points isn’t a bad score, I just hope any differentials you picked last week were points scoring ones rather than the duds.
Trippier, whose ownership should increase again after another iffy display from Aurier in midweek, scored another eight, while Olsson also held firm against Huddersfield’s backline. Sterling continued his inspired form in front of goal, while Richarlison’s maybe-dive-but-not-punished-by-the-FA penalty win saw him chalk up an ‘assist’.
Up top, Southampton finally scored goals via Gabbiadini, a pick I’m quite pleased with after five successive nothings. His partner in the forward line was Wood, who scored a late goal to salvage Burnley a point. On my bench, Fabregas’ assist in the shock loss to Palace was all I had to show for.
As usual, only one or two retain their places ahead of a new week of fixtures. I really like the look of the side this week, far more so than I did when I wrote this column seven days ago.
Goalkeepers
Always nice to have early FNF involvement and get points on the board, so I’ll have Hart (8.8%) at home to Brighton this week. The England stopper even had an assist last time out against Burnley, and although I’m not expecting attacking returns, I would quite fancy a clean sheet. Bournemouth are scoreless in their last two games, so Butland (3.5%) is my substitute choice when Stoke welcome the Cherries to the Bet365.
Defenders
Because I’m so in-vogue, it’s three at the back for me this week, with Danilo (3.2%) and Zappacosta (0.1%) perhaps both surprise additions. The City full back is in though, thanks to Delph playing large parts of both of their games this week. I just think Pep rotates a little here, particularly with the EFL Cup action next week too, meaning the Englishman could take a breather. Due to an injury to Moses, Zappacosta is in line for his first Premier League start, with the Blues at home to Watford Saturday lunch. Alongside those two, Olsson (0.4%) retains his place, with managerless Leicester visiting the Liberty Stadium this week. On my bench are two defenders, Monreal (8.2%) and Zouma (2.4%), with the latter forming part of a possible duo with goalkeeper Butland in that game with Bournemouth. Monreal I’m picking based on the fact that Everton are poor and Arsenal can’t afford to Arsenal again. Not that I’m saying they won’t, I just think a game away at Koeman’s slow Everton is a nicer prospect than last week’s match at Silva’s Watford.
Midfielders
In the middle, Sane’s (8.8%) recent points line goes 13-1-16-3-10 means he’s due a bad week, but I’m having him because Sterling’s ownership has rocketed above the threshold, and I need some City attacking coverage with Burnley coming to town. Elsewhere, Zaha (2.9%) is back, and his percentage is criminally low considering he’s likely to be playing up front again. If I’d have known he’d play 90, I might’ve even put him in last week, but hindsight is wonderful. Conflicting my goalkeeping selection is Knockaert (0.8%), who finally got off the mark in the top flight last weekend. Completing my four is Choupo-Moting (6.2%), who combines having a nice fixture with being a reliable 90 minute man, unlike Jese. He’s cheaper too. It means Richarlison (9.3%), with his four attacking returns in three weeks, is demoted to the bench, based on a trip to Chelsea which they surely can’t afford to lose? If they do, it might well be because of the impact he has.
Strikers
My strikeforce last week contained Bony – which was clearly a mistake – because I meant for it to be Abraham (9.1%), the younger, fitter and more hungry of Swansea’s strikers. Tammy delivered last week with two goals, and I like his chance of staying in form against a Leicester team with just one clean sheet on the road so far. I’m sticking with Gabbiadini (2.1%), who also bagged a brace last time out, and this week welcomes West Brom to the south coast. It might be a bit much to expect more from the forward, but at least his goals last week will ensure he starts up top this. Finally, Rashford (9.1%) comes back into the team. United were poor without the youngster in their starting lineup last week at Liverpool, and I fully expect him to be reinstated now he’s over his niggle at Huddersfield on Saturday.
Good luck this weekend.
Written by Joe McPhee (@JPMc99)
