Another below average score this week, and I’m beginning to wonder whether this “advice” is worth the computer screen it’s written on? Please, don’t answer that.
I badly got the Arsenal ‘nailed on clean sheet’ wrong at Swansea, and have a Monreal goal (again!) to thank for eight points from him. Robertson and Bauer, who is a booking magnet I’ve realised, both picked up much needed clean sheets.
The midfield was the dampest of squibs, but at least up front I had a goal from Benteke, which was a show of faith for a bloke who had one goal all season up until Tuesday. And that folks, was that. Urgh.
So as Steven Gerrard once said, we go again, and hopefully this time we actually do bits. Please, someone up there ensure that this little set of lovelies do the business.
Goalkeepers
Gone bold here really, because my fortunes over the last few weeks have been awful. So Hennessey (1.5%) it is in goal, as Rafa Benitez’s poor Newcastle side visit Selhurst Park. As backup I’ve gone with Foster (9.6%) at home to Southampton, who are also a team that badly struggles for goals.
Defenders
At the back I’m going for five men, with Monreal (8.3%) retaining his place – Arsenal might concede, but he’s looking their best attacking threat right now! I’ve also gambled on Shaw (1.1%), who I think will be reinstated for United taking on Huddersfield. Dragovic (0.3%) is a new name into my lineup, after keeping three consecutive clean sheets prior to Wednesday. With Swansea the visitors this week, he might well pick up a fourth in five. Completing my defence is Dawson (1.2%) and Van Aanholt (0.8%), largely for similar reasons to the goalkeepers above.
Midfielders
Ok the Sanchez (4.3%) pick in the week backfired, with United getting bossed by Spurs at Wembley. But with Huddersfield in town, I fancy him to get off the mark for the Red Devils. Sanchez’s swap-deal pal Mkhitaryan (7.8%), largely because Wenger has already confirmed he’s guaranteed a start against Everton and he’ll want to impress on his home debut. With Sane and David injured, I think Bernardo Silva (0.9%) is well worth a look going forward. He’s looked so sharp in the previous two games, and he’ll likely have more involvement as the season goes on. Pedro (1.3%) and Stanislas (0.3%) take their places on the bench after their midweek game against each other – where Stanislas definitely came out on top!
Strikers
Up front, Benteke (2.4%) keeps his place after his midweek goal. Chicharito (6.9%) hasn’t enjoyed the best of seasons at West Ham, but two attacking returns in two games is a nice little upturn. Given David Moyes’ injury problems, he’s sure of a start and will look to make an impact against Brighton’s defence at the AMEX. On the bench, I want to draw attentions to Iheanacho (0.6%), who has bagged a couple of FA Cup goals recently and looked sharp and was unlucky not to score against Everton in midweek. He might not start, but he’s worth tracking in the coming weeks and I’ve put him on my bench this week. Aubameyang – maybe next week – as I don’t like his illness!
Good luck this weekend.
Written by Joe McPhee (@JPMc99)
