As another Fantasy Premier League deadline draws closer, TheHardTackle has prepared an in-depth analysis of the players that should be included this week and the ones that deserve to be axed.
In a top of the table clash, Manchester City — the only side with a hundred percent win record — take on the only other unbeaten team in the Premier League in Tottenham Hotspur. Players of both teams have seen their values escalate in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), and a lot of transfer activity is expected given the injury sustained to Kevin de Bruyne and the upsurge in form of a certain Son Heung-min.
Elsewhere, Manchester United have an easy home fixture against bottom-of-the-table Stoke City, while a struggling Chelsea side visit the KCOM Stadium to take on Hull City. Liverpool and Arsenal have relatively easy away games against Swansea and Burnley respectively, which could see a number of FPL managers make some late transfers to secure a few in-form players.
Here are TheHardTackle’s tips for the week:
Son makes a perfect case for form vs fixtures
Tottenham attacker Son Heung-min (£7.5m) has burst into the spotlight after a number of fine performances in the league as well as in European competitions for Mauricio Pochettino. After not playing a single Premier League minute before the game against Stoke City, Son started against the Potters and scored two goals and assisted another.
In the two gameweeks following that, he managed to average 9 points. In Spurs’ mid-week game against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, it was courtesy of the Korean that they managed to come away with all three points.
However, given his next few fixtures, he might be a risky investment. Manchester City are never an easy side to face either home or away, while West Brom and Bournemouth have both been solid defensively and will make it hard for their opponents to create chances and score.
That being said, Son seems to be in a purple patch of form and should be picked for 7.5, before his price goes up further.
Leicester duo deserve to be axed
Defending champions Leicester City have had their work cut out in the Premier League this season. With only two wins from six games, the Foxes find themselves languishing in 12th place, six points off the Champions League qualification spot.
Striker Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) and midfielder Riyad Mahrez (£9.3m), who questionably still have 14.4 and 15.3 percent ownership, have failed to reap any high rewards. Also, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to face in the next four games, letting the duo go could be a good move.
Ibrahimovic may still be worth a pick despite his constant depreciation
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£11.5m) continues to be the most-owned player in the game with 54.1 percent of the managers having the Swede in his squad, his FPL value has been taking a hit. In the current gameweek he has been axed by a total of 172,363 managers.
However, he grabbed a goal in the Europa League against Zorya and given Stoke’s defensive frailties, Ibrahimovic would be one of the bookmakers’ favourites to find the back of the net on Sunday. At 11.5, it may be a good decision to retain the Swede rather than letting go of him this week.
Austin, Rondon provide good options for the third striker
Southampton’s Charlie Austin (£6.3m) and West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon (£6.6m) appear to be decent as third-choice strikers. For managers fancying to field a two-man attack, either of Austin and Rondon can be named as the first substitute.
Meanwhile, even in a three-man front line, the two can prove to be useful budget options. Austin has scored in his last two matches and with games against Leicester and Burnley, he would look to add to that tally. Rondon too has found the back of the net in his last two matches and Sunderland’s weakened defence could see the Venezuelan grab his third in three games.
Mane, Coutinho and Lallana have been impressive and have a favourable fixture list ahead of them
Adam Lallana (£7.2m), Philippe Coutinho (£8.2m) and Sadio Mane (£9.0m) have enjoyed a scintillating start to the season and it seems more of the same will be in store for them this weekend against Swansea City.
Coutinho has been the pick of the bunch, scoring 41 points with an average of almost six per game. At 8.2, he seems to be a bargain compared to some other high-scoring midfielders in FPL at the moment. Also with a favourable fixture list ahead of him, he looks a must have for all sides.
However, in case of budget constraints, Adam Lallana is £1m cheaper. The England international could also have a huge impact in Liverpool’s game against Swansea.
Alexis Sanchez must be taken regardless of his price
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has continued to field Alexis Sanchez as a striker and it has paid rich dividends. Sanchez is currently the second-highest scoring midfielder with 46 points and could go top with a good performance this gameweek against Burnley.
The Chilean also has a welcoming set of matches ahead of this weekend’s game and is an excellent candidate for captain given his good run of form. He has been the most transferred in player this week and his price could rise further within the next few days.
TheHardTackle’s team for this week:
Starting XI: Loris Karius (£4.9m); Laurent Koscielny (£6.1m), Cedric Soares (£5.0m), Seamus Coleman (£5.5m); Philippe Coutinho (£8.2m), Son Heung-min (£7.5m), Raheem Sterling (£8.6m), Alex Iwobi (£5.8m); Charlie Austin (£6.3m), Diego Costa (£9.7m), Sergio Aguero (£13.0m).
Subs: Pickford (£4.0m); Francis (4.5m), Stones(5.0m); Capoue (5.2m).