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Man. City’s 8-0 thumping of the Hornets took centerstage in gameweek seven as the Champions bounced back after their loss to Norwich. Sterling was rested entirely which brought a lot of vice-captains into play and many managers who had their VC on de Bruyne benefited handsomely. Despite facing a promoted team, Liverpool attackers are not mentioned as Sheff.
Utd have very good defensive statistics and could be tough to break down on their own patch. Captaincy is likely to be split across several options this week and it’s a great week to gamble on a differential option. I have included Mount over Abraham as the former is more nailed on to play 90 minutes and has multiple avenues for points with his set piece duties.
Players to pick for your FPL Team
Sergio Aguero (eve)
Aguero was unlucky to get only nine points against Watford in Man. City’s 8-0 demolition, as the Argentine was afforded four ‘big chances’ but landed only one shot on target (SoT). However, his underlying statistics indicate that he remains the most explosive asset in the game and the standout captain pick this week. No player has scored more than his eight league goals and he also tops the table for shots (25), shots in the box (SiB) (25) and ‘big chances’ (11). Only Pukki (14) has landed more SoT than the Argentine’s nine. Man. City top the table for goals (24), shots (130), SiB (94), SoT (49) and ‘big chances’ (32) and investment in their attack is absolutely essential. Their opponents Everton have conceded nine goals in the last four gameweeks after conceding zero in the first two. Although they have allowed only 19 SoT, the second lowest in the league, they have allowed opponents 13 ‘big chances’ with only five teams faring worse. With all the fan unrest at Goodison, Aguero is likely to pile on the misery on Marco Silva and should be your captain this week if you own him.
Also check out: Premier League Table La Liga Table Champions League Schedule
#2 Heung-Min Son (SOU)
Although he was suspended for the first two games of the season, Heung-Min Son has burst on to the scene again with a bang. Over the last four gameweeks, no midfielder has taken more shots than the Korean’s 16 and he is also top for SiB (10) and SoT (seven). Only Salah, Mane (both three) and B. Silva (four) have scored more goals over this period than Son’s two. Unlike Kane, he is not dropping deep to link up play, as can be seen from his 33 penalty box touches which is second only to Salah’s 44.
Only Liverpool (17) and Man. City (24) have scored more goals than Spurs’ 12 and their total of 88 shots is bettered only by Watford (91), Chelsea (96), Liverpool (97) and Man. City (130). The Saints played a strong eleven in their Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth midweek and might be fatigued by the weekend. They have conceded nine goals so far, only six teams have conceded more. They are also ranked sixth worst for SoT (28) and ‘big chances’ conceded (13). Below 10% ownership, Son is a great differential captain option this week.
#3 Mason Mount (BHA)
Mason Mount overcame his ankle injury to start against Liverpool in gameweek six and the 20-year-old has returned an average of 5.3 points per game in the last four gameweeks. Only Mane, Salah (each three) and Bernardo Silva (four) have scored more than his two goals amongst midfielders in this period and only Salah (five) has been afforded more than his three ‘big chances’. Only Liverpool (17) and Man.
City (24) have scored more goals than Chelsea’s 12 this season and the underlying statistics indicate that the Blues’ attack is indeed the third best in the league. They only trail Liverpool and Man. City for shots (96), SoT (33) and ‘big chances’ (15) and will be looking to build on the resounding Carabao Cup win midweek. Brighton have conceded eight goals in their six matches and allowed 21 SoT, an average of over three a game. Chelsea have a great run of fixtures for the next six gameweeks as they face none of last season’s top seven, making Mount a great long term buy.
Three Players to Drop from your FPL Team
#1 Oleksandr Zinchenko (eve)
Oleksandr Zinchenko was left out of the squad entirely for Manchester City’s game with Watford in gameweek six and was also subsequently left out vs Preston in the Carabao Cup. Although he might still start against Everton in gameweek seven given the difficulty of the fixture, he is a liability long term with Mendy back to full fitness.
The Ukranian offers little in an attacking sense and Pep has previously stated his preference to play with Mendy to give them more width in the absence of Sane. With Stones injured, Otamendi offers a much better, nailed on route into the Man City defence. No defender has taken more shots than Otamendi’s six over the last four gameweeks or landed more SoT than his three. The Argentine scored four goals in the 2017/18 season and is a great FPL option with potential at both ends of the pitch.
#2 Marcus Rashford (ARS)
Manchester United were toothless in their 2-0 defeat to West Ham and to make matters worse, they suffered yet another injury up front with Marcus Rashford suffering a groin problem. Although Rashford’s injury may not be long term, the Red Devils’ lack of attacking output is reason enough to get rid of him with other forward options such as Abraham, Pukki etc doing the business.
Only Brighton (one) have scored fewer goals than Man. United’s three over the last four gameweeks and they have created only eight ‘big chances’. After the game against Arsenal, they play Newcastle away and Liverpool which are not ideal fixtures from an attacking standpoint. Abraham offers a great alternative with Chelsea’s upcoming fixture run and is one of the most popular transfer combinations this week. Rashford has already lost 0.1 in value this week and his price is likely to fall further.
#3 Ashley Barnes (avl)
After starting the season strong, Burnley’s goal threat seems to have dried up significantly. Only three teams have scored fewer goals than the Clarets’ four over the last four gameweeks and they are also fourth worst for shots with 40. Only Palace (four) and Newcastle (five) have created fewer ‘big chances’ than their six and only Brighton (11) and Sheff Utd (nine) have landed fewer SoT than their 13. Over the same period, Ashley Barnes has landed only three SoT, with 17 forwards managing more. He has also been afforded just one ‘big chance’ compared to four for his team-mate Wood. Like Rashford, Barnes has also already suffered a price drop this week and further drops are more likely given the volume of sales. With other forward options performing, A. Barnes simply has to go.
