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Time really does fly by, doesn’t it? It’s already Gameweek 7 and congratulations to the few who have crossed the magic 400 points mark.
This week is what I like to describe as “keep up or stay behind forever” week. A lot of top teams play a lot of strugglers, and it’s time to make hay while the sun shines.
Manchester City vs Everton: The fact that Everton are above City on the table says it all about the contrasting fortunes of these two teams. Everton have an enviable record of losing just once in their last 6 trips to the Etihad and the form of the likes of Lukaku, Baines and Barkley should give them confidence.
Lukaku and Barkley were particularly excellent against Newcastle last weekend.
Manchester City are fresh from their mauling at the hands of Bayern and could be looking to set the record straight.
Yaya Toure is a threat at any point in any match and shouldn’t be ignored.
Aguero is fit, and you’d suspect he’d start upfront with Negredo who scored a brilliant goal in midweek.
PICKS: Lukaku, Negredo, Yaya Toure, Barkley, Baines
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: This fixture reads more of an invitation card and all-you-can-eat-buffet for Liverpool. Palace have conceded 10 goals this season already and Sturridge, Suarez and Moses will be licking their lips at the prospect of a goal rout.
The only dilemma would be which of the two strikers would you pick.
Liverpool’s defence also looks solid and having conceded just once at Anfield, one would back Simon Mignolet to add to his 3 clean sheets this season.
PICKS: Suarez, Sturridge, Mignolet
Sunderland vs Man Utd: If there is a game United need right now, it is this. Sunderland, bottom of the table, have conceded 14 goals, and it’s way too easy for United to not capitalise.
There are doubts about Rooney’s fitness, but Robin van Persie makes a return. Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj could see some action and so could Nani.
PICKS: Van Persie, Nani
West Brom vs Arsenal: Arsenal are the team to beat this season and going by their form in midweek, Ozil, Ramsey and Giroud are nailed on to make merry at West Brom who are on a high after getting the prize scalp of Manchester United last weekend.
Ozil has 4 assists in 3 appearances and he is one of those players who everyone in your mini league will get and if you don’t, you’ll miss out. Same is the case with Aaron Ramsey.
PICKS: Ozil, Ramsey
MISSES: Sagna
OUTSIDE PICKS: Cardiff’s Pete Whittingham already has 2 assists and a goal this season and he could be a cheap long-term option for those who need one.
Signing Loic Remy has been one of the bright sparks in Newcastle’s less than impressive start to the season with 3 goals already.
Dejan Lovren, Jose Fonte and Artur Boruc have all racked up the points with 4 clean sheets. The defenders have even scored once each.
Tottenham play 17th placed West Ham, and Eriksen & Sigurdsson will be prime contenders to get something out of this.
OUTSIDE MISSES: Robbie Brady is out for a month and it’s time to let go for his owners for now. If you still have Hazard, Mata or Lampard in your team then you are in denial. The three have done little to justify their price-tag, and it’s time to look elsewhere.
Michu is a doubt for the weekend.
Roberto Soldado has been a disappointment, and at his price there are better in form strikers available.
XI:
MignoletEnrique | Lovren | FonteWhittingham | Sigurdsson | Ozil | Yaya-ToureLukaku | Suarez | van Persie
Subs: Boruc, Mertesacker, Baines, Barkley
