Preview: Liverpool welcome Manchester City in high-stakes clash
Goals, goals and some more goals are a guarantee when Manchester City travel to Anfield in the English Premier League!
Last year, Leicester City proved to the world that the English Premier League is like no other football competition in the world.While that miracle is unlikely to be repeated, unlikely scenarios crop up from time to time, which is just perfect for football fans.
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, however, would agree to disagree as the uncertainty often gives them sleepless nights. Each week, thestatesman.com will help to make the right moves on the FPL with a comprehensive article on who to buy for the coming gameweek.
The indicators are:
Teams in BOLD are top four contenders.
Prices marked with a (+) indicate an increase in Base Price.
Prices marked with a (-) indicate a decrease in Base Price.
Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois
Team: Chelsea
Fixtures: West Brom (H), Sunderland (A), Crystal Palace (A), Bournemouth (H) and Stoke (H)
Price: 5.6 (+)
Score: 57
Ownership: 12.1%
Why yes: Those fixtures look very inviting to say the least. Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet for the last two games, which suggests one is on the way anytime now. Even if you have a Blues defender, Courtois is a worthy option especially if you consider Chelsea’s defensive stats.
Why no: Courtois is one of the expensive goalkeepers and could use up your three Chelsea players quota.
Defenders
Gabriel
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Everton (A), Man City (A), West Brom (H) and Crystal Palace (H)
Price: 4.8 (-)
Score: 3
Ownership: 0.2 %
Why yes: Confirmed starter until at least Hector Bellerin returns, Gabriel has put in decent shifts at a position which isn’t his favourite. The cheapest Arsenal defender too.
Why no: Considering his main position is centre-back, don’t expect too many assists. Bellerin is almost back to full fitness and his return will undoubtedly relegate the Brazilian to the bench.
Ryan Bertrand
Team: Southampton
Fixtures: Middlesbrough (H), Stoke (A), Bournemouth (H), Spurs (H) and West Brom (H)
Price: 5.4 (-)
Score : 38
Ownership: 1.1%
Why yes: An underrated full-back, Bertrand has made just one assist this season, which would suggest he can only improve in that area. Fixtures are quite kind, save the Spurs game and the 27-year-old could rack up the points.
Why no: Southampton aren’t keeping as many clean sheets as they used to, losing three from their last five games isn’t a good sign as well.
Midfielders
Kevin De Bruyne
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Leicester (A), Watford (H), Arsenal (H), Hull (A) and Liverpool (A)
Price: 10.8 (+)
Score: 72
Ownership: 10.4%
Why yes: One player who revelled when Sergio Aguero was unavailable for the Sky Blues is Kevin De Bruyne. Whether he is employed as a false-nine or as an attacking midfielder, expect the Belgian to take centre stage. A big differential over those FPL managers who have Alexis Sanchez in their sides.
Why no: Raheem Sterling is an more cost-effective option most would argue and in this price range it would be difficult to not go for Sanchez. Fixtures even on paper look tough.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Team: Arsenal
Fixtures: Stoke (H), Everton (A), Man City (A), West Brom (H) and Crystal Palace (H)
Price: 5.8 (-)
Score: 40
Ownership: 1.6%
Why yes: The young midfielder has been impressive in recent games and is a massive differential compared to his fancied Arsenal team mates. He’s also the cheapest starter in the Gunners midfield.
Why no: If you already have Sanchez, Mesut Ozil or Theo Walcott, it wouldn’t be prudent to pick the ‘Ox’ as well.
Forwards
Christian Benteke
Team: Crystal Palace
Fixtures: Hull (A), Man Utd (H), Chelsea (H), Watford (A) and Arsenal (A)
Price: 7.6 (+)
Score: 56
Ownership: 7.7%
Why yes: The big Belgian is among the most in-form strikers in England and against a struggling Hull side, it would be brave to bet against him. Price wise and differential wise too, a very good option. He is on a purple patch at the moment.
Why no: Fixtures after Hull are quite stiff and Benteke is known to undergo barren stretches from time to time. Not the most consistent striker you will see.
Kelechi Ihenacho
Team: Manchester City
Fixtures: Leicester (A), Watford (H), Arsenal (H), Hull (A) and Liverpool (A)
Price: 6.6 (-)
Score: 37
Ownership: 4.3%
Why yes: With no Aguero for a minimum of four games, the stage is set for the young Nigerian striker. With some exceptional support behind him, he is bound to score goals. Very cheap and has the potential to be a massive differential.
Why no: Guardiola rotates his players regularly and after Iheanacho played in midweek, he might be rested against Leicester. Fixtures aren’t easy on paper and should have KDB or Sterling in their squad, selecting the 20-year-old is a a bit of a risk.
PS: The Gameweek deadline is 11.30 am GMT/4 pm IST, so make sure all transfers are completed before that!
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