If, like myself, you suffered a poor Week 1 in your Premier League fantasy football leagues, you will be anxious to make amends for Gameweek 2 and make inroads into the deficits – avoiding temptation to make wholesale changes….after all, its only the first week, right?!?
On the other hand, if you got off to a flyer, you’ll be equally as anxious to keep the momentum going and press home your advantage, inflicting more pain on your divisional rivals.
So, who should we look to include this weekend, and who should we avoid – lets take a look at some ‘hots’ and ‘nots for the upcoming Gameweek.
HOT – JAMIE VARDY – LEICESTER CITY
After generally disappointing season last year, Leicester’s strike sensation Vardy looked red hot against Arsenal, scoring twice and racking up 13 points in standard formats in what looked a tough assignment. Leicester are at home this weekend against promoted Brighton, who held out against Manchester City for 70 minutes but ultimately succumbed – and may just find Leicester’s pacy and direct threat difficult to deal with. We suggest starting Vardy with confidence and expect another satisfying return from the party boy.
NOT – JAVIER HERNANDEZ – WEST HAM
Chicarito was a popular sleeper pick for many a manager, costing just £7 million and picked up by nearly 20% of teams overall – by comparison Sergio Aguero was picked up by just 12% and Wayne Rooney 16%. But Hernandez looked painfully out of sorts at Old Trafford on his Hammers debut – ok, most of the West Ham players did, but with the Hammers initial chunk of games all played away, it may be a while yet before you see a decent return from the ‘Little Pea’. Saturday’s game at defensively sound Southampton looks another toughy….we recommend you sit Hernandez this week and wait for better matchups.
HOT – THE MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELD
The United midfield purred into action against West Ham – and again, whilst acknowledging the opposition wasn’t the greatest, we have to make hay whilst the sun is shining – and with United facing Swansea next weekend, you have to fancy them again to produce points by the bucket load. United players filled three of the top ten midfield points scorers from week one (Mkhitaryan, Martial and Pogba) with Matic and Mata weighing in also. Fill your boots and load up your midfield with Red Devils this weekend.
NOT – CHELSEA DEFENDERS, INCLUDING COURTOIS
Disastrous start from the defending Champions….three goals conceded to Burnley, two sendings off, and injuries hampering them also. Only David Luiz came out with any credit from a fantasy perspective, thanks to his late goal on Saturday….but otherwise the Chelsea defensive unit, including their goalkeeper, combined for zero points. Next up? Tottenham away. Ouch. We don’t expect a riot here, but there is enough concern for us to avoid any of the Blues defensive unit for this week against a potent Spurs attack.
HOT – BEN FOSTER – WEST BROMWICH ALBION
One of the most underrated keepers from a fantasy perspective, Foster is already third in the points scoring charts, and although their weekend opponents Burnley shocked Chelsea this weekend, Baggies boss Tony Pulis will, you just know, formulate a gameplan that will keep the game close and – likely – very low scoring. Although the likes of De Gea and Mignolet will attract a lot of attention with favourable matchups, you wont go far wrong by sticking Foster between the sticks and seeing another good return from him.
NOT – STOKE CITY
Stoke City players generated just 24 fantasy points BETWEEN them (13 points scoring players) in their lacklustre defeat to Everton on Saturday – with only keeper Jack Butland getting more than 2 points (3). This weekend they open their home game account against Arsenal – who whilst not having the most rigid of defences, have more than enough about them to keep the Potters players chasing their shadows and making it another very unfruitful day from a fantasy perspective for anyone in a Stoke shirt. We are not sure which of the Stoke players will make much appeal to you if you are to select them….bravo if you do. Not for us this weekend.
Feel free to join in the debate about who’s hot and who’s not in Premier League fantasy football by joining us here
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