Gameweek 4 left us with much to think about for the coming week. Manchester City look fantastic, Liverpool may have ironed out their problems and Chelsea aren’t as infallible as first believed. In addition, Ronald Koeman’s Everton are really good, while Stoke City look ready for the Championship.
As gameweek 5 gets closer, let’s look at five midfielders that make the Fantasysports.co.uk cut for this week.
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne was brilliant against Manchester United a week ago, scoring a goal and picking up man of the match honours from many pundits. This week, City host Bournemouth, a team that has lost twice and given up five goals this season.
Bournemouth will have little possession, giving City’s creative players a chance to attack all day long. As the team’s main creative spark, De Bruyne will have plenty of opportunities to get forward and pick apart the Cherries’ defence.
There is one caveat to selecting De Bruyne. City’s Champions League match on Wednesday night (postponed from Tuesday due to weather) could influence Pep Guardiola to curb the Belgian’s playing time. Games: 4; Goals 1; Assists: 2
Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace take on the Premier League’s worst side, Stoke City, in gameweek 5. In fact, Palace have not lost to Stoke in their last six matches, winning each of the last four.
Wilfried Zaha has only started three matches this season, coming on as a substitute in another, but he has scored once and assisted one goal. He is also averaging 3.8 dribbles per game.
Last week against Middlesbrough, he took home the man of the match honours with a goal and an assist. He is hot right now, so get him in your Fantasy Premier League team against an awful Stoke City defence before he is really worth £50 million as Alan Pardew claims. Games: 3(1); Goals: 1; Assists: 1
Christian Eriksen – Tottenham
Tottenham host Sunderland after a dominating clean sheet performance at Stoke City in gameweek 4. Spurs have been fantastic in the Premier League this season, and their players have been tallying points left and right in the Fantasy Premier League as well.
Christian Eriksen is the man that pulls the strings in the Spurs’ attack. The Danish midfielder tallied two assists last week and is hitting form. Considering Tottenham have not lost to Sunderland in their last six meetings makes Eriksen a top-choice for inclusion this week.
During that six game run, Spurs have outscored Sunderland 16-6, including a 4-1 win last January. Keep in mind Sunderland are second from bottom and have conceded eight goals in four matches. Games: 4; Goals: 0; Assists 2
Son Heung-Min – Tottenham
Just like in our defensive picks, Tottenham features two players making the cut in our midfield picks of the week. However, take this one with a grain of salt.
Son Heung-Min was outstanding against Stoke City in gameweek 4, and against Sunderland this week, he could have another banner day. The South Korean put in a shift with two goals and an assist, allowing many Fantasy Premier League managers to reap the points rewards.
Yet, Son isn’t always an automatic pick in the Spurs’ starting XI. Last season, he came off the bench (15) more than he started (13). Based on form, Mauricio Pochettino should selected him. However, it is never that easy. Games: 1; Goals: 2; Assists: 1
Sadio Mane – Liverpool
Sadio Mane has been teasing fantasy football managers all season, and against Leicester, he came good. A goal and an assist in a man of the match performance, Mane was stellar against the reigning Premier League champions.
However, be cautious with Mane’s selection for gameweek 5. Liverpool travel to London to take on second place Chelsea.
If Liverpool can counter-attack as they did against Leicester, not only will it be thrilling, but Mane and company will feast on a slow Chelsea back line. However, the Friday night encounter could be more methodical and Mane could have less room to roam. Games: 3; Goals: 2; Assists: 1
Bonus Midfielder:
Ross Barkley – Everton
Ronald Koeman’s Everton have been a surprise package in the Premier League’s early stages. The Toffies are undefeated and sit in third place. The team have conceded just two goals, keeping clean sheets in their two most recent fixtures.
Ross Barkley has been in great form with a goal and an assist to go along with his play during those clean sheet performances.
However, Barkley was taken off at halftime against Sunderland on Monday night, with Koeman expected to speak with his midfielder. Koeman hopes to get Barkley back on track after his recent England snub, and with the way Everton have played, there’s no doubt that he can. Games: 4; Goals: 1; Assists 1
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