Goal takes a look at the best players to pick or avoid, as well as the bargain buys, as the Premier League continues after a week of European action

All the attention last week was on Mesut Ozil after his deadline day arrival at Arsenal. However, in the game against Sunderland, it was Aaron Ramsey (5.5) who scored twice to help the Gunners to a 3-1 win. The Welshman also struck on Wednesday in the Champions League, so you’d expect him to continue his rich vein of form against Stoke at the Emirates. Olivier Giroud (7.5) has also scored in every game so far this season. A home fixture against the Potters presents ample opportunity to continue that streak.

Across north London, the must have man in the Tottenham team is Denmark international Christian Eriksen (7.5). The 21-year-old bagged an assist on his debut and found the back of the net for the first time in his second appearance in the Europa League. The Dane has plenty of pedigree having scored or assisted 27 goals in 33 Eredivisie appearances last season.

The one player who stood out in the drab 0-0 draw at St Mary’s last weekend was Jussi Jaaskelainen (5.5). The veteran goalkeeper has helped West Ham to three clean sheets in their first four Premier League games. Only Simon Mignolet has more points between the stick so far this term. Sam Allardyce’s men take on Everton at home this weekend.

Liverpool dropped two points at Swansea on Monday but Daniel Sturridge (8.5) continued to rack up the Fantasy Football points with another goal. With Southampton set to visit Merseyside this weekend, the Saints look set to be used as fodder for another Sturridge salvo. Liverpool have the home advantage against a side who are without a league win in a month and who have picked up just five points from a possible 12.

With Wayne Rooney returning to form and the hearts of the Manchester United fans, it looks like Danny Welbeck‘s (6.5) promising start to the campaign could be halted. The young England international scored two goals on the opening weekend, but his chances of getting into the central positions at Old Trafford are increasingly slim. His productivity in wide positions isn’t enough to warrant a place in your team.

Dimitar Berbatov (7.0) is one to avoid this weekend. For starters, Fulham are travelling to Chelsea, a ground at which they have never won in the Premier League. With his strike partners, Darren Bent and Bryan Ruiz both injured, the Bulgarian will have to create his own chances. Don’t expect him to add any points to his relatively low tally this weekend.

With Vincent Kompany’s return from injury spells the end for Joleon Lescott‘s (5.0) run in the Manchester City first team. Even if the former Everton man is preferred to Matija Nastasic, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are up against the champions, led by Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney. Leaving Lescott out of your team this weekend would be wise.

At a hefty (9.5), Eden Hazard is quickly becoming a luxury you can’t afford. Not if you want to have a successful team. The Belgium midfielder has no goals and no assists so far this season and has only picked up 9 points far. He was expected to be one of this season’s brightest stars but until Jose Mourinho works out who his best eggs are, Hazard is one to avoid.

After watching from the stands last weekend, Everton will unleash loan signing Romelu Lukaku (7.5) into action this weekend. The Belgium striker offers great value at his price. A repeat of last season’s 17 Premier League goals at West Brom is not unlikely, and those goals for that price spells a potential bargain you can’t avoid to miss.

Hull City Tiger’s Robbie Brady (4.5) is a brilliant option for your midfield if you are short on funds. He has a goal assist already to his name and he is only just finding his feet in the Premier League. He looks like the Tigers most talented player and should be pivotal in Steve Bruce’s fight for survival, and is also a guaranteed starter if fit.

Kieran Gibbs at (4.5) is another snip. The Gunners had the second best defensive record in the division last season and the England international played an integral part to that success. The left-back has established himself as Arsenal’s first choice ahead of Nacho Monreal, while the 23-year-old will also supplement his points tally with his attacking forays this season.

Chances are that you’ve picked the assist machine that is Mesut Ozil (10.0) in your team. This is the week to capitalise on his playmaking skills by making him your captain. The Germany international will feature again for Arsenal, this time at the Emirates against Stoke. He will be eager to impress on his home debut against a Potters side which do not travel well. A first Arsenal goal could also be on the horizon.

Christian Benteke (8.0) is also a good choice for your fantasy captain this weekend. The Aston Villa forward will strike fear into the heart of the Norwich backline when Paul Lambert’s men visit Carrow Road. With the likes of Robin van Persie facing difficult games, Benteke could fill your captain’s boots against the Canaries.

Sign up to Goal’s Premier League Fantasy Football competition for the chance to win monthly prizes. It is simple and fast to register and pick your team, so you can start competing against friends or colleagues for the ultimate bragging rights!

Southampton head to Anfield on Saturday as the last team to defeat Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have taken 10 points from their opening four top-flight games of the season to extend their overall unbeaten run to 12 matches after a strong finish to last term.

But this sequence only began after they fell to a 3-1 loss at St Mary’s in March, when Morgan Schneiderlin, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez netted for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Liverpool’s goalscorer on that occasion – Philippe Coutinho – will miss Saturday’s encounter with Southampton after suffering a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out of action for around six weeks in Monday’s 2-2 draw at Swansea City.

The Brazilian playmaker has been in fine form in the opening weeks of the campaign, but joins Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho (both ankle) and Sebastian Coates (knee) on the sidelines.

Wales international midfielder Joe Allen could be in line for a return after his hamstring problem, but Liverpool will once again be without Luis Suarez, who serves the last match of his 10-game suspension.

In the absence of the Uruguay international and Coutinho, Rodgers will continue to rely on Daniel Sturridge for attacking inspiration as the striker looks to continue his red-hot run of goalscoring form.

The former Chelsea man has scored 11 goals in his last nine Premier League outings, including four in four this season despite struggling with a thigh problem.

Southampton go into the game without a Premier League victory since their opening-day win at West Brom and having failed to score in their last two fixtures against West Ham and Norwich City respectively.

Club-record signing Pablo Daniel Osvaldo is still on the hunt for his first Southampton goal since joining from Roma in August and is likely to lead the line again with Pochettino having a fully-fit squad to choose from.

However, Pochettino’s side have won only one of their last five Premier League away games and just one of their previous eight visits to Anfield – a 2-1 success in December 2003.

The Reds boss admits the loss of the Brazilian disrupted the balance of his team and hopes he can return quicker than predicted, while Daniel Agger is nearing full fitness

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Liverpool will be without Philippe Coutinho for at least six weeks after he underwent shoulder surgery.

The Brazilian playmaker went off injured during the Reds’ 2-2 draw at Swansea on Monday, and manager Rodgers admitted it is a blow as he looks to maintain his side’s spot at the top of the table.

However, after having surgery on Thursday, Rodgers expects the 21-year-old to be unavailable until the end of October.

“He’s only just having it today so the timescale from the medics is obviously up to six weeks,” the Liverpool boss told reporters.

“We wouldn’t anticipate any sooner than that. It’s unfortunate for him because he’s been in great form since he came here in January.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back sooner rather than later and then he can come into the group again.

“It was one where it was more the fall than the challenge. The challenge was probably a bit clumsy but it was actually more the fall that did the damage.

“In those scenarios the bone may be bruised but unfortunately for Philippe the bone came through the muscle. That’s what the pain was and why the operation was needed.

“It’s unfortunate because he was a really pivotal player for us in the game. When he went, we lost that connection between our midfield and the front line; it disrupted our balance a bit.”

More positive for Rodgers is the news that Daniel Agger may be able to return to the squad for Saturday’s clash with Southampton after missing the trip to Swansea with a side strain. 

“We’ll see how he is in the next 24 hours,” Rodgers added. “It’s too early to say if he’ll be ready for the weekend or not.

“It was just unfortunate it happened the day before the game. We’re hopeful he’ll be fine by the weekend.”