Goal takes a look at the best players to select or avoid, the bargain buys and the top choice for captain’s double points ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action
| START ‘EM – WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD YOU PICK? |
Simon Mignolet (5) may have kept just one clean sheet in his last 11 gameweeks, but the Belgium international is tasked with keeping out West Ham this Saturday and with Sam Allardyce’s men struggling in front of goal, Liverpool ‘s goalkeeper is likely to secure a decent return.
Luis Suarez (10) is in red-hot form heading into the fixture at Anfield following his four-goal haul against Norwich City on Wednesday evening which saw him bring in 21 points. The Uruguayan may have similar joy this gameweek if West Ham struggle to keep him in check.
Another must-have striker in your side is Sergio Aguero (10.5). Manchester City are away to Southampton on Saturday and since the hosts conceded three against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening, Mauricio Pochettino’s defence may still be frail. Aguero has secured 37 points in the last six gameweeks and the Argentine is backed to continue his strong run.
Eden Hazard (9.5) inspired Chelsea to their 4-3 win over Sunderland on Wednesday evening and registered 14 points following an assist and two goals. Jose Mourinho hailed the Belgian’s display as his best of the season and we’re backing the midfielder to be instrumental in Chelsea’s fixture against Stoke City on Saturday.
| SIT ‘EM – WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD YOU AVOID? |
If you have Wayne Rooney (8.5) in your side, make sure the striker is on your bench or out of your team this gameweek as he is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season in Wednesday’s defeat to Everton.
Robin van Persie (13) missed the loss to Everton with a groin problem and David Moyes has suggested the Dutchman is not likely to be fit for Saturday’s fixture against Newcastle United, so that’s another Manchester United forward who should not be in your side this gameweek.
Daniel Sturridge (8.5) has been ruled out until the middle of January with an ankle injury yet he is still selected by 27.2 per cent of players. Make sure the Liverpool forward is out of your side this gameweek, otherwise you could be losing out on points.
With a plethora of options in his midfield, Jose Mourinho can afford to allow Oscar (8) ample time to recover from his ankle injury. The Brazilian missed Chelsea’s victory over Sunderland on Wednesday and is a doubt to be fit in time to face Stoke City on Saturday.
Bryan Oviedo (4) notched a late winner to sink Manchester United on Wednesday evening and the Everton defender appears to be a stellar replacement for first-choice left-back Leighton Baines, who is sidelined with a fractured toe until the end of December. Since coming into the Everton side, the Costa Rican has scored an impressive 27 points in the last two gameweeks.
If you’re in need of a budget defender this gameweek, Swansea City’s Ben Davies (4.5) represents a solid option. Michael Laudrup’s side head into Monday’s fixture at home to Hull City off the back of a 3-0 win against Newcastle United. Davies has kept only three clean sheets all season but Steve Bruce’s men struggled to cope with Arsenal’s possession-based football on Wednesday and may encounter similar problems at Swansea.
A budget defender who is becoming a regular fixture in Liverpool’s team is Jon Flanagan (4). With Jose Enrique out with a long-term knee injury and Aly Cissokho failing to find form, the 20-year-old has remained in Brendan Rodgers’ side since his commanding display in the Merseyside derby. Expect him to keep his place at left-back for Saturday’s fixture against West Ham, too.
| CAPTAIN’S CHOICE – TOP TIP FOR DOUBLE POINTS |
It’s difficult to look beyond Luis Suarez (10) this week. The Uruguay international hit four stunning goals past Norwich City on Wednesday evening and he will be at the heart of Liverpool’s attacking play when they face a struggling West Ham side this Saturday.
In their last four matches at Anfield, Liverpool have netted 17 times with Suarez pitching in with 10 of those goals. With Winston Reid sidelined with an ankle injury, West Ham have looked unstable at the back and since they are up against one of the most in-form strikers in the Premier League, Sam Allardyce’s side could be on the receiving end of a heavy defeat.
If you didn’t captain Suarez in gameweek 14, you missed out on a whopping 21 extra points, so don’t make the same mistake twice.
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