Thatsagoal.comAnother great week in the football world! Here's my guide to the best players in the Premier League to pick for your Fantasy team!
Every week I analyse the players I pick and either keep them in or throw them out.
Taking into account the upcoming fixtures, form, injuries and suspensions, I thoroughly weed out the flops and replace with the form guys.
Goalkeepers
1. Fraser Forster – Southampton – KEEP
Next fixtures: West Brom (A), Crystal Palace (H), Chelsea (A)
Previous match: vs. Liverpool – Conceded 2
Forster was beaten by a strike of pure Brazilian magic in the opening minutes of the match against Liverpool. I can't imagine any keeper in the world being able to stop that shot! Southampton generally played well but lacked any real quality in front of goal. Ultimately this meant a reasonably comfortable win for Liverpool. However, the Saints have West Brom and Crystal Palace next up and Forster is likely to pick up points in both these games. Keep Forster for now.
2. David De Gea – Man United – KEEP
Next fixtures: Sunderland (H), Newcastle (A), Arsenal (H)
Previous match: vs. Swansea – Conceded 2
Again De Gea was let down by ridiculous defending. Van Gaal's team look nervous and lacking in confidence at the back. I am willing to give De Gea one final stay of execution because of their fixture against Sunderland at home; one which they should never concede a goal in. If they do concede however, I must reluctantly let poor David go!
3. Simon Mignolet – Liverpool – KEEP
Next fixtures: Besiktas (A), Man City (H), Burnley (H)
Previous match: vs. Southampton – Conceded 0
The Belgian keeper has finally hit some form with two clean sheets on the spin. Early on in the season he was nervous and flapping at everything. He has improved his aerial ability and his kicking since then and looks much more assured. Liverpool's defensive record is slowly improving and this bodes well for Mignolet to stay in my Fantasy Football picks! Simon stays!
Defenders
1. John Terry – Chelsea – KEEP
Next fixtures: Spurs (N), West Ham (A), PSG (H)
Previous match: vs. Burnley – Drew 1-1 – Conceded 1
Terry remains a mainstay in the Chelsea line up. He was partnered by Kurt Zouma in central defence as Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley in a feisty affair. After Matic was sent off, Chelsea struggled to cope as Burnley pushed men forward but their defending was resolute enough to stop them from losing the game. Terry was solid as ever throughout and should pick up points in his next few fixtures. Keep Terry.
2. Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton – KEEP
Next fixtures: West Brom (A), Crystal Palace (A), Chelsea (A)
Previous match: vs. Liverpool – Lost 2-0 – Conceded 2
Clyne was solid as ever against Liverpool and could not be blamed for either goal. He proved a constant threat to the Liverpool defence, so much so that they were forced to bring on Alberto Moreno in place of the more attacking Lazar Markovic at half time in an attempt to neutralise Clyne's marauding runs. The Saints' next fixtures should see Clyne pick up points. He remains a definite fantasy football pick.
3. Aaron Cresswell – West Ham – DISCARD
Next fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Chelsea (H), Arsenal (A)
Previous match: vs. Spurs – Drew 2-2
For the first 80 minutes West Ham defended manfully, but ultimately capitulated against a barrage of late Spurs pressure. West Ham also conceded 4 in the cup to West Brom with Cresswell having a complete off day. Therefore, with tricky fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal coming up, it's now time for Aaron to depart.
Midfielders
1. Christian Eriksen – Spurs – KEEP
Next fixtures: Fiorentina (A), Chelsea (N), Swansea (H)
Previous match: vs. West Ham – Drew 2-2 – Goals 0 Assists 0
Eriksen started the game on the bench after his midweek exertions against Fiorentina. He was brought on at half time as West Ham led 1-0 and Spurs needed more of a cutting edge in attack. After Spurs went 2-0 down they finally put pressure in West Ham as they retreated into defensive mode. Eriksen did not score but proved a catalyst for his side's comeback. Eriksen must stay.
2. Coutinho – Liverpool – KEEP
Next fixtures: Besiktas (A), Man City (H), Burnley (H)
Previous match: vs. Southampton – Won 2-0 – Goals 1
What a goal against Southampton!! Coutinho showed his class in that one strike and was a constant threat to the Saints. He has really hit some form and is definitely keeping his place in my picks!
3. Eden Hazard – Chelsea – KEEP
Next fixtures: Spurs (N), West Ham (A), PSG (H)
Previous match: vs. Burnley – Drew 1-1 – Goals 0 Assists 1
Provided the cross for Ivanovic's goal. Hazard continues to impress for Chelsea and remains a consistently high scorer in fantasy football. Eden has to stay.
Attackers
1. Harry Kane – Tottenham – KEEP
Next 3 fixtures: Fiorentina (A), Chelsea (N), Swansea (H)
Previous match: vs. West Ham – Drew 2-2 – Goals 1
Kane now has 24 goals for the season and literally cannot stop scoring. I bet most of you already have Kane in your team. No brainer; keep Harry.
2. Sergio Aguero – Man City – KEEP
Next 3 fixtures: Barcelona (H), Liverpool (A), Leicester (H)
Previous match: vs. Newcastle – Won 5-0 – Goals 1 Assists 1
Aguero started off City's 5-0 pummelling of Newcastle with a calmly taken penalty. He is looking sharp again and back to his best. With Yaya back from the African Cup of Nations, City have regained their form. With a tough couple of fixtures next it will be interesting to see how City cope. If City's record against the major European teams is anything to go by, the Barcelona match is going to be a goal-fest. Sergio is sure to be at the sharp end of this. Hopefully he can repeat his hat trick against Bayern to net you some big points! Keep Sergio.
3. Daniel Sturridge – Liverpool – KEEP
Next 3 fixtures: Besiktas (A), Man City (H), Burnley (A)
Previous match: vs. Southampton – Won 2-0 – Goals 0 Assists 0
Sturridge started the Southampton match on the bench as Brendan Rodgers looks to slowly ease him back into regular football and avoid injuries. Sterling is improving as a lone striker, but both of them together would be the best combination. I feel that Sturridge is coming back to full fitness and will be starting the majority of Liverpool's coming games. Even when not fully fit, his scoring record is good; the best is yet to come from Sturridge this season. Keep Sturridge.
New Defender Pick
Jordan Ibe – Liverpool
The 19 year old spent the first half of the season on loan at Derby County. He impressed so much that he was recalled by Liverpool and they duly stuck him in their first team. Although playing much of his fledgling career as a winger, Ibe has slotted in as a full back or wing back in Rodgers' systems. His defensive quality and reading of the game cannot be questioned; he has never looked overawed or out of place in Liverpool's starting 11. Already he seems to be a much better choice at right back than Glen Johnson! Ibe has shown his ability to create as well, playing a key role in The Red's winner against Spurs. He also got MOTM against Besiktas. With Liverpool's defensive record improving, Jordan Ibe is a great choice for your defence in fantasy football. That is, if your fantasy league has included him!
That’s it for my Fantasy Football picks for this week. With the Champions League back, this coming week is likely to be an absolute stormer! Come back next week to see who stays and who goes!
