5/20 teams kept clean sheets in GW7 which translates 5 clean sheets in 10 fixtures. Doherty and Pereira, who I suggested would go big last week made a handful of managers happy. Nobody thought Leicester would thump Newcastle by 5 goals. On the other hand some Champions League and Europa League games will but owners of some players of Manchester United and Spurs in a doubt. Owning these certain players could affect your GW points, keep them or sell them? Let’s find out!
1. AFC Bournemouth
F. Wilson (7.9), F. King (6.3)
Vs Arsenal (A)
Last week’s 2-2 draw vs West Ham, extended Bournemouth’s unbeaten run to three games in the Premier League. Eddie Howe has a difficult task ahead as the cherries face Arsenal who are just back from a 4-0 victory over Standard Liege. The lens will be on Bournemouth’s strikers, Callum Wilson and Joshua King. Wilson has delivered in each and every game he has featured in this season. King has bagged 24 points in the last three games and at 6.3 million I guess he can rival only Chris Wood with that form.
2. Arsenal
M. Ceballos (5.6), F. Aubameyang (11.0)
Vs Bournemouth (H)
Arsenal rallied to a 4-0 victory over Standard Liege. The Gunners also played Manchester United on Monday which ended in a 1-1 draw. Arsenal have performed well in the Europa League so far scoring 7 goals. The clubs Premier League form differs but that’s soon going to change as Holding, Tierney and Bellerin will return to the starting eleven and strengthen the defence. Aubameyang can continue his goal-scoring streak while Ceballos has played well in his last two games, he also scored against Standard Liege.
3. Aston Villa
M. McGinn (5.8), M. Grealish (5.9), F. Wesley (6.0)
Vs Norwich (A)
Aston Villa played out a 2-2 draw vs Burnley last week and face an injury –hit Norwich. Since Norwich miss out on both goalkeepers Krul and Fahrmann, Daniel Farke could be forced to start McGovern. This will mean good news for players like Wesley and in-form McGinn.
4. Brighton and Hove Albion
M. Gross (6.4)
Vs Tottenham Hotspurs (H)
Brighton lost 2-0 to Chelsea last week and face Spurs in GW8. I don’t really know what to make of this fixture. Brighton always play well at home and on the other hand Spurs are not enduring their best form. Brighton have the chance to sting spurs but will they take it? I liked the way Pascal Gross played vs Chelsea and he could be someone who could have a big impact in the GW8 opener.
5. Burnley
F. Barnes (6.5), F. Wood (6.2)
Vs Everton (H)
A 2-2 draw vs Aston Villa last week placed Burnley 11th on the table. What’s interesting about their opposition is that Everton have lost their last 3 games after making a strong start to the season. Initially I only wanted to have Chris Wood on the Burnley list but I feel that Barnes could muscle his way through Mina and Keane. This fixture along with Brighton vs Spurs and Liverpool vs Leicester will be the most interesting games to watch for GW8.
6. Chelsea
D. Azpilicueta (5.9), M. Mount (6.7), M. Willian (7.0), F. Abraham (7.6)
Vs Southampton (A)
Chelsea won 2-0 vs Brighton last week and then 2-1 Lille in the Champions League. Willian has managed to score in both the outings and with Chelsea’s upcoming run of fixtures, it’ll be a good time to own a Chelsea defender, Mount or Abraham. In defence I’d go for Azpilicueta since he’s the captain and occasionally provides assists. Mount and Abraham’s ownership is bound to increase in the upcoming games.
7. Crystal Palace
M. Zaha (6.8)
Vs West Ham United (A)
Crystal Palace did manage to win last week, a 2-0 victory over Norwich. Was it really Palace’s hard work or Norwich’s terrible away form that got them the 3 points? Anyway, Zaha assisted in that game and owners will be hoping he will do more vs the Hammers. 2 seasons ago Milivojevic was one of my favourite players. He scored last week but the lad has picked too many yellow cards this season and is a suspension waiting to happen.
8. Everton
F. Calvert-Lewin (5.8)
Vs Burnely (A)
Everton’s woeful run continued last week against Manchester City. Sean Dyche will surely not make the game easy for Marco Silva. Everton have no injuries and I feel Calvert-Lewin deserves to start due to his form. Not so sure about Everton keeping a clean sheet too.
9. Leicester City
M. Maddison (7.1), F. Vardy (8.9)
Vs Liverpool (A)
Leicester City thrashed Newcastle United 5-0 last week but now face a daunting task as they play league leaders Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers gave the thumbs-up for Maddison stating that he is fine and has trained with the squad. Jamie Vardy found the net twice vs Newcastle and for sure this due could be the ultimate pain for Liverpool.
10. Liverpool
M. Mane (11.6), Salah (12.5), F. Firmino (9.6)
Vs Leicester City (H)
Mane and Salah both scored in the Champions League. Robertson scored too but I can’t guarantee whether Liverpool will keep a clean sheet. Salah scored a double while Mane too scored in Liverpool’s thrilling victory vs Salzburg. Mane hasn’t scored or assisted in the last two GWs but managers shouldn’t lose faith in him.
11. Manchester City
M. Sterling (12.1), M. Mahrez (8.6), F. Aguero (12.2)
Vs Wolverhampton (H)
Manchester City beat Everton 3-1 and Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in their last two games. I got caught with the Pep Roulette last week and it was so annoying. Bad news! KDB won’t be a part of the wolves game to a groin injury which means Mahrez and Bernardo Silva could have more minutes. I’m not so sure about Aguero starting since he started vs Dinamo while Sterling looks certain to start. Mahrez’s form has been good since his involvement and could be a possible KDB replacement if you want to bring someone in from The Citizens itself.
12. Manchester United
M. James (6.2), F. Rashford (8.4)
Vs Newcastle United (A)
Manchester United's poor run of form means that managers are likely to sell the players that they own. Manchester United drew vs Arsenal and AZ Alkmaar in their last two games. The teams way of attacking is extremely poor. I’d rather have Mount instead of James and Wilson over Rashford for now. After the Newcastle game, United play Liverpool which just gives managers another reason to drop United players. I still feel you can Daniel James for this GW and maybe Rashford just in case United get a penalty.
13. Norwich City
F. Pukki (7.2)
Vs Aston Villa (H)
Norwich are finally playing at home. The canaries lost their last two consecutive games in the Premier League which were away fixtures. Pukki owners are hoping that the Iceland forward will score a few goals against Aston Villa. Defensively Norwich have been poor and injury to Krul and Fahrmann adds to their woes.
14. Newcastle United
M. Atsu (5.4)
Vs Manchester United (H)
Newcastle have a tough run of fixtures ahead in ManUtd, Chelsea and Wolves. Their last victory was against Spurs which was a big one but since then the team has underperformed. Newcastle was thrashed by 5 goals against Leicester last week. I personally feel Atsu could be of a threat to United’s defence as Wan-Bisakka is injured and Lindelof and Maguire are yet to find a connection.
15. Sheffield United
F. McBurnie (5.9)
Vs Watford (A)
Sheffield United almost clinched a point against Liverpool last week if not for Dean Henderson’s silly error. The Blades now face Watford who themselves are yet to find their first victory under Quiqui Flores in the Premier League.
16. Southampton
M. Boufal (5.5), F. Ings (5.9)
Vs Chelsea (H)
Southampton were definitely the better team in their 2-1 loss to Spurs. The Saints face Chelsea in their next outing at home. Southampton are yet to register their first home victory this season but they have played well against big oppositions. The saints will surely play ultra-defensive against an attacking-minded Chelsea and possibly even focus on man-marking. Chelsea are prone to comical errors at the back at times and this could be the perfect opportunity for a fluke Danny Ings goal.
17. Tottenham Hotspurs
M. Son (9.8), F. Kane (11.0)
Vs Brighton (A)
Spurs dismal form is something that I find difficult to understand. 1 victory in their last five games in all competitions has put Pochettino under pressure. Despite the team underperforming, Son and Kane have delivered. Kane scored a penalty in the 7-2 thrashing against Bayern. Aurier is suspended Spurs need to up their game at the back if they want to stop conceding against smaller oppositions.
18. Watford
Vs Sheffield United (H)
This club needs improvement.
19. West Ham United
D. Cresswell (4.9), M. Anderson (6.9), M. Yarmolenko (6.0), F. Haller (7.4)
Vs Crystal Palace (H)
Last week I joked too myself as to what were the odds that Cresswell and Yarmolenko would score again in the same game and I’m not lying when say this. The Hammers face an unstable Crystal Palace team. Anderson, Yarmolenko and Haller are definite threats to Crystal Palace’s defense.
20. Wolverhampton
Vs Manchester City (A)
If wolves manage to beat or draw city I’d be surprised. Wolves have troubled the top 6 in the last season. But this year is different. Like I’ve said several times already, the club are not performing at the same level like they used since they’ve been playing extra Europa league fixtures.
