FPL tips: Captain Arsenal's Lacazette for a big leap, drop Chelsea's Alonso

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  • Each week, Sport360 will bring you tips for the English Premier League’s official fantasy football game. Fancy pitting your wits against us? You can join “Sport360 Fans League” using the code 2326997-532303.

    We thought Gameweek 14 in Fantasy Premier League produced a few surprises. As it turns out, it was just warming us up for GW 15 which was a real humdinger!

    The games leading points scorer Raheem Sterling was left out of Manchester City’s squad while the Premier League champions were only beaten in terms of wholesale changes by Liverpool who didn’t start with any one of their famous attacking three.

    The Reds travel to Burnley this weekend and surely Mohamed Salah will start this time? Likewise, Sterling should be fresh for the trip to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side that was beaten away to Wolves.

    Arsenal and Manchester United – who played out a 2-2 draw – enjoy the most comfortable fixtures with home games against Huddersfield and Fulham respectively while Tottenham travel to Leicester City.

    Here are a few tips ahead of Gameweek 16.

    CAPTAIN – ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE | ARSENAL | 9.6M

    We made a strong case for Harry Kane to be given another chance with the armband and hopefully you were convinced because the Spurs skipper came good with a goal, assist and maximum bonus points for a tally of 12 points, doubling to 24 against Southampton.

    This time around, we’re looking to another striker in north London and no, it’s not Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who seems to be all the rage at the moment. Instead, Alexandre Lacazette has caught our eye despite being benched for the Gunners’ last couple of outings.

    In each of those games though he made an impact as a substitute, finding the back of the net. Aubameyang may take his place on the bench this time having played the full 180 minutes against Spurs and United.

    With Huddersfield to entertain, Unai Emery can afford to be more aggressive and may even consider fielding both strikers with the Gabon international moving wide to accommodate the Frenchman as he has often done in the past.

    Aubameyang averages a goal every 12 minutes to Lacazette’s 13.5 so there hasn’t been a huge difference between the two big Guns at Arsenal but the latter is a whopping 1.8m cheaper than his team-mate.

    That also makes Lacazette more of a differential with an ownership of under 10 per cent while Aubameyang is nearing 30. If the France international does come good, those bold enough to captain him can make a big leap in the rankings.

    Alexandre Lacazette

    Alexandre Lacazette

    ALTERNATIVES

    MOHAMED SALAH (13.0) disappointingly did not start against a porous Burnley defence but did come off the bench to provide an assist. He remains a prime candidate for the captaincy though with a trip to Bournemouth next, especially now that he is well-rested having been subbed off with 15 minutes to play against Everton last weekend as well.

    HARRY KANE (12.5m) enjoyed a fine performance and big returns at home to Southampton and goes on the road to Leicester this time. Despite a crucial Champions League fixture against Barcelona to play in midweek, Kane should still feature against the Foxes but he it’s unlikely he will play the full 90.

    BOLD CHOICE

    RAHEEM STERLING (11.5m) was given a break against Watford and should be raring to go when City face Chelsea away. The Blues’ defence has looked suspect and Sterling is just the man to exploit their high back-line.

    Raheem Sterling

    Raheem Sterling

    TWO TO WATCH

    ROBERT SNODGRASS  | WEST HAM | 5.3M

    Having started six of the last seven GWs, Robert Snodgrass is becoming a mainstay in West Ham’s line-up. The midfielder has bagged three assists in his last two games and is on set-piece duty. With Marko Arnautovic out of action, his influence may only grow over the next few weeks when the Hammers enjoy some inviting fixtures.

     Robert Snodgrass

    Robert Snodgrass

    XHERDAN SHAQIRI | LIVERPOOL | 7.0M

    Xherdan Shaqiri is another player who is in line for more playing time during the busy December period. The Swiss has started each of the last four games, scoring twice including his effort in the latest outing against Burnley. With Sadio Mane struggling with injury and Roberto Firmino still searching for his best form, the summer signing could help fill the void in attack.

    xherdan-shaqiri

    TWO TO AVOID

    MARKO ARNAUTOVIC | WEST HAM | 7.1M

    A straightforward omission here with Arnautovic ruled out with a hamstring injury until the middle of January. With West Ham enjoying an attractive run of fixtures, it’s worth making a straight swap for Lcas Perez or Javier Hernandez. Alternatively, it’s worth bringing in Raul Jimenez or Callum Wilson – both in good form – and drafting in a Hammers midfielder.

    Marko Arnautovic

    Marko Arnautovic

    MARCOS ALONSO | CHELSEA | 7.1M

    The last couple of games have been woeful for Marcos Alonso. His attacking runs have dried up and he’s looked suspect defensively to the point that Maurizio Sarri must be considering dropping him for City. Even if he does keep his place though, the Spaniard isn’t performing at the levels of a 7.1m defender. There’s more value elsewhere.

    Marcos Alonso

    Marcos Alonso

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