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The Fantasy Premier League season gets back on track this weekend following the interruption of international football.
Sergio Aguero should be fit and firing after being rested by Argentina – he is the top points scorer in fantasy so far and leads the way in the Premier League with six goals too.
He and Jamie Vardy led the way in Gameweek 4 with 16 points apiece while West Ham’s Arthur Masuaku was the top-scoring defender (12), with Everton and Chelsea forwards Richarlison (15) and Tammy Abraham (13) also shining.
GW4 was a welcome return for high-scoring with the average total of 57 up from the previous two weeks and eight points down on GW1.
As we gratefully get back to club action, there are home games for Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United, with Newcastle facing a daunting trip to Anfield. Chelsea on the road at Wolves and champions Manchester City going to Norwich could also produce goals.
Here are a few tips to help guide you.
CAPTAIN – HARRY KANE | TOTTENHAM | 11.0m
Harry Kane was prolific in the international break for England.
Having endured an injury-ravaged end to last season, Kane has not really been able to fully get going this term – he is the joint ninth highest scorer with 23 points.
But after a starring role during the international break with England, we’re predicting that the Three Lions striker is finally ready to roar. He has three goals already this season and is fresh off scoring another four for his nation – including a hat-trick against Bulgaria.
Also, Tottenham welcome Crystal Palace on Saturday. Don’t be fooled by the Eagles’ high-flying fourth position either, they’ve been blunt in attack, scoring three goals in four games – only Watford have found the net fewer times (2).
ALTERNATIVES
RAHEEM STERLING (12.3m) should be captain outright, we hear you say? Well, it wouldn’t be a bad call were you to put him in, or stick with him if he already has the armband. But we’ve dropped him down to an alternative simply due to his unselfish nature in the international break – where he assisted three of England’s nine goals in big wins over Bulgaria and Kosovo.
He trails only Aguero (6) with 5 goals so far this season and is the joint second highest scorer in fantasy on 37 points, alongside Norwich striker Teemu Pukki.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (11.0m) has started the season well – he is the sixth most prolific scorer of points so far – and the Gabon forward will be looking gleefully and gluttonously towards the road trip to Watford on Sunday afternoon.
The Hornets have been stung by the sacking of manager Javi Gracia, with Quique Sanchez Flores returning to replace him. However, following a horrid start to the season, the last thing they will want is a sharp and ravenous Gunners’ frontline heading to Vicarage Road.
BOLD CHOICE
ASHLEY BARNES (6.7m) is not the most fashionable player to have in fantasy, but in any successful team down the years, managers often marry style with substance in order to succeed.
Barnes is an industrious worker across Burnley’s front line but that doesn’t really do justice to his overall worth. He’s an intelligent runner, unselfish team-mate and, as can be derived from four goals from four games so far, knows where the net is.
He bagged a best-ever Premier League haul of 12 goals last season. Still, he’s not in style, so not many will hand him the armband. Maybe you can be a trendsetter.
ONE TO GET
DANIEL JAMES | MANCHESTER UNITED | 6.1M
James has a lot of promise which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer clearly saw in him when swooping in to snatch him from Swansea this summer. But no-one, not even James, could have envisaged starting the season as well as he has.
A debut goal in the 4-0 opening day thrashing of Chelsea has been followed by sublime finishes against Crystal Palace and Southampton, while he was even at in on international duty too – curling in a sublime winner during Monday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Belarus.
ONE TO AVOID
FABIAN SCHAR | NEWCASTLE | 5.0M
The Swiss has been superb after a difficult debut season in England. And despite playing in a porous Magpies defence last term, Schar regularly climbed to the top of the individual charts.
He has carried on from where he left off this season too, the fifth highest scoring defender so far. So why are we telling you to stay clear then? Well, the Toon Army travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Saturday, where they could receive a tonking.
BARGAIN BUY
MASON MOUNT | CHELSEA | 6.4M
The season has been an up and down one so far for Chelsea, but for some of the bright young lights at the club, Frank Lampard’s appointment has been illuminating.
Abraham and Mount lit up the Championship last season but have adapted to the Premier League like the proverbial ducks to water.
Mount has two goals in four games and, at 3.5 shots averaged per game, is not afraid to pull the trigger. The Blues may take some batterings this season, but they won’t be dull to watch, and one of the newest England internationals is one to keep an eye on.
