Teams to look out for
Manchester City:
After four games without a win in all competitions, City returned to form with a thumping 4-0 win away to West Brom last week. This was followed by an amazing 3-1 blitz of Barcelona in the Champions League mid-week. After these results, confidence would be sky high for Pep’s boys. With Aguero finding his form again, registering 10 shots (2 goals) and 4 shot assists (1 assist) over these two games, Gündogan making a fast start to his life at the club, with 7 shots (4 goals) and 5 shot assists (1 assist) over the last two games, and Sterling seemingly playing himself back into form, with 6 shots and 4 shot assists (1 assist) over the abovementioned period, City will be hoping for a big win over Middlesbrough at home.
Manchester United:
In a similar way to their cross town rivals, United were poor and unconvincing in October. However, whereas City have turned that form around, United have not. One goal scored in the past four games and 5 goals conceded is not good enough for a team such as Manchester United. Last GW against Burnley, they registered 38 shots, 21 of them inside the penalty area, but not one of them hit the back of the net. With their star man Ibrahimovic out of form, someone needs to stand up to end this poor spell and push the Red Devils back in the right direction. Players like Juan Mata (7 shots & 8 shot assists), Jesse Lingard (4 shots & 4 shot assists), Paul Pogba (6 shots & 6 shot assists) and Marcus Rashford (2 shots & 1 shot assist), all need to start turning their attacking potential evident in the Burnley match, into returns. This will not be made easy though, as they face a trip to Liberty Stadium to face their bogey team Swansea. Nevertheless, as Swansea themselves are too out of form, it will be an excellent opportunity for Mourinho’s side to kick start some form. If not, they may lose touch with the top four.
Southampton:
Despite the loss to Chelsea last week, the Saints are in quite solid form, with only one loss in their past 6 matches. Contrary to this, their hosts Hull, are in terrible form. After picking up 7 points from their first four matches, Hull have lost every match from GW5 to the present, conceding 20 goals in these six matches. Thus, Southampton should be very confident heading into this clash, with attacking players such as Charlie Austin, Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond and even Steven Davis all potentially getting among the points. Furthermore, looking at past matches, Southampton have kept 4 clean sheets in their past 5 matches against Hull, with three of those coming at The KC Stadium, so defensive returns are also likely.
Games to look out for
West Ham vs Stoke
This game could go either way, depending on which version of each team turns up. Both sides have shown glimpses of their quality this season, but have also demonstrated their defensive frailties and attacking shortcomings. Only two points separate them on the table, and it is a very hard match to call, so players from either team such as Payet, Lanzini and Cresswell or Bony, Allen and Pieters are worth having in GW11.
Chelsea vs Everton
Both teams are in fine form. Attacking with potency and defending compactly. On form respectively, this should be a tight and strategical match. However, historically, this is not reflected, with 22 goals in the last five games between these two teams. Both sides have a lethal striker in top form in Costa (8 goals with a shot every 28.2 mins) and Lukaku (7 goals with a shot 25.7 min) who are supported well by the likes of Hazard (5 goals & 2 assists) and Bolasie (1 goal & 4 assists). No matter what kind of game is played out, expect it to be a good one.
Arsenal vs Tottenham
The North London Derby never fails to provide entertainment. It is also an excellent source of FPL points for attackers. Last season, Kane (2 goals), Alderweireld (1 goal), Lamela, Eriksen and Alli (1 assist each) all profited from this match. Similarly, Sanchez (1 goal), Ramsey (1 goal), Ozil (1 assist) and Bellerin (2 assists) also gained attacking returns. On the defensive side however, this match has not provided many clean sheet points for defenders, with no clean sheet from any team in their past five match ups. Despite both sides playing in the Champions League midweek, expect an entertaining match and potential attacking returns from your players.
Potential Stand out Players
Charlie Austin vs Hull (away) - £6.7 (TSB 12.6%)
Up against an obliging Hull defence, Austin should find plenty of joy this GW. 21 shots (18 inside the box) in his last 6 outings, including 4 goals and 1 assist, Austin is looking highly likely to be a stand out option this GW.
Sergio Aguero vs Middlesbrough (home) - £13.1 (TSB 44.3%)
After blanking in three successive GWs, many FPL managers lost patience with Aguero. However, in GW10, he found his form netting 2 goals and registering 1 assist, leaving those who sold him questioning their moves. With 10 shots and 4 shot assists in his last two games, expect Aguero to carry on his form against Boro this GW, which will be aided by the return of De Bruyne.
Philippe Coutinho vs Watford (home) - £8.6 (TSB 42.3%)
For so long, Coutinho has frustrated FPL managers with his inconsistency. This season however, he has matured and is now a consistent performer; both stats and returns wise. Last GW vs Crystal Palace, he managed 4 shots inside the box as well as 4 shot assists (including 2 assists). The GW prior to that vs West Brom, Coutinho took 6 shots (1 goal) and created 3 chances for his teammates. With four goals and five assists this season, Coutinho is in red hot form at the moment, and is in a prime position to be among the points this GW.
Punt Picks
Tom Heaton vs Crystal Palace (home) - £4.7 (TSB 11.5%)
The Eagles love to shoot, registering 13 shots on target in their past two matches. Heaton loves to make saves, making 29 in his past three matches (that’s 9 save points!). So, if Burnley can continue to defend solidly as they have been doing lately and keep a clean sheet, Heaton will be a big source of points.
Salomon Rondon vs Leicester (away) - £6.6 (TSB 4.9%)
Many people are expecting a Leicester shut out at home to The Baggies. However, West Brom have scored twice in each of their last three matches against The Foxes and this could well continue this GW. Rondon is not in the greatest goal scoring form, with his last goal coming in GW6 vs Stoke. Nevertheless, 2 of his three goals this season have come away from home. In addition, he has managed a shot every 21.2 minutes when playing away from home this season, which is highly impressive. Furthermore, in the last three GWs, Leicester have averaged 20.3 shots conceded per game, which heightens Rondon’s appeal this GW.
Wilfried Bony vs West Ham (away) - £7.3 (TSB 1.2%)
Bony found form last GW against his old club Swansea, netting twice and registering 5 shots. Of these 5 shots, 4 came from inside the penalty area. This bodes well for FPL managers, as West Ham conceded 12 shots inside the box last GW. Bony is central to Stoke’s attacking play and with the creative Joe Allen and Xherdan Shaqiri (if fit) playing well in behind, Bony should be well supported to continue his form this coming GW.
Score Predictions
BOU 2 (Wilson, Cook) | SUN 0
BUR 0 | CRY 0
MCI 4 (Aguero x2, Sterling, De Bruyne) | MID 0
WHU 0 | STK 1 (Bony)
CHE 2 (Costa, Hazard) | EVE 2 (Lukaku, Barkley)
ARS 2 (Ozil, Sanchez) | TOT 1 (Alli)
HUL 0 | SOU 3 (Austin x2, Davis)
LIV 2 (Coutinho, Firmino) | WAT 0
SWA 1 (Sigurdsson) | MUN 2 (Rashford, Mata)
LEI 2 (Musa, Mahrez) | WBA 2 (Rondon, Phillips)
Here is my XI for GW11:
If you have any questions about GW11 or need some advice on your team, please don’t hesitate to contact me on twitter – I’m happy to help.
Enjoy this week’s Premier League action and good luck to all FPL managers for GW11.
