How do you pick yours?
There are a hundred different ways to get to your Fantasy League first XI, but whatever your method, perhaps the key is finding the hidden gems.
And there have certainly been plenty of them so far this season. Who would’ve predicted that a promoted club would have three of their centre-backs in the top four of that position’s points category?
But yet that’s the case with Sheffield United’s Chris Basham, John Egan and Jack O’Connell.
Their extraordinary defence – which has only conceded eight goals in the league so far – faces a different type of test this weekend when they travel to Sean Dyche’s Burnley, who were the previous template for promoted club solidity. It will be interesting to see how they cope.
If the Blades have caught your managerial eye, it’s probably best to concentrate on their backline for now, as their attack hasn’t found its feet yet, with only nine goals scored in the league.
With Chris Wilder mixing and matching up top, he’ll be hoping to find a combination that can start to register soon, as his defence will be sure to have off days.
If you already hold defenders from his side, let’s hope it’s not this weekend.
Arguably the encounter of the weekend – its Sunday televised billing is perhaps a clue – comes at Selhurst Park on Sunday, where Roy Hodgson’s Eagles face off against Leicester.
It pits the division’s surprise packages against each other, and will be a fascinating contest.
Can Leicester’s outstanding full back pairing of Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira – currently equalling Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson this season in terms of goals and assists – repel the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend, who will no doubt be looking to exploit the space in advanced wide areas?
Zaha has taken some time to get over his failed transfer to Arsenal in the summer – he’s only got one Fantasy League assist and no goals this term – but with games against Chelsea and Liverpool coming up, he’ll be desperate to show he can perform against the best opposition. Perhaps a good time to select or transfer the Ivorian into your XIs.
The second Super Sunday game also his its fair share of plots.
Two under-pressure managers, both unaccustomed to where their sides find themselves.
Not somewhere you might think to put your eggs, but a confidence-boosting win for the Toffees, with their next games against two of the least in-form sides – Southampton and Norwich – could see their fortunes transformed.
We like the look of their left-side in particular, with Lucas Digne (despite last week’s own goal) usually a good bet to get assists from set-pieces or open play, and Richarlison and Alex Iwobi striking up a growing understanding.
At this juncture in the season, the wheat has usually separated from the chaff, making it easier to pick your horses for a number of gameweeks at a time.
But, unfortunately for your spare time, this isn’t one of those seasons. Indeed, with just four points between 5th and 14th, any number of teams – and individuals – could come good over the coming weeks.
It’s also the season for injuries, as the heavier pitches and fixture congestion really take their toll – just looking at Liverpool’s November schedule leaves us exhausted, as Jurgen Klopp hasn’t been shy in commenting about.
So as usual, a ton of unpredictability and intrigue in the Premier League.
As you continue trying to climb your own leagues, we hope your Fantasy League guesswork hats are working effectively!
