Fantasy EPL Week 5: Pre-Deadline Chat

Now we have a few games to build an analysis we can take a look at who the form horses are in the Barclays Premier League.

Top scorers

1. Bafetimbi Gomis - 4 goals - 326 minutes played
2. Riyad Mahrez - 4 goals - 295 minutes played
3. Callum Wilson - 4 goals - 360 minutes played

Worth noting the Gomis goals have been spread over the fixtures suggesting a consistent performer but one unlikely to go huge in a single week. Gomis has fired in 13 shots on goal over the fixtures. He next has a road trip to a Watford team having yet to concede at home this season.

Mahrez has caught everyone's eye so far and has attempted 13 shots over the 4 league games played. Had he not had a goal ruled out or been subbed due to injury at halftime in week 4 he could have topped this chart.

Wilson hit 3 of his 4 in one game, the surprise win at West Ham United. A further interesting stat is that he has only had 8 shots across the 4 games and has played more minutes that Gomis and Mahrez.

Most attempts on goal

1. Alexis Sanchez - 20 shots - 278 minutes played
2. Graziano Pelle - 19 shots - 349 minutes played
3. Philippe Coutinho - 18 shots - 311 minutes played

Despite missing the opening fixture Sanchez has fired in more efforts than any other player in the EPL. That first goal of the season cannot be far off and he has a home game against Stoke City in week 5.

Pelle seems to enjoy the early parts of a season and has 2 goals to go with all his efforts. He scored for Italy since week4 so confidence is high. A tricky away game to WBA is to come however they have conceded 3 in both their home games this season.

Coutinho will be missing week 5 after getting sent off in the home game against the Hammers.

Assists

1. David Silva - 4 assists - 345 minutes played
2. Yaya Toure - 3 assists - 350 minutes played
3. Marc Albrighton - 3 assists - 329 minutes played
4. Wes Hoolahan - 3 assists - 261 minutes played

Silva has been fantastic so far in a super impressive Manchester City side. With his upcoming fixtures he will have a great chance to hold top spot.  Now ruled out of week 5. Yaya is a mood player and it seems this season he is in a good mood.

Albrighton finished last season strong and has taken that form straight into the new season.  Week 5 he is the player facing his old club.

The concern was that Hoola would face reduced minutes on the pitch and while that has been proven right, Wes has started well.

Key passes

1. Santi Cazorla - 16 key passes - 350 minutes played
2. Jonjo Shelvey - 14 key passes - 359 minutes played
3. David Silva - 13 key passes - 345 minutes played
4. Eden Hazard - 13 key passes - 360 minutes played

Santi has often exploded in points during the last couple years and like his club, he is due.  No team has had more shots than Arsenal this season (83).  While they have yet to take their chances the potential is there.

Shelvey's form has earned him an England call up and is one more player due a 20pt plus game.

Could Silva be the player of the season so far?  A reminder he is out of week 5, but worth keeping an eye on.

Hazard has disappointed many so far but it is interesting to see Hazard is still 3rd on the list.  When you also consider they have had tough opponents in Swansea, City, WBA away and a Crystal Palace side who are more suited to being on the road.

Shots blocked

1. Scott Dann - 8 blocked - 360 minutes played
2. Billy Jones - 7 blocked - 364 minutes played
3. Fabricio Coloccini - 7 blocked - 360 minutes played

Dann faces the league's elite attack next up so you would think he will carry on adding the blocked shots in week 5.

Sunderland have been awful so its no surprise to see a black cats rep in this category.  Jones may no longer be 1st choice however in week 5.

Newcastle have had a tough opening fixture wise so not a surprise to see Coloccini in the list.

Most Crosses

1. Mesut Ozil - 10 crosses - 263 minutes played
2. Aleksandar Kolarov - 10 crosses - 360 minutes played
3. Ashley Westwood - 10 crosses - 360 minutes played

A further stat showing that Arsenal are dominating the play during matches. Olivier Giroud was on the pitch the whole time Ozil built up the number of crosses suggesting the Gunners are not unhappy to put the ball in the box as accused.

Kolarov has been at his fantasy best for those who picked him up before his price rise. City have a great run of games ahead and with Clichy out he won't lose his spot here.

Westwood is a sleeper potential fantasy pick and a player trusted by his manager. That assist is due.

Fantrax points total top 5 goalkeepers

1. 52pts - Joe Hart
2. 44pts - Tim Howard
3. 36pts - Petr Cech
4. 35pts - Tim Krul
5. 34pts - Simon Mignolet

4 clean sheets out of 4 see's the obvious Hart at no1.  Krul is interesting.  His side have struggled with no win but the volume of saves pushes him above Mignolet and Romero who both have 3 clean sheets.

Fantrax points total top 5 defence

1. 69pts - Aleksandar Kolarov
2. 54pts - Bacary Sagna
3. 48pts - Aaron Creswell
4. 48pts - Vincent Kompany
5. 47pts - Jordan Amavi

Again City clean sheet run shows with 3 of the top 5 defenders.  Phantom kings Cresswell and Amavi top the rest.

Fantrax points total top 5 midfield

1. 79pts - Riyad Mahrez
2. 53pts - Andre Ayew
3. 52pts  - Ross Barkley
4. 52pts  - James Morrison
5. 52pts  - Bakary Sako

Mahrez has been on fire as has player of the month winner Ayew.  The other three are surprises and Sako is one to keep a close eye on.

Fantrax points total top 5 forwards

1. 56pts - Mame Biram Diouf
2. 50pts - Callum Wilson
3. 49pts - Bafetimbi Gomis
4. 36pts - Jermain Defoe
5. 34pts - Diego Costa, Pedro and Jamie Vardy

No Kun, Sanchez, Kane or Rooney who would have thought that.  Despite being outscored by those below him Diouf tops the pile playing in a winless side.  It will be interesting to see if he is there in 4 weeks time.  Pedro has been excellent and had he played 4 could likely top this chart.

So the big question is when will the big guns of fantasy football breakout?  Should we stick to the form horse this week and hold a watching brief or do they have the fixtures to bring us back to the normal state of fantasy?

Let's chat!