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Well after a Gameweek 5 with some surprising results, looking at you Manchester United, and some not so surprising results, the premier league is already full of drama and intrigue. After some midweek play in the EFL, let’s take a look at some player picks that will work well in your fantasy leagues. Whether it be on the official premier league site, Draft Kings, or any other site you choose, these players are picks that should bring you some success.
Gameweek 6 Fixtures
Manchester United vs. Leicester City
AFC Bournemouth vs. Everton
Liverpool vs. Hull City
Middlesbrough vs. Tottenham
Stoke City vs. West Bromwich Albion
Sunderland vs. Crystal Palace
Swansea City vs. Manchester City
Arsenal vs. Chelsea
West Ham vs. Southampton
Watford vs. Burnley
Goalkeepers
Simon Mignolet - Though he’s prone to an error every now and again, I think Mignolet is a solid choice for this weekend. Though Hull have been beating people’s expectations this year, I don’t think they’re going to do much against a feisty Liverpool team. Coming off a high after beating Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, I’d put money on Liverpool keeping their good run of form going and having a lion’s share of possession in this game which in turn will mean less shots on their goal.
Claudio Bravo - I was at the Etihad Stadium last weekend to watch the absolute dismantling of Bournemouth at the hands of City. It was a dominant performance and I can’t imagine it won’t carry over against Swansea. Bravo hasn’t gotten his feet under him 100% since coming to the premier league, but the sheer defensive talent he has in front of him will keep him from pulling the ball out of the back of the net this weekend.
Hugo Lloris - Though his ball distribution was God awful last week against Sunderland, his ability as a pure shot stopper hasn’t changed. Though Bournemouth may have some potential to break down the Tottenham defense this weekend, I’d expect them to keep a clean sheet, with Lloris maybe being called into action a few times which could lead to points for saves made.
Defenders
Scott Dann - Sunderland have looked hopeless this season unfortunately and I think Crystal Palace are going to be able to take advantage of that this weekend. Dann has been a solid defender so far this campaign and seems to have a knack for scoring. So far this season, he has ten shots on goal which is an average of two per game. For a defender that’s a great return, and last week against Stoke he got rewarded for that with a goal. Along with his set piece threat, his points for a clean sheet this weekend can be a big time boost.
Kyle Walker - Walker is always a solid fantasy choice, no matter who Spurs are playing. His pace and willingness to get up and down the wing means he’s going to be providing plenty of crosses and link-ups with his teammates in and around the box. He’s got two assists so far this year and three clean sheets. If you’re able to pair him up alongside Lloris in goal, that can end up being a double clean sheet bonus if Spurs hold solid against Middlesbrough.
Aleksandar Kolarov - City have been the runaway favorites to win the premier league this year and that is no doubt partly because of their solid defensive line. No team has scored more than one goal against them this season and they’ve not been scored upon in the Champions League yet. Kolarov has been deployed as a center back by Guardiola but can also do a job in the full back position. If you were able to watch City last week, there were multiple times where Kolarov completely bypassed the midfield and placed pinpoint 40 yard balls to pick out a winger or striker. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the odd assist here and there even from center back.
Midfielders
Son Heung-Min - Another match I had the pleasure or should I say displeasure of attending (I’m a Chelsea fan) this weekend was Spurs vs. Sunderland. To be honest it was a bit of a snoozefest offensively for Tottenham but one player stood out and that’s Son. He was lively, sharp, and had plenty of attacking intent. I would call it a bad move if Pochettino doesn’t start him again against Middlesbrough. With Harry Kane out, other offensive players are going to need to carry their weight and I would bet that Son will take his chances. On top of that, he was on corner duty last weekend which is always a good prospect for fantasy managers.
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Kevin De Bruyne/Raheem Sterling - Believe me, I hate the fact that I include a Manchester City player in every category for players, but I just can’t help it. Not that I hate City, but how can you ignore their offensive threats and their solid back line? Having gotten that out of the way, where did Sterling come from? Considered a potential dud while playing for Pellegrini, He’s been reawakened under Guardiola. He’s got three goals and two assists in five games so far and looks to fit right into the attacking system Guardiola has deployed. Alongside him, Kevin De Bruyne has been outstanding this year. He was involved in every goal last weekend against Bournemouth and is simply a phenomenal player. His free kick goal under Bournemouth’s wall to open the scoring was a bit of cheeky genius you don’t find with a lot of players. Expect him to be the playmaker again this weekend.
Etienne Capoue - I must admit I’ve had a bit of an affinity for Watford since they had such a bright start last year under Quique Sanchez Flores. This year I’m liking them even more after what were impressive victories against West Ham and Manchester United. In the center of all this? Etienne Capoue. He’s scored in all but one goal in the Premier League this year and has added an assist onto that. I can’t imagine his solid run of form will continue against Burnley and I’d look for him to continue scoring goals for fun.
Forwards
Diego Costa - Maybe the most disliked man in the premier league but undeniably a top striker. When he’s not causing trouble all over the pitch of getting people sent off, he’s an incredibly powerful number 9 with a nose for goal. Along with that, his link up play has always been solid and with Chelsea more of an offensive threat this year this has to be kept in mind for fantasy managers. Chelsea face a tough test against an impressive Arsenal side but the Emirates has been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea and Diego Costa alike. Diego scored the winner against the Gunners last year and has been in fine goal scoring form this year. You wonder what Chelsea would’ve done without him so far this year.
Troy Deeney - Deeney has been a great striking option this year, scoring in each of the last two matches against Manchester United and West Ham respectively. Did everyone see his equalizer against the Hammers two weeks ago? If you’ve not stop reading this, go on YouTube, watch it and come back. Him and Odion Ighalo are a solid striking partnership that play well off each other and I’d put money on there being goals against Burnley.
Romelu Lukaku - Ronald Koeman has had a positive effect on the Toffees so far this year, and one of the beneficiaries of that has been Romelu Lukaku. Sitting second in the table, Everton have been greatly helped by their attacking intent and Lukaku’s nice run of scoring in the last two matches. His 11 minute hat trick against Sunderland showed a trio of well taken goals and he continued his scoring against Middlesbrough last week. He’s looking like the striker he was always meant to be and I’d expect him to continue on against a Bournemouth team that hasn’t exactly been running a tight ship on the defensive end.