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Brian had some very important business to attend to this week, so I will be doing my best to guide you from good and evil in this week's EPL action. War Eagle!
GOALKEEPERS:
Artur Boruc - Facing a Chelsea squad coming off a disappointing loss against Basel in the UEFA Champions League, he is going to be in for a long night. Chelsea will be a very angry team and I expect them to make a statement and hand Southampton their second loss in a row. Look for Boruc to concede at least 2 goals. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Tim Howard - Despite conceding 3 goals last week in the Merseyside Derby, Howard is still the best fantasy goalkeeper with 60 total fantasy points. He faces a very weak Stoke City attack, a clean sheet is definitely on tap here. Get him in your lineup. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Simon Mignolet - After starting the season with 3 straight clean sheets, Liverpool and Mignolet only have 4 total clean sheets after 12 games played. Hull City only have 9 goals scored so far, look for Mignolet to record his 5th clean sheet of the season. ASFAR'S GUARANTEE OF THE WEEK!!! (VERDICT: PLAY)
David De Gea - Tottenham will host the defending champions and I expect this to be a high scoring affair. Tottenham are coming off an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last league match. Even though Tottenham only have 9 goals scored so far this season, I expect them to make a statement in front of their home fans and put at least 2 goals past De Gea. I sense this game has draw written all over it, something like 2-2. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Costel Pantillimon - Manuel Pelligrini has preferred the Romanian shot stopper over Joe Hart lately, but I think Swansea manage to put at least one past him. (VERDICT: BENCH)
SLEEPER ALERT: John Ruddy - He should have a fairly easy task against Crystal Palace. (VERDICT: PLAY)
DEFENDERS:
Leighton Baines - In case you missed it, Baines has a fractured toe and is expected to miss up to six weeks. Find a replacement ASAP. (VERDICT: BENCH UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE)
Martin Skrtel - and any Liverpool defender. Liverpool should record a clean sheet against the sad Hull City Tigers. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Jose Fonte - He has had a remarkable start to the campaign, as has his entire team, but he made a crucial mistake last week giving up a late penalty and has not had more than 2 fantasy points since October 7th against Fulham. Southampton travel to Chelsea this week, Fonte and any Southampton defender, should take a seat on your bench. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Phil Jagielka - He has a chance to catapult himself into the #1 spot amongst defenders with teammate and current #1 defender, Leighton Baines injured for the forseeable future and #2 defender, Dejan Lovren recovering from an illness as well as a tough schedule to come. Jagielka is a must-start. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Michael Turner - He is the only Norwich defender to have played all 90 minutes in every single game so far this season. Norwich play Crystal Palace, who are under new manager Tony Pulis. Pulis teams are usually boring, they do not score many goals, but they also don't give up many goals either. Lots of 0-0 games with Pulis around. (VERDICT: PLAY:)
Jan Vertonghen - Don't expect a clean sheet here, not with Manchester United around. I wouldn't trust any Tottenham defender or any Manchester United for that matter. Not this week. (VERDICT: BENCH)
SLEEPER ALERT: Jon Flanagan - he played well on the the left side of Liverpool's defense last week in the Merseyside Derby. With Jose Enrique still out injured, Flanagan will have a chance to further impress against a weak Hull City attack. (VERDICT: PLAY)
MIDFIELDERS:
Aaron Ramsey - You don't wanna be that guy, do you? No, no you don't. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Oscar - Will Mourinho play him or wlll he rest him? Oscar has been Chelsea's best player so far this season, but Mourinho has been playing him into the ground. It was evident he was not himself during the week against Basel, and Mourinho even admitted he made a mistake by not rotating the squad, going with essentially the same squad that beat West Ham just three days prior. It's very possible we see Juan Mata start in place of Oscar against Southampton this week. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Adam Lallana - Yes, he has had a terrific season, but I think he disappoints for the second straight week. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Kevin Mirallas - He seems to have arrived after a disappointing start to the season. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Frank Lampard - I will be absolutely shocked if he starts this match. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Jesus Navas - David Silva is still out injured and Navas was sensational last week in Man City's annihilation of Tottenham. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Leroy Fer - He has been instrumental for Norwich lately. (VERDICT: PLAY)
SLEEPER ALERT: Gerard Deulofeu - He was very impressive as a substitute last week and I have a feeling Martinez will start the young Spaniard for his first ever Premeir League game this week. (VERDICT: PLAY)
STRIKER:
Romelu Lukaku - You already know what to do. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Luis Suarez - Unreal. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Loic Remy - He's been on fire with a goal in three straight games. I might be crazy, but I have a feeling that streak ends here. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Gary Hooper - He got his first career EPL goal two weeks ago against West Ham, I think he'll be stuck at that number for a little while longer. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Rickie Lambert - Not this week, sorry. (VERDICT: BENCH)
Wayne Rooney - He's too versatile and too hard working to keep on the bench. If he doesn't score, he'll get an assist. Usually, he'll do both in the same game. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Roberto Soldado - I expect him to score. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Christian Benteke - He has been a real disappointment this season with only 4 goals scored. Aston Villa face Sunderland, a perfect chance for Benteke to get back on track. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Shane Long - Don't let his brace last week blur your vision. Shane Long has scored three goals in his last two matches. That means he's due for a bad game. (VERDICT: BENCH)
SLEEPER ALERT: Darren Bent - This is for you, Brian. Fulham desperately needs points, and I think Bent shows up for them against West Ham. (VERDICT: PLAY)
Questions about who to sit and who start? Let us know in the comments.
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