Only one English club managed win a game in European football this week and that was Jose Mourinho’s Spurs. 2-0 down, Spurs scored 4 to make an impressive comeback vs Olympiacos. Some key players have also been added to the injury list in Fabinho and Tammy Abraham, while Manchester United handed out 6 debuts as their youth players put on an impressive display. Gameweek 14 see’s some easy fixtures for many managers to bounce back and here are the players who could be crucial to getting you those big numbers.
1. AFC Bournemouth
M. Fraser (7.0), F. Wilson (7.6)
Vs Spurs (A)
Ryan Fraser has created the most chances for Bournemouth this season (17), and despite have a poor start he could be the Cherries most important player against a rejuvenated Spurs. Spurs have not been the best defensively and even having a manager who loves that ‘defensive football’ approach they still have some work to do at the back and this is where Callum Wilson could pose a real threat.
2. Arsenal
M. Pepe (9.2), F. Aubameyang (10.9) F. Lacazette (9.3)
Vs Norwich City (A)
The Arsenal board have sacked Unai Emery, something that we’ve all seen coming. The Spaniard was on borrowed time and the loss the Frankfurt may have been the final nail in the coffin. Many fans questioned his line-ups and the substitutions that he made for example in the game against Frankfurt, Emery brought on defensive midfielder Torreira! Freddie Ljungberg has been announced as the interim manager and I have no clue as to how he’ll line up with his first team.
3. Aston Villa
GK. Heaton (4.5), M. McGinn (5.9), M. Grealish (5.9)
Vs Manchester United (A)
Aston Villa stirred themselves out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle last week. I didn’t want to have Heaton on the list but I don’t know what’s it with opposition goalkeepers when they play against Manchester United, they turn into prime Manuel Neuer’s and Heaton has already done that on several occasions against the Red Devils. McGinn and Grealish have by far been the heart of the club and could destabilise that poor Manchester United midfield which seems very conflicted and error-prone.
4. Brighton and Hove Albion
Vs Liverpool (A)
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5. Burnley
GK. Pope (4.7), D. Tarkowski (5.1), M. McNeil (6.0), F. Barnes (6.3), F. Wood (6.2)
Vs Crystal Palace (H)
After 3 straight losses, The Clarets have bounced back with two 3-0 wins over West Ham, Watford. Barnes and Wood are having a decent season with both of them scoring 6 goals in 12 and 11 games respectively. Please don’t give me stick for this but Tarkowski is my favourite English center-back and has been impressive in the last two GWs grabbing an assist and a goal. Palace have earned only one point in their last five game and that was against arsenal.
6. Chelsea
M. Mount (6.7), M. Pulisic (7.5), M. Kovacic (5.3)
Vs West Ham United (H)
Tammy Abraham is a major doubt for the West Ham game and is likely to miss out which means Batshuayi could start. Pulisic and Kovacic are in great form and I expect more managers to opt for Pulisic as Chelsea play against West Ham, Villa, Everton and Bournemouth in their next four games.
7. Crystal Palace
M. Zaha (6.6)
Vs Burnley (A)
Zaha scored Palace’s only goal in their 2-1 loss to Liverpool which was their 6th loss of the season. Does this mean that the Ivorian could be hitting form? I can’t really say. Zaha is without a doubt a threat to any opposition but the player’s willingness to move away from Selhurst Park is affecting his performances. Palace will have a tough time against Burnley for sure.
8. Everton
Vs Leicester city (A)
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9. Leicester City
M. Maddison (7.6), F. Vardy (9.8)
Vs Everton (H)
A Vardy goal and assist help me just scrape past the average point tally of GW13 and I’m happy that I captained him. Maddison and Vardy are becoming like My Son and Kane Suggestion every time that I discuss about Spurs. I insist on including Leicester players because of their run of fixtures until they meet Manchester City on 21st Dec.
10. Liverpool
D. Robertson (7.0), M. Mane (12.2), M. Salah (12.2), F. Firmino (9.4)
Vs Brighton (H)
Liverpool drew 1-1 to Napoli in the Champions League mid-week and have lost Fabinho to injury that will potentially see how out for 8 weeks. Keita will be expected to start in Fabinho’s place alongside Henderson and Wijnaldum. Salah was back too against Napoli but failed to score. Liverpool play at home which is an obvious advantage for them and also for their front three grab goals. The reds have a dreadful clean-sheet record this season but my gut tells me that they could keep one today.
11. Manchester City
GK. Ederson (6.0), D. Mendy (5.7), M. KDB (10.2), M. Mahrez (8.3), M. B. Silva (7.9), M. Sterling (12.0), F. Jesus (9.5)
Vs Newcastle United (A)
Yeah I’ve given 7 names and it should be 6 actually, it’s just the pep roulette that bothers me. Whoever starts on the right, be it Mahrez or Bernardo, both are in great form. De Bruyne has been the most trusted player to deliver points while I’m backing Ederson and Mendy to get clean-sheets. As for Jesus, Aguero is injured and that makes Jesus Pep MOST OBVIOUS choice to start and someone who shouldn’t be caught in the Pep Roulette. All in all, the Citizens travel to Newcastle upon Tyne who have 1 point in their last 5 games.
12. Manchester United
M. James (6.2), M. Martial (7.8), F. Rashford (8.7)
Vs Aston Villa (H)
Manchester United drew to Sheffield in a thrilling encounter. Solskjear played that youth team against Astana which included a few seniors in Grant, Shaw and Lingard who lacked fitness. This could be smart move from Ole who left Carrick and Mckenna behind at Carrington along with the first team to prepare for Aston Villa. Mctominay is doubtful and said to be working hard to make it in time for the game. Rashford is in the form of his life while Martial and James are key to ManUtds attack.
13. Newcastle United
Vs Manchester City (H)
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14. Norwich City
Vs Arsenal (H)
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15. Sheffield United
D. Lundstram (5.0)
Vs Wolves (A)
Lundstram and Ings are two players that just baffle me. I don’t how they do but they DO IT.
16. Southampton
Ings (6.1)
Vs Watford (H)
The Saints have good run of fixtures until Christmas and at 6.1 million Danny Ings could be a bargain.
17. Tottenham Hotspurs
D. Aurier (4.9), M. Moura (7.0), M. Son (9.7), M. Alli (8.4), F. Kane (10.9)
Vs Bournemouth (H)
Serge Aurier has been a beast this season and scored a wonderful goal against Olympiacos. Alli and Moura and seem to be finding their way back under Mourinho and keep in mind that Moura could be a key asset under Jose as he tried to sign previously at both Manchester United and Real Madrid. Son and Kane have been Spurs most consistent options even when the club where under a bad spell and with Mourinho now in, the duo will attract even more interest.
18. Watford
Vs Southampton (A)
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19. West Ham United
Vs Chelsea (A)
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20. Wolverhampton Wanderers
M. Moutinho (5.3), F. Jimenez (7.6)
Vs Sheffield United (H)
Moutinho has been the engine or the heart of Nuno’s Wolves this season while Jimenez is the clubs top scorer with 6 goals in the Premier League. Moutinho scored a beautiful free kick last week and Jimenez scored in PL as well as in the Europa where he also bagged two assists.
