Manchester City 1 – 3 Leicester

Manchester City had a poor game in perhaps their most crucial game of the season against Leicester. They just weren’t on top of their game. City struggled defensively and the Otamendi-Demichelis partnership still hasn’t clicked this season. Two goals were conceded from set pieces and City need to tighten up if they are to push for the title. Aguero grabbed a late headed goal to please the ~40% of managers who captained him. It’s a good sign to see him still scoring even when the team plays poorly.

They’re baaaaaack! Leicester City moved 6 points clear of Manchester City with today’s emphatic win. They are playing like a team ready to win the league and it really is time to jump back on the Leicester bandwagon. Today’s game proved the Mahrez and Vardy can still score points against the top clubs. Robert Huth appears to be a serious threat on set pieces, scoring two headed goals for a cool 16 FPL points. At only £4.4, he is great value if you’re looking for cheap options. All in all, you can’t go wrong with Leicester right now. And if you didn’t hear, Jamie Vardy signed a contract with Leicester through 2019. All aboard!

Aston Villa 2 – 0 Norwich

Aston Villa got a much-needed win under their belt against a struggling Norwich side. Joleon Lescott scored his third goal of the season from a set piece. Gabi Agbonlahor sealed the deal with a composed finish over Declan Rudd. Despite the win, I would stay away from Villa. This win against an out-of-form Norwich team doesn’t mean much. Villa will struggle next week against Liverpool.

Norwich is playing like the worst team in the league right now. The transfer window brought hope to the Canaries with the signing of Steven Naismith from Everton. They looked to be figuring out their attack against Liverpool two weeks ago, but now they’re in pieces. With back-to-back blanks, it’s time to ditch Norwich options. Get them out of your team.

Spurs 1 – 0 Watford

Spurs put on a dominating performance and were unlucky to not defeat Watford more than 1-0. Fullbacks Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier were given freedom to bomb up the pitch, which ultimately led to a Trippier goal. Spurs fullbacks are a great FPL option, but it’s been tough to identify a nailed on starter between Walker, Rose, Trippier, and Davies. Harry Kane had a disappointing blank, but owners shouldn’t panic, as he had his chances to score. Dele Alli came off the bench around the 60′ frustrating many owners who were hoping for an auto-sub. But he came on a provided the assist that won the game. I think Alli and Kane are both must-own players at the moment.

Watford have struggles lately, with only one win in their last eight games. They concede much of the possession to Spurs and didn’t make the most of their few chances. Odion Ighalo was almost entirely absent from the action. For a player who relies on goals for FPL points, his recent form makes me question his spot in my team. The only bright spot for Watford was another standout performance from Heurelho Gomes. No matter how good the keeper, I don’t feel that investing in this Watford team right now is a good idea. Not until they turn their form around and start winning some games.

Liverpool 2 – 2 Sunderland

Liverpool played without Jurgen Klopp who missed the game due to appendicitis. The Reds started the game well, dominating possession and playing sharper than Sunderland. However, they collapsed at the end of the game, allowing two easy goals for Sunderland to draw level. Roberto Firmino is playing full of confidence at the moment, grabbing a goal and an assist. He seems like the only option worth owning from Liverpool, given their poor defensive performances and unpredictable midfield. But boy is Firmino in form. If you need a midfielder, I think he’s the best option you can get. Due note that Liverpool have a blank gameweek in GW27, so make sure Firmino won’t prevent you from fielding a full 11.

Although Sunderland failed to get a win, Allardyce’s men should be proud for their performance. They came of a good showing against Man City where they dominated the second half of the game. Although Sunderland seem to lack cohesion and chemistry for a full 90 minutes, they seemed to find it in the end of the game. Both goals scored were preventable from Liverpool’s perspective, so I wouldn’t be eager to bring in a Sunderland attacker yet. But this should give them a boost of confidence to go on a perform well going forward.

Newcastle 1 – 0 West Brom

Newcastle are proving that their transfer signings are making a difference. Jonjo Shelvey is making a huge impact in the team. He provided quality chances to score, one which was converted by Aleksandar Mitrovic. Wijnaldum owners will be disappointed not to see him on the scoresheet, but the future for Newcastle looks promising and they’ll be looking to improve upon their win.

West Brom struggled again and gave up another three points to a very beatable Newcastle side. Tony Pulis’ park-the-bus tactics haven’t worked lately, as they’ve failed to both score and prevent goals. The only option from West Brom that I see at the moment is goalkeeper Ben Foster. West Brom don’t look like they’ll keep clean sheets, but Foster registered 6 saves in the game. He may be able to provide some save points with a clean sheet here and there. Overall, I would stay far away from any West Brom players right now.

Stoke 0 – 3 Everton

It’s all fallen apart for Stoke as of late. Ryan Shawcross‘s injury has obviously played a huge part in their recent dip of form. I can’t think of any players to mention at the moment who are worth owning from Stoke. It’s time to ditch all Stoke players ASAP. That’s all I’ll say.

Everton easily defeated stoke by a three goal margin, and this was a much needed win for the Toffee’s. Romelu Lukaku was the most transferred out forward this week, and he made all of us pay by earning a goal and three bonus points. I’m sorely regretting this decision, which proved to be a seven point loss as I brought in a blanking Jamie Vardy. But I think managers who made this similar move will be happy in the long run given Leicester’s form and upcoming fixtures. Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon also contributed goals, but I don’t see either of them worth owning. Lennon is always a rotation risk from Deulofeu and Everton don’t seem strong enough in defense to keep clean sheets regularly. If Everton can prevent conceding in a few more games, then maybe it will be time to reconsider.

Swansea 1 – 1 Crystal Palace

Swansea drew level with Crystal Palace despite being the better of the two teams. Gylfi Sigurdsson continued his hot run of form with another goal, this time from a free kick. He’s the Swan to own at this point as he is their free kick, corner, and penalty taker. Swansea defense will have been disappointed by their last two performances. They conceded two goals from two set pieces against West Brom last week and Palace this week. As an Ashley Williams starter, he’s been excruciating to own. Swansea have some difficult fixtures coming up, so it may be time to ditch him.

Crystal Palace got their first point of 2016 with the tie against Swansea. Scott Dann came to the rescue yet again with another goal from a corner. But I feel that Crystal Palace’s defense is too inconsistent to warrant owning Dann, especially at a price of £5.8. Adebayor got his first start as an Eagle but is still looking rusty. He may be worth an investment but needs time to settle into the team. I’d be hesitant to buy into Crystal Palace until they start winning some games.

Southampton 1 – 0 West Ham

With another win, the Southampton defense made it 5 clean sheets in 5 games. Fraser Forster has been a stonewall in goal, and I think he is the best way into the Saints’ defense at only £4.9. A defender from Southampton look essential right now. Charlie Austin made another sub appearance and just missed another chance to score a goal. If he starts regularly, it will only be a matter of time before he starts scoring. Southampton were fortunate to not concede after Victor Wanyama made a reckless tackle on Payet and earned a red card. He is a key player for them, so it might be good to wait until he’s back in the team to invest in Saints.

It’s hard to describe West Ham’s performance with anything other than so-so. West Ham have a great run of fixtures, so I think it’s worth it to be patient with the Hammers. Dimitri Payet has moved further back on the pitch, and his chances to score FPL points have dwindled. He seems to have recovered from the knock he received from the Wanyama tackle. I’ll be waiting until after gameweek 27 to assess Payet’s spot in my team. Four teams have a blank gameweek 27, and West Ham is not one of them.

Bournemouth 0 – 2 Arsenal

Arsenal scrapped out a 2-0 win against Bournemouth. The Cherries made it difficult, but it was Arsenal’s composed finishing that gave them the win. Mesut Ozil had a return to form grabbing a beautiful goal from a volley. He also had numerous chances to assist. He’s still Arsenal’s key attacker and looks essential to their team. Petr Cech also had a standout game in goal preventing Bournemouth from scoring. Alexis Sanchez had a disappointing blank and had his chances to get on the scoresheet. I think that Arsenal defenders are still great to own. If you don’t own Sanchez, I wouldn’t bring him in until he shows some form. I wouldn’t get rid if you do own him, but his returns lately have been alarming.

Bournemouth failed to score today against a sharp Arsenal defense. The Cherries were the worse of the two, but they played to their standards. Benik Afobe went goalless after scoring 3 goals in 3, but looked good on the ball. I still think he’s a great value striker with a good run of fixtures to come. Charlie Daniels also pushed high up the pitch and is involved in Bournemouth’s attack. I still rate him as the best budget defender in the league because of his attacking potential from open play and penalties! I think Bournemouth are a sleeper team that could help boost your FPL rank if they keep their form up!

Chelsea 1 – 1 Manchester United

Chelsea had a slow start to the game but turned it around, ultimately grinding out a point. Diego Costa continued his scoring run by provided the tying goal in stoppage time. With the fixtures lightening up for Chelsea in the coming weeks, Costa could be the differential striker to own at only 6.4%! Kurt Zouma was carted off with a nasty knee injury, and he looks to be out for the foreseeable future. I would invest in the Chelsea fullbacks (Ivanovic or Azpilicueta) if you’re looking to bring in a defender from the Blues. I think it’s worth it to gamble on Chelsea players given their schedule coming up.

Manchester United were the better side for the majority of the game. They controlled possession and played more as a team. They seem to be discovering some chemistry in attack, which could mean that United attackers will become more viable FPL options. Jesse Lingard scored again, making it two goals in two game. At £4.2, he is the ideal budget midfielder as long as he continues to start. I don’t think van Gaal will make too many changes, so he should be pretty nailed on. Wayne Rooney also assisted Lingard’s goal and is the player United are looking to for crosses and through ball. He’s involved and he’s sharp. De Gea was brilliant in goal and didn’t make any mistakes, with Chelsea’s equalizer out of his control. I’ll be sticking with all of my United players, and I think you should too!

Written by @Thunshot