This weekend’s Premier League fixture list promises another round of tension, goals, celebration and despair. Proceedings get underway Saturday lunchtime with the north London derby, Spurs welcoming Arsenal as their guests at Wembley. We also have a relegation clash as Brighton host bottom side Huddersfield, while on Sunday we have a west London derby – Fulham vs Chelsea – and the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Manchester City look to continue their bid to retain the Premier League crown when they travel to Bournemouth 24 hours before Liverpool’s trip across Stanley Park, and with both of those fixtures proving potentially slippery for the top two this weekend could well start to shape the landscape as the domestic season rolls on.
With that in mind, then, let us adopt a classic 4-4-2 formation and look ahead at which players in particular will be worth keeping an eye on.
GK – Mat Ryan (Brighton)
Ryan has had a somewhat underwhelming season so far, sitting on -5 points for the campaign, but the visit of the league’s lowest scorers to the Falmer Stadium provides an opportunity for the Australian to get some points in the bag.
DF – Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
Shaw could be in for a good weekend when the Red Devils welcome his former club Southampton to Old Trafford. The left back has looked more assured in recent weeks, and will be confident he can add to his 16 points for the season so far.
DF - César Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
Azpilicueta is having a fine season so far, with 44 points to his name. Despite the recent turbulence going on at the club and the future of manager Maurizio Sarri being in doubt, the Spaniard will hope for an enjoyable afternoon when Chelsea travel to Fulham on Sunday.
DF - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The Dutchman has really galvanised Liverpool’s defensive endeavours since arriving from Southampton last year, and while he could be in for a tricky afternoon when the Reds travel to Everton he will be confident of helping Jurgen Klopp’s men to three points.
DF - Willy Boly (Wolves)
Boly has been Wolves’ finest defender so far this season, racking up 23 points against his 6.5m valuation. Wolves host struggling Cardiff this weekend, and while the Welshmen do offer some goalscoring threat Boly and co. will be confident.
MF - Felipe Anderson (West Ham)
West Ham have struggled in recent weeks but at times are still playing some fine football, owed in no small part to the efforts of the Brazilian. The Hammers’ guests Newcastle are still struggling to find momentum, and Anderson could conduct a home win from the middle this weekend.
MF - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Salah does of course tend to play further up the field, but is listed as a straight midfielder here. He is the Premier League’s top points scorer, second only behind Lionel Messi in the whole Euro Fantasy League game. If he can get a foothold against Everton, there should be points on the table for him.
MF - Roberto Pereyra (Watford)
Pereyra’s Watford host Leicester City this weekend, and with the visitors having recently parted company with manager Claude Puell there could be a real sense of transition among the Foxes’ squad. With Watford on cloud nine after beating Cardiff 5-1 last weekend, Pereyra could help his team to another three points at home on Sunday.
MF - Christian Eriksen (Tottenham)
Derby games are always a testament those regarded as the best players at a club – some rise to the occasion, some crumble. The Danish international will likely be keenly looking forward to this weekend’s visit of Arsenal, and will want to offer a large contribution to his side’s cause.
ST – Gerard Deulofeu (Watford)
After securing Watford’s first top flight hattrick in 23 years during last weekend’s 5-1 thumping of Cardiff, Deulofeu will want to build on his – and his club’s – momentum by putting in a shift against Leicester.
ST - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Much like the aforementioned Eriksen, Aubameyang will be wanting to build on what has already been a good season for the Gabon international. With 68 points already to his name, the game at Spurs will be a stern test, but one which the former Dortmund striker will be looking to take on with gusto.
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