EPL Weekend Picks – Week 31

vardyWith a reduced run of fixtures in the Premier League this coming weekend owing to FA Cup Sixth Round action, there are only ten teams from which to take this week’s weekend picks. The pick of the upcoming fixtures is arguably Everton hosting Chelsea in the 4.30pm kickoff on Sunday, while Bournemouth host in-form Newcastle on Saturday. Burnley do battle with Leicester and West Ham take on Huddersfield in Saturday’s other games, while Sunday’s earlier game sees Fulham welcome Liverpool to Craven Cottage. Taking all of that into account, let’s adopt a 4-3-3 this time and see which players could be set to work their way into fantasy management consideration.

GK - Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham)
The former Arsenal goalkeeper has had a bit of a topsy turvy season so far, sitting on -2 points, but a home game against the league’s bottom club will usually offer keepers a chance of a clean sheet. Visitors Huddersfield have scored an average of one goal per two games, so the 33-year-old will be hopeful.

DF - Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
One of the Premier League’s finest defenders this season, Robertson’s Liverpool have a trip to Fulham on the agenda. With the Reds looking to maintain pressure on league leaders Man City – potentially going top this weekend (though offering the champions a game in hand) Robertson should be at his best.

DF - David Luiz (Chelsea)
The Brazilian defender will travel to Merseyside when Chelsea take on Everton, and while Everton have plenty of quality the Londoners need a result to keep up their chase of the top four.

DF - Isaac Hayden (Newcastle)
Hayden has had a decent season so far with Newcastle, even though the Toon Army are not entirely out of relegation trouble just yet. Their hosts, Bournemouth, are just three points ahead in the league so this should be tight – Hayden and co have a job on their hands, that is for sure.

DF - Nathan Aké (Bournemouth)
OK, so this falls under the umbrella of covering all bases, but Bournemouth will also have a clean sheet high on their to do list when Newcastle arrive on the south coast. Expect the defence to be as well organised as they have been recently.

MF - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
This may not be making any headlines, but Mo Salah is a cracking player. With Liverpool travelling to Fulham – who have looked somewhat disheveled this season – the Egyptian should be rubbing his hands together in anticipation of grabbing a goal or two here.

MF - Jack Cork (Burnley)
Burnley’s most-selected midfielder will come up against some tough opposition when Leicester arrive at Turf Moor, and that is a game that will largely be decided by the midfield. Burnley have struggled and so if Cork can get some control of the game they could have a chance of claiming a vital three points.

MF - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Another Liverpool midfielder on this list, Mane is – like team-mate Salah – another goalscoring midfielder. The former Southampton man has an excellent chance of adding to his season’s tally of 97.

ST - Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
Wilson is among the Premier League’s highest performers as far as fantasy points go this season, and while visitors Newcastle have been in much better form over the last few weeks he will surely be sniffing around for a goal.

ST – Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
Vardy seems to have been enjoying his football again under the management of Brendan Rodgers, and the trip to Fulham offers a golden opportunity for him to get his eye in and his the back of the net.

ST – Gonzalo Higuain (Chelsea)
The Argentina international is not definitely fit for the trip to Everton, but the signs are that he could well be good to go. While perhaps not setting the world alight he has done well since arriving on loan from Juventus, and will want to continue that form this weekend.

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