CULT LEADERS: GW6
Without any Liverpool players because we're bold and crazy like that...
We’re hitting our stride. 61 points from our Cult Leaders team in a tricky GW5 - even with a glorious minus 2 from Patrick Van Arnholt - has us feeling ready to tackle GW6 like a Lee Cattermole who has spotted an opportunity to go studs up into a 50/50 (read: aggressively).
It’s a set of tough fixtures this gameweek - and it sees us abandoning Liverpool assets for the first time as well as bringing in some North London favourites.
And, of course, City. There’s plenty of City.
GK
GUNN (4.5m, SOU v bou)
‘Southampton defence looking solid’. There’s a phrase I hadn’t expected to write this season (or ever), but here they are, having kept two clean sheets and in the last three and conceding a mere single goal to Man United. The rejuvenated attack of Bournemouth may test them, but we see a potential clean sheet here, at a rock bottom price.
DEFENCE
Otamendi (5.4m, MCI v wat)
With Laporte and Stones confirmed out, Otamendi remains a budget way into the City defence. With the backline depleted, the Sky Blues aren’t as rock solid as they were last season - but we also don’t think Watford are any good. Makes this a no-brainer.
Digne (6.2m, EVE v shu)
You could look at Digne’s 0 pointer last week two ways: get rid and forget forever OR he’s bloody well due a big un. We prefer the latter view. In the first five, he’s already bagged 6-11-5 point hauls. We just really hope a striker emerges for Everton, to put away some of Digne’s quality delivery.
Vestergaard (5.1m, SOU v bou)
With a total of 25 points across his last three games (including two clean sheets and a goal against Man Utd), the Danish centre-back is the best performing defender in the game right now, and the visit of Bournemouth to St Mary’s should offer points potential at both ends of the pitch for the Southampton man.
MIDFIELD
Sterling (12.1m, MCI v wat)
There’s no way Raheem could blank three games in a row. The reason: Watford. The Hornets have conceded plenty this season already, and while they look marginally more solid with the return of manager Flores, we’re expecting some big returns from the little man.
Son (9.6m, tot v LEI)
We’re tempted by Spurs assets right now, with a tasty run of fixtures. But who to get? You know how we feel about Harry Kane. Eriksen isn’t quite doing it yet. Alli isn’t even playing. Lamela… maybe. We have the answer: Son. The Heung min train is steadily getting moving, with an assist against Arsenal followed by a lethal double against Palace, and we feel it’s the right time to get onboard.
Cantwell (4.9m, nor v BUR)
Could Cantwell be fixture proof? Plenty of FF managers left the English midfielder on the bench against Man City, to their peril. Goals, assists, and 4.9m - he’s a key player for any team.
Iwobi (5.9m, EVE v shu)
Oh, Everton, how frustrating you are. We debated pre-season whether to go for Richarlison or Sigurdsson, presuming they would continue to bring in the goals and assist points they were scoring last season. But a new option has emerged in the oft-unpredictable Iwobi. The Nigerian has steadily been getting more minutes and could provide Everton with the much-needed cutting edge they need.
FORWARDS
Aubameyang (11.0m, ARS v avl)
Arsenal suck but Auba doesn’t: that’s our takeaway from the first five gameweeks. He’s brought returns in every game this season, including a double against Watford last week, and with an incredible run of fixtures right up until Gameweek 15, he’s the heavy hitter managers should be considering - particularly in the absence of rotation-threatening Lacazette.
Pukki (7.0m, nor v BUR)
One goal, one assist, 12 points against Man City! Pukki is a man for always.
Aguero (12.1, MCI v wat)
Or you could go Kun. Or you could go both, as we have. Seven goals already this season and with Watford to come, we expect more from the Argentine. Rotation is always a risk with City assets, but with Gabriel Jesus starting their Champions League match against Shakhtar midweek, Aguero’s starting presence is about as nailed on as you can get in the Pep roulette.
DIFFERENTIALS
<PABLO’S PUNTS>
DEFENDER: Willems (4.5m, NEW v bha)
After scoring a sensational goal against Liverpool at Anfield last time out, Jetro Willems (4.5m) should be a show in to start for Newcastle this week at home to Brighton, where he should be in with a decent shout of points at both ends of the pitch.
MIDFIELDER: Milivojevic (6.8m, CRY v wol)
It’s been a slow start to the season for Palace’s Luka Milivojevic (6.8m), but it’s surely only a matter of time before the dead ball specialist gets the chance to open his account from a set piece or from the penalty spot, and a home game against a Wolves team weary from their Thursday night Europa League exertions could be just the ticket.
FORWARD: Vardy (8.9m, LEI v tot)
Jamie Vardy (8.9m) looked back to his brilliant best with three goals and 24 points in GW3-4 before a muted performance away to Man Utd in GW5 brought his owners back down to Earth with a bump. Back at the King Power Stadium against an inconsistent Spurs however, I’m backing him to get on the scoring trail once again.
<TJ’S TINKERS>
DEFENDER: Maitland-Niles (5.1m, ARS v avl)
Arsenal have kept only a single clean sheet this season. But we think, if they’re ever, ever going to get another, it could be against Villa at the Emirates.
MIDFIELDER: David Silva (7.5m, MCI v wat)
Even at 33, El Magico is still capable of plenty of magic. He’s returned four assists so far and I think we’ll see a couple against Watford, too.
FORWARD: Callum Wilson (7.8m, bou v SOU)
Incredibly, despite returns in every game so far, Callum Wilson has dropped 0.2 in price. He’s turned the assists in his first three to goals now, which bodes well for this encounter at Southhampton.
<SI’S CALCULATED RISKS>
DEFENDER: Patrick van Aanholt (5.6m, cry v WOL)
PVA faces a Wolves side that has looked dull at the front, particularly after European commitments. Palace were taught a lesson by Spurs last week, but I’m picking their defence to bounce for this week’s home game.
MIDFIELDER: James Maddison (7.1, LEI v tot)
While Maddison’s returns to-date have been modest, his underlying stats remain strong, ranking 1st out all midfielders for goal attempts and 2nd for shots inside the box. I’m backing Leicester to cause some problems for Spurs this week.
FORWARD: Ashley Barnes (6.7, BUR v nor)
Norwich are as leaky at the back as they are fearsome up front, and I’m looking for Ashley Barnes to profit, even if the clarets find themselves with a Pukki party hangover.