The winter period of the Premier League often creates a good dividing line between the top teams and everyone else. Whilst we’ve only just entered December, this trend seems to already be en route if not already here, as eight members of our fantasy Team of the Week come from the traditional top six clubs. Fantasy players would be served well by filling their team with such players, especially once European commitments subside at the end of this week for three months. Until then, here are the 11 best Fantasy performers from the weekend that was.
GK: Julian Speroni - Crystal Palace - 1 Game, 7 Saves, 1 Clean Sheet = 10 Points
DF: Nicolas Otamendi - Manchester City - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Goal Conceded = 8 Points
Manchester City have, all of a sudden, forgotten what a clean sheet is, but Otamendi has been able to offset those struggles somewhat by putting the ball in the net. Considering his price, though, the Argentine defender probably isn’t worth owning for now, especially with matches against Manchester United and Tottenham both lurking on the horizon.
DF: Christian Kabasele - Watford - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Goal Conceded = 8 Points
DF: Antonio Valencia - Manchester United - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Goal Conceded = 8 Points
MF: Philippe Coutinho - Liverpool - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 3 Assists = 17 Points
What a ridiculous day Phillippe Coutinho had. In fact, only Sergio Aguero has scored more points in a single match (20) than Coutinho’s 17 this week. While both Liverpool and the Brazilian can both be inconsistent, they have a very nice run ahead of them, facing just two top ten defences before the calendar turns.
MF: Eden Hazard - Chelsea - 1 Game, 2 Goals = 14 Points
MF: Jesse Lingard - Manchester United - 1 Game, 2 Goals = 14 Points
After spending the majority of the season as a bench option, Lingard was finally given minutes and immediately turned them into points. He now has made two consecutive starts and collected three goals and an assist over that stretch, therefore the Englishman looks a fantastic differential and budget option in the Goal game at the moment.
MF: David Silva - Manchester City - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
MF: Son Heung-Min - Tottenham - 1 Game, 1 Goal = 8 Points
FWD: Roberto Firmino - Liverpool - 1 Game, 2 Goals = 12 Points
FWD: Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Everton - 1 Game, 1 Goal, 1 Assist = 10 Points
His inclusion in our Team of the Week is another example of what seems to be a resurgence from Everton. Like Lingard, Calvert-Lewin has recently received a boost to his minutes and has responded with a goal and two assists in the last three matches. It’s also worth noting that his 52% shot accuracy, while not prolific, is higher than fellow English strikers Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, so the young forward is definitely worth a speculative add for the braver owners out there.
