The first international break of the campaign provided fantasy football fans the perfect opportunity to take stock of their season thus far. It also coincided with the close of the transfer window and the mad scramble from clubs to get their business concluded until January. Player turnover has been at its highest in the last week so it’s important to consider your choices wisely ahead of the Premier League’s return.
As gameweek 4 looms the tipster has assessed the weekend’s fixtures and come up with some transfer picks that are worth considering.
DIEGO COSTA - CHELSEA
Diego Costa didn’t even appear to have a future at Chelsea when last season finished, as a return to Atletico Madrid beckoned. The striker wanted out only for Antonio Conte to veto any move away from Stamford Bridge during the summer. He was still important to the incoming manager and his early season form has proven why.
The sight of Costa peeling off to the flanks was a sight far too often seen last season. Conte has already made a conscious effort to keep Costa through the middle and Chelsea are reaping the rewards. The Spain international has played a direct hand in three goals in Chelsea’s three league matches this season (two goals, one assist) and finally put his troubles for the national team behind him with a brace against Lichtenstein during the international break.
Chelsea travel to Swansea on Sunday against whom Costa has scored more goals against than any other Premier League team (five goals in three games). His good run of form looks set to continue.
TOM HEATON - BURNLEY
The goalkeeping position is often a great area of the pitch where you can save money that can be used to upgrade players further up field and Tom Heaton could certainly be the man between the sticks that would allow that this weekend.
With bonus points available for a set number of saves there is also room for the Burnley goalkeeper to excel against a Hull team not fancied by many this season, despite their surprise start. In fact, Heaton has made the most saves this season (18) and entered the international break as the highest rated Premier League goalkeeper (7.34).
Having kept a clean sheet in five of their last six home meetings against Hull, Heaton looks a transfer worth making this weekend.
SHKODRAN MUSTAFI - ARSENAL
Ater eventually getting a deal done to sign Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia, Arsene Wenger will now be hoping the Germany international can form a stellar partnership with Laurent Koscielny and put questions about the Arsenal defence to bed. Mustafi is expected to slot straight into the back four against Southampton on Saturday with Gabriel and Per Mertesacker still sidelined.
The Gunners have kept clean sheets in three of their last four home meetings against Southampton and their defence should be eyeing another one as they welcome a Saints side still coming to terms with their new manager Claude Puel. Only Manchester United (10) have kept more clean sheets in the Premier League in 2016 than Arsenal (8) and Mustafi’s arrival should only heighten their chances of continuing the trend on Saturday.
Looking further afield, Arsenal also have matches against Hull, Burnley, Swansea, Middlesbrough and Sunderland to come in their next seven league fixtures so getting Mustafi in early before his price starts to rise could prove a smart decision ahead of gameweek 4.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN - TOTTENHAM
Mauricio Pochettino admitted the reasons behind Christian Eriksen’s poor start to the season largely point towards contract talks that have distracted the Denmark international. However, Eriksen has finally put pen to paper on a new deal and can now concentrate on his performances starting with a trip to Stoke on Saturday.
The 24-year-old is yet to register a goal or an assist for Tottenham this season but he did score the winner for Denmark against Armenia during the international break and can take solace from two strong performances against Stoke last season to inspire him this time around.
Tottenham scored six goals over their two matches against Stoke last season and Eriksen played a direct hand in half of those (three assists). With Harry Kane misfiring and Erik Lamela not expected to start, more will be demanded of Eriksen to finally step up and produce his first good performance of the season. His fantasy football price is likely to have dropped this season and he could prove a handy pick-up this weekend as Tottenham aim to get their season up and running.
ONES TO AVOID
It’s easy to lose track of players during the international break, particularly when it coincides with one of the busiest deadline days in recent memory. Players returning late from the international break are always a problem for managers and it’s unlikely that many that have featured in South America will play a real part this weekend. The likes of Antonio Valencia, Philippe Coutinho and Lamela are all serious doubts to start and it’s worth considering them if they already feature in your team.
What are your top tips for fantasy football this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
