|
Here are some key stats to consider looking ahead to the top Premier League matches this weekend before selecting your fantasy team. Game of the weekend: Tottenham vs. Manchester UnitedOle Gunnar Solskjaer gets his toughest test since taking over as manager at Manchester United when the club travels to London to face Tottenham. United has won five straight matches in all competitions and have scored 16 goals in this run, keyed by December's Premier League Player of the Month Paul Pogba, who scored or assisted on seven of those goals during this stretch. He's facing an injury test ahead of the weekend but he's averaging twice as many chances created per game and over a shot more under Solskjaer and is a must-play in Tier 1 if healthy. Elsewhere on the field, Tier 1 forward Harry Kane has never really enjoyed Premier League success against United, scoring just twice in his nine games against the club. Meanwhile, United forward Romelu Lukaku has scored in three straight games in all competitions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, more than he had scored in his last 17 games under José Mourinho. However, Lukaku has just one goal in 11 Premier League matchups with Spurs. At your Tier 1 midfield spot, Son Heung-Min is tied with Harry Kane for most goals in the Premier League since the start of December with seven, converting 29 percent of his shots in that stretch. Only Mohamed Salah has a higher conversion rate among players with at least 15 shots in that time. Entering this season, Son had converted just 16 percent of his shots in the Premier League, so beware. Son will leave the club to join South Korea in the Asian Cup after the game, so he will want to leave on a positive note. Around the leagueMohamed Salah has one goal from open play over his past five matches, but he could get right this weekend against Brighton. He's scored in each of his past two matches against them and his 10 percent conversion rate over the last five games on non-penalty shots is less than half his rate of 21 percent over the past two seasons in league play. Sergio Agüero has scored in each of his past two games and seeks his first three-game PL scoring streak since September 2017. Keep an eye on Agüero to heat up as his 125.8 minutes per goal is his second-worst since joining Manchester City despite his shots per game and expected goals lining up with previous seasons. If you're looking for an under-the-radar play this weekend, Burnley's Chris Wood could be your play as a Tier 2 forward. He's put up 16 fantasy points in each of his past two games and he faces Fulham this weekend -- a team that has conceded the most fantasy points overall of any team this season, and their 47 goals conceded are also most in the Premier League. Alexandre Lacazette snapped a six-game Premier League scoreless drought on New Year's Day for Arsenal against Fulham. It was his biggest fantasy output since October 7, the last time he faced Fulham (looking at you, Chris Wood). Lacazette had three shots against Fulham, his most in his past nine Premier League appearances. West Ham have conceded two or more goals in five of its last six home Premier League games and has kept one home clean sheet all season (back in September). The only downside with Lacazette is that he has not played 90 minutes in a game since November 11. With only one double-digit return in the last five matchweeks, Tier 2 forward Richarlison's strong start to the season is a distant memory. However, do not give up on the Brazilian just yet. Over the past seven Premier League games, only two players have attempted more shots in the attacking penalty area than Richarlison's 20. Over that same span (past seven games), Everton's opponents this weekend, Bournemouth have conceded the most goals in the Premier League (19), including 11 in their past three matches.
|
