This is a very interesting weekend for Fantasy Premier League. The five most owned players are either not playing at all (Hazard, Benteke, Ivanovic) or are facing off against each other (Van Persie, Mignolet). Further down the ownership scale but still in roughly 1 in 5 teams we also find the likes of Mertesacker and Soldado in direct completion for GW3 ponts.
The key differentiator this weekend will be with Man City's players versus Hull. Which one's you own, who will score points, and whether you go and captain them. Zabaleta is the 2nd most owned defender. You'll find in him in 27% of teams. David Silva's ownership is up to near 20% on the back of 200,000 transfers so far this week. Hot on his heels are Dzeko and Aguero.
Here's our preview of the biggest clashes this weekend.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
Last season an early red card for now departed Jonjo Shelvy made the task hard for Liverpool although the scores were even until Van Persie converted a late penalty to make it 2-1 to United. This match is perhaps the key opening fixture in which to assess David Moyes's approach to retaining the Premier League crown he has inherited. No one can blame United for failing to break down Chelsea last week with Mourinho setting out his team the way they did, but do United have the ability and the ambition to go for a win at Anfield? We envisage a close game with neither team willing to lose an early goal but would not be surprised to find either or both of Sturridge and Van Persie on the scoresheet at the final whistle. Wayne Rooney's desire to prove he's still top dog may make the difference for United. Predicton: 1-1
Arsenal vs Tottenham
This fixture has produce an incredible 30 goals in the last 5 encounters. Last season's 5-2 victory for the Gunners was shaped by an 18th minute red card for Adebayor with Tottenham deservedly leading 1-0 at the time. All the positivity in the media for Tottenham and their new signings coupled with the sniping at Arsene Wegner's team probably has many people expecting Spurs to win this one but despite two 1-0 victories Villas-Boas team are still very much untested and the Emirates will be one serious examination. Gareth Bale had a hand in almost 60% of Spurs' goals last season. The new boys have big shoes to fill. Arsenal are the opposite to Tottenham in some respects. Their key players are still in place and they've already shown signs of top form this season. We expect this to be an open game as usual but Arsenal to come away with a deserved victory. Another goal or two for Giroud will turn the heat up on his already simmering fantasy interest. Prediction: 3-1
Looking around the rest of the fixtures, aside from the previously mentioned City vs Hull game, there's some good fantasy opportunity at West Ham. Nolan has to be fancied to get on the score sheet and the Hammer's defence to pick up a third straight clean sheet. Swansea have been overlooked this season but are still a team who can score goals. They'll expect to get something out of West Brom this could see Michu register his first points of the season.
A few surprises may be thrown out of Newcastle's home game with Fulham, Perhaps Ben Arfa can take advantage of a weak Fulham defence. More likely Darren Bent will show the Magpies what they missed out on this summer whilst pricking the ears of fantasy managers ahead of a nice little run of fixtures for Fulham.
Whatever happens around the Premier League grounds this weekend it's sure to once again throw the cat amongst the pigeons. Remember to have fun whilst it's all going on. Good luck.
