The Headline Pick: Harry Kane – West Ham (H)
Harry Kane has been the surprise package from the crazy start to the 2020/21 season, with goals and assists looking equally likely to add to his fantasy points tally. He now has three goals and six assists for the season, having converted from the penalty spot just once this campaign. He leads the way for shots on target with 10 and big chances created with six.
Kane’s link up play with Son Heung-Min has been phenomenal and we may be getting close to seeing Gareth Bale within the Spurs attack too. As an attacking threat, this Jose Mourinho side have been surprisingly potent. No side can better their 12 goals so far, having had 17 big chances and 31 shots on target: again the leading numbers in the Premier League so far.
The biggest question markwith Kane going into the weekend is whether Spurs can stand up to the test of a West Ham defence that haven’t conceded in their last two games. Two clean sheets for the Hammers comes somewhat as a surprise: no side has conceded fewer than the four big chances they’ve relinquished. Kane has nine goals for Spurs against West Ham in 10 Premier League starts.
Kane is available to back at 7/2 to score two or more goals against West Ham this weekend.
The Budget Pick: Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Liverpool (A)
Dominc Calvert-Lewin sits in a special club all on his own, as the only player to deliver a goal in every single Premier League game this season. He now has six goals in his tally, level with Son Heung-Min, and shows no sign of slowing down, having opened his England account over the International Break. He’s enjoying his football under Carlo Ancelotti.
His rise in price has been remarkable, as he’s already gone up £0.6 million from his initial £7.0 million starting price. He now sits at just under 50% ownership across all squads, and remains at a very reasonable price given the levels of returns he is providing. His six goals come from six big chances and he’s top for shots with 15.
The big question is whether he can maintain this goal-scoring form in the derby, against a usually dependable Liverpool defence. However, the Champions have just shipped seven goals to Aston Villa on the road, with Adrian between the sticks a clear issue for their confidence. Liverpool have conceded 20 shots on target, leading to 11 goals.
The VAR Pick: Mohammed Salah – Everton (A)
The Merseyside derby comes into focus once more with Mo Salah coming in as the VAR pick for this weekend. He’s been the most impressive of the premium players this season, justifying his price tag with five goals. He’s fixture proof, demonstrating his ability to amass fantasy points in Gameweek 4, even when his side lost by a five goal margin.
He’s another player who looks to be threatening for both goals and assists. He matches Harry Kane for 19 shots, and leads in his own right for shots in the box with 15. He’s created 14 chances, including three big chances and so has been somewhat unlucky to come away with no assists from the opening four games.
Liverpool remain a significant attacking threat, with 11 goals coming from 14 big chances and 27 shots on target: they are second for each of those metrics. However, Everton could be tough to break down, given that they have conceded the fewest big chances (four) to date. Salah does have penalties in his locker, having converted from the spot on two occasions this campaign.
You can back VAR and bet on Liverpool to score a penalty against Everton at odds of 10/3.
The Sleeper Pick: Raheem Sterling – Arsenal (H)
With Sergio Aguero struggling to get to full fitness, and question marks over Kevin de Bruyne following the International Break, the mantle could fall to Raheem Sterling once more to provide the goals for Manchester City. He has a goal and an assist from his opening three fixtures and looks to be the most threatening player from their attack.
He’s had a total of nine shots across his opening fixtures and also created six chances. Manchester City have scored six goals in this period as they ease themselves into another title challenging campaign. Facing Arsenal is a fixture that Sterling clearly enjoys, with four goals and two assists from their last seven Premier League meetings.
This time around it’s set to be an interesting tactical battle between Pep Guardiola and former staff Mikel Arteta. This fixture finished 3-0 in Manchester City’s favour when these sides met during Project Restart and City will be desperate to get another three points on the board following some disappointing results in their last two games.
The Wildcard Pick: Marcus Rashford – Newcastle United (A)
Marcus Rashford comes in as the wildcard pick, following a disappointing start to the season from Manchester United. Hopefully the International Break will have given the side some time to take stock and integrate some key transfer window signings into their squad, in their quest to improve.
Given Anthony Martial is suspended, this could give Marcus Rashford the opportunity to play out of position and lead the line in their upcoming games. He does already have one goal this season and there’s plenty of potential for more goals in this fixture against Newcastle United.
The Magpies have perhaps been fortunate to only concede five goals so far: they are third for goal attempts conceded (55), goal attempts in the box conceded (37) and second for shots on target conceded (24). With both sides struggling to provide convincing defensive performances, I expect to see plenty of goals for either side in this game.
Back Marcus Rashford to score against Newcastle United at 7/5 in Gameweek 5.
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Source: Betfair Premier League
