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Fantasy Football advice: Week 26

Sports Mole takes a look at who is a good bet to enjoy success in fantasy leagues ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures.

The Premier League takes centre stage once again this weekend, and the pressure is on fantasy football managers everywhere as they look to pick up points in their respective leagues.

Key matches at both ends of the table could bring a few surprising results over the next few days, and the ability to pick out a man of the match could prove to be priceless.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at which players should attract your eye this weekend.


1. Sergio Aguero

We're well aware that we've pointed you in the direction of Sergio Aguero recently. The Argentine hasn't always been in the best of form in recent weeks, and it's no surprise that his struggles in front of goal have coincided with Manchester City finding it difficult to produce their best. However, a brace in the 4-1 victory over Stoke City could prove to be a turning point for both him and the club.

Aguero usually needs just one performance to go on a run of finding the net with apparent ease, so it could be Newcastle United who suffer when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

2. Eden Hazard

In truth, it would be easy to pick Eden Hazard on this list every week. The Belgian seems to get better each week, and he's one of the key reasons why Chelsea are currently sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League.

Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates his goal during the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final match between Derby County and Chelsea at Pride Park Stadium on December 16, 2014© Getty Images

As relegation-threatened Burnley prepare to visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Hazard looks set to collect a lot of fantasy football points. Burnley will head into the match as big underdogs, and Sean Dyche's side are not a group that will find 'parking the bus' very easy. Their eagerness to be positive in West London could prove to be their downfall, and if Chelsea meet expectations in a comfortable win, Hazard will be at the forefront of every attack for the hosts.

3. Romelu Lukaku

It's not been easy for Romelu Lukaku since he secured a permanent move to Everton from Chelsea in the summer to become the club's record signing. The 21-year-old has only managed to display his best form in glimpses, and Everton's difficulties attacking with the same fluency as they did last season has put the Belgian striker under pressure.

However, Lukaku was able to silence some of his critics by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Young Boys on Thursday night to put the Toffees on the brink of a place in the last 16 of the Europa League. It was a performance which he had produced on a regular basis in the previous couple of seasons as he used his strength to link play without losing any of his goal threat. An in-form Lukaku can be a nightmare for any defender, and Leicester City's back four should be prepared for a tough test ahead of Sunday's meeting between the two sides at Goodison Park.


Who to avoid

1. Tom Heaton

Goalkeepers playing for sides close to the bottom of the table are often in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, but Tom Heaton can be proud of his performances in his first season as a Premier League player. Heaton has been key to a number of Burnley's positive results, and if they do manage to avoid relegation, the Clarets fans will single him out as one of the heroes of the campaign.

Thomas Heaton in action for Burnley on November 1, 2014© Getty Images

However, a shot-stopper will have some bad days, and Heaton is likely to be a very busy man when Burnley meet leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. It's safe to assume that he will make a string of saves during the match, but with the number of chances Chelsea usually create at home, the odds of a clean sheet are stacked against Heaton.

2. Steven Caulker

Steven Caulker played a key role in earning his side's first away win of the season in their last game against Sunderland as he combined with Rio Ferdinand to secure a rare clean sheet. The feeling of relief was clear as QPR finally recorded a positive result on their travels, and the mood should still be high following the news that Chris Ramsey will take charge for the remainder of the season. However, QPR are still locked in a relegation battle and they face another important test when they visit Hull City on Saturday.

Steven Caulker in action for QPR on November 29, 2014© Getty Images

Hull have showed signs of getting back to their best by following a draw with Manchester City by beating Aston Villa, and the hosts will expect to build on that run against Caulker and QPR.

3. Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal have managed to win four of their last five Premier League games, and Arsene Wenger once again looks to have built a side which will push their rivals all the way in the race for Champions League football. It's usually at this stage of the season when the Gunners begin to hit top form, but a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Saturday could be a stumbling block.

Palace boss Alan Pardew has spoken of the need to be positive against Arsenal, and his side's high-intensity game at home could trouble a defence which often struggles to adapt to tougher physical tests. Koscielny can be Arsenal's best defender on his day, but an error always seems to be around the corner and the Frenchman may find it difficult to deliver the goods when they take on the Eagles.


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Sergio Aguero of Manchester City scores his team's third goal from the penalty spot during the Barclays Premier League match against Stoke City on February 11, 2015
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Today's games header
1.15am
Cardinals
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6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
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Saints
6pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
9.25pm
Cowboys
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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