When you read our Fantasy Football advice for the latest batch of Premier League fixtures that were played over the last 48 hours, you probably questioned our selections, but on the whole, our picks did the business in their respective games.
It came as no surprise to see Sergio Aguero netting another double at Sunderland, but after we suggested that Steven Gerrard would be out to prove a point after being dropped for the previous game, he did exactly that by netting against Leicester City. We slipped up by choosing Wilfried Bony, but our advice to avoid Ryan Bertrand, Graziano Pelle and Michael Dawson was justified.
Below, Sports Mole selects another six names that we think you should either be selecting or avoiding this weekend.
Who to pick
1. Sergio Aguero
As boring as this selection is, our credibility, if we have any, would be shot to pieces if we didn't suggest putting, or probably keeping, Aguero in your team. Surprisingly, the Argentine has failed to score in five of his last nine games - it's a statistic that we had to double check - but he still has eight goals during the same period. There is a fear factor surrounding the 26-year-old right now, and whether he is scoring goals or providing an assist, he always looks primed to make an impact and against an Everton side who are perhaps lagging from their recent fixture schedule, the former Atletico Madrid attacker should add to the 19 goals that he has already registered this campaign.
2. Christian Benteke
One goal can sometimes be enough to change a season and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke will certainly be hoping that is the case. Since his return from a serious injury, Benteke had been sent off and failed to score in four games, but on his fifth appearance against Crystal Palace, the Belgian forward finally found the net with a low drive from the edge of the area. It also took Villa's unbeaten record to four games and with a home fixture against bottom-of-the-table side Leicester City to follow on Sunday, it could be the perfect opportunity for Benteke, who averaged a goal every two games during his first two years in English football, to find the net again to move the West Midlands outfit towards the top half of the table.
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3. Jores Okore
We know what you're thinking. Two Aston Villa selections in one week - we must be mad? Maybe, but for once, Villa fans have grounds for optimism ahead of hosting the Foxes. For all the criticism that has come Paul Lambert's way, he's still guided his team through four games without defeat, with just two goals being conceded in 360 minutes. That run has come at a time where they have been missing the likes of Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Nathan Baker. One of the reasons for the recent defensive record is the performances of Jores Okore, who came to the club with a blossoming reputation last year. A serious knee injury put paid to his first season in English football but the Dane has started to make his mark in the West Midlands in recent weeks.
Who to avoid
1. Sylvain Distin
For over a decade, Sylvain Distin has been regarded as one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League and the fact that he is currently a regular with Everton is proof of his standing in English football. However, at the age of 36, which will soon be 37, there are signs that father time and the lack of suitable replacements at Goodison Park is beginning to catch up on the veteran. Injuries to John Stones and Antolin Alcaraz have meant that boss Roberto Martinez has had little choice but to keep the Frenchman in the team, but against Hull City on Wednesday night, Distin was showing signs of suffering with his recent prolonged spell in the first team, and a trip to Manchester City isn't the game that you want when you are struggling with the demands of regular football.
2. Florin Gardos
Ever since his move from Steaua Bucuresti during the summer, Florin Gardos has remained on the periphery of the Southampton first team. Despite signing for £4m, the Romanian centre back has made just three substitute appearances for Ronald Koeman's outfit, with his only starts coming in the League Cup. However, given the injuries to Morgan Schneiderlin and Toby Alderweireld, Gardos could see himself drafted into the starting lineup for the fixture against Manchester United. The 26-year-old has been involved in winning efforts at Arsenal and Stoke City respectively, but it could be a big ask of Gardos to fill the void in defence against a Manchester United team who have won four in a row in recent weeks.
3. Saido Berahino
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Saido Berahino has followed up his first year of Premier League football with a number of exciting displays that earned him a call-up to the England squad for their matches in November. However, after netting eight times during his first 11 games of the season, the goals have dried up recently for the 21-year-old who hasn't found the back of the net since October 25. Head coach Alan Irvine may decide to keep Berahino in his starting lineup for the foreseeable future but the pressure is beginning to build on the attacker and questions will be asked if he doesn't break his scoring drought sooner rather than later.
