There comes a time when telling you to put Diego Costa in your line-up just becomes repetitive. In this column, I will no longer advise you to select Diego Costa for your fantasy squad simply because it is just so blatantly obvious.
Last year there was Luis Suarez, the surefire player you could not afford to have out of your lineup. The year before that was Gareth Bale. Costa has reached that level in just four weeks of Premier League play.
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Without further adieu these are the tips for Matchday 5 in the Premier League…
GOALKEEPERS
Hugo Lloris (8.25M) – Tottenham
The French international is known for his ups and downs, however a return home to face punch-less West Brom should do the trick to get him back on a good run of form.
Tim Howard (10.28M) – Everton
He’s coming off his first clean sheet of the year, and made some very nice saves to capture it. Howard is a great start this week with Crystal Palace visiting Goodison Park.
Robert Green (3.92M) – QPR
This one is for the bargain hunters. QPR is home to Stoke, who were kept scoreless last week at the Britannia to Leicester. QPR is not as bad as they looked in the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester United, but this is still a very risky proposition.
DEFENDERS
Seamus Coleman (14.06M) – Everton
He remains cheaper than Leighton Baines, who may be the better option this week, but I just can’t find a way to fit the 18M-dollar Baines into my lineup. Coleman is the next best thing.
Javier Manquillo (10.29M) – Liverpool
With the Premier League seeing less and less clean sheets, you have to wonder when is it time to stop chasing them in fantasy footy? Manquillo is an impressive young wing back with offensive upside.
Eric Dier (7.33M) – Tottenham
The young Englishman is getting the attention of Roy Hodgson; he’s been solid whenever Spurs have had a good matchup in this early season.
Tyler Blackett (4.04M) – Manchester United
Another risky play, but at a bargain price. Phil Jones is likely out for about a month, so Blackett’s spot in the 11 is not in jeopardy at the moment. Louis van Gaal said after last week’s win that the season for Manchester United starts now.
MIDFIELDERS
Aaron Ramsey (16.19M) – Arsenal
He’s the second highest scoring midfielder in EFW’s fantasy footy league so far this season. The Welshman gets phantom points outside the regular goals and assists he also provides.
Angel Di Maria (13.8M) – Manchester United
He may be another that soon falls into the Costa category, of too good to mention. What a performance last week, and no reason to see why it doesn’t continue at Leicester this Sunday.
Morgan Schneiderlin (11.68M) – Southampton
He’s added goals to his repertoire this season, and Swansea-Southampton might be one the more entertaining match ups of the week.
Nathan Dyer (10.37M) – Swansea
Dyer’s goal scoring is not a fluke this season. It is schemed in Garry Monk’s system. The Swans are continuously looking to use Dyer’s pace to get in behind defenders, and that trend will continue.
Aiden McGeady (4.48M) – Everton
He’s featured in every starting XI for Roberto Martinez this season; he’s a great option at this price.
Nacer Chadli (7.92M) – Tottenham
The Belgian is really finding his form, and has been a common source of goals for Spurs. He’s provided fantasy owners with more points than Lamela and Eriksen so far this campaign.
FORWARDS
Romelu Lukaku (14.22) – Everton
A goal last week might be the one that sends the big Belgian off on a run. Will be a top pick among forwards this weekend.
Abel Hernandez (9.73M) – Hull City
There is talk of Alan Pardew’s job being on the line this weekend as Newcastle host the Tigers. If Newcastle’s ‘defence’ looks anything like it did last week, then Hernandez will shine brightly.
Eduardo Vargas (5.65M) – QPR
After making his debut as a sub at Old Trafford last weekend, the Chilean could be set for his debut in Redknapp’s starting XI. Stoke are quite stingy, but a player with Vargas’ talent can overcome that if given the opportunity. Risky pick of the week.
My starting XI: Lloris; Bertrand, Dier, Rojo; Lamela, Sterling, Hazard, Di Maria; Pelle, Balotelli, Costa