Another week has passed and another set of Fantasy Football questions arise as we head into the fourth game of the Premier League.
Chelsea grabbed their first three points of the season via a thrilling win over West Bromwich Albion, with new signing Pedro Rodriguez grabbing the headlines (and the points) with a goal and an assist in the first 30 minutes.
Diego Costa also had the same output, while Eden Hazard failed to shine with only an assist to show for his efforts.
Manchester United continue their defensive stability with their third successive clean sheet, but on the other end the likes of Memphis Depay and Wayne Rooney both struggled against a defiant Newcastle United side.
And Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez just can’t stop scoring, notching his fourth goal of the season to lead the goalscoring charts and earning his third double-digit points tally in the Fantasy Football world.
However, it is Bournemouth’s Calum Wilson who stole the show, scoring his side’s first ever Premier League goal before completing the first hat-trick of the season against West Ham United. Who saw that coming?
Once again we will take a look at players you should consider BUYing, SELLing, or HOLDing on to going into the next gameweek!
BUY: Philippe Coutinho
Looking at the immediate short-term fixtures, it would be a smart idea to consider bringing Liverpool star midfielder Philippe Coutinho (8.1) into your squad.
Those that missed the Reds’ game against Arsenal will realize that Coutinho is playing in a dangerous position right behind Christian Benteke, and if it wasn’t for Petr Cech and a matter of inches, the Brazilian would have netted at least a brace against the Gunners.
Now with three rather favourable oppositions [West Ham (H), Norwich (H), and Aston Villa (H)] in their next four games, Coutinho has the chance to add to his one goal this season. The tricky tie against Man United (A) after the international break may be a tricky fixture, but how many times have seen him score a worldie against a top side?
SELL: Memphis Depay
Many drafted Memphis Depay (8.5) into their squads ahead of the Red Devils’ game against Newcastle United at Old Trafford last weekend following his brace against Club Brugge, but the Netherlands star once again failed to make his mark in the English top flight.
And although we have nothing against his potential ability, Man United’s upcoming harsh fixtures and the option of better alternatives makes Depay an unreasonable pick heading into gameweek four.
You may, however, consider holding the former PSV star for another game to save a free transfer before the international break, but if you are looking to make a move Depay is a good choice to be sacrificed for the likes of Pedro (9.5), Nacer Chadli (7.0), Riyad Mahrez (6.0), or the aforementioned Philippe Coutinho (8.1).
HOLD: Eden Hazard
Yes we’ve repeated our HOLD selection from the previous week due to the fact that many Fantasy managers are already shipping Eden Hazard (10.4) out of their squads for new boy Pedro (9.5), resulting in the Belgium international already seeing a drop in price from 10.5.
However, Chelsea will host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge this weekend and last season’s PFA Player of the Year has every chance to grab his first goal of the season to add to his assist last weekend.
Currently on spot kick duties, the Blues will look to attack the Eagles on Saturday and Hazard will likely be amongst the goals. Don’t hurry him out of your team just yet especially with the international break coming up where you can further evaluate your squad (also a good time to wildcard for those who haven’t).
BUY: Mame Biram Diouf or Xherdan Shaqiri
While many will think that Bournemouth hattrick hero Calum Wilson is a must buy heading into gameweek four, we believe that Stoke City’s know-how and experience in the Premier League gives one of either Mame Biram Diouf (6.5) or Xherdan Shaqiri (7.0) an edge to the Englishman.
The Potters have an amazing run of fixtures until gameweek 10 which sees games against West Brom (H), Leicester (H), Bournemouth (H), Aston Villa (A), Swansea (A), and Watford (H), with a gameweek five trip to play Arsenal their only real cause of concern.
And Diouf or Shaqiri, whichever position is of need in your respective squads, should be among the points in Mark Hughes new Barcelona-esque squad. The two are also the most nailed-on picks in the line-up in their array of attacking players.
SELL: Yohan Cabaye
At just 6.6, you may be wondering why it is being advised that you sell Yohan Cabaye ahead of gameweek 4. The France midfielder is a brilliant player for the Eagles, but he is playing in a deeper role and Palace’s fixtures are about to get extremely tough in the coming weeks.
Alan Pardew’s men face a daunting run of Chelsea (A), Man City (H), and Tottenham (A) in their next three games, before their fixtures ease up to merit selection.
Yet, the issue is that there are far better (and cheaper) options in the Crystal Palace roster. Let’s start with Jason Puncheon (6.0), who already has two assists to his name and is on free-kick and corner duties. Then there is new boy Bakary Sako (5.5), who was Palace’s main attacking threat against Aston Villa last weekend and scored on his debut. And finally there is Yannick Bolasie (6.3), although we will have to see whether he remains at Selhurst Park after September 1st amid Tottenham’s interest.
HOLD: Christian Benteke
Last week, we did recommend that you need to make space to buy Manchester City star Sergio Aguero (13.2) ahead of City’s decent run of fixtures (aligned of course with their amazing form so far this season). And many believe Christian Benteke (8.5) should be sacrificed to make way for the Argentine after 36,290 managers sold the Belgian.
However, the Reds have just come off an amazing display at the Emirates and were unlucky to be held at 0-0 by a brilliant Petr Cech in goal. Benteke should have scored his chance, but take nothing away from the former Chelsea shot-stopper.
Yet, with West Ham travelling to Anfield this weekend before also hosting Norwich and Aston Villa after their tricky trip to Old Trafford, Benteke has a good opportunity to add to his one goal so far this season.
So we advise you to hold on to the ex-Villa man the next couple of gameweeks, with maybe Wayne Rooney (if you have him) sacrificed for Aguero.