Teams to target: Liverpool & Newcastle United
Sheffield United vs. Liverpool
Liverpool moved above Manchester City in the Premier League standings on Sunday and will look to cement their position with a favourable midweek fixture against Sheffield United.
The Blades have endured a nightmare campaign back in the top flight and Paul Heckingbottom appears set to lose his job with the club bottom of the division having won just once in their first 14 matches.
Only Manchester City have registered a higher xG than Liverpool this season and despite missing some sitters against Fulham, they out performed their xG in the win.
Darwin Nunez was extremely wasteful, but he remains an easy hold if you have him for what is arguably the best game of the week.
Mohamed Salah looks the best captaincy bet and would by my second Liverpool asset in a free hit side for this round. Trent Alexander-Arnold returned a goal and an assist against Fulham, but at £4.8m Kostas Tsimikas is the best route into the Liverpool defence.
I’d want all three Liverpool spaces filled going into this game and the above are the ones for me. Others to consider include Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo but one will likely be on the bench here and it’s unclear which one.
Everton vs. Newcastle United
Despite an incredible injury list, lengthened by the dislocated shoulder sustained by Nick Pope on the weekend, Newcastle United continue to perform brilliantly and are third for both xG and xGA this season.
Everton have been good in recent months, but their home record remains poor, with only Burnley collecting more points in front of their own supporters.
Newcastle have enjoyed a very good recent run of it against Everton as well, winning five of the last six between the two, including a 4-1 win at Goodison Park last campaign.
Pope’s injury has opened the door for budget goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and at £3.9m he will likely be the keeping option for most going forward.
With the budget available to me, I wouldn’t select him this week, but he’s definitely an option for the short to mid term, especially if you’ve no Newcastle defensive options.
Kieran Trippier returned 12 points against Manchester United on the weekend and is a must here, with the second option probably Antony Gordon for me. Callum Wilson is set to return this week and therefore there is no guarantee for either him or Alexandre Isak of a start.
Opposition to target: Luton Town & West Ham United
Luton Town vs. Arsenal
No side have outperformed their xGA greater than Luton Town, conceding nearly 10 goals less than they should have done this season.
They rank bottom for xGA this term and this suggests a hiding is on the cards soon for the Hatters.
On Tuesday they welcome league leaders Arsenal to Kenilworth Road and I’d want at least a double up of the Gunners options this week.
Despite sitting top of the league, Arsenal’s attacking inputs have cooled down this term and they rank seventh for xG this campaign.
Bukayo Saka ended a six game goal drought against Wolves in GW14 and he’s the obvious attacking pick.
Alongside him I’d want a defensive option and William Saliba looks to be the most secure bet, with Gabriel seemingly a rotation risk.
Tottenham vs. West Ham United
Tottenham ended a run of three consecutive losses with an impressive point away at Manchester City last time out.
In GW15 they will be looking to end their winless streak against West Ham United, whose defensive stats haven’t been great this campaign.
West Ham sit ninth in the league, but only Luton, Sheffield United, Bournemouth and Wolves have conceded more xGA than the Hammers.
Son Heung-Min has an excellent record against the Hammers, with 15 goal contributions in 17 matches. Son is arguably the most clinical player in the Premier League and he’s the man to own this week.
Pedro Porro has picked up a few offensive returns in recent weeks and is taking up some incredible positions. I can’t see Spurs keeping a clean sheet, but he’d be my second Tottenham asset.
Other options
Wolves vs. Burnley
Wolves’ home fixture against Burnley is one of the more favourable ones this week and I’d be looking to have a Wolves asset this week.
Hwang Hee-Chan has an excellent record this season, with seven goals in just 14 matches.
Not only this, but Hwang has only failed to produce an attacking return in one of his seven home matches.
Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are in the middle of a major slump, with just one win in their last 10 matches.
The pressure is on Steve Cooper and they need a result away to Fulham on Wednesday evening.
Forest have only scored in one of their last four league away matches and Bernd Leno looks to be one of the best keeper picks this week.
Aston Villa vs. Manchester City
Manchester City will be without key midfielder Rodri in GW15 and their trip to Aston Villa is a real difficult one to call.
You’d be a brave manager though to go without Erling Haaland this week, especially against what is a very high Villa high line.
Ollie Watkins will fancy his chances of a return, but I’ve only got one spot left in the side and it’s got to be the big man himself!
GW15 Dream Team: Leno; Porro, Saliba, Trippier, Tsimikas; Hwang, Salah (C), Gordon, Saka, Son; Haaland,
