Opta data suggests Sergio Aguero could be a valuable fantasy team asset this week as Manchester City host Chelsea in the Premier League.
Premier League action resumes this weekend following a two-week break, with Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City the headline fixture in matchweek 13.
That clash may take top billing but plenty of focus will be on events at the London Stadium, where Jose Mourinho takes charge of Tottenham for the first time away at West Ham.
However, if it is fantasy points you are after then our Opta-powered data suggests you should be looking elsewhere. Read on to find out why, and check out this week’s Premier League Fantasy Hot or Not video.
Goalkeeper:
Bernd Leno, Arsenal
Without a clean sheet in four top-flight outings, Arsenal will be aiming to put their defensive struggles behind them when Southampton visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
In Leno, they have a goalkeeper who has made the most saves in Premier League home games this term (28) and boasts the highest save percentage (78) among those to have faced a minimum of 25 shots on target.
In fact, only opposite number Angus Gunn has faced more on-target attempts than Leno in 2019-20.
Defenders:
Ciaran Clark, Newcastle United
Newcastle United have won back-to-back matches ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Clark scoring in those victories over West Ham and Bournemouth.
Clark has the best minutes-per-goal ratio (262) of any current Newcastle player since the start of last season, scoring five times in total.
Lucas Digne of Everton
Lucas Digne, Everton
Everton revived their campaign with seven points from nine ahead of the international break, beating Watford and Southampton either side of a draw with Tottenham.
Digne set up a late equaliser in that 1-1 draw and is the only Premier League defender to have created over 100 goalscoring chances since the start of last season.
Only Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold (17) and Andy Robertson (16) have been involved in more goals than the 11 created by Digne during the same period.
Midfielders:
James Maddison, Leicester City
Maddison will be in confident mood when high-flying Leicester City travel to Brighton and Hove Albion after making his senior international debut for England last week.
The 22-year-old has been in fine form for his club this season, scoring four goals in his last six league matches – as many as he managed in his previous 32.
No player has scored more Premier League goals from outside the box (7) than Maddison since the start of 2018-19, meanwhile, including three of his four goals this season.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
Salah was on target as Liverpool maintained their incredible start to the season with a 3-1 win over Manchester City last time out.
The Egypt international, hoping to be passed fit for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, has scored more winning goals than any other Premier League player (4) this season.
City striker Sergio Aguero is the only player (40) to have been involved in more goals than Salah (39) since the start of 2018-19.
Sergio Aguero of Manchester City
Forwards:
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City
After a disappointing showing against Liverpool two weeks ago, Aguero will be looking to bounce back against Chelsea on Saturday.
This is a fixture Aguero simply loves, the Argentina international scoring more Premier League goals versus Chelsea (10) than any other player in the competition’s history.
That includes a run of eight goals in the last six meetings after scoring a hat-trick in City’s 6-0 win in this corresponding fixture last season.
Raul Jimenez, Wolves
Jimenez highlighted his importance to Wolves once again in their 2-1 win over Aston Villa by scoring what proved to be the winning goal.
The Mexico international has been directly involved in five goals in his last five Premier League games for Wolves, scoring three of his own and setting up two more.
Five of Jimenez’s last six goals in all competitions have either been the winning strike (3) or the equalising goal in a draw (2).
