Fantasy preview

Cole: Recommended

WEEKEND ADVICE

Bring in: Carlton Cole (£6.1m), Ashley Young (£4.6m) and Patrice Evra (£5.2m)

Leave alone: Kieran Gibbs, Phil Neville, Martin Petrov.

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We are now a third of the way through the Premier League season and have witnessed some tremendous matches and spectacular individual performances.

Jermain Defoe was in record-breaking form at White Hart Lane last Sunday as he netted an astonishing five goals in Tottenham's 9-1 victory over Wigan but, as well as marvelling at his achievements, those of us who had overlooked him in Fantasy Football were left to think 'if only'.

The temptation must be to bring in Defoe immediately but the problem is you have already missed the boat. Like selecting last weekend's winning lottery numbers for next weekend's draw, the chances of a repeat performance are very slim indeed.

Defoe clearly remains a very good player, the best finisher in England according to manager Harry Redknapp, but looking at the latest round of fixtures there would appear to be better options.

Spurs face a tricky away game at Aston Villa, who have a decent defence and have only conceded four more goals all season, 13, than Wigan did in one afternoon in North London.

If any team is going to score nine this weekend the bookmakers would probably back Manchester City at home to struggling Hull City, although after six successive draws they would probably just settle for three points against a spirited Tigers outfit.

Sunday is derby day in the Premier League as Arsenal put their 100 per cent winning record at Emirates Stadium to the test against table-toppers Chelsea, while Wolves take on Midlands rivals Birmingham at Molineux.

Liverpool will also be seeking to get back on track following UEFA Champions League elimination in the first all-Merseyside clash of the campaign at Everton.

Wigan will be determined to bounce back from their humiliating defeat when they welcome former manager Steve Bruce and his Sunderland side to the DW Stadium, and the inconsistency of both sides makes it difficult to predict the outcome.

Elsewhere, Blackburn take on Stoke in a mid-table battle, Fulham entertain struggling Bolton, West Ham tackle Burnley and Manchester United visit Portsmouth.

Recommended

Taking everything into consideration, skysports.com's latest players to watch out for are Carlton Cole, Ashley Young and Patrice Evra.

West Ham may be languishing just outside the relegation zone but they are the highest scorers in the bottom half of the table and will be confident of climbing away from danger, starting with a victory over a Burnley side that has a terrible record on the road.

Cole has notched six goals already this term and possesses the pace and power to pose all sorts of problems for the Clarets at Upton Park.

Young will also be hoping to get on the scoresheet or at least provide an assist or two as Villa host a Tottenham side full of confidence going forward but sill vulnerable at the back.

The England winger has turned in dazzling displays against Spurs in the past and appears to be finding his best form again at a crucial stage of the season.

Manchester United full-back Evra is surely one of the most reliable defenders in Fantasy Football as he plays for a team that will regularly keep clean sheets and provides a constant threat from the left.

He has set up a number of goals already this season and could be due to score one himself, while United will be confident of shutting out a Portsmouth side bottom of the table and reeling from the departure of manager Paul Hart.

Bans and injuries

There are a number of injury concerns to be aware of as ever, with Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs set to be sidelined for around three months after suffering a broken metatarsal in his left foot.

Everton's Phil Neville will also be out for a few more weeks after learning he will need knee surgery, while Manchester City winger Martin Petrov has still not recovered from a knock sustained on international duty.

Fernando Torres is also likely to miss the Merseyside derby as he continues his rehabilitation from a groin injury, and Darren Bent is doubtful for Sunderland due to a hamstring problem.

Bent's Sunderland team-mate Kenwyne Jones serves the final match of a three-game suspension, while Liverpool defender Philipp Degen is also banned.

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