Adrian (5.0) had the luxury of being absent from Chadwell Heath training ground over the last two weeks, after the stopper got his first international call up for Spain. In truth, it was a fitting reward for his performances over the last year and another thing to add to his burgeoning CV. West Ham’s number one is projected to outscore any other Goalkeeper in Gameweek four and we can think of several reasons why. The Hammers face a Watford side at home whose strikers have only registered two shots on target across three games. With goals hard to come by the Hornets have had to look to Capoue (4.7) for instinct in front of goal. The typically defensive midfielder has been given a license to roam forward more under Mazzarri and it looks inspired given their woes in front of goal. West Ham will be aware of Capoue’s new found role and will look to nullify this. With Payet back in the fold and looking likely to start this should also strengthen West Ham’s defensive prospects, as they should see more possession and time spent in the final third. This is the first appetising fixture in a run of six games (WAT, wba, SOT, MID, cpa, SUN) and the claret and blue army will know this is their opportunity to begin a fearsome run of form.
Alderweireld (6.5) has demonstrated why he was in demand by more than one club after his successful loan spell at Southampton in 2014/15. His performance last year was a key contributer towards Spurs much improved defensive display. As well as being a good reader of the game and solid in his primary defensive duties he fits the mould of the perfect modern centre back – good with his feet, eye for a pass, can maraud forward and link up the play and possesses a threat in front of goal – which he has demonstrated again this season with six shots on target, three headed attempts and 35 passes into the final third. Such statistics would put some attacking midfielders to shame. With Bony likely to be eased in by Mark Hughes, Alderweireld could find himself up against Crouch at the Britannia Stadium and this could bode well for clean sheet points, as well as any bonus attacking returns.
Costa (9.6) has contributed towards three goals already this season (two goals and one assist) and knows he has to keep that level of performance up with a very able deputy, Batshuayi (who has a goal and an assist in just 35 minutes of action), in his wake. Chelsea are away against a Swansea side still struggling to adapt to the loss of two star players in Ayew (7.3) and Williams (5.0). We predict the latter will be a huge loss for Swansea’s clean sheet record over the season, with the Swans failing to bring in a centre back that possesses similar defensive and leadership qualities. It doesn’t come much harder than having to face a hungry, in form and angry as ever, Diego Costa. The Spanish aggravator has already struck up nine shots (five of which were on target) and two attempted assists. With his style of play he is always prone to a disciplinary here and there, but his form is suggestive of a forward that is close to a double point gameweek in the not too distant future. This could well be at the Liberty Stadium this Sunday.
Sanchez (11.0) took a couple of gameweeks to adjust to his role of leading the line for Arsenal, but, then rewarded his patient owners with a goal and two assists in gameweek three. Like a lightning bolt up the rear end of onlooking non-owners he made a mockery of his questionably high pre-season price tag, with 16 points from a single game. After number crunching his gameweek three it appears even more impressive after the Chilean mustered up three shots, seven penalty area actions and 63 touches. While it is likely that he will revert back to his more favoured role out on the left hand side of the midfield and have a less advanced position he has proven to be more effective when lying deeper. In this position he advances with the ball as effectively as any winger in the world and in doing so overcommits defenders. Assist potential is therefore always likely and with a viciously accurate long range shot this position suits him well. Having had to play for Chile on Wednesday and only landing back in London yesterday there is always that question mark around whether he starts from the off. But fear not, Arsene nearly always starts with Alexis after his mid-week South American adventures and it would be a brave man to back against him causing Southampton problems. Particularly when the Saints are still struggling to adapt to Puel’s new system.
Hazard (10.2) is well and truly back to his destructive best, which saw him dominate the midfield point standings in 2014/15 by striking up 14 goals and 10 assists. After finishing last season strongly following the departure of Mourinho and then carrying that form into the Euro Championship and the start of this Premier League campaign there is no reason why he can’t eclipse his 233 points achieved two years ago. Having already conjured up 14 shots and 14 crosses as well as an impressive 273 touches so far this season, it is easy to see why the midfielder’s stock is rising quicker than any other player in the game. So, if you are weighing up his inclusion in your team this week then he is almost certainly set to rise in price again tonight. With Swansea’s weakened defence we expect points for Hazard as he is likely to be behind everything great if Chelsea can make it 12 points from 12.
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