Fantasy Premier League 2015-16: Players to pick for gameweek 24

ByAkilesh Radhakrishnan, SportsCafe Editor

02/02/2016

Gameweek 23 seems like such a long time ago, doesn't it? With both English cup competitions providing some entertaining respite from English football's bread and butter, this midweek sees the return of the Premier League. On we move.

Gameweek 24 fixtures

Arsenal v Southampton

Leicester v Liverpool

Norwich v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland v Man City

West Ham v Aston Villa

Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

Man Utd v Stoke

West Brom v Swansea

Everton v Newcastle

Watford v Chelsea

Player Picks

Forwards

Diego Costa (10.6) - The controversial Chelsea hitman is well and truly firing for Guus Hiddink, with a goal at the Emirates underlining his fixture-proof nature when he's on song. Well worth having with Chelsea set to face Watford, Newcastle and Norwich in the next 5.

Kane (10.0) - Spurs don't exactly have an untidy fixture list, but Kane will be relishing this week's opposition in particular and will be a popular captain choice travelling to a Norwich side who have shipped 10 goals in their last 3 games.

Aguero (13.5) - Aguero has seen his score and ownership soar on the back of some explosive performances in recent weeks after racking up a mammoth 39 points in 4 gameweeks. However, one has to be wary of: (a) the price, and (b) Man City's blank Gameweek 27.

Midfielders

Payet (8.2) - His return has seen an upturn in West Ham's attacking potency, and while the Frenchman has blanked for two gameweeks, a home game against Villa is the perfect platform for him to go on his next run.

Firmino (8.0) - The Brazilian, who has been starting games up front for Liverpool, underlined his attacking potential with a brace and assist at Carrow Road which took his 3-game average to 11 points per game. Get in if you haven't already

Mahrez (7.1) - Mahrez will be high on people's 'to-drop' lists given Leicester's upcoming schedule, but he's worth sticking with for the visit of Liverpool, who haven't kept an away clean sheet since Gameweek 9.

Dele Alli (5.8) - This season's revelation came up with the goods against Palace, and how. The teenager will never be this cheap again.

Defenders

Cresswell (5.6) - The Hammers full back has gone a bit cold recently, but a home game against Villa should be the perfect launchpad for a revival ahead of a schedule that also sees West Ham face Norwich and Sunderland in the next 4.

Dawson (5.1) - West Brom are generally resilient at home, and as expected, the Baggies full back did not fail to deliver. Expect more of the same this time.

Zouma (5.4) - The French youngster appears to have displaced Gary Cahill as Terry's partner at the back. Hiddink is yet to concede an away goal as manager, and the fixtures ahead of this week hold potential for shutouts too.

Targett (3.8) - Koeman has shifted to a 3-5-2 to effect an upturn in fortunes for the Saints. The budget-priced Targett has been occupying a wing back position in this system, making him a great out-of-position bargain.

Keepers

Hennessey (4.2) - Plenty of clean sheet potential for the cheap Palace stopper as they host Bournemouth and Watford in the next three, with games against West Brom and Sunderland also in the horizon.

Courtois (5.2) - If you're rich, but can't find place for a Chelsea defender in your team, you could do worse than snap up the Belgian keeper who has the benefits of the aforementioned schedule.

The writer's team