Put Raheem in the dream team.
J-League
86 points from Ciaran Tracey’s Bacuna Mata-ta has earned him the top spot in the J-League this week, a single point ahead of Allan Johnson’s Comeback Kids in second place.
Those two hold a significant lead over the chasing pack led by Pairic Sheehan in third, with Crabby Joe’s Spleef Queens and Alan Keohane’s Toffeekeoks FC occupying fourth and fifth places respectively.
J-League Top 5
Gameweek 12
Many a manager will be filling their boots with Liverpool players following clear signs in the last week that Jurgen Klopp is starting to have an impact at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho and Christian Benteke, for example, are likely to be popular choices ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to Merseyside on Sunday.
Despite the tricky nature of the fixture for both sides, the North London derby is normally good for a few goals and it shouldn’t dissuade managers from picking in-form players such as Mesut Ozil and Harry Kane.
We keep waiting for it, meanwhile, but there’s no sign of the Leicester bandwagon coming to a halt just yet.
If you don’t have Riyadh Mahrez (your humble author left him on the bench last week and cost himself 15 points in the process) and the remarkable Jamie Vardy in your side then we suggest you get them in there immediately.
This week’s picks
Safe Bet: Romelu Lukaku (£8.5 million). The big Everton striker looked in imperious form when registering a goal, two assists and 14 points in their thumping of Sunderland. All told, he has four goals, three assists and 40 points from his last five league outings.
Dark horse: Chris Smalling (£6.5 million). Manchester United may not be great going forward at the moment but they’ve been watertight at the back since their chastening defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.
It’s been nearly 1,000 minutes since the Red Devils have conceded a goal and they’ve kept seven clean sheets in 11 league games. Smalling, who hasn’t missed a minute in the league, has been a huge part of that defensive effort.
Captain’s choice: Raheem Sterling (£8.9 million). Has looked in fine fettle ever since his hat-trick against Bournemouth and was on the scoresheet against Sevilla in the Champions League in midweek.
Would have had a goal to add to his assist against Norwich had Kolarov not stepped into take the penalty that Sterling himself had won and he could do serious damage against a very vulnerable Aston Villa defence.
Potential to use chips
What does Airplane’s Ted Striker reckon?
We are serious. And don’t call us Shirley.
He’s right. Hold them for another week.
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