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Fantasy Football advice: Week 7

Sports Mole looks ahead to the seventh weekend of Premier League action from a fantasy football point of view.

If you followed last week's Fantasy Football advice, then hopefully you have returned for this week's thoughts because we provided you with selections that would have earned and saved you plenty of points.

Diego Costa continued his hot streak in front of goal, Joleon Lescott helped West Bromwich Albion to a clean sheet and Angel di Maria contributed to Manchester United's win over West Ham United. We also advised you to stay clear of Winston Reid, Dejan Lovren and Wilfried Bony and none of the trio ended the weekend on a positive note.

Below, see who has made Sports Mole's lists for week seven as the final Premier League fixtures are played out before the international break.

Who to pick

1. Sergio Aguero

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini still has slight concerns over his fitness, but striker Sergio Aguero has enjoyed a fast start to the campaign, netting five goals in eight games, and he will be odds-on to add to that tally at Aston Villa on Saturday. The Argentine's record is all the more impressive considering that he has completed 90 minutes just twice, so his goals-to-game ratio is up there with the best in the league. From a defensive perspective, Villa were superb during the opening few games of the season but after a virus swept through the club ahead of their game with Arsenal two weeks ago, they've conceded six goals in two games and Manchester City aren't the team that you want to be playing when you are trying to tighten things up.

2. Robin van Persie

With the spotlight being on Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and new signing Radamel Falcao, the form of Robin van Persie hasn't been discussed too much during the opening weeks of the season, but with Rooney now out of the equation for the next three fixtures, it's a chance for the Dutchman to show boss Louis van Gaal that's he is deserving of a regular starting spot at Old Trafford. Van Persie failed to net in his side's first three fixtures but goals against Leicester City and West Ham suggest that the former Arsenal forward could be on the verge of putting together a run of goals. Everton, who have leaked goals this season, are the visitors to the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday lunchtime and their lack of confidence in defence could allow Van Persie to capitalise with a couple of goals.

Robin van Persie of Manchester United shoots past Winston Reid of West Ham to score his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on September 27, 2014© Getty Images

3. Wes Morgan

This selection will raise a few eyebrows but given Burnley's current run in front of goal, an opportunity to save a few million pounds by including a Leicester City defender can't be lost. The Clarets haven't scored in over 500 minutes of football and while that record will be broken sooner rather than later, you have to go with the facts and Leicester have already shown in the opening six weeks of the season that they can perform in front of their own fans. Wes Morgan was part of the Foxes defence that conceded two goals at Crystal Palace last weekend, but a return to the King Power Stadium will suit the East Midlands outfit and they have every chance of keeping Burnley out on Saturday afternoon.

Who to avoid

1. Phil Jagielka

After he made himself a hero on the blue half of Merseyside with a stunning 25-yard half-volley to earn Everton a share of the spoils against Liverpool, Phil Jagielka could prove to be a popular choice heading into the weekend, but a fairytale goal shouldn't be enough to have you include him in your team. Everton have shipped 18 goals in eight games so far this term and Jagielka has only scored 10 goals in 252 games for the Toffees so despite his wonder strike at Anfield, he's unlikely to bring you a return. When you add the fact that Everton are playing at Old Trafford against a Manchester United team who are eager to wrong their doubters, it could be a long afternoon for Jagielka and his defensive teammates.

2. Younes Kaboul

Tottenham Hotspur have failed to build on a promising start to the season but a 1-1 draw away at North London rivals Arsenal went some way to restoring the positivity at White Hart Lane. Defender Younes Kaboul was a star performer at the Emirates Stadium, but ahead of the visit of Southampton, we aren't so sure that he should be featuring in your fantasy team this weekend. Much of Arsenal's attacking threat revolves around pace and quick passing, something that the Frenchman is well equipped to deal with, but it will be a different kind of battle against Graziano Pelle at the weekend. The Italian has hit the ground running with the Saints and his style of play may not suit Kaboul, leading to Ronald Koeman's side to strengthen their position in second place in the table.

3. Mario Balotelli

Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli plays during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in London on August 31, 2014© Getty Images

Not much has gone right for Mario Balotelli since his move to Liverpool. The controversial striker has always divided opinion but the current view is that he's not the ideal fit to fill the forward's role at Anfield. The 24-year-old has netted once - against Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League - in seven appearances since returning to England from AC Milan, with Liverpool winning just two of those fixtures. Balotelli isn't to blame for his side's disappointing efforts in defence but he's having little effect up the other end of the pitch and he could find himself dropped for Rickie Lambert or Daniel Sturridge, depending on his fitness, for their match with West Bromwich Albion.

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Oscar of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 27, 2014
Read Next:
Premier League in Numbers: Week 6
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

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