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Fantasy football advice: Week 10

Sports Mole highlights which players we feel should be picked and avoided by fantasy football managers this weekend.

Now, Sports Mole is not often one to brag, but we did rather well where our fantasy football advice from last week is concerned.

There were goals from Olivier Giroud, Steven Fletcher and Roberto Soldado, while full-back Angel Rangel was part of a Swansea City defence that kept a clean sheet against West Ham United.

In fact, the only blot on our copybook was John Terry, but Chelsea conceded just the one goal so it was by no means too expensive in terms of points.

What's more, we told you to avoid Julian Speroni, Ron Vlaar and Robert Huth and they duly shipped seven goals between them.

So, while we are still feeling slightly smug, here is who we believe would be worth picking and avoiding in your team this week.

Who to pick

1. Sergio Aguero: Jose Mourinho recently described the in-form Argentine as "a tank". Despite his small stature, it's hard to disagree with the Chelsea manager. Injuries hampered him last term, but a fully fit Aguero has been lethal in front of goal recently. He's scored seven times in the Premier League and this weekend he will come up against a Norwich City side that has shipped a hefty 13 goals in nine outings. The Canaries do not have fond memories of Aguero either - largely because the 25-year-old has scored four goals against them in the last two campaigns.

The statistics team at Football Manager also feel that he is a better bet than Wayne Rooney this weekend: "Rooney has high finishing, heading and strength stats but Aguero edges him out when it comes to close control, flair and technique. The real clincher is Aguero's ability off the ball and his flair which means that he is much more involved in every stage of the attacking build-up than Rooney."

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City on October 19, 2013© Getty Images

2. Adnan Januzaj: He may only be 18, but Januzaj is fast becoming a key member of the Manchester United team. The Belgian possesses a creative touch, as he showed recently against Southampton, but he is also an able goalscorer - highlighted by his brace at Sunderland. The youngster is also bound to fancy his chances of shining against a Fulham defence that has been accused of lacking mobility in recent months.

3. Jussi Jaaskelainen: The experienced Finn has been in positive form for West Ham United this season, even though they have conceded seven goals at Upton Park. They play host to Aston Villa this weekend - a side that have struggled not only to score away from home, but also to create chances.

FM says: "His high one-on-one and reflexes stats mean he can be make instinctive saves when it matters and he also benefits from having a high level of consistency."

4. Leighton Baines: Tottenham Hotspur may be picking up points, but they have not often been overly convincing. They also face a real test on Sunday afternoon when they make the trip to Merseyside to take on Baines's Everton. The Toffees have conceded only three goals at Goodison Park this term, while Spurs have scored just four times on the road. While there is a decent chance of Baines being part of rearguard that will claim a clean sheet, his delivery and threat from free kicks could also see him collect points up the other end.

Everton's Leighton Baines is congratulated by teammates after scoring a free-kick against West Ham on September 21, 2013© Getty Images

5. Mesut Ozil: The diminutive German has taken to life at the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal like a duck to water. To date he has two goals and three assists from his six outings in the Premier League. The Gunners have a tough opponent at the weekend in the form of Liverpool, but if the home side are to win, you'd expect Ozil to be at the centre of it.

FM says: "Ozil's biggest strengths are his first touch, passing, technique, creativity and flair – all of which are at world-class levels."

Who to avoid

1. John Ruddy: The England international has stood behind a particularly porous Norwich rearguard so far this term. They did keep a clean sheet last time out against Cardiff City, but prior to that they conceded seven goals in 180 minutes of football. Add to that the fact that in their last four matches against Man City, they've leaked 17 goals, it is likely to be worth dodging Ruddy this week.

2. Brede Hangeland: A Fulham supporter recently tweeted that he had seen "milk turn quicker than Hangeland". With that in mind, it's fair to say that the big Norwegian is not everybody's cup of tea down at Craven Cottage. He is expected to return from a leg injury for the visit of Man United this weekend, which will put him up against the likes of Rooney and Robin van Persie. If they travel to London in good form, you'd have to fear for the centre-back and his side.

Brede Hangeland of Fulham in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham at St James' Park on August 31, 2013© Getty Images

3. Paul Dummett: The 22-year-old stole the headlines by scoring his first Premier League goal against Liverpool earlier this month, but last time out in the Tyne-Wear derby the youngster was given a real taste of the top flight. He was beaten to the ball for Sunderland's first goal, while throughout the 90 minutes he looked a little shocked by the pace of the game. If Alan Pardew keeps faith with the defender, he will be up against what appears to be a rejuvenated Fernando Torres and Chelsea this Saturday.

4. Michu: Everything that the Spaniard touched last season seemed to turn to gold. He's failed to repeat that trick so far this term, though, having found the net just twice in the Premier League. A player such as Michu relies on the service of his teammates, but this weekend Swansea City face Welsh rivals Cardiff City. It's a match where the hosting Bluebirds are expected to get among their opposition, thus trying to prevent them from creating chances. He may have proven himself to be clinical in front of goal, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see his barren spell continue for another 90 minutes.

5. Mohamed Diame: While the 26-year-old does an admirable job in the West Ham engine room, he's not one for scoring goals and creating opportunities.

This stat from Opta tells you all that you need to know: "23 - Mohamed Diame has fired in more shots than any other player who has yet to score in the 13/14."

If anything, Diame could lose some fantasy points by picking up a caution.

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Spurs' Roberto Soldado celebrates after scoring the opener from the penalty spot during the match against Swansea on August 25, 2013
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Fantasy football advice: Week nine
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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