After losing momentum during our winter break, we finally began to regain some respectability last weekend as we pointed you in the direction of some beneficial selections. It wasn't a stellar week by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one that hopefully restored a bit of faith.
It was perhaps disappointing that Sergio Aguero didn't net more than once during Manchester City's 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United but it was a points-scoring display nonetheless. Tom Heaton, Steven Caulker and Laurent Koscielny - our 'who to avoid' picks for week 26 - all failed to keep a clean sheet too so we were correct to advise you to steer clear of the trio.
Below, Sports Mole makes another six selections in an attempt to help you advance up your respective league tables.
Who to pick
1. Raheem Sterling
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was understandably criticised when he handed a mid-season break to Raheem Sterling, but it has turned out to be the correct move for the winger's longevity this season. Even with the two-week absence, the 20-year-old has still played 43 times for club and country this season, but his form over the past nine games has played a pivotal part in Liverpool's resurgence. Sterling has netted four goals during that period, as well as acting as the catalyst for a number of other strikes, and ahead of a fixture that he excelled in last season, he will be in the mood to inflict a second defeat on Manchester City in the space of five days.
2. Juan Mata
In recent weeks, criticism of Manchester United has started to approach levels reached during David Moyes's spell at Old Trafford, but despite their inconsistency, one man that can't be blamed is Juan Mata. For reasons only known to Louis van Gaal, the Spaniard has only started one game in seven - in the FA Cup replay against Cambridge United - and has only featured for 11 minutes in United's last four games. After they lost at Swansea City last weekend and with the team needing a creative spark in the final third, surely it is only a matter of time before the former Chelsea man - who has scored six times in 23 appearances in all competitions - is recalled to the starting lineup
© Getty Images
3. Diafra Sahko
The season-ending injury to Andy Carroll came as a huge blow to West Ham United's ambitions for the remainder of the campaign, but the absence of the target man has given an opportunity for Diafra Sahko to continue his impressive first year in the Premier League. Many of the 25-year-old's goals came during a time when Carroll was nursing an ankle problem at the start of the season, while his strike-rate dipped as soon as the English international returned to the side. A coincidence maybe, but the former Metz forward now has a chance to improve on his tally of 11 goals in 20 games when he starts against Crystal Palace at Upton Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Who to avoid
1. Tim Howard
When experienced goalkeeper Tim Howard is coming in for criticism from Everton fans, you know that things are turning a little sour at Goodison Park. The American stopper has been a mainstay in the Toffees goal for almost eight years, but with mistakes beginning to creep into his game, there have been calls for Joel Robles to be given another opportunity. Manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that Howard will remain his first choice, but ahead of a trip to the Emirates Stadium to play Arsenal, the 35-year-old faces a tall order to remain in a positive mindset ahead of facing a team who have scored in 30 of their last 32 matches in all competitions.
2. Jermain Defoe
When Jermain Defoe made a return to the Premier League with Sunderland after just a year at Toronto FC, the England international was considered to be the saviour for the Black Cats who were seeking fresh urgency in attack. However, Defoe has found the back of the net just twice in seven appearances in all competitions, with Gus Poyet's men scoring at a rate of just one per game during his time on the pitch. Saturday's opponents Manchester United may be lacking a bit of firepower themselves, but they still possess the second best home record in the Premier League this season and it could prove to be a long afternoon for Sunderland's attack if Van Gaal's side can begin on the front foot.
© Getty Images
3. Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud has indicated in recent weeks that he was returning to form after a run of scoring in just four games in 12, but his performance in front of goal against Monaco in the Champions League could have disastrous consequences for the Frenchman. It could be dismissed as a one-off, but the manner in which he was hauled off by manager Arsene Wenger after an hour, and with his team trailing 2-0, suggested that his boss was aghast at his efforts in the penalty area. In theory, playing an inconsistent Everton outfit could be the ideal fixture for Giroud to get back on track, but it remains to be seen whether Wenger will opt for either Danny Welbeck or Theo Walcott in his place.
Darren Plant
