Unless your name is Manchester City, almost every club in English football has started the season with a blip of some kind, so we are not going to feel too guilty at making the wrong choices with Wayne Rooney and Xherdan Shaqiri last week. Why? Because we were on the money with our other four selections.
As predicted, Bafetimbi Gomis continued his hot streak in front of goal with a strike against Sunderland and Pedro made an instant impact at Chelsea with a goal and an assist at West Bromwich Albion. Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane failed to score for the third game running, while Micah Richards was a part of an Aston Villa defence who conceded two goals at Crystal Palace.
Below, Sports Mole comes up with another six names ahead of the final batch of Premier League games before the international break.
Who to pick
1. Sergio Aguero
After recording two clean sheets from their first three games back in the top flight, Watford have impressed, and equally surprised, many with how they have adapted to Premier League life, but they are also without a win in four games in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End in midweek. The setback at Deepdale isn't the best preparation ahead of a trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City, and Sergio Aguero will be relishing the prospect of trying to make up for his failure in front of goal last weekend. City have the potential to score goals from all areas of the pitch, but with the Argentine leading the line, it would be a surprise if he doesn't net against the Hornets.
2. Russell Martin
© Getty Images
The selection of Russell Martin would have been considered a speculative punt ahead of the season, but the Canaries skipper has already proven that he can help his side at both ends of the pitch as they look to avoid an immediate return to the Football League. The Scotland international has scored goals against both Sunderland and Stoke City, and while Norwich are yet to keep a clean sheet, they have performed well to earn results against the Black Cats and the Potters. On Sunday, the East Anglian club travel to play a Southampton side who are struggling to replicate their performances of last season and Martin has every chance of contributing for the third successive Premier League fixture.
3. Mame Biram Diouf
While Stoke are still awaiting their first win of the new Premier League campaign, leading striker Mame Biram Diouf has enjoyed a good start to the season with goals against both Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich. Despite the arrival of Joselu, Mark Hughes has placed his faith in the 27-year-old, who had failed to impress during his previous stints in English football at both Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers. On Saturday afternoon, Stoke welcome a West Bromwich Albion side who sit at the bottom of the standings, and although they have played both Manchester City and Chelsea this month, they haven't found second gear yet and Stoke could take full advantage of that at the weekend.
Who to avoid
1. John Stones
Our number one choice was always going to be obvious this week, wasn't it? Defender John Stones may have had an official transfer request rejected by Everton but that is not to say that he hasn't been affected by the relentless interest from Chelsea throughout August. The Toffees centre-back may benefit from using the international break to accept that his immediate future is at Goodison Park, but before then, he must get through 90 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Spurs have hardly been firing on all cylinders in attack, but a lack of focus in the Everton backline might be the bit of luck that they need to get their season started.
2. Memphis Depay
© Getty Images
When Memphis Depay was signed by Manchester United, he was considered the perfect fit for the Premier League but so far, the Dutch attacker has failed to adapt to the pace of English football. He has made his mark in United's European fixtures, scoring twice and providing two assists, but he has looked nothing more than ordinary on the domestic scene. Despite that, boss Louis van Gaal is expected to select him against Swansea City on Sunday afternoon, but with the Welsh club still unbeaten and playing with confidence, he may struggle to make an impact for the fourth successive game.
3. Angelo Ogbonna
When West Ham United started the season with a clean sheet away at Arsenal, their fans must have believed that their defensive problems had been solved, but there is a different mood at the club after conceding six goals in two games against Leicester City and Bournemouth. Many of those goals have been down to individual mistakes, but the uncertainty in their defence is only going to encourage the attack of their upcoming opponents, starting with Liverpool on Saturday. The Reds have only scored twice this season, but manager Brendan Rodgers will see this as a chance to rack up a few goals and even the impressive Angelo Ogbonna may struggle to stop the likes of Christian Benteke and Coutinho.
Darren Plant
