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Fantasy football advice: Week 11

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

We tried hard not to boast last week, but after two successful advice articles on the trot, we at Sports Mole are starting to feel rather smug.

Sergio Aguero found the back of the net, while there were clean sheets for Jussi Jaaskelainen and Leighton Baines. Also scoring points was Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj, who claimed an assist. All of which meant that Mesut Ozil's relatively quiet showing didn't dampen our spirits too much.

Meanwhile, we told you to avoid selecting John Ruddy and the Norwich goalkeeper subsequently shipped a rather hefty seven goals away at Manchester City.

So, as we go for a hat-trick, below are the players we feel are worth picking and which you should steer clear of.

Who to pick

1. Romelu Lukaku: The Belgian impressed during a loan spell with West Bromwich Albion last season, but he looks to have taken his performance levels up a notch since arriving at Everton on a temporary basis from Chelsea. He's got five goals to his name this season and not many would bet against him adding to his tally against Crystal Palace. After all, the South Londoners have shipped 21 goals - only Sunderland have let in more.

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates opening the scoring against Man City on October 5, 2013© Getty Images

2. Sergio Aguero: Having seen Aguero net a brace against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, pundit Jamie Carragher described the Manchester City striker as the "best in the world". Considering his performances in recent weeks, it is hard to disagree with the former Liverpool defender. The Argentine has scored eight Premier League goals, as well as showing his creative side with four assists. As mentioned above, no team has conceded more goals than Sunderland, who face Aguero's City on Sunday.

3. Gerhard Tremmel: The German has been forced to watch on as Michel Vorm carried out the goalkeeping duties in the Premier League. However, Vorm was red-carded last time out against Cardiff City, which should see Tremmel deputise. He will be up against a Stoke City side that have won just once away from home. What's more, Mark Hughes's side have failed to score in four of their 10 outings.

4. Gary Cahill: David Luiz did not exactly cover himself in glory when given a chance at Cahill's expense in the Chelsea starting lineup last weekend. As a result, it wouldn't be a surprise if the England centre-back were recalled for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to Stamford Bridge. The Blues have conceded just three goals at home, while West Brom have only found the net on four occasions on their travels. Also, Cahill is a threat in the opposition's area from corners and set-piece situations.

Chelsea's English defender Gary Cahill runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Fulham at Stamford Bridge in London on September 21, 2013© Getty Images

5. Gary Hooper: So, a striker that hasn't scored in the Premier League this season has been included - surely that doesn't make sense?! Call it a hunch, but Norwich City's match against West Ham United has a must-win feel about it, particularly where the future of manager Chris Hughton is concerned. If the Canaries are to achieve a positive result, you would have to back Hooper to be involved. Perhaps he could be described as the pick for those of you on a budget!

Who to avoid

1. Boaz Myhill: The 30-year-old has received high praise for the job that he has done between the posts for West Brom since Ben Foster was injured. He could have his work cut on Saturday, though. The Baggies have rarely enjoyed their trips to Chelsea. They've lost on their last nine visits to West London, while they've conceded 15 goals during the last five meetings between the two teams at the Bridge.

2. Peter Crouch: The fact that goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is Stoke's joint-leading goalscorer this season tells you all that you need to know. The Potters struggle to carve out too many chances, with the exception of their trip to Old Trafford. They take on Swansea this weekend and the Welsh side are known for dominating possession in the majority of matches that they contest. With that in mind, it's unlikely that the away side will be laying too many opportunities on a plate for Crouch.

Peter Crouch of Stoke during a Pre Season Friendly between Stoke City and Genoa at Britannia Stadium on August 10, 2013© Getty Images

3. Carlos Cuellar: It's been a largely miserable campaign for Sunderland and their Spanish defender Cuellar. He in fact summed it all up last weekend at Hull City when he turned the ball into his own net for the only goal of the game. If selected, Cuellar is likely to be up against City's strike partnership of Aguero and Alvaro Negredo. Against CSKA, the duo shared all five of City's goals at the Etihad Stadium. In that form, you'd have to fear for Cuellar, who is not exactly overly blessed in the pace department.

4. Philippe Senderos: While Man United played well at Craven Cottage last weekend, some of Fulham's defending wouldn't have looked out of place in a Sunday League encounter. At the forefront of that was Senderos, who couldn't cope with the pace and movement of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. It doesn't get much easier for the former Arsenal man this Saturday as Fulham travel to Liverpool, who boast a strikeforce of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. 'SAS' have notched 14 Premier League goals between them.

5. Julian Speroni: The unfortunate Argentine is becoming an almost permanent tenant on this list, so much so that we might start considering charging him rent! His Palace side have conceded 21 goals in the Premier League this season, 10 of which have come at Selhurst Park. This weekend they play host to Everton, who have hit eight goals on the road - only Arsenal and Man United have struck more. If our prediction about Lukaku above is to be correct, it's going to mean that it will cost Speroni points.

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Manchester United's Dutch striker Robin van Persie celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on November 2, 2013
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Today's games header
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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