GW9 – Player Versus
This looks at the next opponent of Fantasy Premier League’s (FPL) top players, assessing whether they have a good or bad record against them. Of course, it’s just for fun and doesn’t take into account factors such as the player moving clubs. A lot can change in the years since Striker A scored a hat-trick against Team B. However, if a player enjoys playing at a certain ground against a particular centre back, that could be useful information for the FPL community.
(NB. Premier League matches only. Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t included because his 2003-09 appearances were too long ago to be relevant)
THE GOOD
Joshua King vs Everton
9 matches, 5 goals, 6 assists, 7.44 points-per-game
King may not play against his (brief) former club this weekend because of the muscle injury that saw him miss the defeat to Liverpool but he picked up 22 points from the pair of 2019/20 games against the Toffees.
Raheem Sterling vs Brighton
6 matches, 4 goals, 2 assists, 7.00 points-per-game
His last trip to face Brighton brought a hat-trick and 21 points, although he missed a penalty during an eight minute cameo in January that saw him finish on -1.
Jack Grealish vs Brighton
4 matches, 2 goals, 1 assist, 6.50 points-per-game
Son Heung-min vs West Ham
10 matches, 3 goals, 6 assists, 6.00 points-per-game
The South Korean international has attacking returns from five of his seven matches this season, making him the second highest-scoring midfielder.
Riyad Mahrez vs Brighton
8 matches, 1 goal, 5 assists, 5.63 points-per-game
He has returns from his last three trips to the Amex Stadium.
Harry Kane vs West Ham
16 matches, 11 goals, 2 assists, 5.38 points-per-game
Apart from Leicester, against no team has Kane scored more league goals.
THE BAD
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Aston Villa
4 matches, 1 goal, 0 assists, 2.75 points-per-game
The Arsenal man scored on Monday against Crystal Palace but has struggled against Villa.
Wilfried Zaha vs Newcastle
12 matches, 2 goals, 1 assist, 2.92 points-per-game
Although Zaha will face the league’s leakiest defence, he hasn’t scored in their last seven meetings.
Marcus Rashford vs Liverpool
11 matches, 2 goals, 3 assists, 3.09 points-per-game
Barely-owned because of his injured start to the season, Rashford came on and scored against Leicester. But his record against Liverpool is poor.
Callum Wilson vs Crystal Palace
10 matches, 1 goals, 3 assists, 3.40 points-per-game
However, Wilson did score and assist in last season’s equivalent match at Selhurst Park, bagging 12 points.
THE….. MEH?
Kevin De Bruyne vs Brighton
5 matches, 1 goal, 2 assists, 5.20 points-per-game
Michail Antonio vs Tottenham
9 matches, 5 goals, 0 assists, 4.78 points-per-game
Danny Ings vs Arsenal
7 matches, 3 goals, 0 assists, 4.00 points-per-game
Sadio Mane vs Man United
11 matches, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4.00 points-per-game
Mohamed Salah vs Man United
7 matches, 2 goals, 0 assists, 3.86 points-per-game
Although both goals have arrived in their last three clashes
