This article is part of our Ball Watching series.
Efficient Finishers
Olivier Giroud is the most efficient striker in the EPL with 0.93 goals (non-penalty) per 90 minutes.
Arsenal's Olivier Giroud has the highest non-penalty goals per 90 average in the #EPL: http://t.co/yIW3HJRTy3#AFCpic.twitter.com/bIyNW3zlG7
— STATS Football (@STATS_Football) March 24, 2015This title, previously held by Papiss Cisse, is possibly the most fantasy-relevant one to have for a Premier League striker. It means that the Frenchman is the most reliable option to score a goal in a full game. With Cisse suspended for five more matches, the top-three among active strikers are Giroud, Diego Costa (0.88) and Harry Kane (0.82). From there, the rate drops significantly to options like Sergio Aguero (0.64) and Diafra Sakho (0.56).
Efficient Midfielders
Speaking of Arsenal efficiency, Alexis Sanchez, even despite his slump, is still the leader in goals per 90 minutes among midfielders (0.52). David Silva, however, is fresh on his tail (0.51) and should cost less than Sanchez in most daily formats. However, it is worth noting that Arsenal's assault on second (and possibly first) in the Premier League standings is due in large part to the fact that they have the most efficient midfielder and striker in terms of goals per 90 minutes.
Coping Without Costa
Prepare for at least one matchweek without Diego Costa. Not only did the Chelsea striker depart early with a hamstring injury, he is now on eight yellow cards. After matchweek 32, the threshold for the two-match ban increases from ten to fifteen cautions. Not only would resting Costa serve the hamstring well, but would also allow the Spanish striker to continue his aggressive play up front.
New Top Value Striker
Shane Long is now at the top of the value striker pile. The Southampton forward scored last week and the Saints' upcoming fixtures are extraordinarily favorable, with matchups against Hull, Sunderland, Leicester, Everton, and Tottenham's porous defense in their final run-in.
New Top Value Keepers
Boaz Myhill had 13 saves last weekend against Man City, counteracting the three goals the West Brom goalkeeper conceded. With QPR and Leicester at home upcoming and Ben Foster (knee) out for the season, Myhill's value will never be higher. He's safe to pick up in both daily and rest-of-season formats. Furthermore, the defensive option who replaces Craig Dawson (suspension) may also have value considering the Baggies have kept six clean sheets in their last ten matches.
In other goaltender news, Fraser Forster (knee) has a dark cloud of doubt cast over him potentially for the rest of the season. Backup Kelvin Davis filled in nicely and may be another goaltender value considering the Saints' Premier League-best defensive record, allowing only 21 goals all season. It does, however, make the defenders a little more of a risk. Don't overspend in daily formats next week when the Saints visit Everton.
