This article is part of our Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer series.
As the Premier League returns from another international break, MondoGoal's Week 9 games are already open for fantasy owners to enter. With hopes of cashing in from this weekend's action, let's pinpoint three pairs of similarly priced players at the same position that have contrasting buy/sell fortunes heading into the latest round.
Defenders
Buy: Russell Martin (£7.6M)
Although Norwich's defense hasn't been water-tight this season, Martin has still managed to rack up 53.62 points on MondoGoal, making him the ninth-best defender. That standing comes thanks to three goals, which leads all players at his position, but Martin also boasts favorable defensive prospects this weekend. That's because he's pitted against last-place Newcastle, who have scored two fewer goals than any other team this season. The Magpies have also gone winless in eight straight league games, potentially setting up some good fortune for Martin and Norwich come Sunday.
Sell: Cedric Soares (£7.5M)
Like Martin, Cedric is also averaging over six points per game on MondoGoal, but the Southampton man's production is more based on his defensive work, as Cedric has compiled 19 interceptions and 17 tackles this season. This weekend, he doesn't figure to have many opportunities to contribute much in those categories, since Southampton's opponent, Leicester City, maintains merely 43.2 percent of possession, the second-lowest mark in the Premier League. Despite the Foxes' style of play, only Manchester City has scored more goals than them, likely erasing Cedric's clean sheet chances as well.
Midfielders
Buy: Mesut Ozil (£11.8M)
The featured man in Arsenal's midfield, Ozil scored his first goal of the season in the Gunners' convincing Week 8 triumph over Manchester United. The World Cup winner then went on the international break and registered an assist in Euro 2016 qualifying. Long Ozil's specialty, only two players tote more than Ozil's four assists in the Premier League this season, which has helped him average 9.23 points per game on MondoGoal. With his club side fueled from their latest win, Saturday's match at promoted side Watford should see Ozil at the fulcrum of more attacking moves.
Sell: Bakary Sako (£12.4M)
One of the stars of the early season, Sako scored in both of his first two appearances for Crystal Palace, combining for 41.38 points over those outings. Since then, Sako has attempted merely two shots and has averaged just 4.94 points per match in his latest three appearances. Now, with teammate Yannick Bolasie having scored in Palace's last game, Sako's starting left wing position in under considerable threat. Furthermore, the Eagles host road warriors West Ham this weekend, presenting another barrier for Sako to rediscover the sort of form that flashed him onto fantasy radars earlier in the campaign.
Forwards
Buy: Wilfried Bony (£8.4M)
Certain to be among the most added players by fantasy owners in the coming weeks, Bony is expected to occupy Sergio Aguero's spot atop Manchester City's league-leading attack following the Argentine's latest injury. Needless to say, that bodes tremendously well for the Ivorian's current 2.88-point per game average on MondoGoal to improve, particularly with a home matchup against Bournemouth to begin his run. Prior to joining Man City in January of last season, Bony tallied 25 goals and six assists in 43 Premier League starts for Swansea City, evidencing the impact he can have on a team's first XI.
Sell: Harry Kane (£8.8M)
Last season's breakout star, Kane finally scored his first goal of the current campaign in Week 7 against Manchester City. So how did Kane follow that performance? He hooked in an own goal at Swansea City, unwittingly leveling his personal goal difference after finishing plus-21 last term. While the 22-year-old always faced a tall task in duplicating last year's output, Kane has struggled for form in his second season, as he's averaging just 5.24 points per game on MondoGoal. That's hardly enough for someone with Kane's £8.8M salary, and this weekend he's pitted against fellow top-10 side Liverpool, who have held Tottenham scoreless in three of their last four meetings at White Hart Lane.
