This article is part of our Ball Watching series.
Jumping on Burnley
Now is the time to invest in Burnley FPL options given their next four fixtures: v. QPR, v. Crystal Palace, at Sunderland, v. West Brom). The best options would be Kieran Trippier (defender), George Boyd (midfielder), and Danny Ings (forward). Boyd, particularly, is in good form having netted three times since December.
Selling Christian Benteke
Benteke is unusable until further notice. Not because he isn't talented, but because he is not producing at the rate needed given his price. Compounding his bad form is Villa's imminent fixture list that includes Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
Buying Adam Johnson
There's still value to be had in Johnson. The Sunderland midfielder has been involved in four of Sunderland's last five goals. The problem is that it took six games to get those five goals. However, as said repeatedly on the podcast, Sunderland are a different team at home and have a favorable home schedule coming up (Liverpool, QPR, Burnley, West Brom). Given his discounted price, Johnson may still have value in those games.
Manchester City are a counter-attacking team
Five of the team's 44 goals have come from the counter-attack. This may not seem like a large number, but given their class advantage in most fixtures, to have more than double the amount of counter-attacking goals than anyone else in the Premier League is surprising.
The Tony Pulis Effect
My eyes are going to be squarely focused on West Brom's Ben Foster, Andre Wisdom, and Saido Berahino now that Pulis is in charge of the Baggies. The defensive records at Stoke City and Crystal Palace have not been the same since Pulis' departure and, hopefully, the same fortunes can be bestowed upon the aforementioned West Brom players. Another player who fits Pulis' style who does not cost much in any format is Victor Anichebe. His strong frame and finishing abilities could be just what Tony Pulis needs -- especially if Berahino is sold.
