This article is part of our Ball Watching series.
I. Hazardous Conditions
Those who have paid the high price for Chelsea's Eden Hazard have been sorely disappointed by the young Belgian's one goal and two assists so far. In a vacuum, that's not bad production from a midfielder, but it is disappointing, in truth, because Chelsea have scored 19 goals. It might be time to look elsewhere in the midfield.
II. The "Best" Spurs Midfielder
After netting his fourth goal in the current campaign, Nacer Chadli has emerged tied for most points among midfielders in PremierLeague.com format and the No. 1 midfielder on ESPN's Premier Fantasy. Unlike his compatriot Hazard, this Belgian winger has accounted for 50 percent of his team's goal production. Will this rate continue? No, but it should mean that his playing time should increase and should be a reliable option considering his price.
III. You don't NEED to replace Wayne Rooney with a high-priced forward.
If you own Rooney, you're going to have to drop him the next three weeks due to his red card ban. @rotowireandrew and I have discussed our favorite budget forward Lenardo Ulluoa of Leicester on the RotoWire Fantasy Soccer Podcast, but there are a few others to consider: At Crystal Palace, Frazier Campbell has scored in both of his previous two appearances, while Peter Crouch at Stoke has done the same. However, that is child's play compared to Southampton's Graziano Pelle and West Ham's Diafra Sakho's four goals in their previous four appearances. One could easily argue that the production of higher-priced options like Arsenal's Danny Welbeck and Liverpool's Mario Balotelli can be matched, if not exceeded, by their less expensive counterparts.
IV. However, don't panic if you own Balotelli or Welbeck
They are ranked first and third in shots per game and should continue to get shot opportunities as the forwards in two explosive offenses.
V. The next winner in the "Wer'e Playing Burnley This Week" contest is Leicester City.
Start Kasper Schmeichel and any combination of the Foxes' defenders accordingly.
