This article is part of our Ball Watching series.
I. Austin's Home Cooking
Only start Charlie Austin at home. Loftus Road has been very kind to the QPR striker, as nine of his 11 goals this season have come there. Another fun fact: Austin has accounted for 55 percent of all QPR's goals, dwarfing the rates of other heavily depended on strikers such as Chelsea's Diego Costa (33 percent), Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (39 percent), and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (30 percent). Again, though, Austin's home/road split of 9:2 is alarming.
II. The Kolarov Issue
Start Aleksander Kolarov in fantasy when he starts for Manchester City. The defender picked up an assist and a clean sheet in his return to the starting XI last weekend, and given that the Sky Blues have only conceded twice in its last six games, while scoring 14, there are plenty of opportunities for more assists and clean sheets going forward. That is, of course, that he starts. Make sure to check out our EPL Lineups page and insert the Serbian defender when he is starting. His friendly price tag should provide a profitable return.
III. Black Cats for a Good Luck Defense
Over the past six matches, Sunderland has only allowed five goals, though four of them were conceded against Manchester City. Simple math dictates that in the other five games, the Black Cats have only conceded once. Costel Pantilimon, in eight Premier League appearances, has four clean sheets and averages four saves per match. Those are phenomenal numbers that not many outside of the northeast of England are discussing. He is worth serious consideration, especially at home.
IV. Falcao is back!
Well, maybe...Wayne Rooney played the no. 10 role behind both Falcao and Robin van Persie and even though they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa, the front-three looked potent, which also renders the imminent return of Marouane Fellaini and the recent resurgence of Juan Mata moot.
V. Attacking Spurs
Spurs' offensive options are growing. Not only is Harry Kane in form (three goals in past three games), but Nacer Chadli returned from injury to provide an assist, while Erik Lamela scored for the first time this Premier League season. Throw in some Christian Eriksen and that is a potent front-four; four more than Tottenham started out with this season.
VI. It's Milner Time
James Milner got an assist!...from the false-nine position? I wrote last week that Milner should have more assists and playing time, and I got my wish with the Englishman getting both last weekend, but I did not expect him to be placed as the false-nine in Man City's lineup. I don't know if Milner will stay in that position, but it's certainly an intriguing proposition for Milner's fantasy-relevancy.
