Fantasy Premier League 2013 Week 4: This Weekend's Potential Match-Winners

The Premier League will recommence with a bang this weekend following a brief pause for international fixtures, with a busy calendar of eight games on Saturday afternoon.

For many, that will mean the end of the week is spent making adaptations to their fantasy football lineups in preparation for the new point-earning offerings the weekend's fixtures will bring.

But which players will come to the fore and star for their teams this weekend? Predicting that is the key to raking in big fantasy football rewards.

Let's take a look at some leading candidates below.

Robin van Persie, Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

Netherlands striker van Persie is always a solid buy when it comes to scoring fantasy football points. Against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this weekend, he will no doubt be a safe bet to bring a decent return.

Following defeat to Liverpool last time out, the Red Devils will hope to bounce back with a win against newly promoted Palace. Given the quality difference between the two sides, they will be expected to win at a canter.

The risk with selecting van Persie is that manager David Moyes will opt to rest the Dutchman against what must be considered weaker opponents. However, assuming he plays, he will be short odds to get on the scoresheet.

Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham vs. Norwich

It is hard to tell which of Andre Villas-Boas' plentiful attacking options will play this weekend, with some players potentially in need of a rest after the international break. Norwich, too, are a good defensive side.

Tottenham will expect to control the game, and it is difficult to see the Canaries having the ability to truly threaten Spurs on a regular basis at White Hart Lane.

With that in mind, it is probably worth opting for a Tottenham defender this weekend. In Vertonghen, the added benefit is that there is a good chance of him contributing in attacking areas from set pieces. At the very least, clean sheet points are a distinct possibility.

Theo Walcott, Sunderland vs. Arsenal

It is fair to say Sunderland have not enjoyed the best start to the season, and in that respect, the last thing they would have wanted this weekend is an Arsenal side featuring Mesut Ozil arriving at the Stadium of Light.

While Ozil will attract all the pre-match attention, Theo Walcott could well be Arsenal's biggest threat on the day. Walcott will thrive on the passes his new teammate can provide and is always a threat on the counterattack.

Walcott is yet to score this season but has hit the target with five of his seven shots, per Squawka, and they will surely start to find the back of the net soon if that continues.

Sunderland will either feature Jack Colback or new signing Andrea Dossena at left-back, and the England man will fancy his chances against either.

With Ozil potentially supplying the ammunition, Walcott will be looking to get into goal-scoring positions on a regular basis. Whoever plays at left-back will have a tough job keeping him quiet this weekend.

Darren Bent, Fulham vs. West Brom

West Brom were busy on deadline day, bringing in Morgan Amalfitano, Victor Anichebe and Stephane Sessegnon to The Hawthorns. However, they are far from outstanding moves given the Baggies' needs.

Fulham will fancy their chances of a home win this weekend. They have a natural goalscorer in Darren Bent who will take any chances that fall his way. Martin Jol has recruited well this summer, and with Dimitar Berbatov, Adel Taarabt and Bryan Ruiz around, his side will create chances.

Bent got his tally for the season off the mark on his debut against Arsenal and will hope to follow that up with further goals against what is not a particularly mobile WBA back four. If Amalfitano is not yet up to speed in midfield, it could be a long afternoon for the visitors.