EPL Week 11 Predictions: Stars Who Will Shine This Weekend

Shining in the Premier League hasn’t been the easiest thing to do this season. 

Ten games in and eight teams have conceded an average of just one goal per game or less. From West Ham United sitting 14th to second-placed Chelsea, a number of teams have looked extremely organised at the back.

Southampton, who have conceded just four goals, have been the most impressive from a defensive point of view. But they are just one of a handful of teams that are difficult to break down.

This weekend’s matchups have the potential to be tight affairs once more, but there are a few names that will be expected to shine due to their recent form and the opposition that lies ahead.

Luis Suarez

Suarez has been one of the standout players of the season so far, despite missing the opening five games through suspension.

Since his return to the Liverpool setup, he has scored six and assisted two goals, and his overall contribution to his side has been immense.

When you fuse an excellent work rate with impeccable skills, then it tends to result in a world-class player, and that’s what Suarez is. He has the work rate of a guy attempting to make up for deficiencies elsewhere in his game, but the Uruguayan is blessed with an abundance of talent.

Liverpool host Fulham this weekend and Suarez will relish the chance to take on a defence that has leaked 15 goals in the league.

The Cottagers’ back four is static at times, and after conceding three goals against Manchester United last weekend, Suarez is the last player they will want to see bearing down on them.

Samuel Eto’o

With Fernando Torres set to miss Chelsea’s clash with West Bromwich Albion due to injury—per BBC Sport—Eto’o will likely deputise up front at Stamford Bridge. 

Eto’o’s purchase may have resembled something of a panic buy for Chelsea after their futile attempts to pry Wayne Rooney from the grips of Manchester United at the beginning of the season. But the Cameroon international has begun to find his feet in the Premier League, and he could prove a vital asset for the Blues moving forward.

In the last three games he has started for Chelsea, Eto’o has bagged three goals and an assist, and he will be eager to get on the scoresheet once more this weekend when West Bromwich Albion visit West London.

The Baggies struggled against the pace of Liverpool’s strike force in their 4-1 defeat at Anfield two weeks ago. Unlike Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, Eto’o may no longer be in his prime, but he still has plenty of pace to trouble West Brom.

With the Chelsea midfielders buzzing behind him, Eto’o will look to push the West Brom defenders back. And if he gets the ball at his feet, he will prove that you don’t need to be in your prime to know where the net is.

Sergio Aguero

Aguero has been unstoppable at times this season.

The Argentine forward boasts 13 goals and six assists in his 12 games for City this season—per ESPN—and he promises to keep getting better and better.

His balance on the ball is nothing short of extraordinary. When he gets a look at goal, there are few in the world better at rattling the net, and he is the most vital component in City’s title challenge.

Aguero and Co. travel to the Stadium of Light this weekend, and the opportunity is there for the 25-year-old to increase his already impressive goal tally.

Sunderland have shown signs of improvement since Gus Poyet took over the reins, but their defence has been fairly abysmal at times this season. They have conceded 22 goals in 10 games, the worst record in the league.

Aguero has struck up a fruitful partnership with Alvaro Negredo this year. The pair helped knock seven past Norwich and five past CSKA Moscow in the last seven days. It could be a case of more of the same this weekend.

Romelu Lukaku

I imagine there is a list of strikers eager to take on Crystal Palace this season and Lukaku is next in line to have a go.

The Eagles have leaked an average of two goals per game in their 10 league outings. They have conceded more than three times the number of goals than they have scored, and without any direction, things will only get worse before they get better for the managerless side.

The Belgian has been one of the in-form frontmen this season. He has scored five in his last six outings and is benefiting from a consistent run in Roberto Martinez’s starting XI.

Lukaku has taken an average of just 2.5 shots per game this season—per WhoScored?—demonstrating his ruthlessness when he gets a look at goal.

Everton should be allowed play with greater freedom after the tactically disciplined 0-0 draw at home to Spurs last weekend.

Palace have scored just six goals all season and offer little in the way of an attacking threat. This should allow the Toffees’ midfield to bring some additional creativity to proceedings going forward, which will directly benefit Lukaku up top.