Just when we think we have this game figured out, along comes a weekend like Gameweek 7 to instil proper doubt in our minds.
While Bafetimbi Gomis and Segio Aguero have misfired for some time now, the last of of the trio of 'template' strikers looked like a safe bet to keep for the season. A great price tag, a good goalscoring record and the guarantee to lead his team's forward line for the rest of the year.
I am, of course, referring to Bournemouth's Callum Wilson. When the Englishman was hauled off courtesy of a stretcher on Saturday, you could almost hear the groans of an entire fantasy football-playing nation. Odion Ighalo's blank didn't do any favours, either.
Image: Adam Davy / PA Wire/Press Association Images
But the timing of this was something curious, occuring on the same weekend as Alexis Sanchez's return to form. His first ever hat-trick in the Premier League signalled his ability to cause utter destruction to the ranks of those who don't own him.
His 13 touches in the box further illustrate how this isn't a once-off: he's going to do this again, but we don't know when - he blanked on 15 occasions last season. Keeping Sanchez in your starting XI and allowing him to mature points like a fine wine is probably the best option here.
On a lesser note, Eden Hazard has now brought attacking returns in back-to-back games. We can expect more where that came from, too, as he's registered a key pass every 26 minutes so far this year. With Southampton rolling up to Stamford Bridge this weekend, you can see Hazard contributing further to his apparent new found consistency.
Image: John Walton / PA Wire/Press Association Images
The point being made here is that the premium options may well be making their assault on the fantasy stakes now after disappointing starts. Sanchez gave us a terrifying insight into what it's like to lose patience with our big stars and there's now the sense that the big boys have come out to play.
With Manchester City hosting Newcastle this weekend, it seems like a very apt time for Sergio Aguero to announce his true arrival also.
Gameweek 8
That said, it's probably time to take the armband off Sergio Aguero. His inconsistency (or consistency of blanking) is something that is simply too harmful at this stage and while the fixture list would suggest you keep him in your team, thankfully the range of good budget options makes this a viable move.
Alexis Sanchez looks like better captaincy material this week. Sure, it's a fixture against United, but Louis van Gaal's men have picked up a habit of ditching their clean sheet policy on the road.
Outside of that duo, the potential for big premium returns looks slim so, once again, the mid-price bracket looks tempting.
Diafra Sakho had more shots in the box and more shots in general than any other striker last week and, with West Ham heading to a struggling Sunderland, he looks to be an excellent prospect this week. Bear in mind that Dimitri Payet has failed to score a goal in the road this season, by the way.
Image: Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Wes Hoolahan is topping the assists charts this season and faces Leicester at Carrow Road this week so will surely tempt investment, while Jonathan Walters has notched in both of his last games ahead of a trip to Aston Villa. Having one of the Irishmen in your midfield is not a bad play at this stage at all.
Bournemouth's Simon Francis has as many key passes this season as Aleksandar Kolarov, so continues to look great value with a plum home fixture with Watford this week.
Finally, keep an eye on Crystal Palace, specifically Scott Dann at the back or Yannick Bolasie in midfield. With back to back home fixtures against West Brom and West Ham before a trip to Leicester, it's prime time for investment in Alan Pardew's side.
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