Erik ten Hag has few concerns about Manchester United defensively and is instead focused on improving their attack as his side head to Sevilla on Thursday.

United have been without a number of key men at the back, including Lisandro Martinez, who will miss the remainder of the season.

Martinez sustained a broken metatarsal in last week's 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire saw United improbably throw away a two-goal lead at Old Trafford, yet Ten Hag is not worried about a repeat.

He is looking to see United make progress in front of goal after a succession of wasteful performances. They have underperformed their xG in seven consecutive Premier League games, falling short by 1.5 in each of their past two outings.

"Our organisation all over the pitch is quite good. We need to do better attacking," Ten Hag explained, adding: "I am confident that we can score goals tomorrow."

The return of Marcus Rashford would aid Ten Hag's cause, with the forward "available" after travelling with the team but set to be the subject of a matchday decision on his fitness.

Impressing at the other end of the pitch, meanwhile, is David de Gea, despite a difficult start to life under Ten Hag.

The goalkeeper's limited ability playing out with his feet caused problems in the early weeks of the season and appeared to indicate he was ill-suited to the manager's tactics.

But De Gea has remained United's number one and leads the Golden Glove race with 14 Premier League clean sheets.

"Stopping goals, that is the main job for a goalkeeper," Ten Hag said.

"Everyone has their own particular style. Nowadays, in possession, it has become more and more important at top levels.

"But at the end of the day it is about stopping goals, shots, crosses, one-on-ones. I think David is a complete goalkeeper."

There is no margin for error when it comes to selecting your fantasy team with just six weeks of the Premier League season to go.

Whether you are battling to win the league, striving to climb off the bottom or desperate to catch or family member above you, it is vital to pick up precious points before it’s too late.

While you may have been picking up points galore in recent weeks and reluctant to make changes, be wary of missing out by keeping the faith.

Using Opta data, Stats Perform have picked out four players to get in your team for the latest set of matches.

David de Gea (Nottingham Forest v Manchester United)

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea has the joint-highest number of top-flight clean sheets this season, racking up 13 along with Newcastle United's Nick Pope.

Seven of the Spaniard's shutouts have come in 2023 and that can rise to eight when the Red Devils face struggling Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Forest have failed to score in all three games against United so far this season, with De Gea playing in two of those matches.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Leeds United v Liverpool)

Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold produced a third assist this year for Roberto Firmino to equalise late in a pulsating 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal last Sunday.

Only Kieran Trippier (420) and Kevin De Bruyne (298) have played more passes into the opposition box than the England international's 287 this season.

Alexander-Arnold has provided assists in each of his previous two trips to Leeds United in the top flight and, with the Whites suffering a 5-1 hammering at home to Crystal Palace last time out, he can capitalise on their defensive frailties on Monday.

Michael Olise (Southampton v Crystal Palace)

Olise caused Leeds all sorts of problems in that rout at Elland Road on Sunday, becoming only the second Palace player to provide three assists in a Premier League match.

Leeds were unable to contain winger Olise, who has produced 13 assists since the start of last season. Only De Bruyne has more assists than Olise per 90 minutes of the players who have featured in at least 3,000 minutes during that time.

Olise can torment bottom-of-the-table Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.

Ivan Toney (Wolves v Brentford)

Brentford striker Toney has scored 18 Premier League goals and provided four assists this season.

Only Erling Haaland (35) and Harry Kane (25) have more goal involvements in the division in the 2022-23 campaign.

Toney has scored twice and laid one goal on in his Premier League encounters with Wolves, a tally he can add to at Molineux on Saturday.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are among the heavy hitters with reported interest in out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Tchouameni arrived in Madrid last July from Monaco for a €100million fee, but has started just 15 of 26 LaLiga fixtures this term, and played only a combined six minutes in their two-legged Champions League clash with Liverpool, whom he reportedly turned down to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The defensive midfielder has found himself behind 20-year-old Eduardo Camavinga for Madrid's most crucial contests, also only making brief substitute appearances in both meetings with Barcelona in March.

Tchouameni, who has made 23 senior appearances and scored two international goals for France, still has plenty of time to turn himself into the impact player Madrid envisioned, but the club are reportedly weighing up if they could cash in and use the resources elsewhere.

TOP STORY – EUROPE'S ELITE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON TCHOUAMENI

According to El Nacional, Madrid are not happy with such an expensive signing only being used sparingly in a rotation role, and will consider any bid in the next transfer window starting at €70m (£61.5m).

The report names Arsenal, United, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea as Tchouameni's "admirers", with the Premier League clubs in particular having all been in the market recently for help in central midfield.

Tchouameni could even cost less than breakout Brighton and Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo, and significantly less than Borussia Dortmund talent Jude Bellingham, adding another key name into the mix for midfielder-hungry clubs this offseason.

ROUND-UP

– According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are considering a move for Brighton's Caicedo if their pursuit of Bellingham is unsuccessful.

– Football Insider is reporting that Chelsea are hoping to receive £100m in return for midfield duo Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic in an effort to balance the books after lavish spending.

– Chelsea's Kai Havertz has interest in reuniting with former boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich, and that interest is mutual according to 90min.

– Fichajes is reporting that Roma may swoop for 32-year-old United goalkeeper David de Gea if he does not sign a new contract to stay in the Premier League.

– According to Mundo Deportivo, PSG have told Lionel Messi they will pay whatever is necessary to retain his services amid heavy interest from Barcelona and Inter Miami.

Real Madrid need a transition plan as captain Karim Benzema heads towards his late thirties, and that could lead them to making a summer swoop for a new forward.

There has been plenty of speculation about Mohamed Salah's future with Liverpool over the past few months, even with the 30-year-old Egyptian being contracted to the Reds until 2025.

Rumours have continued to emerge about a possible move, but Madrid also reportedly have their eye on Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane and Rasmus Hojlund as they consider various options.

TOP STORY – REAL MADRID WANT A NEW STRIKER

Real Madrid might see Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as an option for an off-season transfer, claims Defensa Central.

The report claims Los Blancos could consider Salah while they also look at other possible acquisitions, including Napoli's Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen and Tottenham's ever-prolific Harry Kane.

Karim Benzema turns 36 later this year, and Madrid will need other proven frontline options for when the Frenchman steps away from the spotlight.

Rasmus Hojlund, who has settled in well at Atalanta this season, is also said to be admired at Madrid, no doubt helped by him scoring five goals in his first two starts for Denmark during the recent international break.

ROUND-UP

– The Guardian claims Mason Mount is open to a move to German champions Bayern Munich amid swirling rumours about their new boss Thomas Tuchel's interest in a reunion. Mount and Chelsea have reportedly reached a stalemate in their discussions on a new contract. Tuchel left Chelsea in September.

– Manchester City have identified Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko as a target, reports Football Transfers. The report claims City are fearing Erling Haaland's exit but could use any incoming funds to facilitate a move for the Dortmund forward.

– David de Gea has rejected Manchester United's initial new contract offer which he believes is not adequate, according to The Athletic. The 32-year-old Spanish goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of this season, with United proposing a pay cut in his new deal. The report states an agreement on new terms is expected to be reached.

– Bayern are not interested in either of West Ham's Declan Rice or Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic, reports Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

David de Gea remains content at Manchester United and is focused on helping the Red Devils qualify for the Champions League, as talks over the goalkeeper's new contract continue.

De Gea's contract with United is set to expire at the end of the season, though the Spaniard has repeatedly expressed optimism he will extend his 12-year stay at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old outlined his desire to finish his career at United earlier this year, though a report from The Athletic this week suggested he had turned down the club's first offer of fresh terms.

While that report suggested a positive outcome remains likely, De Gea is putting his future to one side as United look to beat Tottenham, Newcastle United and Liverpool to a top-four Premier League finish.

"I've been here many, many years, enjoying every moment at this club and playing many games," De Gea told Sky Sports. 

"Of course it's great to be here, it's a massive club. I love the club and I'm really happy here.

"It's been the same over the years. There's a lot of noise about everything at this club, but the players just focus on games, especially the one we have on Sunday – it's a massive game for us because we want to finish in the top four.

"We have many games so I think we have to be really caring about training, recovering well, helping the team and that's the most important thing, more than contracts or anything."

United visit top-four rivals Newcastle on Sunday, with the fifth-placed Magpies just three points adrift of Erik ten Hag's team in third.

United have won more Premier League away games against Newcastle than against any other side (14), though they have lost on two of their last five trips to St James' Park (W2 D1). 

Erik ten Hag bemoaned a lack of consistency in refereeing decisions after he was left frustrated by the performance of Anthony Taylor in Manchester United's draw with Southampton on Sunday.

United could only scrape a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford after Casemiro was shown a straight red card in the first half – the Brazilian given his marching orders for a tough challenge on Carlos Alcaraz.

Taylor initially showed Casemiro a yellow card, but it was upgraded to a red following a VAR review, leaving the United midfielder clearly despondent after replays showed he won the ball before catching Alcaraz.

It means Casemiro is the first United player to receive two red cards in a single Premier League season since Nemanja Vidic in 2013-14, and he will serve a ban of four matches rather than three due to it being his second dismissal.

The tackle was not too dissimilar to an incident on Saturday when Ricardo Pereira caught Joao Felix with his studs and escaped punishment entirely, and this is the crux of Ten Hag's frustration, having also seen a couple of penalty appeals fall on deaf ears.  

"What I think is the inconsistency; players don't know anymore what is the policy, and I think it's all across [every competition]," Ten Hag told reporters.

"We see it with the Premier League yesterday: Leicester-Chelsea, the VAR is not coming online. Today, it's coming online.

"And then it's two penalty situations, but they don't come online. Especially the first one, it was clear and obvious handball, so what is the policy?"

Ten Hag was asked if he sought that clarification from Taylor afterwards, though he was seemingly dissatisfied with the outcome.

"Of course, we talk but not a lot, so some questions we [still] have," he continued.

"There's another one: inconsistent. The referee is coming in the start of the season with a policy; we are [in the] Premier League, it's coming strong here, we want intensity [in the play]."

Ten Hag also feels the slow-motion and freeze-frame nature of VAR reviews does not help because he believes it makes everything look worse than in reality.

"Everyone who knows something about football, and of course, when you freeze it, it looks bad," Ten Hag said. "But everyone who knows something about football, who was acting on top football, they know what is bad, what isn't bad and what is fair.

"And I tell you: Casemiro is a really fair player. Tough but fair.

"Casemiro is across European games, over 500 games he never had a [straight] red card. Now he has two.

"Think about that. He plays tough, but he plays fair. And also in this, he's playing fair, same as against Crystal Palace, so it's very debatable.

"And if they isolate one [incident] – it's a little bit the same as against Crystal Palace, definitely.

"When you saw that incident, you should have sent off three or four players and not only one [Casemiro], if you're really consistent."

David de Gea appealed for "more consistency" from referees after Manchester United had Casemiro sent off in their 0-0 draw with Southampton.

United failed to get back to winning ways in the Premier League following their 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool last week.

They spent much of a home game with the division's bottom club on the back foot, especially after Casemiro became the first United player to receive two red cards in the same league season since Nemanja Vidic in 2013-14.

Casemiro was initially booked by Anthony Taylor for his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz, but the referee was instructed by VAR to consult the pitch-side monitor.

Having looked at replays that showed Casemiro going over the top of the ball and sending his studs high into Alcaraz's leg, Taylor changed his decision and showed the Brazil midfielder a red.

United claimed a point despite Southampton attempting 17 shots, with De Gea called into action to preserve their clean sheet on several occasions.

Speaking to Sky Sports, De Gea said: "It should be a game to win today, but the game changed when we lost a man in the team.

"We tried our best to score, but it was difficult. They had some chances, but in the end we showed good team spirit. We have to take the point and keep going.

"I think Casemiro was unlucky. He tried to touch the ball and his foot came up high. I think the referees need to show more consistency. Sometimes they show a red card, and sometimes they don't."

Casemiro is now set to miss the next four domestic games for United. He will be unavailable for the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham as well as Premier League clashes with Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton.

"It's going to be tough, he's a big player," De Gea said. "We will miss him for four games, but we have a big squad. We have players coming from the bench who do well. We will keep working hard."

David de Gea says Manchester United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool was "a disastrous moment" and vows they will turn matters around with their "duty to this club".

Erik ten Hag's side suffered their joint-record heaviest defeat in history, as Jurgen Klopp's hosts ran rampant in their Premier League encounter at Anfield.

Coming just a week after United ended their six-year silverware drought with success in the EFL Cup final, such a capitulation stood in stark contrast to the progress they have made this term.

De Gea was all too aware of the result's impact, and took to Twitter afterwards with an open missive to supporters, vowing he and his team-mates will respond.

"I know these messages don't sit well on such a day," he wrote.

"This was a disastrous moment for us and these results shouldn't happen, especially with the journey we are all on.

"We have a duty to this club, a responsibility to represent the badge, but we have many opportunities to look ahead.

"[We have] many games coming fast, and we have to lock our focus on these."

Having played a key role at Wembley last month, De Gea turned in one of his roughest performances of the season, saving just one of eight attempts on target throughout.

Braces for Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, plus a Roberto Firmino finish, helped Liverpool extend their winning run over United.

The latter will look to promptly bounce back with the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad to come on Wednesday.

Alex Ferguson and Erik ten Hag have led a cast of legends and players congratulating goalkeeper David de Gea after the Spaniard set a new clean sheet record at Manchester United.

De Gea recorded his 181st shut-out to surpass Peter Schmeichel's record as United beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to lift the EFL Cup on Sunday, adding another medal to his collection.

United released a video of thanks on their website with the likes of Ferguson, Ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes taking centre stage along with some other familiar faces.

Ferguson said: "David, congratulations to think all those years back then when I signed you as a young kid, you've beaten all the goalkeeping records at this football club, I just want to say well done you deserve it so enjoy the moment, thanks very much for your service to the club."

"David, in a massive career to collect a clean sheet record in this massive club it's a huge performance," said Ten Hag.

"I hope to come many more clean sheets and to make this record even sharper because as you know the clean sheets are the base for winning games and for winning trophies.

"You've beaten all the goalkeeping records at this football club."

Team-mate Fernandes added: "I think everyone is really happy for you, you deserve that, you deserve to be in that position, you are a legend for the club you know that.

"Hopefully you will get more and more clean sheets in this season and for the future also because I hope we can keep you here with us for so many years."

Rio Ferdinand said: "Broke the record for clean sheets, man. Never, ever in doubt. Always backed you my guy. Keep up the good work."

United captain Harry Maguire called De Gea "an absolute legend of the club".

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after beating the record, De Gea said he was thrilled by the achievement.

"To win the final and break the record in the same day is unbelievable," he said.

It took De Gea 523 games to pass Schmeichel's clean sheet record and 522 to equal it, while it took the Dane 398 games, with 128 of those shut-outs coming in the Premier League. 

The 32-year-old was signed by Ferguson back in 2011 from Atletico Madrid and has won the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup during his time at the club. 

De Gea became the first non-British player to surpass 400 Premier League appearances and sits joint fourth with David Seaman in the all-time Premier League clean sheet rankings with 140. 

David de Gea believes Manchester United can add more trophies to their EFL Cup success this season after swatting aside Newcastle United at Wembley.

Casemiro's header and a Sven Botman own goal saw Erik ten Hag's side break a six-year silverware drought with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

De Gea, who broke fellow goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel's record for the most clean sheets at the club with his 181st shutout, added another medal to his United collection.

But with the club still competing for success in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League this season, the Spaniard is hopeful they can keep on winning.

"We are still in three competitions, and we have the chance to win more trophies," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I feel the mentality of the team is a winning one.

"I've been here a long time, so it means a lot for me. I'm emotional because it has been so long without a trophy. I'm happy here for the fans.

"We've been in a couple of finals [that] we lost, so we knew today we had to do it. We were against a difficult side, but I'm so proud of the team."

On passing Schmeichel's record, De Gea acknowledged he was thrilled by the achievement, though he stressed it was a combined effort.

"To win the final and break the record in the same day is unbelievable," De Gea said. "I love this team, so it's a great moment. People are having an impact from the bench too."

De Gea was just one of two players from Sunday's team, alongside Marcus Rashford, who featured in the matchday squad the last time United won the EFL Cup, against Southampton in 2017.

The former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper said United would celebrate "the start of a new era" in ending their drought, telling Sky Sports: "The team is ready for everything.

"It is a great moment for us. Let's enjoy [it] and be ready again. We showed today we can win trophies. [We will] enjoy the moment but [we will] go again."

David de Gea enjoyed a "perfect day" as he marked becoming the first non-British player to play 400 Premier League games for one club with a clean sheet in Manchester United's win at Leeds United.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho guided Erik ten Hag's men to a 2-0 victory over managerless Leeds just four days after their old rivals earned a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

De Gea also became the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to make 400 appearances for the same club on Sunday, and he marked the occasion with multiple big saves to deny Crysencio Summerville.

Only Ryan Giggs (632) and Paul Scholes (499) have played more Premier League games for United than De Gea, but he did not allow himself to enjoy the occasion until the points were secure.

"Today wasn't about the 400, it was about winning the game. We did it, so now I can enjoy the 400 Premier League games," he told Sky Sports.

"It's great to come here and play like we did today, a clean sheet, three massive points… it's a perfect day."

Defender Harry Maguire heaped praise on his team-mate for his achievement, saying: "To play 400 games as number one for this club, it's probably the most scrutinised position in world football. 

"That just shows how good he is. Over the years, he's been an absolute legend for this club and he's still performing at the highest level. 

"He's world-class, he's proven that this season and he will continue to do that. It's a pleasure to play in front of him."

Club captain Maguire returned to partner Luke Shaw at the heart of a much-changed United backline after falling down the pecking order under Ten Hag, making just his fifth league start this season.

Maguire, however, says his own lack of game time is unimportant in the context of United's impressive campaign. 

"Winning the game is most important; it's not about myself. I'm the captain of the team and I put the team miles above myself," he said.

"Whether I'm playing or not, I want the team to do well and be successful. It's been a good season up to now, still a lot to improve and the big games are coming, but it's a good one for the fans."

David de Gea is set to become the first non-British player to make 400 Premier League appearances for one club after being named in Manchester United's starting XI for the clash with Leeds United.

Erik ten Hag also handed Jadon Sancho his first start since a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22 after the England international made substitute appearances in two of United's previous three games following a lengthy spell out of action.

De Gea started his career at Atletico Madrid before signing for United ahead of the 2011-12 season.

He helped United win the Premier League title in the following campaign, yet has only got his hands on two more trophies since then – the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

His landmark appearance at Elland Road also makes him the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to make 400 appearances for the same club.

The 32-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season, though United have an option to trigger a one-year extension, and there have been talks regarding an agreement for a longer renewal.

Ten Hag shuffled his pack in defence, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw starting in the middle of the back four instead of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

Sancho, meanwhile, has been drafted back in following his excellent cameo against Leeds on Wednesday, as United fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with their manageress rivals.

No replacement for Jesse Marsch has yet been instilled at Leeds, with caretaker Michael Skubala taking charge of his second match.

David de Gea is confident his ongoing contract talks with Manchester United will end "in a good way".

De Gea has been an ever-present between the sticks for United this season, with Newcastle United's Nick Pope (12) the only goalkeeper to top his tally of eight Premier League clean sheets.

The Spaniard's deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the campaign, though United have an option to trigger a one-year extension and talks have been held regarding a longer-term renewal. 

While offering a positive update on his future, De Gea said he is enjoying his football again after a frustrating few seasons for the Red Devils.

"We're still talking. I'm just focused on the games, that's the most important thing, but for sure it's going to end in a good way," De Gea said of his contract negotiations.

"I've been in very tough moments for this club. Now I'm enjoying it more. It's great. 

"The team spirit is great, the atmosphere is great. Everyone is thinking in the same way, playing in the same way.

"We have a good manager, good players who bring experience to the team, people who want the ball, who play well with the ball. It's a mix of everything."

Saturday's 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace extended United's home winning run to 13 games in all competitions, their longest such sequence since they won 20 consecutive home matches under Alex Ferguson between December 2010 and September 2011.

David de Gea accepts it will be "tough" playing the next three Premier League games without Casemiro but has backed new Manchester United team-mate Marcel Sabitzer to fill the void.

Casemiro will miss his side's home and away games with Leeds United over the next week, as well as the visit of Leicester City on February 19, after being sent off for grabbing Will Hughes around the neck in Saturday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The Brazil international has played in 30 of United's 31 matches since joining from Real Madrid in August – the most of any player – and has made a huge difference in central midfield for Erik ten Hag. 

Casemiro's absence from the side coincides with Christian Eriksen's three-month injury lay-off, while Scott McTominay is also sidelined, but United moved to bring in Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich earlier this week.

The 28-year-old helped United see out victory against Palace when brought on in the final 10 minutes following Casemiro's red card, and De Gea saw enough to be convinced Sabitzer can provide adequate cover.

"It's going to be tough, for sure," De Gea said. "We already lost Christian, now Case, big players for us, but we have a bigger squad, players are ready to play, everyone is really focused.

"[Sabitzer] has shown already – he played 15 to 20 minutes [against Palace] and did really well. He made some good tackles and was good with the ball. Everyone is ready to play.

"He's an experienced guy who has played a lot of games in the Bundesliga. He's a nice guy, a very nice lad, which is good for the dressing room.

"I think he showed in 15 minutes, it's not easy to come in a game when we're one man less. He showed good spirit. I think he's going to help the team a lot."

Casemiro's straight red card was his first while playing for either Madrid or United in what was his 366th such game.

Eight of Palace's 10 shots against United came after the midfielder's 70th-minute dismissal, but Ten Hag's side held on to make it 13 home wins in a row in all competitions for the first time since a run of 20 between December 2010 and September 2011.

De Gea did not agree with referee Andre Marriner's decision to send off Casemiro, however, as he took to Twitter to post a GIF of former boss Jose Mourinho saying: "If I speak I am in big trouble."

Asked to elaborate on that social media post, De Gea said: "Like in the tweet, I prefer not to talk because if I do talk I'm in trouble. I don't want to say anything on that."

With the cup competitions taking a back seat again for a moment, it's back to the Premier League this weekend.

As it's the first round of games since the transfer deadline passed, there's bound to be some new faces on display.

But new signings – particularly in January – can pose a bit of a risk at first in fantasy football, so sticking to what you know may be the way to go for now.

Harnessing Opta data, Stats Perform identifies some fantasy picks who will hopefully give you the edge.

David de Gea (Manchester United v Crystal Palace, and Manchester United v Leeds United)

Erik ten Hag has improved United in a host of ways, but arguably their most significant improvement has been defensively.

As such, De Gea's eight clean sheets this season is bettered by only Nick Pope (12) and Aaron Ramsdale (nine), with his average of 0.4 per 90 minutes his best record since the 2017-18 season.

United also have a double gameweek consisting of two home matches, the first of which is against Crystal Palace, whose haul of 18 goals scored is only better than five teams.

Benoit Badiashile (Chelsea v Fulham)

French centre-back Badiashile appears to have settled in well at Stamford Bridge, certainly making his presence known defensively with his 13 clearances across his two games bettered by just two players in the league.

Both of those matches have also resulted in clean sheets for Chelsea, who are starting to look a little sturdier at the back.

Fulham are an entirely different proposition this season compared to their usual efforts in the top flight, so they should not be taken lightly, but Badiashile is contributing to Chelsea being stronger defensively.

A third successive clean sheet is not out of the question.

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton and Hove Albion v Bournemouth)

The man everyone seems to be talking about at the moment.

Mitoma is among the Premier League's most exciting players currently, with his brilliant ability with the ball at his feet getting fans off their seats.

But there is substance to his play as well. He has been involved in eight goals in his past 11 league outings, while only seven players have more than his five involvements since his first top-flight start on October 29.

Further to that, over the same period, James Ward-Prowse (33.3 per cent) is the only player with a better shot conversion rate (minimum 10 shots) than Mitoma (30.8 per cent).

Bournemouth have been warned.

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa v Leicester City)

Watkins has not really kicked on since his promising first campaign in the Premier League, but there have been signs of promise under Unai Emery.

Since the Basque coach was appointed, Watkins' four goal involvements for Villa is a high in the Premier League, and up next is one of the division's leakiest defences on current form.

Leicester have conceded 10 league goals since the post-World Cup restart, with only Everton (11) letting in more.