With the Capital One Cup over and six Premier League teams safely through to the quarter finals, topflight clubs will now turn their attentions to the next round of league fixtures. Several sides used the League Cup games as an opportunity to give a run-out to their fringe players, which should mean all the big-hitters are raring to go come the weekend. And they'll have to be, because we have some good-looking contests coming up - Arsenal vs Liverpool being the pick of the bunch Saturday teatime. First versus third, this top of the table clash at Emirates Stadium means someone's going to drop points, and can champions Manchester United capitalize by seeing off Fulham at Craven Cottage? Other intriguing fixtures see Tottenham travel to Merseyside for their fourth versus sixth clash with Everton, before the South Wales derby between Cardiff and Swansea. Of course, with the return of Premier League fixtures also comes the return of our WhatCulture! Fantasy Football League, and who will be the big winners when the points are tallied up at the end of play Sunday? Dean Madden still leads the chasing pack on 579 points with his "Deans Park Rangers", but can YOU overtake him? Here, we take a look at 5 Essential Transfers For Gameweek 10 to help you do just that.
5. Dejan Lovren
Team: Southampton Value: £5.7 million Points In GW9: 7 Everyone has been caught off guard by the form of Southampton this season. Finishing way down in 14th last season, many expected a similar placing this term, too, yet Mauricio Pochettino's side have astounded everyone. Currently 5th and battling it out with the likes of Tottenham, Everton and both Manchester clubs to stay there, the Saints haven't lost a game since the slump to Norwich on August 31. They've also conceded a paltry three goals as well, meaning they currently have the best defence in the Premier League, and one of the best in Europe! I expect Southampton to notch up another win when they travel to Stoke on Saturday. Way down in 17th, the Potters have only scored seven league goals this season, making them one of the division's lowest-scorers, and I can't see them giving Dejan Lovren and co. too much bother.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
