English Premier League: Five red-hot strikers to watch this weekend

Goals win games, so when you hear the old adage that “a team is only ever as good as its strikers”, you’d better believe it. Ahead of another blistering weekend of EPL action, TODAY’s EPL analyst Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) picks out his Top Five in-form forwards to look out for…

1. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

There’s no sharper striker in the top flight right now than last season’s golden boy.

Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams won’t have slept a wink wondering how they’re going to contain him on Sunday.

Under Craig Shakespeare, the Foxes have finally got the real Jamie Vardy back.

His movement has been rapid, the runs so much smarter, and when chances have fallen his way, the 30-year-old has been snaffling them like he did en route to that magical title.

Netting in Sevilla was the catalyst (his first goal in 10 appearances) and since then Vardy has burst through to score in a 1-vs-1, headed home a cross, scrambled a poacher’s finish, netted a stunning right foot volley, and delivered a superb touch and finish at speed with his left.

Given the kind of service he craves at last, he’s scoring every type of goal there is.

He’s the hottest front man on my hot list.

2. Josh King (Bournemouth)

One man’s loss is often another man’s gain, and we’ve borne witness to that at Bournemouth where Josh King has been a revelation in the absence of injured centre forward Callum Wilson.

Blessed with natural speed, the Norwegian has usually had to settle for a winger’s role under Eddie Howe, but his quick, slippery attributes have always been a central defender’s worst nightmare. He’s the squad’s premier finisher too, with a highly respectable 32 per cent conversion rate.

Now enjoying a run at the fulcrum of the Cherries’ attack with Wilson crocked, ex-Manchester United youngster King has plundered nine goals in 10 starts, including a brilliant hattrick at home to West Ham. Statistically he has bagged a goal every 182 minutes.

Also a sensational penalty taker (most end up in the top corner), King will be the player that Chelsea will fear most in tonight’s clash at the Vitality Stadium.

3. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

It’s amazing what a spot of serious competition can do to a player.

Prior to Gabriel Jesus’ arrival in Manchester, Sergio Aguero was ambling along just fine, missing more chances than in previous years, but doing OK, and then boom!

Getting dropped for the Brazilian wonder kid was a shock to the system, and with Jesus now injured, the Manchester City superstar has gone on to slot home nine goals in nine games.

He’s working harder too. Statistically, Aguero covers over a kilometre extra per 90 minutes under Pep Guardiola than he was under the previous regime, making plenty more sprints per game on top.

We know Aguero is brilliant, but at the moment he’s also fired up. A dangerous combination.

4 . Oumar Niasse (Hull City)

From laughing stock to rising stock, Hull City’s on-loan forward Oumar Niasse has been busy proving the doubters wrong since the turn of the year.

Bought by Everton for £13.5million (S$23.6 million) from Lokomotiv Moscow (when very few had heard of him), the Senegalese striker was quickly marginalised by Roberto Martinez, before being exiled to train with the Under-23s by new Toffees chief Ronald Koeman.

Marco Silva, surely an astute managerial appointment to rank alongside Antonio Conte, gave the 26-year-old a lifeline in January and he hasn’t let his boss down since.

Brimming with energy, he’s a handful and Niasse’s ability to run with or without the ball means he carries a constant threat to his markers.

The lad can finish too. He’s only made five league starts, but has four goals at a rate of one every 135 minutes. That’s better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He won’t have it easy at the Etihad this weekend, but it feels like the rejuvenated Niasse can help preserve the Tigers’ top-flight status.

5. Divock Origi (Liverpool)

When Divock Origi is bad, he’s so bad it’s not even funny. That’s why just a couple of weeks back no Liverpool fan would’ve have been upset, or surprised, if they’d sold the young Belgian to someone rubbish like Sunderland.

Thankfully for those of a Reds persuasion, and Jurgen Klopp, the 21-year-old is also prone to hot streaks.

Between late November and mid-December Origi snared five in five, and after scoring in his last two outings, hope has sprung that he might be an able deputy for the sidelined Sadio Mane.

Tall, fast and strong, with the ability to score peachy strikes; on paper he’s just the type of No. 9 the teams needs.

As long as he stays ‘hot’, he’s well worth his place in the side. He could be a key man in the run-in.

Big Match Predictions

Tottenham Hotspur v Watford (Saturday, Singtel Ch102 and StarHub Ch227; 7.30pm)

Three goals in the final six minutes of their comeback win at Swansea means Spurs’ players will be drunk on self-belief ahead of what should be a routine victory at home to the Hornets. He’s not getting much attention, but the elegant Christian Eriksen is in scintillating form, and I expect the Dane and Dele Alli to run amok.

Score call: 3-1

Stoke City v Liverpool (Saturday, Singtel Ch103 and StarHub Ch228; 9.55pm)

Mark Hughes is receiving flak from fans who are unhappy with recent displays, but I think they can turn the corner by beating an injury-hit Liverpool side that’s still reeling from dropped points in midweek. Watch out for wide man Marko Arnautovic and the lesser spotted striker Saido Berahino. They are hit or miss, but this could be their day in the sun.

Score call: 2-1

Bournemouth v Chelsea (Sunday, Singtel Ch102 and StarHub Ch227; 12.30am)

Unbeaten in five games, a lot people fancy the Cherries to sweeten up the title race with a shock win at home to Chelsea – but I’m not one of them. In possession they can cause the leaders problems, but when the Blues get their big guns on the ball, I think they’ll have too much power and panache. Expect Diego Costa to end his mini-drought in style.

Score call: 1-4