Fantasy football: Philippe Coutinho among this week's must-have players as Liverpool face Stoke

Gael Clichy, Virgil van Dijk and Graziano Pelle are all top picks this Premier League weekend

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho has been in sparkling form of late (Oulala)

With a little under two months until the squad announcement deadline for the European Championships this summer, time is running out for players to make a case for a seat on the plane to France. Expect a big push in the coming weeks from players looking to impress in the league in the hope that they do not miss out on international selection.

The Independent have teamed up with daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com and together we have analysed the key stats to identify four players that simply must be in your fantasy football team this weekend.

Oulala's extensive database of statistics, which comprises of 70 different criteria sourced straight from Opta, offers the perfect platform to pick out who will be the difference makers at the tail end of the season.

Philippe Coutinho has been inspired since returning from injury. In his last four games, the Brazilian has scored twice, including a neat finish against Spurs the weekend just gone. In that spell, Coutinho has managed 11 shots, whilst also laying on two assists - both of which rank him best amongst his teammates over that period. Anfield’s no.10 has also created 10 chances and made eight key passes. Coutinho has linked up well with Sturridge recently, including for his strike past Lloris, and Liverpool fans will be hoping the dynamic duo can continue to cause havoc amongst opposition defences in the weeks to come. The Reds play host to a Stoke City side this weekend still adjusting to the untimely injury to first choice goalkeeper Jack Butland, and Coutinho and co will be looking to test backup Jakob Haugaard regularly, after a shaky debut performance in the 2-2 draw against Swansea. The Potters have also failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last seven away leagues games.

Gael Clichy has enjoyed a good run in the team of late, being preferred to fellow left-back Aleksandar Kolarov who has had to settle for a place on the bench. The Frenchman has made a team-best 27 interceptions in the last six games, as well as winning 11 tackles and two blocks. Whilst many would consider Kolarov more proficient in attack, Clichy has been effective going forward in recent weeks. He has managed seven successful take-ons and has also created 10 chances, good enough for 3^rd best in the team, which is mighty impressive when you consider the attacking prowess Manuel Pellegrini has at his disposal. There has been plenty of speculation that Kolarov is likely to be amongst the group of players deemed surplus to requirement once Pep Guardiola takes over reigns at City, and Clichy will be hoping to prove to his future manager that he should be first choice at that position. Manchester City welcome West Brom to the Etihad and with the Baggies failing to score in their previous two league games, you wouldn’t bet against the home side keeping another clean sheet this weekend.

Virgil van Dijk is another defensive option fantasy managers should be considering this week. The Dutch defender has won a Premier League-best 41 aerial duels in the last six games, whilst also managing an impressive 18 interceptions – the best at St Mary’s in that spell. Additionally, van Dijk has made six blocks and a whopping 60 clearances in those six games - both of which rank 4^th best within the league. Surprisingly, van Dijk has managed the second most shots for the Saints in those six games, with seven. His aerial proficiency has always made him a threat from set pieces, but the fact that van Dijk is testing the goalkeeper with his feet as well makes him an absolute must in your team. Southampton’s upcoming game against Newcastle is the first of three against bottom half sides. Time to get the Dutch defender in your side if you haven’t got him in already.

Graziano Pelle has found his goal scoring touch in recent weeks, after going 855 minutes without a goal before his brace against Stoke on 12^th March. In the last six games, the Italian forward has led the Saints with three goals and two assists. Pelle has also fired off 16 shots – of those, he has hit the target 50 per cent of the time. He will no doubt be hoping to improve his conversion rate though, which currently stands at 19 per cent. As well as creating a team-best eight chances, Pelle is 2^nd only to van Dijk in aerial duels won with 19. The visit of Newcastle to St. Mary’s this weekend is set to be an open game, with the Magpies fighting for survival. Pelle will be hoping to add to his tally this weekend and add further misery to Geordie fans after their rollercoaster defeat at the hands of Norwich last time out.

Stats supplied by daily fantasy football game www.oulala.com

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