Just seven days on since our last ferret through the fixture list, and yet already a whole gamut of new teams appear to be tempting Fantasy Managers to their shores. Is there gold in them there hills, or are these simply the siren calls of best forgotten teams? Let us delve into the upcoming schedule once more…
The Highs…
Liverpool
Following on from trips to Eastlands, St. Andrew’s and Old Trafford – as well as a home tie against Arsenal – the horizon clears up markedly for those willing to back Roy Hodgson’s boys to start plundering the points. Far more amenable opposition now lies in wait over the coming weeks. Their next five (SUN, BLP, eve, BLA, bol) will certainly draw the eye of any fixture chasers, and Fantasy Managers willing to take a gamble on some more expensive wares should surely see returns from the likes of Gerrard, Torres, Johnson and Cole. It all begins against the weary travellers of Sunderland in the upcoming gameweek.
Fulham
A few strides down the fantasy market brings us to a stall marked “value” where you can find Mark Hughes flogging his squad alongside a basket of 2 for 1 used VHS tapes and home-made lampshades. There are some very reasonable mid-to-low priced assets on show here. The recent lay-off of Bobby Zamora has opened up the options for investment, with either the “Out Of Position” potential of Clint Dempsey or Watchlist climbing bargain Moussa Dembele both standing out as notable bargains. A home game to a stuttering Everton outfit kicks off the Cottagers run, and that’s followed by further home games with Tottenham and Wigan, in between fairly kind away trips (whm TOT wba WIG).
Newcastle
While the trip to Man City in Gameweek 7 blots the copybook for Chris Hughton’s men, it’s the three home matches over the next five against Stoke, Wigan and the derby match with Sunderland that open up the potential for further returns. Defensively the Magpies have been surprisingly sound, whilst up front Andy Carroll will surely be in line for profit with Hatim Ben Arfa now deployed as a major threat tucking in from a wide position.
West Ham
If your narrow your search down to the next four Gameweeks you find that the Hammers, picked out as one of our “Highs” last week are still very much in the running. Avram Grant’s side are one of several sides with three home games in that four Gameweek spell, giving them the springboard to climb the table and to serve us up some Fantasy potential. Scott Parker and his Bonus Point magnetism is the stand out option as always.
Also consider: Man City, Man United and Wigan
The Lows…
Tottenham
After a relatively generous start in the fixtures department, things are starting to stiffen up for Harry Redknapp’s side. Throw in the added distraction of a campaign on two fronts – with the Champions League in full flow – and now could be a good time to steer clear of investing in Spurs. A trip to Upton Park will keep things ticking along nicely enough in Gameweek Six, but beware the road that lies ahead. Aston Villa and Everton are in the lower gears right now but will pose a threat, while a trip to Fulham and an Old Trafford visit could see Spurs struggle on the road. With Gareth Bale being the most owned player in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game it’ll take either a brave or foolish man to offload him but further investment in Redknapp’s squad looks unlikely with injuries and the schedule against them.
Chelsea
Okay, let’s get this straight so as we’re not misunderstood. Chelsea are clearly, well… they’re pretty darn good right now. But if there ever was a time the fixture list caused you to question your investment in Carlo Ancelotti’s men, then now would probably be it. Having galloped through the easiest opening five fixtures you’re ever likely to see, Chelsea face some sterner competition ahead (mcy, ARS, avl). We’re not going to flat out advise that you need to sell Didier Drogba and/or Florent Malouda, but they will surely struggle to maintain their impressive goal a game average – and a run of four clean sheets in five. Diminished returns are expected so the brave could find differentials by looking elsewhere over the next few Gameweeks.
Everton
The Toffees are living up to their billing as slow starters once more with only two draws garnered from their first five outings this season. Unfortunately, the fixture boffins aren’t helping and things don’t get any easier for Moyes’ men for the foreseeable future. An injured Louis Saha, ill to adapt Jermaine Beckford and sluggish Yakubu are somewhat negating any of the good work that might be coming from the likes of Arteta and co, and with three tough away trips – starting at Fulham this coming week – it could be a while yet before things look a little rosier for the Goodison faithful.
Also avoid: Sunderland and Villa