Frisking The Fixtures – Gameweek Two

Gameweek one was a tumultuous affair for a whole host of reasons. Up until Monday night, you couldn’t buy a home win, while a spread of drawn matches delivered paltry returns and a tepid opening weekend of football.

A stuttering start then but we approach this weekend with optimism, nonetheless. Reason enough for us to size up our Season Tickers and “Frisk the Fixtures” to discover those teams who have been handed a fry-up feast over the next few weeks and those who will be forced to prosper on the fixture equivalent of bran flakes (with semi-skimmed)…

The Highs…

Aston Villa

The Villains started predictably as Alex McLeish inspired a dogged display at the Cottage to frustrate the Fulham faithful. Cast an eye over the Villa “Season Ticker” for the next six weeks and you’ll find it’s awash with blue, indicating an easy path for the Midlanders going well into October.

Potentially profitable home games against Blackburn, Wolves, Newcastle and Wigan means that Villa offer strong appeal at both ends of the field. Shay Given and James Collins look like prime targets at the back, while Charles N’Zogbia and Darren Bent will surely be popular in the Gameweek two shake-up.

Chelsea

Andre Villas-Boas may will be licking his wounds following the Britannia battering but can at least take solace from a run of three home games in five which threaten to see Chelsea explode as a source of Fantasy talent. All three promoted sides are due at Stamford Bridge before the end of September, and, while a trip to United drops in Gameweek five, that seems unlikely to perturb heavy investment with the likes of Ashley Cole, Jose Bosinga, Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda and Fernando Torres all on the shopping list.

Everton

Off the menu for Gameweek one, Everton are back in contention this weekend and have the first of three Goodison encounters in the next four Gameweeks with a beleaguered QPR the visitors. A trip to Blackburn follows, with Villa and Wigan then due in Merseyside up to Gameweek five. That run should hand David Moyes the opportunity to inspire Everton to a decent opening to the season – something of a novelty in recent years. Investment in Leighton Baines looks inevitable and logical – Tim Cahill could also attract some interest, while Mikel Arteta is edging back to fitness and could come into the equation.

Newcastle

Against Arsenal, Alan Pardew’s side demonstrated a resilience that hinted at good things to come defensively, although it must be said – they were lacking in attacking areas. A run of six favourable fixtures from Gameweek 2-7 will give the Magpies opportunity to flourish and, although four of their next six are away from St James’ Park, Newcastle still offer potential.

Around home games with Fulham and Blackburn we’ll see Newcastle pay visit to local rivals Sunderland, newly promoted QPR as well as double-dipping in the Midlands with trips to Aston Villa and Wolves. Yohann Cabaye and Joey Barton will offer budget set-piece taking midfielders, an array of cheap defenders are on offer, while Demba Ba (as long he avoids getting hauled off at half-time) could offer a focal point up front.

Also Consider…

QPR – don’t let the day one drubbing put you off, Neil Warnock’s side have assistance from the fixture list for weeks to come and Adel Taarabt could yet live up to his pre-season billing in this spell.

Fulham – The Cottagers will need to find their feet away from home but, if Martin Jol can get his side firing on the road, the next run of opponents could see them prosper despite the stall against Villa.

Sunderland – A home clash with Chelsea hovers in Gameweek four but, around that, Steve Bruce’s side have a decent array of opponents that should allow them to build on the positives established at Anfield.

The Lows…

Bolton

Bolton fans enjoyed their day in the sun at Loftus Road but there’s no escaping from the fact that they’re in for a rough old ride over the next six Gameweeks. The Trotters have an evil set of fixtures finds them facing the top five from last season, a run that will surely nullify any interest in the likes of Gary Cahill, Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic.

One glance at the transfers-in column in the Fantasy Premier League game shows that Cahill has been an immensely popular target following his Shepherds Bush showing – there’s every chance that his recent investors will reap very little from their new man unless he can continue his goal poaching.

Man United

A strong showing at the Hawthorns reinforced the bookmaker’s odds and firmly established United’s attacking talent in our Fantasy thinking. The fixture list however, presents a sound argument for caution.

Fantasy Managers will still be turning to Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young to provide the sting in the tail, but with matches against rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs in the next four weeks it means they’re less likely to be handed the Fantasy armband – that could see investment being funnelled elsewhere – perhaps Chelsea’s way.

At the back, injuries to Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Rafael tied in with a shaky start for David De Gea (that’s the first choice back five right there) compounds the doubts that clean sheets will be hard to come by for Alex Ferguson’s men up until October.

Tottenham

Like Everton, Spurs were off the radar for Gameweek one – unlike Everton, they’re not likely to attract too much interest for several weeks. Matches against both Manchester sides as well as well as White Hart Lane clashes with Liverpool and Arsenal present a decidedly tricky start to the campaign. Tottenham could be playing catch-up by October then, with proven Fantasy assets like Rafael Van der Vaart emerging as differentials rather than essentials.

Be Wary of…

Liverpool – three away trips in four at Arsenal, Stoke and Spurs present an unenviable run for Kenny Dalglish’s men who failed to build on an encouraging first-half display against Sunderland. Interest in Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll could be tempered and Liverpool will need to make more of Anfield clashes with Bolton and Wolves in weeks to come.

Blackburn – A miserable next six games seems likely to see Rovers floundering at the basement as the Fantasy drought at Ewood sets in.