Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek Ten
Filed under: Frisking the Fixtures - Posted by: Mark
The countdown to Gameweek ten is underway, beginning with our regular rinse through the fixture list and Next Six Tickers to establish a view on the “Strength of Schedule” for the coming weeks.
The Strong
Tottenham
Harry Redknapp’s side rightly have top four ambitions and, with five wins in six, are showing the form to realise them. The fixture list suggests that Spurs can go on earning positive results and cement a top four position going into the Christmas programme. QPR visit the Lane next, with Villa and Bolton also rolling up in the next five Gameweeks.
While the Spurs defence remains ravaged by injuries to Ledley King, Michael Dawson and William Gallas, Redknapp’s attacking assets will surely come good against such opponents. Equally, trips to Fulham and West Brom could also offer profits.
If you’re struggling to squeeze in either Rafael Van der Vaart or Emmanuel Adebayor, there could be some merit in Tottenham’s lesser assets – Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and full-back Kyle Walker. Going into the month ahead without Spurs coverage looks risky.
Stoke
Tony Pulis’ side are hugely effective at the Britannia and, with three home matches in the next four, their prospects look strong for returns at both ends of the field.
Newcastle will provide the sternest of tests this coming weekend and this will be a good barometer for Fantasy managers to judge the potential on offer. If the Stoke back four can keep a confident Newcastle at bay, we will surely see stronger investment in the likes of Ryan Shawcross and even budget full-back Andy Wilkinson.
A trip to Bolton follows the Magpies test, with favourable home clashes against QPR and Blackburn in Gameweeks 12 and 13. Following that, things toughen up once again for the Potters. Short-term investment in the Stoke defence, particularly when the bigger sides are scrapping around for clean sheets, looks a wise option.
Sunderland
The three points at Bolton will surely inject confidence into the Sunderland camp and with Nicklas Bendtner firing goals and Stephane Sessegnon back in a more effective wide role, Steve Bruce may well have a combination which can help sustain a run of form.
Certainly the fixture list is kind to them. Three home games in four serve up matches against Villa, Fulham and Wigan – all of which Bruce will surely be looking to win. The trip to Old Trafford will clearly be a major test and potential Fantasy blank but, around that, there’s little doubt that the Black Cats deserve our attention. A cheeky punt on Bendtner or Sessegnon could provide a handy differential.
Wigan
An encouraging display at St James’ Park at the weekend leads the Latics into a four gameweek spell which has them face Fulham and Blackburn at home, with trips to Wolves and Sunderland. If Wigan are to drag themselves out of the relegation mire, these matches will surely be vital in turning their season around.
Roberto Martinez has called for optimism, insisting that better results are just around the corner; when you look at the next four opponents, the potential for goals is clearly strong. However, Fantasy managers will be hugely skeptical as to whether these will be delivered and whether low-to-mid price assests like Victor Moses, Ben Watson and Hugo Rodallega can offer returns.
Also consider…
Arsenal – Disregard the trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend and Arsene Wenger’s men continue a favourable run of opponents from Gameweeks 11 through to 15, including three more encouraging Emirates encounters.
Man United – A backlash from the 6-1 hammering to City will be expected at Goodison this weekend and, following that, United embark on a run which should see the goals flow and even clean sheets restored.
The Weak
Newcastle
Alan Pardew’s side are about to provide a rigid test of the form vs fixtures argument. There’s little doubt that Newcastle will go into the next five Gamekweeks with confidence flowing through the squad – whether than can continue to translate into points and Fantasy returns remains to be seen. Aside from a home clash with Everton, it’s difficult to see where Newcastle’s next points will come from, right up until the trip to Norwich in Gameweek 15.
The visit to the Britannia comes next, to face a Stoke side notoriously resolute and determined in front of their own fans. This gives way to the Gameweek 11 encounter with Everton, a vital interlude that precedes trips to both City and United, before Chelsea visit St James’ Park. Clean sheets look very unlikely during that spell, while the likes of Demba Ba, Leon Best and Yohan Cabaye will surely struggle to add to their goal tallies.
QPR
Neil Warnock’s side stumbled over the line against 9-man Chelsea on Sunday but will take heart from claiming a precious three points from their local rivals. However, trips to Spurs and Stoke, with a home clash with City sandwiched in between, offers an evil run of three gameweeks to take Rangers into December.
Those Fantasy managers clinging to Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton or even Adel Taarabt, should consider their options. Warnock’s back four, while cheap, also look unlikely to be returning points for a few weeks.
Be wary of…
Wolves - A battling second-half comeback will give Mick McCarthy something to work with, having suffered five straight defeats prior to Saturday’s 2-2 with Swansea. The fixture list is staked against him however, with a trip to City this weekend just the first of four away games in six which also take Wolves to Everton, Chelsea and United. Points and Fantasy returns look scarce.
Chelsea –If you’re looking to clear some funds to make way for Tottenham acquisitions, your Chelsea assets could be leading candidates for sacrifice. The fixture list is against them, with Arsenal, Liverpool, City and a trip to Newcastle all coming up in the next six Gameweeks.
Liverpool – While a trip to the Hawthorns may offer promise in the short term, once the Anfield clash with Swansea has passed, Kenny Dalglish’s side faces a run of three gameweeks that see them take on Chelsea, City and a trip to Fulham – Luis Suarez will need goals before Gameweek 12, otherwise heavy sales will surely be on the cards.
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October 25 at 8:04 pm
maddogmartin says:
Have you seen Bannan’s been suspended by Villa pending an internal enquiry? Follows a smash on the M1 and a suspicion of drink driving…
Time to ship him out if you were hanging on!
October 25 at 8:06 pm
Bazman returns says:
Yep now got to find a suitable replacement but who?
October 25 at 8:28 pm
maddogmartin says:
Surely Pilkington’s the best bet; same price 5.1 (for now) and Blackburn and QPR at home in the next four games.
October 25 at 8:06 pm
Bebop says:
does anyone think shawX will start 2moro in the league cup or will they rest him for the priemer league, want to bring him in before price rise but don’t want him getting injured
October 25 at 8:49 pm
CatMac says:
Help needed peeps if anyone cares to give some advice. My current team for GW10 is:
Vorm (Krul)
Enrique, N Taylor, W Brown (Bosingwa, S Taylor)
VDV, Silva, Dyer, Barton (Ramsey)
Rooney, Agbonlahor, RVP
I’ve already done Mata to VDV, but have another FT left and I’m looking to ship out Barton, Bosingwa and possibly Krul in the next couple of GW’s. What do you reckon I should do:
a) Barton to Larsson, Walters, Drenthe, Anderson
b) Bosingwa to Kompany, Jones
c) Krul to Al Habsi, Begovic
d) carry over my FT
Any sensible suggestions welcomed, please
October 25 at 8:52 pm
CatMac says:
Sorry, for b) add Shawcross
October 26 at 12:37 am
Brutus619 says:
I’d do A to Drenthe or B to Shawcross so you can maybe swap Agbon up to Adebayor with the extra 1 mil saved on Bosingwa.
October 25 at 10:20 pm
fasteddie8 says:
I would bring in Walters. Larsson is 1 yellow away from a ban and I reckon Stoke have the better fixture over the next four gameweeks
October 26 at 11:13 am
vakaus says:
A) bart to walters
October 26 at 4:16 pm
Gaz Downright says:
good times for stoke ahead
October 25 at 9:08 pm
RASPUTIN says:
cATMAC – GOOD TO SEE YOU BAK ON ERE –
what do you think on this team – sorry to ask – long time answerer of questions though guys… (mostly wrong mind)
Mingolet
komp – enriq – shawx – barnett – wilkinson
silva – anderson – vdv – walters allen
rvp – dzeko – studge
dzeko to roo nxt week?
just WCd
October 25 at 9:30 pm
The Duck's Vaj says:
When is the best week to use the Wildcard – seriously thinking about it this GW
October 25 at 10:16 pm
fasteddie8 says:
It depends what state your team is in now. I would have no hesitation in giving up 8pts bcos your wildcard is a big asset!!
October 26 at 8:28 am
Lucky_2010 says:
no right and wrong answer … if you are chasing leader in the mini league and far behind then go for it without second thought, unless 1-2 players it’s ok to take pts hit BUT more you will be sorry to loose huge pts, other than that if you having bunch of low performers, banned, injuries etc etc
so decision is yours and should not hold on if you are having those issues as state above, just my opinion and good luck on wild carding …..
cheers,
October 25 at 11:42 pm
Daradus says:
Alright chaps its been a few weeks without posting and I’m in a pickle an unbiased party usually can help me out of.
I’m top of my league for the month with £60 on the cards if i hold out this week, problem is there is only 6 points between me and 2nd, 3rd so I need to weigh up my option + I’m considering a 4 point hit.
Vorm (Krul)
Enrique Smalling Warmock De Laet R Taylor
Nani Silva Modric Ramsey N Dyer
Suarez Adebayor Van Persie.
my competitors have better city options and Im looking to cover my back a bit too.
Do I a) Swap nani for someone cheaper and bring in richards/kompany for De laet for the 4 point hit?
b) Swap RVP or Suarez and bring in ballotelli or dzeko and leave the rest
c) leave my defence and swap nani & suarez or rvp for city options (could end up with silva milner and dzeko if this is done).
HElp!
October 26 at 12:17 am
piers says:
Maybe b) but not a big deal. Man City strikers are hard to call. If your luck is anything like mine, you’ll buy the one who’ll sit on the bench or play 9 mins at the end. Suarez is due a goal, RVP on form and Ade has nice fixtures. Don’t take the hit unless you really feel that you’re gonna get a lot more. You have a good team.
October 26 at 1:39 am
Guinney says:
The Man City strikers are to hard to call in my opinion, like when they play they will score you points. aguero is firmly first choice but even could be rotated. I’d keep your front line at the moment, maybe in the coming weeks move Suarez out, but not this week.
Maybe get a cheaper midfielder in for Modric – Walters is a good option at the moment. Then you will have enough money to get in Kompany. But to be honest don’t think it’s worth a hit.
Selling RVP is a crazy idea. I know he is playing Chelsea this week but still after that he has good fixtures. I wish I could afford him.
October 26 at 12:16 am
Back in Action says:
Morning all,
Ramsey or Simpson this week?
Cheers
October 26 at 12:19 am
piers says:
Ramsey. I can see Newcastle scoring.
Help me out with my dilemna…..
Allen or Murphy?
October 26 at 1:32 am
Guinney says:
toughie. Would wait and see if Simpson is going to start with Santon coming back from injury. If Simpson starts I’d go with him
October 26 at 2:17 am
ayezeee says:
Here’s my team:
Vorm (Krul)
Wilkinson-Shawcross-Enrique (Barnett-A.Williams)
Silva-VDV-Modric-Sinclair (Moses)
Dzeko-Aguero-Adebayor
1. not sure whether to play shawcross/wilkinson combo (vs.Stoke) OR barnett(vs.Blackburn) and williams (vs.Bolton)
2. sinclair (vs.Bolton) OR moses (vs.Fulham)
3. not sure what to do with dzeko…good long term investment?
thoughts?
October 26 at 2:19 am
ayezeee says:
shawcross/wilkinson vs. Newcastle ***
October 26 at 5:14 am
ange1range1 says:
Thoughts:
Will Swansea get a fifth consecutive home CS?
October 26 at 8:39 am
Lucky_2010 says:
why not, you wouldn’t know lol
October 26 at 5:40 am
All Whites Undefeated says:
Hey, really unsure about what to do and need points as my rival is slipping away
This is my team and i got 2 free transfers and 0.2 but willing to take a hit if it will benefit me.
Begovic Vorm
Enrique Simpson R Taylor Bosingwa Woodgate
Nani Silva Ramsey Britton Ferguson
Aguero Rooney Suarez
a) i could get rid of woogate for wilkinson, ramsey for walters and britton or ferguson for a more solid option.
b) nani for VDV and woodgate for wilkinson
c) rooney or aguero for balotelli or adebayor, woodgate to wilkonson and britton for modic or bale.
Thanks alot any help is much appreciated
October 26 at 8:50 am
Lucky_2010 says:
ferguson just warm bencher …. get rid of him fast lol
woodgate > shawcross/walker/barnett/brown
if you don’t have spurs cover, i would say do get vdv if you have cash or else modric then and hold on rooney and kun (rotation risk), i think both should come good soon, on suarez maybe consider adebayor/bendtner but after gw 11 ???
cheers.
October 26 at 4:19 pm
Gaz Downright says:
Suarez
Adebayor
mid-price midfielder
Ferguson
personally I am going to see the stoke line-up for the league cup tonight, but i am currently thinking of gambling on woodie maybe playing this weekend (but he is on the way out as he has proven way too unstable)
October 26 at 9:20 am
DDD909 says:
Hey, would appreciate some comments on the following please.
My team:
Vorm (Krul)
ShawX – Kompany – Bosingwa – (Stearmann) – (R Taylor)
Silva – Mata – Walters – Sinclair – Adam
Agbonlahor – RVP – (Best)
Options im thinking
A) Bring in Aguero for RVP
B) Bring in Agureo and VDV for RVP and Mata (4 point hit)
C) Bring in VDV and Nasri for Adam and Mata.
Thougts please.
October 26 at 11:30 am
vakaus says:
dont consider RVP out, ow much in bank?
October 26 at 2:35 pm
DDD909 says:
Why?
.9 in the bank.
October 26 at 2:40 pm
heco87 says:
Because you;; want RVP next week and Aguero isn’t guaranteed to start
October 26 at 3:07 pm
DDD909 says:
Options for this week then. any City striker will get more points than RVP.
October 27 at 6:57 am
vakaus says:
go for super mario then
October 26 at 1:48 pm
dcarlito says:
Got excited and played my wildcard, a lot of deadwood needed to be cleared – de laet, moses, given etc. Any additional suggestions for my team:
Vorm (al habsi), Boyata, Wilkinson, Walker, Kompany, Smalling
Van der Vaart, Nasri, Sinclair, Walters, Fox
RVP, Suarez, Ade
October 27 at 4:43 am
elninorules says:
Nasri > Silva, Smalling > Newcastle DF. Upgrade MF.
October 26 at 4:14 pm
Gaz Downright says:
any league cup line-ups out yet?
October 26 at 6:32 pm
Spaghetti Hoes says:
Hey guys looking to get a Utd defender in over the next couple of weeks for Enrique. Can afford Ferdinand, Jones, Smalling or Evra. I understand Evra is the most secure option but Jones would be my preferred choice.
Am I right in saying that because he can play rb, cm, cb that he should start most games?
In addition is there any point spending the extra money on UTD defenders when Clean Sheets seem so hard to come by this year? (Although they have 3 so far)
October 27 at 4:41 am
elninorules says:
There’s going to be too much rotation there to afford a 6+ DF. I’d rather have Komp/Richards/Enriq, all of whom are nailed on & would play every GW in my team.
October 27 at 4:16 am
elninorules says:
Why’s everyone so upset with Agbon? He does well in most home games & easy ones.
October 27 at 9:16 am
bdwhite91 says:
Should I play Evans or Petrov?