Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek One
Filed under: Frisking the Fixtures - Posted by: Paul
While Fantasy managers have been busy restructuring their EURO 2012 McDonald’s squads ahead of tonight’s quarter finals deadline, our heads were turned to domestic matters on Monday after the fixture list for the upcoming 2012/13 Premier League season was unveiled.
With our season ticker now up and running for the new campaign, we thought we’d cast an eye over the first six Gameweeks and give the fixtures their first frisk, with the release of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player list now only a matter of weeks away:
The Strong
Man City
The champions are handed a dream start against Southampton in their opener, with Sergio Aguero already looking like a strong Gameweek 1 captaincy option. Bearing in mind they dropped two points at home all season last time round, you’d expect Roberto Mancini’s to see off QPR and Arsenal at the Etihad, while the return of Carlos Tevez towards the close of the previous campaign saw an upturn in away displays – affording Fantasy managers plenty reason for optimism, then, ahead of trips to Liverpool, Stoke and Fulham.
Chelsea
An obliging early schedule means the Champions League winners are likely to be heavily backed at the beginning of the new campaign. With Eden Hazard and Marko Marin already on board and the Abramovich cash certain to be splashed again, home games against Newcastle, Reading and Stoke look enticing. Their away fixtures could be tricky, though; an opening day trip to Wigan may prove difficult if the Latics can start off the way they finished last term, while derby visits to QPR and Arsenal should test the Blues’ resolve.
Man United
An opening fixture at Everton is far from enticing but United’s following three fixtures (FUL, sou, WIG) are likely to bring plenty of Fantasy investment for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. A Gameweek 5 trip to Anfield and a home clash with Tottenham see out their first six fixtures – arguably, then, the couple of Merseyside clashes look the only downside for last term’s runners-up. If United can replicate last season’s superb start, Wayne Rooney looking a strong captaincy option from Gameweeks 2-4.
Tottenham
The north London outfit face a tough opener away to Newcastle and head to Old Trafford in Gameweek 6 but in between those two fixtures, the prospects looks strong. From Gameweek 2-5, Gareth Bale, Rafael Van der Vaart and co face a run of matches (WBA, NOR, rea, QPR) that affords them the chance to pick up the points and makes the above-mentioned midfield duo decent armband alternatives.
Also Consider
Swansea – Michael Laudrup has been dealt a kind opening schedule as he gets acquainted with the rigours of the Premier League. The new Swansea boss takes his team to Loftus Road on the opening day of the season but is then handed three fixtures at the Liberty Stadium in the following four Gameweeks, as West Ham, Sunderland and Everton all make their way to Wales. With trips to Villa and Stoke also on the agenda, Laudrup looks to have the opportunity to get off to a prosperous start.
Aston Villa – Paul Lambert has been handed a decent set of first six fixtures to impress the Villa faithful. The midlanders face trips to two of the promoted sides, with an opening day fixture at Upton Park and a Gameweek 5 visit to Southampton on the agenda. Villa’s opening three home games see them play host to Everton, Swansea and West Brom – all will be targeted as the source of three points by the new man in charge.
West Ham – The Hammers are afforded the kindest schedule of any of the promoted sides over the first few games. Sam Allardyce’s men kick off the campaign with a home clash against Villa and, with travel-sick Fulham and Sunderland both rolling up to Upton Park by Gameweek 5, have a trio of favourable fixtures in front of their own fans. Trips to Swansea and Norwich – teams likely to still be finding their feet under new management – look enticing, given West Ham’s strong away form under Allardyce last term, with the visit to QPR in Gameweek 6 possibly their only real headache.
The Weak
Liverpool
The fixture list hasn’t been particularly kind to new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool face last season’s top three in their first trio of home fixtures, as City, Arsenal and United all roll up to Anfield by Gameweek 5. On the road, their season kicks off with a trip to West Brom – Steve Clarke will be desperate to continue the strong home form shown under Roy Hodgson towards the end of last season, while a visit to Sunderland looks tricky, given their upturn in Stadium of Light displays since the arrival of Martin O’Neill.
Southampton
Nigel Adkins’ side have been handed a trio of tough looking away fixtures in the first six Gameweeks. An opening day visit to the Etihad, in addition to trips to Arsenal and Everton, could well prove problematic for the Saints, making their home form vital to a decent start. Games against Wigan and Villa at St Mary’s could harvest the points, though a Gameweek 3 showdown against United will have many steering clear.
Reading
The Royals are another of the promoted sides that have been dealt a tough opening hand. Their first fixture of the season sees Stoke roll up to the Madejski – Brian McDermott will be keen to capitalise on the Potters clash before a Gameweek 2 trip to Sunderland. After that, it doesn’t get any easier, with Reading then squaring up to three of last season’s top six (che, TOT, wba, NEW). The new boys will need to be fast out the blocks or the honeymoon could quickly be over.
Also Be Wary Of
Newcastle – The Magpies face a tricky pair of opening fixtures – games against Spurs and Chelsea mean they are the only side to face two of last season’s top six in the first two Gameweeks of the new campaign. With a Europa League match in between those two games, Alan Pardew could barely have asked for a trickier start to 2012/13. A trip to Everton is also thrown into the equation in Gameweek 4, though their schedule begins to pick up the following week, with a home clash against Norwich preceding a trip to Reading.
Norwich – Chris Hughton’s first few fixtures in charge at Carrow Road look relatively unappetising. The Canaries first three away fixtures (ful, tot, new) pit them against teams with strong home records last time round and could see them struggle to pick up the points. At home, showdowns against QPR, West Ham may prove prosperous, though a Gameweek 6 clash with Liverpool looks a potential stumbling block.
QPR
Mark Hughes’ side look to have a favourable Gameweek 1 fixture with a home clash against Swansea on the agenda but their fixtures stiffen significantly afterwards. QPR then travel to Carrow Road for Paul Lambert’s first home game in charge of Norwich before embarking on a trio of fixtures (mci, CHE, tot) that will instill little confidence in Fantasy managers.
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paul
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“I love to attack and I love to go up front...It is a little more difficult than when you are playing centre-back. If you play the way that I want to play, I think my influence is better as a left-back. For the team, it is best that I play as a centre-back. I like to bring the ball out. You need to move the game quickly, and that is one of my qualities as well.”
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June 21 at 6:09 pm
Horlicks esq. says:
Ozil & Welbeck
or
Schwein & Nani/.
June 21 at 6:13 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
The latter
June 21 at 6:19 pm
GreennRed says:
Definitely the 2nd choice.
June 21 at 6:09 pm
Silly Sausage says:
Neuer Laštuvka
Hummels Alba Limbersky Selassie Maniatis
Gerrard Pirlo Schweinsteiger Pilar Fortounis
Silva Gomez CR7
Not sure I like the DEF but more points in the MID and FOR imo
June 21 at 6:10 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - From Russia With Malafeev's Glove says:
When is the deadline? 7:30 UK time?
June 21 at 6:11 pm
little_wizard123 says:
Yep.
June 21 at 6:22 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
U have mail comrade
June 21 at 6:11 pm
PanPan says:
FORCA please share ur team u finished two days ago
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Grounderz says:
I see what you’re doing here.
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Why do you want his tam? He has an equal chance of scoring points as anyone else. Its just down to the luck.
June 21 at 6:11 pm
chazza says:
Apparently I lied, Rooney or Silva?
Currently have Rooney but have 0.1m in the bank, choosing Silva would mean I’d only have one player (Pirlo) playing on the last day.
June 21 at 6:11 pm
Messimerized-Feel Free To Join These Euro2012 Leagues @ 33483-3827 & 33483-3828 says:
Best Combo of Defender & Midfielder for 13m?
Rest of the Team-
Neuer, Andersen
Alba, Hummels/Badstuber, Selaisse, Maniatis, ?
Gerrard, Pilar, Makos, Pirlo, ?
Silva, Gomez, CR7
June 21 at 6:13 pm
The Giggs Boson says:
Boateng & Busquets. If Boateng is too risky, then Pepe & Busquets.
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Messimerized-Feel Free To Join These Euro2012 Leagues @ 33483-3827 & 33483-3828 says:
Not Pepe.
June 21 at 6:11 pm
Nibbsy says:
How does this look?
Neuer Sifakis
Alba Lescott Hummels Limbersky Maniatis
Pirlo Iniesta Schweinsteiger Pilar Makos
Ronaldo Gomez Welbeck
1.0 in the bank. Get Selassie instead of Limbersky?
June 21 at 6:13 pm
BOOM SHAKALAKA - THE OFFICIAL CO-MASCOT OF MEXICO says:
I’d get Pepe instead of Lescott
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Spike says:
Tzorvas is cheaper than Sifakis so why dont you put him the squad assuming that you will play Neuer of course
June 21 at 6:16 pm
Nibbsy says:
Good shout, thanks.
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Downgrade Iniesta to Gerrard and upgrade Limbersky to Selassie and Welbeck to Nani.
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Nibbsy says:
Would mean no Spanish attack, not sure I like that.
June 21 at 6:11 pm
juancarlos says:
will Rosicky start or still out?
June 21 at 6:11 pm
little_wizard123 says:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/.....33291.html
He won’t start.
June 21 at 6:12 pm
Beavis says:
He won’t apparently but you will know in half an hour for sure.
June 21 at 6:11 pm
Gargamel says:
That’s it!
Neuer, Patricio
Hummels, Boateng, Alba, Lescott, Limbersky
Pirlo, Gerrard, Jiracek, Pilar, Fortuonis
Ronaldo, Gomez, Nani(C)
Pretty standard but think I’ve avoided most of the normal picks that I think will fail. Only thing is I wish I had Silva.
June 21 at 6:13 pm
Horlicks esq. says:
gargs baby.
See no reason why you would have Neuer and a +4m keeper. Dont do it. If Portugal clean sheet tonight you have 7m invested in a worthless keeper.
Think about it.
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Gargamel says:
That’s actually a very very good point. Will have another look at that!
June 21 at 6:13 pm
chazza says:
Looks very good but I wonder if you can fabricate a move from Nani to Silva by downgrading Patricio and Gerrard.
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Waldaz says:
Good luck Garg!
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Nibbsy says:
Nice. Similar to mine excpet I’ve gone Schwein/Welbeck instead of Gerrard/Nani.
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Grounderz says:
Balls of steel to captain Nani.
June 21 at 6:20 pm
Gargamel says:
Yeah, it’s probably a shit move but I think it’s a reasonable gamble to take, as I have three more shots at another captain even if it fails.
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Nibbsy says:
Actually if you’re going to captain Nani over Ronaldo you might as well swap Ronaldo out for Silva.
June 21 at 6:21 pm
Gargamel says:
No, I still want Ronaldo but I’d rather try and hit a nice differential captain.
June 21 at 6:46 pm
Natas says:
forget fortunis – Get Darida – confirmed starting for CZech
June 21 at 6:11 pm
FORCA INTER says:
i’ll show my team 1 last time
what do you think?
Patricio Tzorvas
Badstuber Hummels Pereira Alba Maniatis
Mota Ozil Iniesta Hubschman Makos
Ronaldo Welbeck Gomez
June 21 at 6:13 pm
PanPan says:
oooh!!
welbeck, motta
interesting puntss
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
Week goalie
June 21 at 6:16 pm
FORCA INTER says:
i am confinded in Portugal CS and that’s why i dubbled up at their defence
he is also much better valute than Nouer
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Welbeck a risk. Woulg get Cassano in. Double up on Portugese defense? I won’t be so sure.
June 21 at 6:18 pm
Messimerized-Feel Free To Join These Euro2012 Leagues @ 33483-3827 & 33483-3828 says:
Motta has been a big fail till now.
Diamanti is a better pick.
June 21 at 6:11 pm
Horlicks esq. says:
Nani 1st goalscorer and Czech 2-1. 140/1
Read your bets before you place them basically. idiot horlicks.
June 21 at 6:14 pm
chazza says:
You could be laughing by the end of the night…
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Abominable Snowy84 says:
You would be surprised how many times those bets come up!
June 21 at 6:12 pm
Beavis says:
I think I’m finally done:
Neuer Lastuvka
Hummels Alba Balzaretti Perreira Limbersky
Pirlo Ozil Kolar Pilar Makos
Ronaldo Gomez Silva
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
Nice team I like it, but maybe re jugle midfield
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Reedy - Caretaker Manager, Llareggub CF says:
I think someone said Drobny is the Czech no.2 (not that it’s going to matter!) Very nice attack.
June 21 at 6:16 pm
Beavis says:
I said it’s Lastuvka after some research earlier, not sure if I’m right. Doesn’t really matter anyway though.
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Reedy - Caretaker Manager, Llareggub CF says:
Ah fair do’s.
June 21 at 6:13 pm
Matt_ says:
Would you rather have:
A) Rui Patrício / Boateng / Xabi Alonso
OR
B) Neuer / Coentrao / Busquets
Thanks
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
B for me
June 21 at 6:16 pm
Beavis says:
B
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
the second one.
June 21 at 6:18 pm
Reedy - Caretaker Manager, Llareggub CF says:
B as Boateng may not start (though probably will)
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Matt_ says:
Thanks all.
June 21 at 6:13 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
Maniaitis or Limbersky?
June 21 at 6:13 pm
PFOR says:
Tonight is the night Theodor Gebre Selassie could seal a big move. He’s been excellent so far although you could argue he hasn’t had a challenge. Doesn’t get any more difficult than Ronaldo.
June 21 at 6:14 pm
chazza says:
He’s already Bremen-bound apparently.
June 21 at 6:16 pm
PFOR says:
I thought that was Pilar? Or is that Wolfsburg? You could be right actually, think I remember hearing that. Good scouting that is by Bremen.
June 21 at 6:21 pm
chazza says:
Pilar signed for Wolfsburg in January but is only moving in summer.
Indeed it is, and they seem to have acted very quickly.
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Childish Gambino says:
Chelsea scouts at the game tonight too, they could do with a RB.
June 21 at 6:14 pm
ZaKNaFeiN says:
Any responses…?
Chalkias / Neuer
Boateng / Jordi Alba / Lescott / Limbersky / Maniatis
Alonso / Schweinsteiger / Pilar / Pirlo / Makos
Gomez / Ronaldo / Rooney
A) Rooney to Silva? or
B) Rooney to Torres and upgrade Alonso to Iniesta, or Schwein to Ozil or Pirlo to Gerrard?
C) Leave as it is
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Rooney to Nani.
Alonso > Gerrard
Limbersky > Selassie
June 21 at 6:14 pm
Ron Swanson says:
So has there been any big injury news today? Or team news?
And will Boateng come back in tomorrow? If so, I dunno whether to put a 2nd German defender in and downgrade either Iniesta, Pirlo, Busquets, Hubschman or Ozil.
June 21 at 6:14 pm
PanPan says:
anyone else not have any spanish attack like me?
June 21 at 6:15 pm
chazza says:
At the moment, yeah.
June 21 at 6:16 pm
PanPan says:
wts ur team like
mine is
Neuer/Lastuvka
Hummels/Pereira/Limbersky/Alba/Maniatis
Pilar/Schweinsteiger/Makos/Pirlo/Gerrard
Homez/CR7/Nani
June 21 at 6:18 pm
chazza says:
You can find out in an hour and 13 minutes
That looks a good team, especially like the fact you’ve already got 4x 4.0m cheapies to sit on your bench so you don’t have to waste transfers on them.
June 21 at 6:15 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
Cabaye and Rui Patricio or
Neuer and M VIlla
June 21 at 6:16 pm
chazza says:
Neuer and M’Vila.
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - From Russia With Malafeev's Glove says:
+1
June 21 at 6:18 pm
Ginkapo-There is no Arjen in Team..... says:
Cabaye and Rui, but what is the rest of your defence?
Cabaye is more likely to score, Rui will get as many saves as Neuer
June 21 at 6:21 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
Well Cabaye yes he could score but against Spain?
June 21 at 6:24 pm
Ginkapo-There is no Arjen in Team..... says:
Then why have either….
June 21 at 6:18 pm
Beavis says:
The latter IMO.
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Neuer
June 21 at 6:20 pm
Daniel - The Holy Grail is blue. Chelsea champions!!! says:
Will M Villa start actually?
June 21 at 6:22 pm
Beavis says:
I’d get Diarra.
June 21 at 6:16 pm
Fuzzy Warbelowski - Co-Manager, Poland says:
Im ready to recover some balls.
June 21 at 6:17 pm
Ginkapo-There is no Arjen in Team..... says:
Do it for greece
June 21 at 6:19 pm
The Giggs Boson says:
Do the sealed bids gets processed before the games tonight in FFS Ginakpo?
June 21 at 6:25 pm
Ginkapo-There is no Arjen in Team..... says:
Whoops. doing it now
June 21 at 6:21 pm
Reedy - Caretaker Manager, Llareggub CF says:
Groups of five would be nice!
June 21 at 6:17 pm
BOOM SHAKALAKA - THE OFFICIAL CO-MASCOT OF MEXICO says:
I’ll try again (thanks COMH)
A. Silva, Busquets, Pilar, Makos
B. Oliveira, Schweinsteiger, Gerrard, Hubschman
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Messimerized-Feel Free To Join These Euro2012 Leagues @ 33483-3827 & 33483-3828 says:
A
June 21 at 6:23 pm
BOOM SHAKALAKA - THE OFFICIAL CO-MASCOT OF MEXICO says:
Cheers Messimerized
June 21 at 6:18 pm
Silly Sausage says:
Neuer Laštuvka
Hummels Alba Limbersky Selassie Maniatis
Gerrard Pirlo Schweinsteiger Pilar Fortounis
Silva Gomez CR7
Not sure I like the DEF but more points in the MID and FOR imo
June 21 at 6:18 pm
The Giggs Boson says:
Is Tzavellas likely to start for Greece?
June 21 at 6:25 pm
Childish Gambino says:
Yeah, he’s nailed on GB.
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Euro Fantasy League code: 8669-5262 says:
Hi, some people on here told me to stregnthen up on my defence and GK so i have come back with an improvised squad
Rui Patricio, Lastuvka
Gebre Selassie, Maniatis, Pepe, Lescott, Kadlec (incase they get a penalty)
Pilar, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Gerrard, Pirlo
Gomez, Nani, Ronaldo
Recommend any changes?
June 21 at 6:19 pm
ManUFan says:
anyone watched all the czech games?
which 2 have played the best
Jiráček, Pilař, Hübschman, Plašil?
pointswise the 1st 2, but have i missed anything out, or are Jiráček, Pilař the 2 outstanding ones
June 21 at 6:21 pm
Ramboros says:
I would say Plasil is their best player, but he’s still playing way too deep to be a good option. Pilar or Jiracek are the two best, but with the latter one you might have to take into consideration that he could be put into a deeper position.
June 21 at 6:24 pm
ManUFan says:
thanks, so pilar is the best option then?
June 21 at 6:19 pm
Grounderz says:
Feck… I’m undecided between England cs or Portugal cs… who are you going for?
June 21 at 6:21 pm
LawnDart says:
england
June 21 at 6:22 pm
Reedy - Caretaker Manager, Llareggub CF says:
Actually, maybe both
June 21 at 6:20 pm
LawnDart says:
am thinking of having Jiráček, Pilar & Kolar?
if only 2 who should i drop?
June 21 at 6:22 pm
Messimerized-Feel Free To Join These Euro2012 Leagues @ 33483-3827 & 33483-3828 says:
Kolar
June 21 at 6:20 pm
ManUFan says:
anyone know the lineups?
June 21 at 6:21 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Rangers !! says:
Pick one guys.
a. Postiga
b. Torres
c. Nani
Thanks!
June 21 at 6:22 pm
chazza says:
Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha
June 21 at 6:25 pm
Nitin Nagaraja: Come on you Rangers !! says:
Cheers. Thanks!
June 21 at 6:26 pm
Beverly Hills Kagawa says:
I’ve got Nani at the minute, will probably change to Torres for the semis. Just definitley not Postiga!
June 21 at 6:21 pm
Euro Fantasy League code: 8669-5262 says:
Hi, some people on here told me to stregnthen up on my defence and GK so i have come back with an improvised squad
Rui Patricio, Lastuvka
Gebre Selassie, Maniatis, Pepe, Lescott, Kadlec (incase they get a penalty)
Pilar, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Gerrard, Pirlo
Gomez, Nani, Ronaldo
Recommend any changes?
#