The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 11
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Mark
They may well be on the verge of one-match bans, but the form of Merseyside pairing Luis Suarez and Marouane Fellaini is alluring enough to see them both climb in our Watchlist rankings this week. Elsewhere, Juan Mata looks to have regained fitness to rise in the reckoning once again, while lingering doubts over Demba Ba’s fitness dent his stock ahead of a potentially flourishing run of opponents.
The current, updated rankings are available in your sidebar. Read on for details and the factors at play behind this latest refresh…
Goalkeepers
Stoke’s Asmir Begovic holds firm at the top, as his Fantasy Premier League (FPL) stock continues to rise ahead of a favourable run of fixtures. The Potters have such an obliging schedule over the coming weeks, a rotation option with Begovic isn’t urgently required, although QPR’s Julio Cesar, West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen and Newcastle’s Tim Krul offer strong options for Stoke’s next two away fixtures.
Krul is, himself, a good solo route for the coming weeks, even without the steadying influence of Fabricio Coloccini in front of him for the next three. The Magpies stopper rotates perfectly with Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet and that looks a solid pairing from this point on for those with the budget to spend in this area.
Further down we are potentially robbed of Reading’s Alex McCarthy as a consideration given his recent shoulder injury, while the Southampton option as a save-point stopper is killed off by uncertainty over starts, given Artur Boruc’s disciplinary investigation at the club. Similarly, Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczęsny is not currently on the menu, although we’d expect the number one jersey to be confirmed once he returns to fitness – possibly this weekend. The Pole has now fallen to 5.3 in the FPL and would offer the cheapest, most secure route into the Gunners defence for their forthcoming run of favourable fixtures.
Defenders
There’s very little movement at the top of the defender rankings, with Leighton Baines and United’s Rafael clear front runners, given their form and fixtures. Both have attacking intent to compliment any clean sheet returns and we’re confident we’ll see both coming to fruition in the coming weeks to justify their high ranking.
Stoke’s Robert Huth is our chosen weapon in Tony Pulis’ defence but there is a range on offer – both full-backs, Andy Wilkinson and Geoff Cameron, make perfect sense given their price tags. Huth has the superior goal threat, however, and could justify the extra outlay over Stoke’s run of three home games in four.
Newcastle’s Steven Taylor now looks nailed-on for starts, having regained his first XI role at Anfield last weekend. The Magpies’ resolve will be dented by the absence of Fabricio Coloccini due to suspension over the next three, but they should have enough to offer some defensive profit, despite the skipper being sidelined.
Wigan’s Emmerson Boyce has an ongoing goal threat and assist potential given his right wing-back role for the Latics, while Reading’s Kaspar Gorkss goes into a fine run of fixtures off the back of an assist and goal in consecutive Gameweeks. He’s the clear candidate for those shopping with pennies, with Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne and QPR’s Ryan Nelsen also available for those who wish to flood the backline with cheap options.
Midfielders
Santi Cazorla’s late strike at Old Trafford issued a reminder of his talents and is enough to see him hold off the claims of Juan Mata on top of the midfield rankings – for now. Mata will be expected to return to Chelsea duty against Liverpool on Sunday and could regain top ranking if Cazorla frustrates in his home clash with Fulham.
Everton’s Marouane Fellaini is pushing that pair hard after another stunning display in the 2-2 at Fulham. The see-saw battle with team-mate Steven Pienaar in the mid-price bracket now looks to be falling firmly in the Belgian’s favour, although with a one-match ban imminent, there is a clear price to pay for switching allegiance to Fellaini.
There are some very strong mid-price options as always, with United’s Antoinio Valencia beginning to suggest that he can offer at least partial cover of United’s attack for those unable to stretch to Robin Van Persie up top. Southampton’s Adam Lallana has the fixtures to inflict damage in the coming weeks – he’s currently our preferred option over Gaston Ramirez, although we’ll be monitoring his impact at the weekend to consider whether the Uruguayan should return to our radars after his recent injury.
Swansea’s Michu continues to pick up suitors and warrants such attention given his role up front for Michael Laudrup’s side. Swansea’s fixtures revive strongly soon and that should give Michu the platform to deliver more goals.
Lower down, Arsenal’s Theo Walcott could well offer a very strong and potentially more explosive alternative to Cazorla in the Arsenal midfield, while Wigan’s Shaun Maloney and Reading’s Jobi McAnuff keep Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling company as prize budget options.
Forwards
Demba Ba’s niggling shin injury prevents him from remaining in our top three forwards and challenging the likes of Carlos Tevez and Robin Van Persie. Fixtures remain stacked in favour of the Senegalese striker but we have to reserve judgement, having seen Ba limp off at Anfield just after half-time.
His decline has allowed Luis Suarez to jump in the rankings and, despite tough fixtures to come and looming suspension for a fifth booking, the Uruguyan has to figure in our thinking. His form is strong enough to suggest that he will go on firing in shots and score the goals to keep pace with the Golden Boot front runners.
Suarez’s claims aren’t enough to displace the proven class of both Tevez and Van Persie, who surely offer the best route to covering the United and City attacks. While City are struggling for fluency up top, it still seems a risk to go forward without some coverage of their potential in attacking terms. With Sergio Aguero seemingly being reserved for full Champions League duty, Tevez appears to have the greater security of starts in the Premier League and has the edge on price, of course.
Outside of the top echelons, Peter Crouch has to remain a consideration, given Stoke’s forthcoming run of opponents that will surely allow the striker to add to his goal tally thus far. His potential keeps him holding firm while the likes of Nikica Jelavic drops due to form and the provision of strong Everton midfield options. Dimitar Berbatov and Jermain Defoe also slide with tough schedules in front of them – Defoe now seems under some threat from Emmanuel Adebayor, certainly in terms of pitch time.
The bugdget market still looks somewhat stifled, with both Rickie Lambert and Pavel Pogrebnyak unsure of starting roles. Wigan’s Arouna Kone is perhaps an intriguing option with some favourable home fixtures to come. QPR’s Djibril Cisse is also one to watch should he cement a starting role in the weeks to come. He could feature on the Watchlist if he can impress this weekend.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is perhaps your key differential. The Frenchman clearly has the potential to deliver strong returns if he and Arsenal can click over what is a very strong run of fixtures leading up to Christmas.
About The Author
“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
Commenting is now closed for this post.
“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.”
Jan Vertonghen outlines what he feels is his best position for Andre Villas-Boas
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November 7 at 4:41 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
Any hot bet tips fro the CL matches tonight?
November 7 at 4:44 pm
Pinatta says:
Chicarito to score
November 7 at 4:44 pm
Podge says:
Chelsea 2-2 at about 12/1. Go for the hattrick of 2 alls
November 7 at 4:44 pm
The Parmtree says:
Last page.
November 7 at 4:46 pm
The Parmtree says:
Welbeck to Score and United to Win
November 7 at 4:50 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Braga @ 12/5
November 7 at 4:43 pm
The Parmtree says:
Any news on the PP Cups qualifying results?
November 7 at 4:44 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
44/45 according to mark
November 7 at 4:45 pm
The Parmtree says:
I may scrape through on rank
November 7 at 5:12 pm
redunited says:
Wasn’t aware rank was being taken in to consideration. I got 45 so I am hoping that should be enough anyway.
November 7 at 4:45 pm
Podge says:
Tightrope walk for you then but the rank should see you through.
November 7 at 4:44 pm
alex234 says:
All signs point towards Walcott exploding
I’m hopping on the bandwagon
All aboard!
November 7 at 4:45 pm
Aditya says:
On it.. choo choo.
November 7 at 4:45 pm
Podge says:
That could be messy
November 7 at 4:44 pm
seanie3 says:
I have 2 FT’s and 1.7m in the bank and really want to bring RVP in this week, looks like I might have to take a hit, which is fine but really not sure who to drop him for Ba or Tevez
Begovic (Jussi)
Baines, Rafael, Shawcross (McCartney, Wilson)
Mata, Santi, Bale, Pieenar (Sterling)
Tevez, Ba, Berb
I will be bringing in Gorkss, Fellani & RVP but for who?
a) shawcross, bale, ba
b) wilson, bale, tevez
c) any other suggestion
November 7 at 4:48 pm
The Dago says:
None of those changes are ideal. Cant you lose Pienaar to someone like Maloney? Instead of losing one of Caz Bale or Mata?
November 7 at 4:50 pm
ScoutCast not pearls before swine says:
I guess Wilson, Bale, Tevez. I would also consider dropping Bale for a cheaper midfielder (Ramirez, Maloney) and doing Tevez to Van Persie fo free. Assuming Ba is fit, I wouldn’t drop him.
November 7 at 4:53 pm
Mannone is Mob Boss says:
Wilson, Tevez, yes. Bale, I don’t know. Maybe given his crap fixtures
November 7 at 4:58 pm
seanie3 says:
dont have enough funds to drop pienaar to maloney to then get rvp in, have to lose one of bale, santi and mata
November 7 at 4:51 pm
matejjetam says:
I would go for the first choice.
November 7 at 4:55 pm
Podge says:
Baines and Tevez to Wilkinson and RVP
November 7 at 4:57 pm
Mannone is Mob Boss says:
Never captain, never bench, never ditch
November 7 at 5:02 pm
Podge says:
No clean sheets means dump his flashy ass
November 7 at 10:19 pm
crockel says:
+1
November 7 at 8:48 pm
droginexile says:
I swapped ba, pienaar and caz for RVP, Fellaini and McAnuff this week.
Was torn between ba and tevez but think city coverage is more important, hba or cabaye are cheaper if u realy want newc coverage.
If ur wilson is Marc Id say ditch him cos he wont b playing anytime soon
November 7 at 4:45 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
@lee_ryder
Demba Ba still has a chance for Sunday against West Ham #nufc , Simpson out with a shoulder injury tomorrow v Brugge.
November 7 at 4:48 pm
ThreeAtTheBack says:
Still has a chance?? I thought he would be fit
November 7 at 4:48 pm
Bemba Da says:
simpson injured?!?!!
November 7 at 4:51 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Looks like it. Hasn’t traveled to Brugge.
@ThreeAtTheBack – No idea. That’s what the tweet said.
November 7 at 4:49 pm
Bemba Da says:
and what does he mean still has a chance? he said he was almost fit before now it sounds like he struggling to make it
November 7 at 4:53 pm
The Dago says:
I wouldnt read too much into it mate. We know the facts he should make it.
November 7 at 4:46 pm
saggg k says:
Any improvement baines raf cuellar hughes marcthney
November 7 at 4:49 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Is the last name Marc Tierney or McCartney?
November 7 at 4:49 pm
The Dago says:
Yes
Baines Ivanovic Rafael Sagna Kolarov
November 7 at 4:49 pm
kaz says:
just saw foster’s bap taking my score to 45. increases my chances of qualifying tremendously!
November 7 at 4:51 pm
GreenWindmill says:
By Mark’s estimate last night you should be in http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4269222
November 7 at 4:54 pm
kaz says:
phew! the rank shd see me through now unless his comment was miscalculated
November 7 at 4:56 pm
GreenWindmill says:
There’ll be a lot of recriminations if he’s stuck his neck out like that and got it wrong
November 7 at 4:56 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
I can wait for the draw
Hoping to get a big name round these parts
November 7 at 4:57 pm
The Parmtree says:
Meh.
You’ll get a lurker and get Knocked-Out Round 1.
November 7 at 4:59 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
That’ll be more like it
November 7 at 4:58 pm
GreenWindmill says:
I wonder how many ‘regular’ posters there actually are and how many will be in the draw. I.e. what are the chances of getting a name you recognise? It’s probably depressingly small.
November 7 at 4:59 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
there’s a job for someone tonight
November 7 at 5:05 pm
GreenWindmill says:
Was that you volunteering?
November 7 at 5:07 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
I might be sad enough to have a go. I’ll see what time the post comes out
November 7 at 5:07 pm
GreenWindmill says:
I look forward to seeing the results if you do
November 7 at 4:57 pm
kaz says:
and thanks for the link
November 7 at 4:59 pm
GreenWindmill says:
No problem, I made sure to buggumark it as it was bound to come in handy!
November 7 at 4:51 pm
Sickboy says:
Tevez, Suarez or Ba till the Jan Wildcard?
I currently have RVP & Berba.
Thanks.
November 7 at 4:52 pm
kaz says:
demba ba once he is fit. who is your current third striker?
November 7 at 4:56 pm
Sickboy says:
Pog. Please don’t hate me for it.
November 7 at 5:01 pm
kaz says:
i’d sick with him for one more week. suarez is on 4 yellows, ba’s got injury probs and although i think tevez will start this week, i just can’t see him outscoring ba over the next month.
November 7 at 5:09 pm
Sickboy says:
Thanks for the advice pal
November 7 at 4:54 pm
The Dago says:
all the way to January Wildcard! then Suarez. If not Ba then Suarez.
November 7 at 4:58 pm
Sickboy says:
Yeah, I’m trying to avoid tinkering if possible.
November 7 at 4:55 pm
Daniel - Blue is the color says:
Glen is back so instead of multiple hit I am thinking to save it after all. What is the opinion on Kun? Will he start and what is his potential this w/e only? I repeat only the Spurs game. I want to captain him and be one more week without Van Man
November 7 at 4:57 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Is it Aguero + 4 points or RVP? If it a straight swap there’s no competition
November 7 at 4:57 pm
The Dago says:
Why not just get Van Persie in this week?
November 7 at 5:01 pm
Daniel - Blue is the color says:
I have to make minus 4 in order to afford it. It is not straight swap.
Kun c vs RVP – 4 C
November 7 at 5:07 pm
The Dago says:
I might still make that change as you will obviously be captaining him. Having said that Aguero should start. Hard one, I think I would still do it for a hit.
November 7 at 5:09 pm
The Dago says:
what is the other change you to downgrade for the cash?
November 7 at 10:25 pm
crockel says:
I doubt that kun will play tbh
November 7 at 5:00 pm
Aditya says:
I have Kun and playing him this gw..next gw though he’s out for RVP
November 7 at 5:02 pm
Daniel - Blue is the color says:
how confident r u in that?
November 7 at 5:08 pm
Aditya says:
I am sure Kun will score more than RVP (Well, i hope).. next GW though he has Int’l game and Villa..he can easily be rested for Villa..
November 7 at 5:09 pm
Daniel - Blue is the color says:
yeah yeah i said this gw only
November 7 at 5:13 pm
Aditya says:
I think it’s time Mancini start playing him as the main striker and not wide.. i can see him scoring this GW..
November 7 at 5:00 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
My main UCL team is lost. Stuck with the accidental team which is ranked 5,915 and 204 overall.
What is your UCL rank?
November 7 at 5:02 pm
The Parmtree says:
N/A.
November 7 at 5:03 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
11,491 but I’m not very good at the UCL.
November 7 at 5:05 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
I had Zlatan(c) last night in my ‘missing’ team but I can’t remember my overall rank for it so I should maybe just forget about it. Annoying though.
November 7 at 5:08 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
Bloody annoying!
November 7 at 5:06 pm
shamerock robin says:
An idiot always blames his tools. Tool.
November 7 at 5:08 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
Pipe down troll
November 7 at 5:12 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
November 7 at 5:01 pm
Deano says:
What are your thoughts on Charlie Adam boyos given he is now on all the set pieces and playing more forward. Can he recapture his Blackpool form?
November 7 at 5:03 pm
daisybcfc says:
is this another joke?
November 7 at 5:04 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
November 7 at 5:07 pm
Deano says:
Ha, that’s gold Daisy
November 7 at 5:03 pm
Kostja says:
no bc we have new bonus system and he is not on pens
November 7 at 5:10 pm
Deano says:
They haven’t had one yet Tszyu and I reckon he just may be now taking the SP over Walters.
November 7 at 5:12 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
No, they had one when both were on the pitch against Wigan and Walters took it.
November 7 at 5:17 pm
Deano says:
I think that was very early in the season though NN when he was finding his way at a new club.
November 7 at 5:19 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Hmm ok. He could be a decent punt after all. Good luck!
November 7 at 5:04 pm
shamerock robin says:
Go for it!
November 7 at 5:04 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
No. His Blackpool megahaul was built on:
a) Penalties
B) A different BP system that loved him
November 7 at 5:10 pm
Mannone is Mob Boss says:
Yes, that days when Blackpool won you expect him to get all 3 BAPS
November 7 at 5:15 pm
Deano says:
So is it purely when they won he would BAP? Would think the same would happen potentially over the next five weeks if they won given his attention on the ball?
November 7 at 5:17 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
No it’s shifted two years ago from the man in the stands approach, this favoured certain players (Adam, Ferguson, Modric, Fabregas etc.) to the stats based one today. I don’t see Adam getting masses of points these days.
November 7 at 5:18 pm
Mannone is Mob Boss says:
Yes, but nowadays its kinda like, which player score goals and pick up assists he will get BAPS, even he played like crap
November 7 at 5:22 pm
Deano says:
That makes sense as I was expecting BAPs the week before last as he was definitely the most influential player on the pitch.
November 7 at 5:12 pm
Deano says:
Not aware of the change in BAP Scroobs, my first year at this caper. Did that make such a difference?
November 7 at 5:16 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Yeah hugely.
November 7 at 5:19 pm
Deano says:
So Maloney then to rotate with Sterling is the way to go? I’m currently ranked 130k and would obviously want to improve against my Aussie mates.
November 7 at 5:20 pm
Mannone is Mob Boss says:
Beyond huge I would say
November 7 at 5:29 pm
Deano says:
Thanks guys, great advice, I wish I had sought it before buying him. Being new to EPL fantasy and only going by my AFL experience, I was looking for a great differential to get me into the top 10k.
November 7 at 5:02 pm
kvtvk says:
Simpson or Ridgewell to play?
November 7 at 5:03 pm
Kostja says:
Well Simpson seems to be injured, if not id start him
November 7 at 5:06 pm
Bemba Da says:
annoying simpson injury, tempted to ship him out
November 7 at 5:09 pm
kvtvk says:
Oh, did not know that. Thanks guys!
November 7 at 5:02 pm
shamerock robin says:
How long to leave before i transfer in Ba for Aguero for this gw?
November 7 at 5:08 pm
Daniel - Blue is the color says:
keep kun if u have rvp already. for what we all know ba isn’t confirmed 100% fit
November 7 at 5:05 pm
In Tommy We Trust says:
Anyone else notice that around leaving time at work this place goes quiet?
November 7 at 5:07 pm
GreenWindmill says:
NEW POST (but not about the cup before you get too excited!)
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....ue-focus-5
November 7 at 5:07 pm
Daniel - Blue is the color says:
Looks like the best defense is:
One heavy hitter Baines atm later I could change it with Komp or something and
Rotating New SAFC and
WBA Stk
I think it is the best. I’ve made my own analyzes
November 7 at 5:09 pm
shamerock robin says:
DefenCe
November 7 at 5:12 pm
kaz says:
almost everyone has either ben foster or begovic which brings up the concept of “doubling up”.
November 7 at 5:10 pm
Jafooli (C) says:
Cassanata? You 1st in the world correct?
November 7 at 5:11 pm
Valar Morghulis(Formerly Keith) says:
Sagna not even on the watchlist?
November 7 at 8:47 pm
Mikei says:
Why? His form is weak. Carl Jenkinson with a larger form of sitting.
November 7 at 8:51 pm
Bests Conquests says:
Hi ya guys, for a -4 hit…
Fellaini/Michu or Bale/Sterling?
Don’t want to fall in to the Fellaini bandwagon. But Spurs w/ very tough schedule ahead and MF in shambles w injuries and growing unrest. Sterling, cheap but damn he’s young! Does he have composure that will equal points?
November 8 at 9:51 am
gavmac says:
WILL FERGUSON REST RVP IN THE UPCOMING EASIER FIXTURES, PLAY THE LIKES OF WELBECK/HERNANDEZ? THOUGHTS?’
November 8 at 9:52 am
ChristIna says:
nO wHy sHoUld HE?
November 8 at 9:54 am
john woods says:
with a defence thats leaking goals almost every game he cant afford to
November 8 at 11:37 am
D0GS B0110XS FC says:
Thinking mata for bale and ba for berba what you recon.
or santi carzola for bale?
November 8 at 12:44 pm
TheSharpeEnd says:
The final place in my starting XI is between Baird, Lambert and McAnuff.
I’ve gone with Jobi because, while Baird is a strong attacking option, Fulham ship goals away from from home and that could cost me v Arsenal.
Lambert, blaaaaargh, it’s a close one.
Any other thoughts?
November 8 at 1:20 pm
MareTzar says:
I have 2 free transfers but i plan to do 3 this week.
Jenkinson -> Huth
Sahin -> G.Ramirez
and I don’t know what to do in forward line i planed to swap Fletcher out but doubting who to choose between Ba, Giroud and maybe Tevez. Any advice?
November 8 at 4:34 pm
dyben says:
I’m going for RVP as captain again.
He will deliver or what do you think?