The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 22
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Mark
With two double Gameweeks distorting the Fantasy landscaspe somewhat, we’ve taken time to update our mid-term player rankings. Arsenal and Chelsea assets flourish, then, with Fantasy defences in particular, set to enjoy a shake-up as a result of the early New Year schedule as Wildcards flutter.
Read on for the thinking behind the current ladder standings and look out for our in-depth Wildcard articles. We’ve published those discussing Goalkeepers and Defenders earlier this week, with a look at the midfield options to follow.
Goalkeepers
Simon Mignolet climbs to the top of the goalkeeper rankings off the back of two clean sheets in four and with strong fixtures to come. With both Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna offering options in the Gunners’ back four, Wojciech Szczesny, suffers a slight dent in his stock to slip below the Black Cats stopper but still remains a prize Fantasy asset with the double fixture in Gameweek 23 beckoning.
Stoke’s Asmir Begovic maintains his posiiton in our top three, despite going five league encounters without clean sheet returns. Investment continues to flow the Bosnian’s way and, with fixtures improving, returns should be back on the agenda. The potential return of Marc Wilson as a 4.0 option in defence could severely damage his value, however. That situation requires monitoring.
West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen has the double in Gameweek 23, with a decent run of fixtures up to Gameweek 27, when matters stiffen considerably. Norwich City’s Mark Bunn has yet to earn a clean sheet but has four home matches in the next six Gameweeks – his stock remains strong, then, although news of John Ruddy’s return to fitness would rapidly end his term as a Fantasy option.
Along with Bunn, Villa’s Brad Guzan and Reading’s Adam Federici remain strong budget options. Guzan has three home fixtures to come in the next five; as does Federici, who is playing in front of a Reading defence that has shown recent improvement. As mentioned in our recent Wildcard article, this pairing rotate to offer a full budget route between the sticks.
Defenders
Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs is enjoying a rich vein of form and has the double Gameweek to come to boost his stock further. While Sagna remains a cheaper option, Gibbs’ form swings favour in his direction and, along with Szczesny in goal, looks an obvious route ahead of Gameweek 23. With three home games in four to follow the double Gameweek, Gibbs makes a strong case on top of our defender rankings.
Two goals in two games in all competitons underlines Leighton Baines’ attacking potential, although an ankle problem prevents him from threatening Gibbs for top spot in our rankings. Everton’s fixtures are very strong over the next four and Baines looks set to prosper if he can play through the pain barrier for the Toffees. We may even see David Moyes’ side register that belated clean sheet: they’ve gone 15 league matches without one.
Chelsea’s David Luiz has his Gameweek 22 to help build on stock that has been boosted considerably by a shift to a central midfield role. While Luiz’s start is perhaps not totally secure withing Rafa Benitez’s lineup, he remains an option that’s hard to ignore, even beyond Chelsea’s two fixtures.
There’s a string of strong budget and mid-price options on offer, not least West Ham’s Guy Demel who benefits from the injury to Joey O’Brien to reinstate himself in our rankings. Swansea’s Ben Davies and Wigan’s Emmerson Boyce also look solid acquisitions, the latter now back in his right wing-back role and with two favourable home fixtures on offer.
Reading’s Ian Harte, Norwich City’s Seb Bassong and Ciaran Clark of Villa are also on hand for those willing to take a gamble on attacking returns, although all three have fixtures which could also deliver clean sheets.
The emergence of these cheaper options, combined with stiffening schedules, finds the likes of Glen Johnson and Jan Vertonghen spinning down our rankings to the lower reaches.
Midfielders
Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Arseanl’s Theo Walcott sit in the top two spots with double Gameweeks on offer. It’s hard to argue against their acquisition, with team-mates Eden Hazard and Santi Cazorla now reduced to offering alternatives only for those seeking differentials.
Eveton’s Marouane Fellaini made his return to action at Newcastle following a three-match suspension and immediately featched an assist to underline his importance to the Everton cause. With three attractive Goodison clashes in the next four, further attacking returns look likely and that’s enough to rank the Belgian above Gareth Bale.
Both remain in our top five, with Swansea’s Michu completing what would seem a settled and powerful Wildcard midfield five.
The likes of David Silva and Steven Gerrard threaten to break in, with the Liverpool skipper enjoying a flood of points in recent weeks to promote his claim for Fantasy acquisition. Ultimately, however, Gerrard remains in the shadow of Luis Suarez in Fantasy terms and, with Daniel Sturridge also now an option for consideration, it seems unlikely that we’ll see Gerrard climb further this season. He remains a differential – albeit a potentially effective one.
Lower down, we’ve an array of mid-price options that offer the opportunity to break the template midfield. Robert Snodgrass of Norwich, Kevin Nolan of West Ham and Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland all have fixtures on their side and are clear options for those looking to take a chance with their fourth and fifth midfield slots.
Forwards
There’s no shifting the ridiculously consistent Robin Van Persie from the top of the forward rankings, with Chelsea’s new acquisition, Demba Ba, coming closest to the Dutchman in this week’s reckoning. The double Gameweek promotes Ba, even with the threat of rotation a real factor when considering investment. We’re convinced that Ba will get around 120 minutes form his two Gameweek 22 fixtures, however, and that’s enough to hold off Luis Suarez for second spot.
The Uruguyan’s form is nothing short of sensational but, with Sturridge also now available as an option and talk of Suarez moving to a support role, there are new variables to consider here. That almost has Fulham’s Dimitar Berbatov ranking above the Liverpool man, as the Bulgarian goes into the weekend clash with Wigan at the Cottage with returns in his last three – fixtures with City and United in the next four dull his potential somewhat, however.
Edin Dzeko looks safe in the City lineup for the time being and, with three goals in two matches, he stands out as a strong differential with a modest 7.4 FPL price tag. Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher, in the same price bracket, looks well placed with strong fixtures to come, while Christian Benteke remains in our thinking with obliging Villa Park fixtures in the next five.
Reading’s Pavel Pogrebnyak, having now seemingly established himself in the Royals starting XI with two goals in two games, looks to be offering extraordinary value at just 4.3 – he is a viable alternative to Rickie Lambert for those shopping on a budget here.
Everton’s Nikica Jelavic is your ready-made differential. Having struggled for form this season with just a single goal in the last 10 league outings, the Croatian notched in Everton’s FA Cup win and has the opposition over the next four to kick on. At 8.1, he still represents a major gamble when Fellaini can be acquired for less in midfield.
Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse is another name worth monitoring. Now established in the central striker role, at least until Alan Pardew can recruit and assimilate a new signing, Cisse has struck twice in three matches and will likely welcome the new focus following the departure of compatriot Demba Ba.
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“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
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“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”
Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution
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January 9 at 10:06 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
No danger of Ba price rising tonight?
January 9 at 10:07 pm
Intricacy says:
Any news on Cuellar injury?
January 9 at 10:07 pm
Bemba Da says:
I wish there was but none. Not even flagged on fpl, weird one
January 9 at 10:07 pm
Snow'Shea says:
RVP’s NTI has dropped since earlier. Who in their right mind is transferring him out?!?!
January 9 at 10:08 pm
Lebanese Lalous says:
Drunk ppl.
January 9 at 10:11 pm
Namtab Notlob says:
“Are you sure you want to continue with this transfer? It will cost you -100 points. Click OK to confirm.”
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Giggs Boson says:
I very nearly did in all honesty. I will probably ditch in my gw24 WC
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Snow'Shea says:
Really? What’s your thinking behind that?
January 9 at 10:16 pm
Giggs Boson says:
He essential when Rooney isn’t playing. But when Rooney is back, the 2m price difference is not worth it, especially when Roonpig gets pens.
January 9 at 10:07 pm
Doolittle says:
I was hoping that game would make me certain about my transfers, but it’s just confused me further. Any help here would be greatly appreciated. My options:
A) Jussi -> Turnbull and Silva -> Mata for a hit (my plan 4 hours ago)
B) Jussi -> Turnbull and Suarez -> Ba (-4)
C) Suarez -> Ba
D) Jussi -> Turnbull
E) Go without Chelsea players
Team is linked, and I’ll be using my WC GW24, so all transfers are very short term. Thanks guys!
January 9 at 10:27 pm
MunyaBang says:
go with lambert
January 9 at 10:07 pm
G-G-Granville says:
Are we sure Mata is going to play the next 2? Really don’t want to lose Silva unless he’s going to play both. Alternatively I can get in another Chelsea defender to join Luiz.
January 9 at 10:08 pm
Bemba Da says:
looked lethargic today but surely rafa can’t drop him? Although saying that southampton h then 4 days later Arsenal then 3 days after swansea 2nd leg so who knows.
January 9 at 10:08 pm
Chris_White says:
Nope. Cameo against Soton could be on the cards with Arsenal just after.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
G-G-Granville says:
So an away game against Stoke which is quite likely to be 0-0. mmmm
January 9 at 10:08 pm
Acquafresca says:
Silva? Really?
January 9 at 10:10 pm
Giggs Boson says:
I’m thinking about getting him over Mata in my gw24 WC. Quality player, full of assists.
January 9 at 10:08 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
I’m just getting in defenders, and keeping Torres obv
January 9 at 10:09 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
not sure they have 4 more games 3/4 days apart soton seems like a chance to rest mata now will need him for arsenal and second leg? this team sheet and result has made this wildcard team even harder now
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Evs says:
No were not gran, Chelsea mf is a minefield at the best of times.
Now they are chasing a league cup tie that it seems Rafa wants. It’s just to hard to tell.
Currently I have mata (c) flanked by Ba and Turnbull on the wc team. Tempted by Luiz, but that means losing arsenal dgw def coverage. I’ll cover Chelsea with the cheap keeper I think.
January 9 at 10:09 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Nope. 1 may even be more realistic.
Luiz and Azpi?
January 9 at 10:10 pm
Doolittle says:
I’m now thinking my planned Silva -> Mata is a bad idea, particularly for a hit. Likewise, I wouldn’t want to bet on any of the defence to play both games (bar Turnbull). Chelsea DGW is the biggest FPL headache imaginable.
January 9 at 10:11 pm
G-G-Granville says:
With the Arsenal game coming 4 days later it’s going to be carnage. Lampard will come in for the Soton game for sure.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
hillbillypete says:
Luiz, Cahill, Ba
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Who is going to start AHEAD of Mata? Oscar and Marin won’t
January 9 at 10:14 pm
G-G-Granville says:
Lampard.
January 9 at 10:15 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Yeah sure…
January 9 at 10:17 pm
G-G-Granville says:
So you’re confident Mata is going to start 4 games in 10 days.
January 9 at 10:20 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
If there was really no one to replace Mata he would have played every game this season.
QED
January 9 at 10:16 pm
Delusions of Mediocrity says:
I am wondering if its safer to captain RVP rather than Mata, as I dont see Mata playing both now.
I
January 9 at 10:07 pm
UNITED FORCE 101% ™ says:
ashley cole or luiz for DGW ?
January 9 at 10:08 pm
SMOOTHIE says:
Luiz
January 9 at 10:07 pm
Lebanese Lalous says:
repost
Men should i do Verto—>Luiz for free?
Afraid of Luiz not playing both games TBH…
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
I’m confident he will
January 9 at 10:12 pm
Lebanese Lalous says:
But would you transfer out Verto for it?
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
personally, I would
January 9 at 10:07 pm
kimoo says:
Be Man & C Lambert ….
January 9 at 10:07 pm
bigjohn says:
So in Ba ‘s 10 mins or so he had a goal disallowed and by the sounds of it should have won a penalty! The man’s got form. I think he’ll start both games
January 9 at 10:10 pm
Just One More Thing says:
Don’t agree about the penalty shout, but Ba was really sharp. Suarez > Ba for me.
January 9 at 10:08 pm
Doctor X says:
Which one?
A) Turnbull, Luiz, Mata, Lambert (-4)
B) Turnbill, Mata, Ba
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Chris_White says:
b
January 9 at 10:10 pm
United_On_20 says:
B
January 9 at 10:11 pm
Doolittle says:
B
January 9 at 10:08 pm
alex234 says:
Evs, Any chance I could get a sneak preview of your wildcard team?
January 9 at 10:12 pm
Evs says:
Cheeky init?
Go on then…
Turnbull, de Gea
B Jones, Sagna, Demel, shaw (or clyne), Davies.
Michu, Bale, Mata, Walcott, Puncheon
Ba, RVP, Suarez.
Bank = £0
January 9 at 10:14 pm
alex234 says:
Much obliged, very nice time.
January 9 at 10:15 pm
alex234 says:
Benching any of the power 7 in favour of Puncheon this week?
January 9 at 10:16 pm
Evs says:
That’s the tricky bit.
Theo at the moment
It doesn’t sit comfortable with me though.
January 9 at 10:19 pm
alex234 says:
Blimey, yeah guess it has to be one of Suarez, Michu or Walcott but all could come away with a decent score
January 9 at 10:15 pm
Evs says:
Your welcome.
January 9 at 10:15 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
i wanted to ask you for a while why b jones? is he nailed on seems when reid is fit he comes back in right back although injured alot is back soon so will jones still play
January 9 at 10:17 pm
Evs says:
He seems to be playing well, so I’m not too concerned.
If he does get ousted, and Wilson returns for stoke I will switch… Ad saves few quid in the process
January 9 at 10:09 pm
ⓖⓐⓩⓩⓐ™ says:
How do I look plz
Jaaskerlainen. Rudd
Sagna. Gibbs. Demel. Luiz. Wilson
Bale. Mata. Michu. Fellaini. Walcott
Rvp. Ba Berbatov.
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Lebanese Lalous says:
Who’re u benchin?
January 9 at 10:12 pm
kimoo says:
walcott
January 9 at 10:12 pm
ⓖⓐⓩⓩⓐ™ says:
This wk
Jaask
Gibbs. Demel. Luiz
Bale. Mata. Michu. Fellaini
Rvp berb. Ba
Next wk
Jaask
Gibbs. Sagna. Demel. Luiz
Bale. Mata. Walcott michu. Fellaini
Rvp. Ba
January 9 at 10:09 pm
rdb007 says:
Pick one
A) Ba + Azpi + Cerny
B) Berba + Luiz + Turnbull.
January 9 at 10:09 pm
AvFcxJamie says:
A) Berbatov + Guthrie.
B) Fellaini + Pog.
Both Guthrie + Pog will be bench warmers and rarely feature on the pitch, option A will see me play a 343 and option B will see me play the 352
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Lucky says:
Anyone else notice Frank didn’t play either Cup game?
January 9 at 10:09 pm
Lucky says:
Start*
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Stay Calm And Pass Me The Remote says:
cos he’s leaving soon
January 9 at 10:15 pm
Snow'Shea says:
But does that mean he’s out of favour or rested
January 9 at 10:09 pm
The Parmtree says:
Worried about not having Ba now….
January 9 at 10:10 pm
Lucky says:
I still think Torres will get too much gametime.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
bigjohn says:
Ba will get at least 120mins. But I really think he will start both. Maybe even with Torres starting 1 with him up front?
January 9 at 10:10 pm
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
Get him.
January 9 at 10:10 pm
bigjohn says:
I think you should be
January 9 at 10:10 pm
Giggs Boson says:
Get him.
January 9 at 10:11 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
He’s always been a shot machine, thats never been in doubt, just the gametime. Increasingly, that is becoming less doubtful too…
January 9 at 10:09 pm
United_On_20 says:
What is the optimum number of differentials people would rather have in their team? Is 3 differentials too much? Would having Silva-Jelavic-Hazard be considered ‘pushing it’ in the differentials department?
January 9 at 10:11 pm
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
Just have the players you think will score the most. Don’t worry about how many people have them.
January 9 at 10:11 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
I currently have Dzeko and Cisse
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Mull- Bring back the old bonus points system!!! says:
There isn’t really an answer. If you think your differential will outscore all players in his price range then you should buy him. Buying Silva, Hazard and Jelavic for the sake of having differentials is ridiculous.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
I pay absolutely zero attention to the ownership of a player. If they score well, you want them, whether ownership is 1% or 50%.
January 9 at 10:10 pm
Madine4Life says:
Borini as a striker option when he returns?
January 9 at 10:12 pm
SMOOTHIE says:
Dont make me laugh
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Wild Rover says:
3rd choice at Pool. No thanks
January 9 at 10:15 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
No.
January 9 at 10:16 pm
Shipstontrev - BREST - LIGUE 1 REVIEWS ARE US says:
no chance
January 9 at 10:19 pm
Madine4Life says:
Hook, line, sinker and copy of angling times
January 9 at 10:11 pm
seantbn AZ Alkmaar says:
going to go ba and luiz for the DGW (free)
leaving bale, not taking a hit for a chelsea mid who’ll probably play just 1 of the games
January 9 at 10:11 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
Luiz and Dzeko or
Baines and Ba
January 9 at 10:11 pm
Just One More Thing says:
Wanted to bring in Ba befoe tonight’s game.
Do I sacrafice Berbs or Suarez to get him into my team though?
If I go Suarez I can also get Mata.
January 9 at 10:11 pm
Evstastic says:
Does anyone know if Cuellar is definitely out injured ? Sunderland fixtures look good
January 9 at 10:12 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
likely hes out
January 9 at 10:11 pm
phil.lfc - we need the CL, the CL needs us! says:
torres gets booed by the own fans
what a disgrace some chelsea fans are!
it’s not his fault that he cost 50m
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Stay Calm And Pass Me The Remote says:
it’s his fault tho they’re booing him.
January 9 at 10:15 pm
alsybach says:
lets face it, it is not just Chelsea fans…….its fans from EVERY team – boneheads
January 9 at 10:18 pm
pit creature says:
It’s in the interests of fans from other teams to boo him though.
January 9 at 10:12 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
was turnbull at fault for both goals aswell? going by the radio commentary they were sayin both ivanovic and turnbull made errors for both goals
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
He’s shite. Always has been
January 9 at 10:13 pm
heartsattack says:
Just Ivanovic I’d say.
January 9 at 10:16 pm
alsybach says:
bullshit, the keeper had no chance with either goal
January 9 at 10:20 pm
Snow'Shea says:
Positioning was poor for the Michu goal
January 9 at 10:12 pm
Hot Sauce says:
Ben Davies! Swansea have good fixtures ahead.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
3 of the next 4 away
January 9 at 10:12 pm
hillbillypete says:
has Mikel gone to ACON?
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Stay Calm And Pass Me The Remote says:
yes
January 9 at 10:12 pm
Benimar says:
Fellaini and Zabaleta
OR
Bale and Cuellar (assuming fit)
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Limpar says:
F+Z
January 9 at 10:12 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Hands up if tonight’s game has changed your plans
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Doctor X says:
Drastically.
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Just One More Thing says:
Yes and no. Ba in – yes; Mata in – not so sure….
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
o/
January 9 at 10:14 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
o
January 9 at 10:16 pm
bigjohn says:
It has stopped me downgrading 3 players to get Luiz in. Thank feck!
January 9 at 10:18 pm
alsybach says:
I have already got Mata, Luiz and Ba…………nothing has changed other than thinking they are shite rather than average.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
heartsattack says:
Mata looked a little short if form. Might reconsider (c).
January 9 at 10:14 pm
SMOOTHIE says:
Everyone has a off game, infact whole team did.
January 9 at 10:15 pm
heartsattack says:
Aye you’re maybe right. Tempted by Ba though. He just looks so up for it.
January 9 at 10:13 pm
Cooper123 says:
I missed the game. Why are people suddenly less enthusiastic about getting Mata in for a hit? Did he not play well or something?
January 9 at 10:14 pm
Cooper123 says:
Also why is Ba’s gametime apparently less in doubt after tonight?
January 9 at 10:18 pm
bigjohn says:
Torres was crap again and Ba was very Sharp when he came on
January 9 at 10:16 pm
G-G-Granville says:
He played, that’s the problem.