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.
About The Author
“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
2,629 Responses to “The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 22”
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Recent Comments
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:shock: was not aware of that. think they'd want to give their players a rest after the season is over... :? what are… » -
Withdrawal symptoms » -
Chelsea playing Man City in a post-season friendly in St. Louis » -
what are you guys going on about? :? »
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South Park should be there »
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Azpi goal (peno)! Mata assist. »
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLQgkF_FsO4 » -
Touched Oscar! Assist must got to Oscar, I've mailed fpl! » -
I need to get back to that, still lots unseen - very funny »
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Arrested Development »
“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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January 9 at 10:21 pm
Bemba Da says:
Mata is essential
Mata is not essential
Ba is essential
January 9 at 10:22 pm
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
People are fickle.
January 9 at 10:22 pm
Elwood says:
RVP is essential.
No one else is.
January 9 at 10:23 pm
MC says:
danny graham
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Giggs Boson says:
RVP is only essential when Rooney isn’t playing.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
The people who were top 5 about 2 months ago didn’t have RVP, so he can’t possibly be essential…
January 9 at 10:26 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
the guy who was top last week did not have rvp ever!!!!!
January 9 at 10:28 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
The person who wins FPL will have had RVP for most of the season, trust me
January 9 at 10:30 pm
SuperDunny says:
It’s true, i’ve had him for ages now
January 9 at 10:35 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
Link your team, SD!
January 9 at 10:42 pm
G-G-Granville says:
The person who is number 1 has got incredibly lucky. Even if he had RVP he would be incredibly lucky to have got every decision more correct than 2 million others players.
January 9 at 10:22 pm
seantbn AZ Alkmaar says:
got a feeling that with demba ba only playing 10 minutes tonight
he’ll get his full home debut vs saints next week ,
especially as they havent scored in the last 2 home games
January 9 at 10:22 pm
Aaron30195 says:
Is Moses gone to Africa yet or is he around for the weekend? And who has been taking Chelsea’s pens up to now?
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
Moses has been deported.
Lampard, Hazard, Luiz, Torres, Oscar and Piazon.
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Aaron30195 says:
Cheers.
January 9 at 10:22 pm
Doolittle says:
Is this Cuellar injury just a baseless rumour? If it’s true then I’ll have to get a defender in because it would mean I have Cuellar, O’Brien and Clyne all doubtful.
January 9 at 10:27 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
He definitely went off injured in the FA Cup. Not sure if he;s fit now, I’ve heard not but that could be a baseless rumour
January 9 at 10:22 pm
The Viper says:
Already have Ba and the only way I could get Mata in would be for Cazorla (-4). Just captain Ba & not bring in Mata?
I’ll also be doing Ridgewell -> Luiz (-4)
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Doolittle says:
I wouldn’t bring in Mata for a hit – especially with Cazorla’s DGW the following week.
January 9 at 10:26 pm
The Viper says:
Cheers. He could cause my awful damage though!
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Doolittle says:
Could do, but the probability is that he won’t outscore Caz by 4 (imo).
January 9 at 10:22 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
Will Ba rise in price tonight?
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Evs says:
No.
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Elwood says:
No, you can monitor here:
http://www.fiso.co.uk/crackthecode.php
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Lebanese Lalous says:
Not even close.
January 9 at 10:24 pm
seantbn AZ Alkmaar says:
68% doubt it, luiz will though
January 9 at 10:25 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
Thought so, thanks all
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
Yes.
January 9 at 10:22 pm
pit creature says:
Is it worth taking a hit to bring in a Chelsea player this week when none of them seem guaranteed to start both games?
January 9 at 10:22 pm
AriseSirGiggsy says:
Best budget defenders:
Demel, Briggs, Shaw, Wilson, Harte
I’ll take them all
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Doctor X says:
Yes, No, Yes, Not Yet, No.
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Doolittle says:
Davies!
January 9 at 10:24 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
Davies is better than all except a fully fit Wilson.
January 9 at 10:28 pm
AriseSirGiggsy says:
I just don’t see when you play him
Arite they kept a good cleany tonight but 3 away in next 4 doesn’t work for me
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Shipstontrev - BREST - LIGUE 1 REVIEWS ARE US says:
Not Briggs, he plays for Fulham.
January 9 at 10:29 pm
AriseSirGiggsy says:
Wigan at home for 3.9? Yeah I’ll take a piece of that bet
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Lebanese Lalous says:
Got only 1 response last post
Verto–> david luiz for free
Yay or nay?
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Cooper123 says:
Yes.
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Elwood says:
Maybe,
January 9 at 10:24 pm
unoaime says:
Yay.
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
I’m back! yes again
January 9 at 10:34 pm
wakey says:
Dunno…There are some players who are just gonna get better Vert is one imo..Despite all the David Luiz hype he never actually scores many points…Take your pick 50/50…
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Happy days!
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Evs says:
Indeed.
Order yourself a bottle of Swansea own Mumbles wine
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Just signed 6 bottles off!!!
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Cooper123 says:
Are there a bunch of people who still doubt Ba will start but are just keeping quiet?
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Dunno. But he will be my captain.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Elwood says:
Nice, I think i’m going to as well after the game today.
January 9 at 10:26 pm
heartsattack says:
Mine too Doos, I’ve seen enough in his first two games to merit it. Screw rotation.
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Doolittle says:
I still have a slight doubt he’ll start both games, and if he does, I fear Torres will start next week. Certainly can’t see Abramovich’s darling missing 3 consecutive games.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I still doubt he will start both because history shows that just doesn’t happen to Fernando “Roman’s toyboy” Torres.
I do think he will now get enough time to do something.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Bemba Da says:
he won’t start both games. There I said it
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Limpar says:
I’m going to say there’s no way Ivanovic will be dropped for the next game. One of their best defenders over the last few years, kicked in the balls in his hour of need? Nah.
Ivanhoes’s Revenge(c)
Angry bullet-headers and 18 yard piledrivers all over the shop
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Namtab Notlob says:
If Torres keeps getting games then to drop Ivan after that is ridiculous. He’s scored a few lately too so it’s not like he’s suddenly a terrible player.
January 9 at 10:23 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
ba captainers lets just hope he scored like 2 vs stoke surely then rafa will be forced to play him through the next few games
January 9 at 10:23 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
Nasty -> Luiz.
Done.
Berb-> Ba, or Silva -> Mata?
January 9 at 10:27 pm
NickyKids says:
Just done Cuells > Luiz
Can’t decide!
Tempted to just do Silva > Bale instead
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
Hmmm ballsy not going blue. But tempted by Bale/Fellaini over Mata myself.
January 9 at 10:32 pm
NickyKids says:
Such an easy decision without the DGW!
Probs have to play the percentages/play it safe and hope ‘Arry can do a number on Gaz
January 9 at 10:24 pm
nige2111 says:
Comments kindly sought please gents…Ok for DGWs and beyond (playing 3 5 2 formation)? Will lose Sagna after Ars DGW…
Jask, (Rudd)
Luiz, Gibbs, Sagna, (Demel), (Harte)
Walcott, Fellaini, Michu, Mata, Bale
RVP, Ba, (Pogs)
January 9 at 10:34 pm
NickyKids says:
Wouldn’t bother with two Arse defenders.
Other than that, should get plenty of points!
January 9 at 10:48 pm
nige2111 says:
Thanks, How about upgrade pogs to Graham (looked ok tonight for Swans) and get in Russell Martin for Sagna?
January 9 at 10:24 pm
r0scr0w says:
Hi guys need some help. My team is as below and i have 0.1 in the bank. Really thinking of 8 point hit to do Enrique & Defoe > Azpilicueta & Ba. Worth it?
Begovic (Tremmel)
Clyne Nastasic Cuellar (Enrique & Nelsen)
Mata Bale Michu Theo (Sterling)
Berbatov RVP Defoe.
January 9 at 10:24 pm
ronh says:
Well, thats another day finished.
One less day of life.
Slowly we get closer to the inevitable…
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Evs says:
…. We’re all in gods waiting room.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
ronh says:
Or the devils…
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Doolittle says:
I just thought we were in a waiting room, don’t believe it’s owned by anyone.
Is this going to get too heavy for a fantasy football site?
January 9 at 10:28 pm
ronh says:
My ball bag is too heavy!!
I may go & have a wee tug.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Santiagounreal says:
FInally some common sense…
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Mulder says:
Cheerful stuff.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Giggs Boson says:
And then the next Great Journey begins…
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Bemba Da says:
thanks
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Wild Rover says:
All done…
Had to say goodbye (for now) to some amazing old friends….
*sniff*
*gulp*
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Cooper123 says:
What are you going with?
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
Baines -> Luiz?
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Madine4Life says:
Who was cut?
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Madine4Life says:
Red herrings are allowed obviously
January 9 at 10:31 pm
colonel shoe says:
it clearly states in fpl and ffs rules and i quote “members must have no friends” …..cheat!!
January 9 at 10:24 pm
Holy see says:
Ossie Ardiles on the Spanish football panel on SS. Reminds me of my Dad – when he was absolutely hammered. Christ above Ossie. Never got to grips with the language. Bless.
January 9 at 10:24 pm
SAF - Such A Mystery says:
Repost:
A) Lampard and Iva
or
B) Hazard and Luiz
or
C) Neither
January 9 at 10:25 pm
lord leonard says:
Gerrard or caz this week? Pick 1
January 9 at 10:26 pm
SMOOTHIE says:
Caz
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Doctor X says:
Is this just another FFS frenzy-crazy-kneejerk party?
I hate Rafatation. I hate this DGW. But I love Ba.
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
And he loves syrup.
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
You’ll hate him next week
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Snow'Shea says:
I like turtles
January 9 at 10:25 pm
Dougal McGuire says:
Fryers, Ezekiel is showing up with a ton of transfers in n TotalfFPL. Yet I don’t see him in the game. What’s up with that?
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Evs says:
3.9m
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Evs says:
Spurs.
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Wild Rover says:
Reserves
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Wild Rover says:
Look in Spurs def. Crazy FPL buy though
January 9 at 10:27 pm
SuperDunny says:
3.9, spurs
January 9 at 10:27 pm
SMOOTHIE says:
He is in Spurs FPL.
January 9 at 10:25 pm
MC says:
anyone not gonna have Ba for the DGW?
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Elwood says:
Yes, there will be many people without him.
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
Me
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Holy see says:
God bless your balls.
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
Thank you Holy one. I believe they are now glowing, as if a halo has descended.
January 9 at 10:32 pm
colonel shoe says:
better get that seen to
January 9 at 10:28 pm
MC says:
ok good i wont be alone
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
Misery loves company
January 9 at 10:28 pm
UNITED FORCE 101% ™ says:
+1
January 9 at 10:26 pm
tm245 says:
With midweek games, cup fixture congestion, rotation concerns I’m wondering if I might head back to the original plan before the dgw was announced and just roll out the big hitters. Gareth Bale (c), like a boss.
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Bowstring92 - Torino FC representing from Dublin says:
Why did I do Ba –> Lukaku prior to his move to Chelsea
The misery of early transfers
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Santiagounreal says:
No offence but that is the worst transfer I’ve ever seen
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Holy see says:
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Bowstring92 - Torino FC representing from Dublin says:
Lukaku has 2 good fixtures before I wildcard.
AND I needed to downgrade up front to fund an extra Arsenal player. Had I known there was gonna be a Chelsea DGW I would’ve saved the transfer
January 9 at 10:26 pm
UNITED FORCE 101% ™ says:
nastasic out for luiz -4 hit. just done !
who to play clyne or davies/nelsen ?
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Elwood says:
Clyne
January 9 at 10:26 pm
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
Help with a WC issue please – would you choose Wilson (injured but wanted long term), Shaw/Clyne (DGW but a one game punt) or Davies (poor short-term fixtures, so unlikely to play him for 5 GWs)?
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Cooper123 says:
Wouldn’t get Wilson yet. Davies, personally.
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Evs says:
Never get an injured player dude…
January 9 at 10:26 pm
unoaime says:
I was asking about prawns the other night. Now it’s about rice.
The old girl cooked a curry earlier and there’s a crap load of rice that’s just left to be cooled in a pot where it was cooked. Is it alright to reheat? I know reheating is strange business with rice so i thought i’d just make sure. Cheers.
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
Yes… It’s allrice.
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Will be fine. My suggestion? Boil a kettle. Put the rice in a sieve. Pour the boiling water through the rice.
January 9 at 10:33 pm
AriseSirGiggsy says:
This man knows what he is doing. Listen and learn folks
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Namtab Notlob says:
As in a few hours ago? It’ll be fine.
January 9 at 10:27 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
Has anyone seen Christina lately?
January 9 at 10:28 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
DZ… usually there, but I am not.
January 9 at 10:29 pm
heartsattack says:
He’s on holiday in Arniston.