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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Just seen Evs' captain choice, absolute balls on that man. » -
Julian has more differential defence. 8O » -
:lol: » -
When are the lineups generally posted by Demi? » -
I'll leave it up to others to speculate »
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10pm here, worth getting 2 hours sleep or staying up til 3am or whatever? Work at 7am » -
We linked your sheet here too -: http://uefacouncil.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/201213-round-up/#comments » -
You sound high maintenance, is that a possibility? » -
get a life. » -
Get a grip »
“I am happy with the way I’ve started, but on the other hand, I should have scored four or five more, so that’s something for me to work on.”
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January 9 at 10:27 pm
mahone24 says:
Is Hernandez to Ba a no brainer?
January 9 at 10:30 pm
pit creature says:
Not for me.
January 9 at 10:30 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
id stick with hernandez he’s nailed on to start
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Giggs Boson says:
No.
January 9 at 10:31 pm
john woods says:
Only those with no brains would swap Mr In-form to Mr Rotation, enough said!!
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Still No Eye Dia says:
Which one’s which?
January 9 at 10:27 pm
The Viper says:
I didn’t see the second half and the only thing I know about Ba is he came on with 10 minutes to go & he got booked. Why is he so essential all of a sudden?
(I already have him btw..)
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Its more what Torres did in the other 80 minutes
(and standard FFS overreaction)
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Gimli son of Gloin says:
Scored a disallowed goal. And the yellow was for a ‘dive” that very well could have been a penalty. Also won 2 headers in the box from crosses that were fairly dangerous.
January 9 at 10:29 pm
ronh says:
Who cares?
We’re all guna die anyway
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Still No Eye Dia says:
Not before the dgw, and that team won’t pick itself…
January 9 at 10:30 pm
hillbillypete says:
che more of a threat with him on. unlucky to get booked. could have won the pen. i got rid of suarez for him. sign of faith.
January 9 at 10:28 pm
SAF - Such A Mystery says:
Re repost:
A) Lampard and Iva
or
B) Hazard and Luiz
or
C) Neither
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Lucky says:
Lamps and Cole for me
Call me what you want
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Giggs Boson says:
Gah, i just can’t get my gw24 WC right
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Evs says:
I would be more worried about gw22 sunbeam
!
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
The best laid plans of mice and men….
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Mull- Bring back the old bonus points system!!! says:
Forget about it for now. It’ll all change in two gameweeks.
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Madine4Life says:
This, the odd injury/suspension will ruin all your hard work
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
+42
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
One week at a time, sweet Jesus!
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
Confusing
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Giggs Boson says:
January 9 at 10:29 pm
john woods says:
Chelsea look worthy of all that new investment tonight, gonna be a magnificent DGW LOL!
January 9 at 10:29 pm
jonnybhoy says:
Will Hazard drop in price?
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Elwood says:
Doesn’t looks like it:
http://www.fiso.co.uk/crackthecode.php
January 9 at 10:29 pm
UNITED FORCE 101% ™ says:
R E P O S T
just did nastasic out for luiz -4 hit
who to play clyne or davies/nelsen ?
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Sidharth says:
Clyne
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Sharpshooters says:
Hi all I can currently sell Ivanovic for 6.8 and buy Luiz for 6.6. Would it be worth loosing the money on ivanovic after tonights antics
January 9 at 10:31 pm
seantbn AZ Alkmaar says:
January 9 at 10:31 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
What about Azpilcueta?
January 9 at 10:35 pm
Sharpshooters says:
Thought about him but not convinced. Its either Luiz or stick for me i reckon. Didnt see the match tonight but will watch the highlights and see how Azp played today
January 9 at 10:29 pm
nip says:
I’ve been feeling quietly smug over the last few days about having got 4 Chelsea players in my team (Turnbul, Azpi, Mata & Ba), but after tonight’s game it is glaringly obvious that Chelsea are frail at the back without Cech and Terry.
My WC team as it stands is;
Turnbull, Begovic
Clichy, Azpi, Dawson (Wilkinson, O’Brien)
Bale, Mata, Walcott, Michu (Marveaux)
RVP, Suarez, Ba
Now I am thinking of just getting the defense I would like to end up with in a couple of weeks…
Begovic, Rudd
Gibbs, Evans, Clichy (Demel, Pearce)
—–same front 8 as above——
Any thoughts would be very helpfull
January 9 at 10:30 pm
MC says:
very nice my friend
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Evs says:
I’m not sure about Dawson mate.
Rafa will try and make them even tighter at the back now, so I wouldn’t worry about your Chelsea 4 nip.
January 9 at 10:33 pm
nip says:
cheers mate. I do understand that Dawson is a punt but the fixtures for most of the big clubs ain’t that great over the next couple of weeks
January 9 at 10:31 pm
drunken_mess says:
ur team is almost identical to mine, would keep Azp for dgw
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Lucky says:
Vermaelen worth a cheeky punt?
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Why not? Fill your boots
January 9 at 10:31 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
If you can afford him yeah.
January 9 at 10:31 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
for the DGW yes, he is due a big score
January 9 at 10:29 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
Is Garrido injured ?
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Back on the bench for the FA cup game, should be back next game
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
cheers
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
My final (doubt it) team for the next GW
Turnbull
Baines, Clyne, Shaw
Fellaini, Michu, Walcott, Mata (vc)
RvP, Dzeko, Ba (c)
Begovic, Nolan, Demel, Gibbs
thoughts?
January 9 at 10:33 pm
MC says:
id play demel over shaw. but very nice team
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
Thank you
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Santiagounreal says:
who do I sell for a Chelsea defender…Caulker or Cuellar? Cuellar might be injured…Caulker may not play…it was originally Caulker but at least he might have a chance?
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Cuellar has nice fixtures and guaranteed to start when fit. I would lose Caulker
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Feck it, you’re right…
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Gimli son of Gloin says:
Caulker. Not a regular starter anymore really
January 9 at 10:32 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
Wait till the press conference, should find out about Cuellar.
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Sidharth says:
caulker
January 9 at 10:30 pm
phunk says:
Will Mata play both games
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Santiagounreal says:
yes
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Elwood says:
Possibly.
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Elwood says:
By that I mean start and play 60+ minutes in both.
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Holman will score says:
Captain Ba or Mata?
Surely Ba is the preferred striker.
January 9 at 10:30 pm
Cooper123 says:
A) Ba or B) Mata is doing my head in.
January 9 at 10:30 pm
unoaime says:
Sorry. Caught the end of the last page and want a couple more opinions.
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 10:32 pm
pit creature says:
Eat it. You shouldn’t reheat takeaway rice but your own should be fine.
January 9 at 10:33 pm
drunken_mess says:
no problem re heating rice
January 9 at 10:35 pm
donaldducksnr says:
If you wee in it, it will kill the germs.
Do what that bloke with Mark Noble dressed as Che Guevara said.
January 9 at 10:36 pm
Fabio Duarte says:
I’d say transfer out the rice for this GW
January 9 at 10:30 pm
pit creature says:
Repost: 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 10:34 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
i wouldnt take a hit
January 9 at 10:44 pm
john woods says:
im not….filling my boots with arsenal players instead.
January 9 at 10:48 pm
pit creature says:
That’s my problem, i already filled my boots with Arsenal and W ham players.
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Doolittle says:
Just realised Luiz is rising tonight, so might do Suarez -> Ba and ___ -> Luiz tonight.
I’m struggling to field 3 defenders this week – Cuellar, O’Brien and Clyne all injury doubts. Who to get out for Luiz?
Cuellar, O’Brien, or Wilkinson?
January 9 at 10:31 pm
YTUMAMMA says:
After he rises tonight, does anyone reckon Luiz will rise a 2nd time this GW?
January 9 at 10:35 pm
Evs says:
Yes, strong possibility. Friday or maybe Saturday.
January 9 at 10:31 pm
Sidharth says:
Is mikel available for the stoke game before going to afcon??
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
he’s already been deported
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Wild Rover says:
Gone already mate, shared a taxi with Moses
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Sidharth says:
Cheers mate
January 9 at 10:32 pm
bmb100 says:
Why did this DGW have to happen now?
And why do I have Torres in my team
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Baby Cuties says:
Im in your position!
Gonna shift torres? Do you reckon he’s even gonna get to play?
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
More confusingly why does Rafa have him in his team?
January 9 at 10:35 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
only if di matteo was in charge he would go with ba majority of the games like drogba
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Shipstontrev - BREST - LIGUE 1 REVIEWS ARE US says:
My wife got a Bonnie Tyler satnav for Christmas. Trouble is, it keeps telling her to turn around, and every now and then it falls apart…
January 9 at 10:33 pm
SuperDunny says:
Shocking Trev…
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Evs says:
That’s shocking trev, shocking
I’ve actually met Bonnie Tyler, she had very bright eyes.
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Shipstontrev - BREST - LIGUE 1 REVIEWS ARE US says:
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
Embarrassing but a true
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Wild Rover says:
I had one of those, i got lost in France
January 9 at 10:35 pm
Shipstontrev - BREST - LIGUE 1 REVIEWS ARE US says:
That must have caused you some heartache.
January 9 at 10:32 pm
Evs says:
Come on then, whose getting De Gea in their wc team.
I’ll start…
Me
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
You are on your own, there.
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Mull- Bring back the old bonus points system!!! says:
Me.
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
*who’s
January 9 at 10:35 pm
Evs says:
Thanks.
I didn’t realise I used the incorrect grammar.
January 9 at 10:35 pm
Madine4Life says:
You have mentioned this move a bit, is there a h2h opponent you are throwing a curveball?
January 9 at 10:36 pm
Evs says:
Nope. I am serious.
Check out my gw1 to 4 team, I have a history of getting this wrong
January 9 at 10:38 pm
Madine4Life says:
No doubt you are serious, it is nowhere near as bad as my Borini suggestion a few pages back! He is as nailed on as anyone in the United defence and a damned sight cheaper than Evra
January 9 at 10:32 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Choose one please
A) Cerny Gibbs
B) Bunn Mertesacker
Begovic is my other keeper…
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
C) Federici & Mertesacker.
January 9 at 10:36 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Not enough money Doos for Federici… I have 8.5 to fill one def and one GK…
Although I could do Federici and Sagna…
January 9 at 10:33 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 10:36 pm
AriseSirGiggsy says:
Defoe is at QPR u know? That’s the bottom of the league team with the least organised defence while their most useful defender recently described himself as having “chocolate knees and glass ankles” shortly before signing for Toronto FC as manager
How could you even consider taking a HIT to remove him??????
January 9 at 10:42 pm
r0scr0w says:
DGW swaying me, and i have Bale as some Spurs cover. QPR also coming off the back of a 1-0 win away to the european champions.
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Doctor X says:
Waiting for the podcast tomorrow so I can finally hear some decent DGW discussion.
January 9 at 10:35 pm
ronh says:
Don’t get mad at yourself for the in-ability to start a decent conversation.
January 9 at 10:33 pm
Beach Boy Bob says:
is hernamndez to van persie a no brainer
January 9 at 10:34 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Someone can help me with my defence? Attack is in place i reckon.
Begovic Federici
Luiz Davies Wilson Demel Shaw
Bale Walcott Michu Mata Puncheon
RVP Suarez Ba
0.7 in the bank and more cash to come through Luiz -> Gibbs.
January 9 at 10:36 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Benoit?
January 9 at 10:36 pm
nip says:
same front 7 (I have Marveaux) and the same defensive headaches. I am thinking of taking a cheeky punt on Dawson. Maybe?
January 9 at 10:39 pm
kw4bct says:
keep luiz for GW22 DGW.
Gibbs for GW23 DGW.
January 9 at 10:34 pm
SuperDunny says:
Best Chelsea combo for this GW?
a) Mata & Azpilicueta
b) Mata & Cahill
c) Hazard & Luiz
d) Hazard & Cole
January 9 at 10:35 pm
dogtanion says:
Just Ba will suffice.