The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 23
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Mark
With our second double Gameweek in view, Arsenal’s assets at both ends of the field dominate our Watchlist thinking. The Gunners ease out of their pair of fixtures into a stretch of home matches, reducing any apparent risk involved in short-term acquisition, as Arsene Wenger’s main protagonists top the rankings across three positions.
You can view our current standings in your sidebar and read on for the details behind the recent movements and the factors at play behind our thinking.
Goalkeepers
With the double to come, giving the Gunners four home matches in the next five Gameweeks, it’s no surprise to see Wojciech Szczesny climb to the top of our goalkeeper rankings. At 5.3, the Pole, along with Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs, offers a secure route into Arsene Wenger’s back four for that favourable run.
In truth, Simon Mignolet is unfortunate to be toppled by the Arsenal stopper. With the Belgian helping Sunderland to their eighth clean sheet of the season with the win over West Ham, Mignolet continues to flourish as a Fantasy asset and is now the second ranked keeper in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. With fixtures remaining kind and no real stand out contender in the Sunderland defence, Mignolet remains a strong option as a mid-price one-stop shop selection.
In many respects, those top two stand alone – ahead of the other contenders by quite some distance, not least because they are arguably the favoured defensive acquisitions for their respective teams.
The same cannot be said for both Asmir Begovic and Michel Vorm – there are potentially cheaper and more profitable options within the Stoke and Swansea back four which will doubtless have Fantasy managers thinking twice. Begovic may well be ranked as the top FPL keeper on show but, with just a single clean sheet in the last six outings, the form of the Stoke defence is a concern. The fixture list does fall in their favour, however, with the Potters facing up to Wigan, Reading and West Ham at the Britannia in their next three home matches: that should offer plenty of opportunity for Begovic to reinstate himself as the prime keeper option, although the availability of Marc Wilson, as a 4.0 defender, will likely reduce his stock considerably. Wilson is said to be just a few weeks from a return to contention and will be a top Fantasy target once reinstated in Tony Pulis’ rearguard.
As for Vorm, he has Ben Davies playing in front of him and available for just 4.2 but, with Stoke and QPR arriving at the Liberty Stadium next, and trips to Sunderland and West Ham in the sandwich, the Dutchman has obvious appeal as a keeper option.
West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskaleinen has some favourable opponents on the horizon while this week’s double Gameweek also reinforces his potential. Again though, the availability of prime defensive options, in this case Guy Demel at just 4.0, dents Jaaskaleinen’s appeal somewhat.
For views on effective goalkeeper pairings, our Wildcard article discusses our pick of those on offer, featuring the cast mentioned above and more.
Defenders
In defence we find Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs holding firm, despite Sunday’s 2-0 reverse to City. Like Szczesny, Gibbs benefits form a run of Emirates matches and appears to offer good value on his 5.6 FPL price tag.
He holds off Everton’s Leighton Baines and Chelsea’s David Luiz, then, both of whom continue to offer strong attacking presence and the promise of goals and assists from both open play and set-pieces. Baines returned his first clean sheet in 16 league outings with the 0-0 at Swansea and, over the next three, appears to have the platform to build on that progress. As for Luiz, he got shifted back into defence at Stoke but will be expected to take up a midfield role now that John Terry is available to marshall Rafa Benitez’s rearguard.
City’s Pablo Zabaleta and West Ham’s Guy Demel complete our top five – two players at different ends of the price spectrum. Matija Nastasic runs Zabeleta close for the pick from the City defence but the Argentine’s raids forward are enough to make him our preferred option. As for Demel, he looks exceptional value at just 4.0 to offer coverage of Sam Allardyce’s backline for their forthcoming run of decent fixtures. West Ham will have to improve markedly on their defensive showing at Sunderland in order to offer returns, however.
Swansea’s Ben Davies is another outstanding option in the budget bracket and has a favourable four Gameweek spell, starting with the weekend clash with Stoke. We also like Wigan’s Emmerson Boyce, although there is some concern that, with the injury to Ivan Ramis at Fulham, he may well be forced back to centre-back role. Much depends on the availability of Antolin Alcaraz – it’s believed that he is close to a return after months on the sidelines.
Below this, we have more expensive options – notably United’s Patrice Evra who has stormed to the top of the defender FPL standings, despite keeping just four clean sheets all season. United’s back four remains questionable, although the fixture list is kind to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men and may tempted investors to look at Evra, despite a hefty 7.1 price tag. With rumours circulating that Nemanja Vidic has suffered further ligament damage in Sunday’s victory over Liverpool, there will be continued concerns of further fragility but, at the same time, the likes of Jonny Evans could also earn interest, with his start more assured – again, though, we await prognosis on the hamstring problem that kept him out of Sunday’s game against Liverpool.
Midfielders
Theo Walcott finds himself labeled as the “most wanted” going into Gameweek 23. The winger turned forward faces up to Chelsea and West Ham having returned in seven of his last nine league outings. Potentially devastating, Walcott will be expected to flourish over Arsenal’s four home fixtures in the next five Gameweeks.
Team-mate Santi Cazorla slides into relative obscurity as a result of Walcott’s ascent and the Spaniard, whilst fancied for Gameweek 23, seems unlikely to tempt Fantasy managers to double up in the mid-term, with the likes of Gareth Bale and Juan Mata remaining strong in the same price bracket. Neither can compete with Cazorla on fixtures but, with Walcott offering the coverage of Arsene Wenger’s attack, both Bale and Mata will likely retain their position in many squads, whilst earning a share of new owners.
That pairing can’t quite rival both Michu and Marouane Fellaini for value and goal threat, however. Deployed in advanced roles for Swansea and Everton respectively, the duo have always looked like season keepers and, with strong fixtures ahead of them in the short-term, we have to expect further returns from both.
Outside of the top six, we find two more heavy-hitters as both City’s David Silva and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard struggle to break the template midfield. Gerrard’s form remains superb but, with both Luis Suarez and now Daniel Sturridge offering coverage, the Liverpool skipper’s appeal takes a dent. As for Silva, he has simmered with a run of four assists in the last six matches but, with Edin Dzeko a mid-price option up front, the Spanish playmaker is struggling to establish himself as anything but a differential right now. Silva still has a modest 5% ownership.
The mid-price bracket remains flooded with differentials, with Kevin Nolan, Jon Walters and Stephane Sessegnon all viable routes for those opting to break up the template and seek out something a little different. You can add Adam Johnson to that list, with little to choose between the former City winger and his team-mate, Sessegnon.
Forwards
There’s a shake-up below the top two of Robin Van Persie and Luis Suarez, with both City’s Edin Dzeko and Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski emerging as excellent short-term options. Dzeko faces up to the obliging Fulham defence this weekend having scored four goals in three league starts, while Podolski looks set to take on spot-kick duties with Mikel Arteta out and, in addition to his double Gameweek, enjoys the aforementioned run of Emirates encounters over the next month.
Those two topple Demba Ba who slips in our reckoning, at least until we form a view on the severity of the rotation problem at the Bridge with Fernando Torres. Daniel Sturridge, a player formerly the victim of few opportunities at the London club, now becomes a serious factor in our Fantasy seasons and takes his place in our Watchlist rankings. A goal at Old Trafford on his Liverpool league debut signaled Sturridge’s intent and, once he’s established and confirmed fully fit, we expect to see the former Chelsea man climb further and dent the appeal of Luis Suarez, given the significant price difference between the pair.
Steven Fletcher and Rickie Lambert head up a pack of excellent mid-price differentials, with Romelu Lukaku and the budget friendly Pavel Pogrebnyak offering further options for those shopping for a cheap third striker in a preferred 3-5-2 FPL set-up.
Commenting is now closed for this post.
“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 15 at 3:01 pm
TheSharpeEnd says:
Afternoon all! Thoughts on FT? 0.0m in the bank.
A. Huth -> Gibbs the obvious shout?
Bunn/AlHabsi
Luiz/Huth/Davies/Demel/Shorey
Walcott/Mata/Nolan/Michu/Maloney
Rvp/Berbs/Ba
Thought about Mata -> Cazorla for one week then switch back with WC but I think it’s too risky with price rises/form etc
Thoughts greatly appreciated.
January 15 at 3:09 pm
Katie says:
Berbs > Lukaku
January 15 at 3:16 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Looks like you have a low team value…
With a front line of Rvp/Berbs/Ba you should have been able to fit Cazorla/Bale along with Walcott, Mata, Michu and Nolan…
Huth to Gibbs is the best choice if on a FT…
January 15 at 3:23 pm
TheSharpeEnd says:
Yeah it’s 102.7m
January 15 at 3:01 pm
Bemba Da says:
Adkins confirms that Luke shaw trained this morning having been stretchered off during Saturday’s win
January 15 at 3:03 pm
Brutus619 says:
!GMO
January 15 at 3:06 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
! Get me Outtahere
January 15 at 3:11 pm
Brutus619 says:
January 15 at 3:03 pm
Giggs Boson says:
RMT
Mignolet – Federici
Terry – Vertonghen – Debuchy – Wilson – Onohua
Nani – Dempsey – Gerrard – McClean – Taarabt
Rooney – Aguero – Pisse
January 15 at 3:05 pm
Katie says:
Crap squad – especially that McClean dude…
January 15 at 3:05 pm
Giggs Boson says:
January 15 at 3:06 pm
Katie says:
looks lovely and refreshing
January 15 at 3:07 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Different for the sake of difference.
January 15 at 3:07 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
You Don’t have to go for differentials ALLLL over the pitch.
And a flair team without Kolarov? FAIL.
January 15 at 3:10 pm
Giggs Boson says:
It’s a feasible flair team. Kolarov doesn’t play
January 15 at 3:11 pm
Kostja says:
Midfield invites gag reflexes. Overall too much Tottenham, Debuchy- dont know if worth it. Id rather own Stam or Harte over Onuoha. Dont like either of the keepers as you have cheaper options in both defenses.
January 15 at 3:20 pm
athevroy says:
Awesome team if it had been January 15, 2012
January 15 at 3:04 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
If any of the scouts are about, i’d actually like to know about the developments on the community section. I was very excited by that feature.
January 15 at 3:05 pm
Katie says:
How excited exactly?
January 15 at 3:06 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
7/10
January 15 at 3:11 pm
CoYi says:
semi?
January 15 at 3:06 pm
good biashara says:
Without considering prices, who would you rather have for the DGW between Noble, Nolan, and J.Cole, and why?
thanks
January 15 at 3:08 pm
Dial Square says:
J. Cole – lower ceiling than Nolan but more likely to get points in both games
January 15 at 3:07 pm
Valar Morghulis(Formerly Keith) says:
Got 9 million for a one week punt on a striker as i may WC next week
A) Podolski
B) Tevez
C) Cisse
D) Other
January 15 at 3:08 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
for this week Pod, 2 chances to get it right
January 15 at 3:08 pm
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
A
January 15 at 3:08 pm
Dogba says:
C) or Dzeko IMO.
January 15 at 3:08 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
D) Other
All you need is 7.8 million.
January 15 at 3:12 pm
Valar Morghulis(Formerly Keith) says:
Can throw Ba out for 9 or Berba out for 7.8 .. not sure which of the 2 i want to start for this week
January 15 at 3:12 pm
Mainevent says:
Giroud?
January 15 at 3:12 pm
making up the numbers says:
lol, just posted similar thing below, sorry guys
January 15 at 3:14 pm
Valar Morghulis(Formerly Keith) says:
good tactic to get ppl to move off my post to yours
.. thanks for the stats though. food for thought
January 15 at 3:16 pm
making up the numbers says:
That did not occur to me, hence the apology,
but fair point,
either way, we get the answers we need,
so WIN WIN,
now grow up and stop crying
January 15 at 3:14 pm
Wez88 says:
Has to be A b/c of DGW
January 15 at 3:21 pm
athevroy says:
Dzeko or tevez.
January 15 at 3:07 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
Doos, are you still about I have West Ham matters I’d like to discuss as they relate to my team this week.
January 15 at 3:11 pm
making up the numbers says:
This comment has been removed. Please consult our terms and conditions if in doubt on content suitable for posting on this site.
January 15 at 3:13 pm
★FC Borecelona★ says:
January 15 at 3:15 pm
Valar Morghulis(Formerly Keith) says:
shame that cause of us non members you members cant discuss member stuff
January 15 at 3:12 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Bunn / Begovic
Onuoha / Gibbs / Davies / Martin R / Demel
Mata / Fellaini / Walcott / Puncheon / Bale
Aguero / Sturridge / Van Persie
Too top heavy? Too Michuless?
January 15 at 3:17 pm
Dealbert says:
Very nice imo
January 15 at 3:19 pm
Dealbert says:
I’m going without Michu myself and my current draft is very similar to yours but Puncheon –> Marveaux, Fellaini –> Kagawa, Walcott –> Silva and two different cheapos for Onuoha and Martin R!
January 15 at 3:24 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Kagawa intrigues me. United’s fixtures are about to get very good.
January 15 at 3:27 pm
rvp786 says:
for 8m id prefer michu over kawaga. less rotation risk and the main man in his team
January 15 at 3:28 pm
rvp786 says:
your defence should be stronger than that. your TV must be on the low side?
January 15 at 3:31 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Yeah lost a load on Berba and Sagna.
January 15 at 3:33 pm
rvp786 says:
i like the front 7. downgrade punch to marveuz/guthrie and i would upgrade onuha to cuellar just to strengthen the back line abit
January 15 at 3:18 pm
heco87 says:
Nice team
January 15 at 3:13 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
Vincent Kompany’s red card over-turned by the FA
Source Ian Ladyman on Twitter
(Same guy who said 2 weeks for Aguero so knows his stuff)
January 15 at 3:13 pm
Kostja says:
Ian Ladyman @Ian_Ladyman_DM
Vincent Kompany’s red card against Arsenal has been overturned by the FA. see Mail Online.
January 15 at 3:13 pm
Super-Ballotelli-is-fantastic-Heskey-is-atrocious says:
Kompany’s red card overturned.
January 15 at 3:14 pm
Bemba Da says:
Vincent Kompany’s red card against Arsenal has been overturned by the FA
January 15 at 3:15 pm
Absinthe Minded One says:
does that mean reduced to yellow and therefore a red and still a 1 game ban?
January 15 at 3:18 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Overturned should mean cancelled.. It was a straight red, I think they can cancel it completely and not reduce it to a retrospective yellow..
January 15 at 3:18 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
So Man City will not raid Dortmund for it’s young CBs now…
January 15 at 3:15 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
“@FruityWHU: @DavidGoldWHU When Is Mark Noble next available? He is back in full training.
January 15 at 3:15 pm
Katie says:
Kompany’s red Ferrari overturned by rioters.
January 15 at 3:16 pm
Santiagounreal says:
January 15 at 3:23 pm
Crouch Potato says:
A disgraceful decision, by their own laws ( which I don’t totally agree with) it was a clear red card. The rules for the big clubs are different.
January 15 at 3:24 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Yeah but no-one deserves to have their Ferrari overturned…
except the rich…
Those bastards!!
*shakes fist*
January 15 at 3:19 pm
roscola says:
Splendid. Slightly better chance of clean sheets for Zab
January 15 at 3:23 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Slightly less chance of Nasty being nailed on though… damn
January 15 at 3:24 pm
roscola says:
I think you’ll be fine with him
January 15 at 3:16 pm
Kostja says:
Noble back in full training apparently should get both games in the double
January 15 at 3:16 pm
Valar Morghulis(Formerly Keith) says:
Nobody say stardba please.. there’s an echo in here ^^
January 15 at 3:19 pm
heco87 says:
a heco in here?
January 15 at 3:20 pm
Deulo10 says:
Bego Rudd
Clyne Gibbs Azpi Harte Demel
Michu Mata Hazard Walcott Marveaux
Lambert Berba RvP
1 FT and 0.3 in the bank. Was thinking of Hazard -> Cazorla for the DGW. Or should i do something else?
Thoughts would be very much appreciated
January 15 at 3:21 pm
fuml_akimbo says:
One week punt, no hits required.
A) Ba > Podolski
B) Ba > Aguero
C) Ba > Sturridge
D) Ba > Dzeko
January 15 at 3:22 pm
heco87 says:
Podo if it’s purely a one-weeker.
January 15 at 3:25 pm
rvp786 says:
if ageuro is certain to start then him. if not then A
January 15 at 3:28 pm
fuml_akimbo says:
I’d only go with Aguero for that reason. I was thinking of doing Podolski > Aguero the following week if there’s no other more urgent transfer.
January 15 at 3:30 pm
rvp786 says:
ageuro has to come in i reckon at some point. he was red hot against stoke. if he shows that same form then im bringing him in.
not this week though as i would require a hit to bring him in.
January 15 at 3:23 pm
Nick says:
It’s between A & D, for me. As it’s only a 1 week punt you may as well go with Pod.
January 15 at 3:32 pm
1LHerne says:
Every one of them are very good choices. I just think Fulham’s midfield is way too weak for City and I’m thinking 2-3 goals for City there for sure. So Aguero or Dzeko. Dzeko is shooting a lot right now, gets in good positions and he’s hungry for more..
January 15 at 3:22 pm
Giggs Boson says:
Redknapp is after Kalou now
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/292929/
Also, does anyone know much about the beast of Kader?
January 15 at 3:23 pm
Berbilly Gilmore says:
Broke some guys leg with a horrible tackle.
January 15 at 3:25 pm
roscola says:
He makes me think of the Manga film, ‘Fist of the North Star’. Scale and proportion goes out of the window
January 15 at 3:25 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Darth Kader is a good acquisition for us…
I don’t know anything about him…but may the force be with him
January 15 at 3:27 pm
Crouch Potato says:
Not if you read closely. Article bases this on QPR being snubbed by Remy. Odemwinge is their main target at present.
January 15 at 3:22 pm
Timon says:
Manchini is believed to be crying in his couch as he cant bring another 40m defender now.
January 15 at 3:27 pm
Katie says:
January 15 at 3:29 pm
Giggs Boson says:
No one decent defenders want to go to a Europa League club. They’d much prefer QPR
January 15 at 3:30 pm
Giggs Boson says:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tum.....o1_500.gif
January 15 at 3:33 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
I think Man City are out of Europe all together…
January 15 at 3:23 pm
PC ALLSTARS says:
Right guys what do u think?
A) Demel Guthrie Pod
B) Verm Punch C Cole
Already have Nolan Santi & Theo.
January 15 at 3:34 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
B
January 15 at 3:23 pm
Bowstring92 - Torino FC representing from Dublin says:
Hey guys, WCing on the weekend.These are the two teams it has come down to. The main differences are:
Team 1 – DDG, Sagna, Michu, Suarez.
http://i.imgur.com/y7Rus.png
Team 2 – Szczesny, Rafael, Bale, Sturridge. (with 0.3 in the bank)
http://i.imgur.com/c8LfS.png
January 15 at 3:24 pm
BalotelliesBalls says:
Team 2 for me
January 15 at 3:24 pm
leeno says:
out of west hams 3 .. noble, jarvis and jcole, whos the most attacking/likely to get most pts for the dgw
January 15 at 3:26 pm
Bowstring92 - Torino FC representing from Dublin says:
Noble or Cole… depends on set pieces for Noble,but I would say J.Cole
January 15 at 3:25 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Team 2…
January 15 at 3:27 pm
Bowstring92 - Torino FC representing from Dublin says:
Cheers guys, having doubts about Michu’s ability to continue with these goals, his returns have been poor of late and I think Swansea will be cup-focused. That new signing also keeps their options open
January 15 at 3:27 pm
Nick says:
Team 2
January 15 at 3:24 pm
Djerbil says:
For Anyone who has already bought in Lescott/Nasty on a FT this week:
http://i.minus.com/ibbZDlI68OQrit.gif
January 15 at 3:31 pm
Giggs Boson says:
January 15 at 3:26 pm
Connor's Calling says:
A) Berba -> Dzeko
B) Lowton -> Sagna (and play instead of Nelsen)
C) Lowton & Berba -> Demel & Podoldski (-4 points)
Got Wally + Gibbs already.
Thanks
January 15 at 3:27 pm
MattLevett says:
Anyone know if there is any hope of O’Brian making the DGW?
January 15 at 3:28 pm
Berbilly Gilmore says:
Yes.
https://twitter.com/DavidGoldWHU/status/290960021729198082
January 15 at 3:30 pm
MattLevett says:
ahh cheers mate. Ill keep him then
January 15 at 3:27 pm
artvandelay87 says:
Fellas,
My current team (http://i45.tinypic.com/eqyp29.jpg) but thinking of using my wild card, to bring in the following:
Mignolet / Bunn
Baines / Ivanovic / Davies (Swans) / Cameron / O’Brien
Michu / Mata / Fellaini / Lennon / Snodgrass
Suarez / Ba / Pogrebnyak
Thoughts?
January 15 at 3:30 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Where is RVP?
January 15 at 3:35 pm
artvandelay87 says:
Would love to bring him in but only got about 0.2mill left, not sure who to drop for him..? Was thinking Ivanovic>Azpilicueta but wouldn’t save me enough money to afford RvP
January 15 at 3:27 pm
Nice2Michu says:
Jaask Migs
Luiz Gibbs Clyne Demel Davies
Mata Walcott Michu Fellaini Bale
Henriquez Ba Lambert
4M in the bank
2 ft
any ideas on what to do?
preferbaly an idea that invloves stregthening my forwards
January 15 at 3:32 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Luiz to a 4.0
Bale to Marveux
Lambert to RVP…
January 15 at 3:34 pm
Eunuch Jelly says:
This, and it’s only (-4).
January 15 at 3:36 pm
Eunuch Jelly says:
Except make it all that and Henriqez to RVP and keep Lambert.
January 15 at 3:34 pm
CoYi says:
you said it yourself…..your forward line is pathetic!!!
January 15 at 3:28 pm
Tatty Bojangles says:
I’m a Newcastle fan, but i think Remy would be an absolute idiot not to go to QPR.
Worst case scenario he ends up getting a big signing on fee and £80k a week for 6 months, then get’s released for free if they get relegated, to get another big signing on fee at a bigger club.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love him here, a front 3 of Ben Arfa – Cisse – Remy would be great but we wouldn’t have offered him more than £50k.
January 15 at 3:28 pm
Koflok - like taking hits because not taking hits is too mainstream.. says:
So who’s the nailed on defender on Sunderland?
I’ve seen they rotate their defensive player a lot.
With this Mangane guy coming in. Will it affect Cuellar?