Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 2

With just a single match remaining of Gameweek 1, our attentions have already turned to next weekend and beyond as our regular look at the fixture list is rolled out once again. Assessing the strength of schedule over the next four-to-six Gameweeks, the omens look good for in-form City and Southampton, though United and Chelsea owners may be a little concerned by their fixtures looming.

The Strong

Southampton

A 1-0 win at West Brom saw the Saints mirror the resilience displayed towards the end of the previous campaign. Mauricio Pochettino’s side ended 2012/13 with just nine goals conceded in the final 10 fixtures and with an enticing schedule ahead, there’s plenty cause for optimism amongst Fantasy managers. Artur Boruc looks secure between the sticks, while Luke Shaw has earned himself an early bandwagon after a 12 point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) return at the Hawthorns – home games against Sunderland, West Ham, Palace and Swansea, in addition to a trip to Norwich, bolster their chances of further defensive returns. Providing he’s passed fit, Nathaniel Clyne looks an under the radar option at right-back.

Further up the field, Rickie Lambert is likely to retain his role as the lone forward as Pochettino looks to accommodate new boy Pablo Osvaldo into his frontline. Lambert’s spot-kick duties and share of set-pieces make him an appealing option for our three-man frontlines over that upcoming run, while skipper Adam Lallana looks a viable mid-price midfield alternative.

Man City

Monday night’s hammering of Newcastle served notice of City’s renewed swagger under Manuel Pellegrini. While the Chilean was keen to reiterate his intentions to utilise the strength of the City squad, the likes of David Silva, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero are already on Fantasy radars ahead of games against Cardiff, Hull and Stoke. Vincent Kompany’s groin complaint looks set to cement Joleon Lescott’s place at the back, and with Matija Nastasic resuming training this week, clean sheet returns look on the cards – Pablo Zabaleta’s right flank raids could bring in further points, with Micah Richards’ hamstring injury clearing any uncertainty over possible rotation for the Argentine.

Tottenham

A narrow win over Palace last Sunday allowed Roberto Soldado to open his account with a coolly-taken spot-kick. The Spaniard now prepares for four enticing matches in the next six which could earn him Fantasy points aplenty – home games against Swansea, Norwich and West Ham, with a trip to Cardiff also thrown in, more than atone for testing showdowns with Arsenal and Chelsea. Fantasy managers eagerly await a conclusion to the Gareth Bale saga – the Welshman would be an obvious armband contender but his possible departure to Madrid may bring the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson into the equation, though Andre Villas-Boas will surely reinvest if his star man does leg it to La Liga.

At the back, Jan Vertonghen’s class has already collected him a couple of bonus points in the new system on top of the Palace clean sheet. Michael Dawson mid-price appeal could earn him new suitors – he seems to be ahead of Younes Kaboul in the central defensive pecking order as the latter builds up his fitness.

Liverpool

A look at the fixture ticker sees Brendan Rodgers’ side rated as fourth most favourable over the next six Gameweeks. While trips to Villa and Swansea are perhaps debatable in terms of clean sheets, the chance of attacking returns for Philippe Coutinho, Iago Aspas and Daniel Sturridge look decent as the Reds attempt to build on their opening day win over Stoke. Home games against Southampton and Palace and a trip to Sunderland offer points potential at both ends of the pitch, with Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet owners remaining confident.

Also Consider

Newcastle – on paper at least, the Magpies have the most appealing four-match run of any side. Home games against West Ham, Fulham and Hull, in addition to a trip to Villa, look ideal as they attempt to bounce back from Monday’s mauling at City. Form-wise, though, Alan Pardew’s side offered little to convince would-be suitors – with Steven Taylor suspended for the next two league games and Davide Santon a doubt, their backline already looks under strength, while the potential loss of playmaker Yohan Cabaye hardly helps morale. Further up the field, Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse are nailed-on but drafting either in looks no more than a punt at the moment.

Hull – Steve Bruce will be targeting a run of four home games in the next six as a viable source of points for the Tigers. Norwich, Cardiff, West Ham and Villa all roll up to the KC Stadium between now and Gameweek 7 and with a trip to Newcastle also in their short-term agenda, the omens look good for the promoted club. A recent change of formation to 4-3-3 is worth keeping an eye on here. Budget option James Chester looks a decent shout at the back in light of that schedule, while Roberto Koren looks the safest option in midfield – Ahmed Elmohamady has been shifted to right-back, while Robbie Brady started in the midfield three against Chelsea.

Norwich – unconvincing in their home draw against Everton, Chris Hughton’s side have a trip to Hull and two strong home games against Southampton and Villa in the next four. Seb Bassong played 90 minutes for the reserves on Monday – his potential return looks crucial as the Canaries look to replicate the form that harvested eight clean sheets at Carrow Road last time out. Robert Snodgrass is looking to recover from a groin problem; his creativity will bolster the appeal of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel up top.

The Weak

Man United

David Moyes’ side made light work of a perceived difficult trip to Swansea last Saturday evening but United’s upcoming schedule remains undoubtedly tricky. A home clash with Chelsea this weekend precedes trips to Liverpool and City – while you wouldn’t back against Robin Van Persie under virtually any circumstance, those fixtures are enough to deter any Fantasy managers from snapping up the champions’ assets. A Gameweek 4 home clash with Palace looks the one bright spot before the schedule clears considerably a fortnight later.

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho’s side brace themselves for a schedule which sees them play just once at Stamford Bridge in the next six Gameweeks. Trips to United, Everton and Spurs in the following five, in addition to a blank Gameweek 3, hands those who loaded up on Chelsea assets for the double a real dilemma. Romelu Lukaku owners are already jumping ship after he was benched for the home game against Hull, while Mourinho’s teamsheet against Villa may give an indication as to the extent of rotation we can come to expect over the season ahead.

West Brom

Having opened their campaign with a narrow home defeat to Southampton, the Baggies chances of bouncing back are undermined by a tricky run of matches. Steve Clarke’s side square up to three of last season’s top six (eve, mun ARS) in the next six Gameweeks and with a showdown against Swansea and trip to Fulham also thrown into the mix, there’s no real cause for optimism at either end of the pitch. Nicolas Anelka’s subdued opening display may already be giving his owners second thoughts, while investment in the West Brom backline looks a route best avoided.

Be Wary Of…

Aston Villa – Paul Lambert’s side welcome Liverpool and City to Villa Park in the next five, while a blank Gameweek 3 and visit to Norwich also await the midlands outfit. Though those who loaded up on Villa assets for the double may be scouring the market for alternatives, though Villa’s display at the Emirates has already suggested they may cause a few upsets along the way this term. Certainly, Christian Benteke owners will have little fear of fixture difficulty on the back of his double against Arsenal.

Sunderland – Paolo Di Canio’s side will feel hard done by after dominating against Fulham yet falling to defeat. The Black Cats don’t have time to feel sorry for themselves, though, as they ready themselves for the visit of Arsenal, Liverpool and United in the next six Gameweeks. With trips to Southampton and West Brom also to consider, few will fancy the Wearsiders as an option right now.

Stoke – the weekend home game against Palace is the one bright spot over the next four Gameweeks for Mark Hughes’ troops. Trips to West Ham and Arsenal, with a home showdown against City sandwiched in between, suggest Asmir Begovic will once again have his work cut out to deliver the Fantasy returns – the Bosnian’s heroics earned five points at Anfield last time out despite the narrow 1-0 loss.

Swansea – as the Swans lick their wounds after the opening day home mauling by United, their schedule remains unappetising. Michael Laudrup’s men face Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal in the next six and also have a trip to Southampton on their agenda – with Europa League duties also factored in, rest and rotation looks a potential problem. Laudrup started with Wilfried Bony on the bench against United and while the Ivorian climbed off to notch a consolation, there’s a fear his manager’s teamsheet could be a sign of things to come.