Having cast an eye over those teams with strong fixtures over the next four-to-six Gameweeks in yesterday’s article, the second part looks at teams with less fortunate schedules. Tough times are on the horizon for David Moyes’ men, whilst the best value defence in the game so far are set for a testing trio of opponents in the next five:
Man United
After a dubious start to their title defence, it’s fair to say that United have emerged from their purple patch of fixtures in slightly better form. They’ll need all that progress and more if they’re to grab the points required from the next four fixtures – home games against Arsenal and Everton combine with a trip to Tottenham to form a potent brew for the Reds to swallow.
Owners of either of the in-form strikers Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie are unlikely to sell up now but with no clean sheets since their home clash with Crystal Palace back in Gameweek 4, anyone still holding the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra may regard these fixtures as the last straw. In midfield, Shinji Kagawa’s slow ascent to favour isn’t happening quickly enough for even his most ardent fans – Adnan Januzaj has started three of the last four and, having been rested from midweek European duties, looks set to start against the Gunners this weekend.
West Brom
Despite giving a good account of themselves lately, Albion’s short term fixtures nevertheless hold a sting to stay our transfer hands. Up next is a visit to Stamford Bridge while the Baggies also entertain City in the next four.
Once those fixtures are dispensed with, the pastures look greener but for now, anyone looking at Stephane Sessegnon may think twice, while Gareth McAuley is likely to rely on attacking returns, rather than clean sheets, to help him climb the leaderboard. With Billy Jones ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Morgan Amalfitano’s owners will be hoping he doesn’t continue in defence – the Frenchman was moved to right-back after Jones was withdrawn on 30 minutes against Palace last weekend.
Fulham
Still clinging to his job, Martin Jol has both form and fixtures against him as he battles to drag the Cottagers out of the mire. With a trip to Anfield next and games against Tottenham and Everton also in the next six, any thoughts of punting on a Fulham player must surely be shelved, pending an upturn in both performance and schedule.
As noted in last week’s article, Fulham’s highest scoring player in the Fantasy Premier League game is Steve Sidwell, a fact that paints a vivid picture of an anaemic season so far. Jol will be desperately hoping his mercurial Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov can get into gear and atone for scoring just one goal in the first 10 games. Also on Jol’s wishlist will be a happy outcome to the club’s bid to overturn Sascha Riether’s three match ban for stamping on Adnan Januzaj in last week’s loss at United.
BE WARY OF
Southampton
This season’s budget gems, very few Fantasy managers have made it this far without acquiring one or more of the Saints’ high-value assets. Owners need beware, however – the fixtures are about to turn for Mauricio Pochettino’s team and they’ll need to dig deep to keep their lofty league position. The visit of Hull holds little fear but the following four games include back-to-back trips to London to meet Arsenal and Chelsea and a home game against Man City.
Artur Boruc may be relying on save points, while managers may be looking for players to rotate with their Saints defenders over the short-term period. James Ward-Prowse’s (4.2) return to the starting XI could have been timed better for Fantasy managers while Rickie Lambert’s disappointing start to the season looks unlikely to turn around just yet. Adam Lallana has climbed 0.6 since Gameweek 7 but may struggle to rediscover his form after producing back-to-back blanks in the last two.
Sunderland
Gus Poyet’s difficult entry into Wearside life isn’t about to get any easier as the fixtures continue to punish his new side. With a daunting trio of visitors to the Stadium of Light – Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham – and an away form that has seen them fail to score on the road since August, Fantasy interest is at an all-time low. Jozy Altidore’s miserable form persists but this period does afford Fantasy managers an opportunity to monitor Steven Fletcher for signs of life. In midfield, Adam Johnson and Emanuele Giaccherini have found themselves omitted from the XI, restricting options further – the Poyet shake-up may even promote Seb Larsson as a contender from Gameweek 16 when Sunderland embark upon a prolonged period of favourable fixtures.
Cardiff City
In party mode after winning the Welsh derby, the Bluebirds can’t afford to get too carried away. The next two home games sees Malky Mackay’s men face United and Arsenal – such fixtures could quell any surge of interest in Steven Caulker after his second goal of the season, while budget midfielder Peter Whittingham may find himself swapped for another low-price contender with better fixtures. With Fraizer Campbell and Peter Odemwingie having managed a single goal between them since the former’s August brace, Mackay will be desperate for Andrea Cornelius to finally overcome the ankle problem that has curtailed his start to life in the Premier League.
