The Watchlist Updated – The Midfield

Having rolled out our recommendations for The Defence over the next four-to-six Gameweeks yesterday, we turn our attentions to the midfield area. Chelsea’s Brazilian playmaker arrives on our radar, Arsenal’s in-form duo continue to look prosperous options and Liverpool’s fit-again former Inter player makes a significant climb in this week’s refresh:

We hold onto David Silva at the top of the rankings as we await for news on the calf complaint that forced him off in the midweek Champions League win over CSKA Moscow. With attacking returns in three of the last four, the City playmaker has been key to the form that has seen Manuel Pellegrini’s rack up the goals in recent matches and with a trip to Sunderland followed by back-to-back home games against Spurs and Swansea, the fixtures remain in his favour. Yaya Toure is waiting in the wings to replace his team-mate in the rankings if he fails to make it, while Samir Nasri, with a goal or assist in six of his 10 appearances, remains a real under the radar option.

Oscar takes the place of Eden Hazard as our Chelsea midfielder of choice. Jose Mourinho remained somewhat cryptic as to the Belgian’s chances of starting against West Brom this weekend, making Oscar the more secure option – with four goals to his name already, the Brazilian faces just one of the top 10 in the next six (WBA, whm, SOT, sun, sto, CPL) and with Fernando Torres likely to return in three weeks, the uncertainty surrounding the Blues’ lone forward berth elevates their midfielders in our thinking.

Arsenal pair Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey both retain their positions within the top five in spite of a trip to Old Trafford this Sunday. The Welshman has now scored or assisted in all but one of the seven league games since Ozil’s arrival from Real Madrid and continued his relentless pursuit of goals with a vital winner in Dortmund last night – with three home games in four to follow the United clash, they could be poised for plenty more points, though we’re keeping an eye on Theo Walcott’s injury recovery, with Arsene Wenger expecting him back soon after the international break.

A return from a shoulder injury brings Philippe Coutinho immediately back into the reckoning. The Brazilian was handed a 45-minute run-out at the Emirates last Sunday but is expected to be handed his first start since Gameweek 4 at home to Fulham this weekend – with a front two of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge to feed, whether in a 3-4-1-2 or 4-4-2, Coutinho looks an enticing differential prospect and also has a trip to Hull and home games with Norwich and West Ham in the next five.

Stoke’s versatile new boy Marko Arnautovic climbs in this week’s refresh. The Austrian has been fielded up front and in “the hole” in recent matches but was moved to the left wing last weekend – at 5.5, he has notched twice in his last three in all competitions and has a trip to Swansea followed by three home games in four to help pick up the points.

A favourable run of fixtures keeps Ravel Morrison in the mix, though the West Ham budget midfielder is just one booking away from a single-match ban. Sam Allardyce’s side continue to struggle for goals but Morrison has scored two and assisted one of their last six – he has Norwich, Fulham and Palace in the next four.

A trip to Chelsea this weekend somewhat tempers our enthusiasm over Stephane Sessegnon, though the subsequent schedule hands West Brom three home games in four. With Morgan Amalfitano shifted to right-back last time out and Steve Clarke clearly uncertain over his preferred option for the lone forward role, the 6.6 priced Benin international looks the best route amongst the Baggies attacking options right now as he looks to kick on from last week’s assist at home to Palace.

With a goal or assist in four of the last six Gameweeks, Adam Lallana has the form but after this week’s home clash against Hull, the Southampton skipper has a tricky run of fixtures which could curtail his progress, Mauricio Pochettino’s side square up to Arsenal, Chelsea and City in the following four – certainly enough to deter any would-be suitors.

Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye has home games against Norwich and West Brom in the next three and, despite producing a goal or assist in four of the last six, has remained under the radar with a 3% ownership. Like Morrison, however, he’s a yellow card away from a one-match ban.

United youngster Adnan Januzaj has started three of the last four and looks good for another appearance in the XI after being rested from the midweek Champions League trip to Real Sociedad. He remains a real budget option at just 5.1, though with Arsenal, Spurs and Everton in the next four, David Moyes’ side have a tough task on their hands.

Further down, Robert Snodgrass will be hoping to recover from a head injury for Norwich’s home games against West Ham and Palace in the next three, while promoted pair Peter Whittingham and Robbie Brady are another couple of budget options to consider. Both have set-pieces and spot-kicks in their favour – Whittingham has Villa, Palace and a home game with West Brom in the next six, while Brady welcomes Palace and Stoke to the KC over the same period.