The Watchlist Updated – The Midfield

Having analysed the Defence in yesterday’s first instalment, we move onto the men in the centre of the park as we roll out our recommended player picks for the next four to six Gameweeks. Chelsea’s Belgian sensation continues to lead the way after last night’s stunning performance against the Black Cats, while Arsenal’s two main protagonists retain lofty positions despite a testing run to follow:

Eden Hazard retains top spot after another devastating display in last night’s win at Sunderland. With Oscar missing out against the Black Cats due to an ankle injury, the Belgian delivered his fourth set of double figures in the last seven Gameweeks for the Blues – a trip to Stoke and home games against Palace and Swansea in the next four look set to see him plunder the points again.

Arsenal duo Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil remain in the top five refresh, with an assist and goal respectively in last night’s win over Hull. The Gunners’ schedule is far from straightforward, though – home games against Everton and Chelsea bookend a trip to the Etihad in the next three. Those with more than one of Arsene Wenger’s attacking options may look elsewhere in light of such a schedule. Theo Walcott is further down the rankings – he has still yet to start a match since returning from injury, with his manager explaining he was no more than a sub against Steve Bruce’s side after failing to train over the past week due to illness.

Steven Gerrard’s outstanding consistency earns him the nod over midfield team-mate Philippe Coutinho. An assist in last night’s win over Norwich means the Reds skipper has now earned his owners attacking returns in eight of the last nine Gameweeks – Liverpool’s next three home matches (WHM, CAR, HUL) could barely be more appetising but trips to Spurs, City and Chelsea somewhat lessen his appeal. Yohan Cabaye has also delivered on a regular basis. The 6.5-priced Newcastle midfielder has scored or assisted in six of the last 10 and has home games against Southampton and Stoke in addition to a trip to Palace in the next four – the downside is that he remains on the Suspension Tightrope and is just a single caution away from a one-match ban.

Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri have the form but three of the next four fixtures are a little tricky for City. A visit to Southampton and home games against Arsenal and Liverpool look a real test for Manuel Pellegrini’s men as they attempt to maintain the last 100% home record in the top-flight. The Ivorian is the pricier of the pair, at 9.6 to 8.2, though this is vindicated by his consistency – Toure has now scored or assisted in nine of the first 14 Gameweeks compared to Nasri’s seven. The latter remains a real differential, though, and currently sits in less than 6% of FPL teams.

Stephane Sessegnon’s stock took a real dive after he was benched for last night’s home loss to City. With rotation kicking in, though, we expect him to return to the fold as Steve Clarke’s side brace themselves for home games against Norwich and Hull, with a trip to Cardiff sandwiched in between. Chris Brunt offers a cheaper route into the Baggies midfield for such a schedule – coming in at 5.0 to Sessegnon’s 6.6, he has scored or assisted in three of the last five.

Nathan Redmond, Barry Bannan and Peter Whittingham are the stand-out budget selections on offer in this week’s refresh. Coming in at just 4.6, Redmond looks a secure pick in light of injuries to Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington on the flanks – trips to West Brom and Sunderland supplement the visits of Swansea and Fulham in the next four for Chris Hughton’s side. Bannan is even cheaper at 4.4 and has played a part in each of Palace’s last two goals – he welcomes Cardiff, Newcastle and Norwich to Selhurst Park in the next six and also travels to Villa.

Whittingham (5.1) pays visit to Palace before three home games in four (WBA, SOT, SUN) and heads the queue for set-pieces and spot-kicks for Cardiff. As mentioned in yesterday’s defenders piece, Malky Mackay’s side rotate home/away perfectly with Palace all the way up to Gameweek 27 – some Fantasy managers are eyeing up a cut-price Bannan/Whittingham partnership to take advantage of what looks a very kind run of matches.

Antonio Valencia has started the last five for United and, whilst he has managed just a goal and assist all season, has a very enticing schedule on his agenda. Home games with Newcastle and West Ham are supplemented by trips to Villa, Hull and Norwich and, at 7.1, he could appeal as a mid-price punt as David Moyes looks to recover from last night’s loss to former club Everton – a move to right-back midway through the Toffees defeat is somewhat worrying, though.