Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek Two – The Weak

After examining the beneficiaries of the forthcoming fixture schedule in yesterday’s article, today it’s the turn of the less fortunate sides. A number of last season’s high flyers have testing schedules over the next four to six Gameweeks that could counsel caution over their Fantasy assets.

Man City

The champions hammered all comers at the Etihad last season and will be hoping to maintain that form as a couple of title rivals pay visit. With a dressing room full of world-class talent, Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit could well emerge from their upcoming fixture list with a barrel-full of goals and a pocket-full of clean sheets. But history says caution may still be required when faced with (LIV, ars, CHE) in the next four: of those same three fixtures last season, City won one, drew one and lost one, scoring just four goals and conceding in each game.

Anyone eyeing up David Silva after his goal against Newcastle may want to hold fire until easier fodder heaves into view, and a gamble on Sergio Aguero’s nascent fitness seems similarly risky. Likewise, with so much potential for rotation in defence, looking elsewhere may well be the safest option, at least for the time being. Gameweek 6, however, is a different story. A glorious period of fixtures will prove extremely tempting for Fantasy managers and many will doubtless be trying to figure out how to squeeze two or even three pricey Citizens into their squads.

Leicester

A well-earned point against Everton signalled a bright start for Nigel Pearson’s side but there are tougher tests to come: the Foxes prepare to face Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United in the next four Gameweeks. Liam Moore got the nod to provide Fantasy managers with a precious 4.0 budget starter in defence, but few owners will be keen to start him over this schedule. Chris Wood came off the bench to grab a goal but is unlikely to tempt much investment, though Leonardo Ulloa was on a few radars following a successful campaign with Brighton. These fixtures suggest monitoring the Argentine and his strike partner, David Nugent, before investing, however. The Foxes’ schedule does clear markedly from Gameweek 7, an ideal time to invest if any of their players manage to impress in the interim period.

Aston Villa

Touted for relegation by no fewer than nine of the scouts in our season’s predictions, Paul Lambert steered the Villains to a narrow victory over Stoke. The next two fixtures – home ties with Newcastle and Hull – look winnable too. Following that the Midlands club will need to batten down the hatches as they face a hurricane of title-chasing opponents in the shape of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and City. Of course, after last season’s disappointments, few Villa players are gracing Fantasy Watchlists, let alone our squads, but the 4.0-priced Alan Hutton’s clean sheet in the opening Gameweek has caught the eye of some. Anyone holding him can make hay while the sun shines on the next two fixtures but clean sheets look improbable in the subsequent five.

BE WARY OF

Everton
Their winless record in pre-season was carried over into the opener as the Toffees struggled to close out a valiant Leicester. Such insipid form does not bode well considering the step up in quality of their upcoming opponents – encounters against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United in the next six Gameweeks suggest that Roberto Martinez will have his work cut out to ensure a favourable start to the league season, particularly with Europa league commitments to fulfil.

Last season’s hugely successful campaign has had the inevitable effect on the prices of the Everton defence, with even youngster John Stones being elevated to the upper mid-price bracket. With such hard-hitting adversaries on the agenda, investment looks too pricy for most. Aidan McGeady and Steven Naismith, on the other hand, seem very kindly priced and may be ready to step up this season, particularly with the expected long-term injury to Ross Barkley. However, even their most ardent suitors would surely admit that they’re likely to struggle for points in the short term. It looks wise to use the forthcoming fixtures to weigh up their likely pitch time before committing.

West Ham
A match of two cards eventually resulted in a loss for Sam Allardyce as his side were finally undone in stoppage time by Spurs. Traditionally, the Hammers’ appeal to Fantasy managers is limited to their hardy and well priced defence but Allardyce’s forays into the transfer market have so far suggested an increased focus on attacking prowess. Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate, and Diafra Sakho are all hoping to announce themselves in the Premier League – the former catching some Fantasy eyes after a decent showing at the World Cup. But with a middling set of fixtures over the next six Gameweeks, including Liverpool and Man United and – crucially – only one truly tempting home game (QPR), points potential at either end of the pitch looks limited. Again, Fantasy managers are advised to use these fixtures for reconnaissance before the weather turns clement for the Hammers around Gameweek 7.

Liverpool
The win over Southampton was hardly convincing, as Liverpool attempt to come to terms with life without Luis Suarez. They may need to get up to speed more quickly if they are to start the season with much needed momentum, which won’t be helped by their next two fixtures against Man City and Tottenham. Investment in double-digit scorer Raheem Sterling has been strong this week but he will tested against those opponents, as will Daniel Sturridge. Brendan Rodgers’ defence picked up where it left off last season – conceding – and as such look unlikely to shut out City and Spurs, meaning the heavily backed Dejan Lovren may need to rely on his goal-scoring prowess to atone for a lack of clean sheets. However, the skies clear markedly from Gameweek 4 as the Reds embark upon a far stronger schedule.